THE ULTIMATE TOOL TRAILER

[crpaulk]

The transport for the Ultimate Work Bench and Miter Stand. This is a video tour, of how I transport "My Ultimate Wood Shop" from job to job. My goal is to inspire creative solutions for a carpenter's day to day life. If we can make the tools fade into the fabric of the workday instead of being the focus, then we can be inspired and enjoy the process.

YouTube:  Carpenter's Tool Trailer

Do what you love!
Ron Paulk
www.paulkhomes.com

 

[woodguy7]

Wow  [eek]  That was kinda impressive.  How much would a trailer like that cost today (empty)  Don't really have them over here.

Thanks for showing.

 

[GhostFist]

Ron, keep on with these videos. you have some awesome ideas! Question about your on board compressor, you run hose off your trailer through the house? I'm all for not moving the buggers but I'm also not to big on tripping over three miles of hose. Regardless, really nice set up!

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

That is a lot of weight to be pulling around with a 1/2 ton pick up all the time. [eek]

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Always interesting looking at how others have their setups, thanks.

I don't know the laws of your state, but in NJ, you must have separate trailer insurance, added to your current policy, if your policy even offers it.  Some companys won't insure trailers.  Most commercial policies do.  You can't just buy one, hook up and go without checking.

Also, some points to consider if thinking about a trailer, (like Brice had pointed out a while ago) do you have ease of use and parking ability in the area where you normally work?  If the trailer isn't conditioned, you can build up moisture on tools creating rust whereas in a van, the heat or a/c being used would take care of that, as long as you don't have a partition preventing air flow to the back.  In bad weather or high wind situations, when trailers are banned from major roads, you might have a problem.  Get a good trailer hitch lock to prevent someone else from running away with your goodies when you separate the trailer from the tow vehicle and secure all entry points.

 

[Sparktrician]

Always interesting looking at how others have their setups, thanks.

I don't know the laws of your state, but in NJ, you must have separate trailer insurance, added to your current policy, if your policy even offers it.  Some companys won't insure trailers.  Most commercial policies do.  You can't just buy one, hook up and go without checking.

Also, some points to consider if thinking about a trailer, (like Brice had pointed out a while ago) do you have ease of use and parking ability in the area where you normally work?  If the trailer isn't conditioned, you can build up moisture on tools creating rust whereas in a van, the heat or a/c being used would take care of that, as long as you don't have a partition preventing air flow to the back.  In bad weather or high wind situations, when trailers are banned from major roads, you might have a problem.  Get a good trailer hitch lock to prevent someone else from running away with your goodies when you separate the trailer from the tow vehicle and secure all entry points.

I'd add that it would be a very good idea to get a good drawbar lock for your truck, too.  Some enterprising thugs have been known to slip out the drawbar pin and slip the drawbar into their own hitch receiver, and it's bye-bye trailer.  You can also get "the boot" for one or more trailer wheels to prevent drive-off thievery. 

[smile]

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Good point Willy.  I have them too.

 

[justinmcf]

now that is great setup.

i thought about doing something similar a few years ago.

i think its great that you can walk through the trailer.
my trailer is a very tiny 6 feet long by 4 feet wide.
it holds about one third of my tools.

i can see myself copying your set up once the work picks up again and then i can upgrade, upgrade, upgrade!!!

keep the videos coming too.
they are fantastic quality and very informative.

regards, justin.

 

[crpaulk]

Wow  [eek]  That was kinda impressive.  How much would a trailer like that cost today (empty)  Don't really have them over here.

Thanks for showing.

Depending on brand and size 4-5 K

Ron Paulk
www.paulkhomes.com

 

[crpaulk]

That is a lot of weight to be pulling around with a 1/2 ton pick up all the time. [eek]

My F-150 is 18 years old and still going strong!

Ron Paulk
www.paulkhomes.com

 

[crpaulk]

Always interesting looking at how others have their setups, thanks.

I don't know the laws of your state, but in NJ, you must have separate trailer insurance, added to your current policy, if your policy even offers it.  Some companys won't insure trailers.  Most commercial policies do.  You can't just buy one, hook up and go without checking.

Also, some points to consider if thinking about a trailer, (like Brice had pointed out a while ago) do you have ease of use and parking ability in the area where you normally work?  If the trailer isn't conditioned, you can build up moisture on tools creating rust whereas in a van, the heat or a/c being used would take care of that, as long as you don't have a partition preventing air flow to the back.  In bad weather or high wind situations, when trailers are banned from major roads, you might have a problem.  Get a good trailer hitch lock to prevent someone else from running away with your goodies when you separate the trailer from the tow vehicle and secure all entry points.

I'd add that it would be a very good idea to get a good drawbar lock for your truck, too.  Some enterprising thugs have been known to slip out the drawbar pin and slip the drawbar into their own hitch receiver, and it's bye-bye trailer.  You can also get "the boot" for one or more trailer wheels to prevent drive-off thievery. 

[smile]

I have worked in WA state the last 25 years where additional insurance is not required, and tabs are less than $25 per annum. I did not focus on security, but a monitored alarm is a good idea depending on the area you work. I live on a small island and work only a 5 mile radius from where I live. The weather here is mild and everyone stays home on the one snow day we get every 3 years We do have very challenging driveways being a coastal city with a high bank and everyone wanting a water view. I would like a bigger trailer, but I can get the 16' trailer on any job that a van can squeeze onto. One advantage is I can take my trailer to the job on the weekend and get the prime location to park it: backed right up to the garage door and leave it until the job is complete. With the tight job sites we have, I can show up on work days, park down the road and walk in as my trailer is already in place. Most of the summer, I leave my truck at home and ride my bicycle to the jobs, unless I have to do material runs.

Ron Paulk
www.paulkhomes.com

 

[Rob Z]

Hi Ron, very nicely done!  I would dearly love to outfit a trailer like that, but most of our work is in urban areas where it's hard enough just to park our trucks.

 

[Steve R]

Ron,

Have you done anything to the trailer for cold weather travel and use? I see you're in Washington state but you could still have fairly moderate temperature by comparison to Minnesota.

If you have modified it for cold weather what have you done?

Cheers,
Steve

 

[crpaulk]

Ron,

Have you done anything to the trailer for cold weather travel and use? I see you're in Washington state but you could still have fairly moderate temperature by comparison to Minnesota.

If you have modified it for cold weather what have you done?

Cheers,
Steve

Steve,
My cold weather preparation has been multiple layers and gloves. Our temps are moderate, averaging in the Mid 30's during winter. My shop/garage is also unheated, and I keep the garage door open to access the tool trailer. I haven't had any tool problems: moisture, rust, etc.. in my few decades. My resolution, as I age, is to move the trailer to Hawaii and just deal with corrosion

Ron Paulk
www.paulkhomes.com

 

[Jack Parks]

Ron,

Great job organizing and making everything accessible in the trailer.  I agree that using a trailer like yours is a good way to work on a jobsite as well as having it available back at your garage shop.  Keep the videos and tips coming.

Jack

 

[crpaulk]

Ron,

Great job organizing and making everything accessible in the trailer.  I agree that using a trailer like yours is a good way to work on a jobsite as well as having it available back at your garage shop.  Keep the videos and tips coming.

Jack

Jack,
Using the trailer back at my shop is a big deal for me. I only have a two car garage now and keep a car and pickup parked inside of it so no room for permanent fixtures. The trailer also works as a tool room in my situation. I pull out the vehicles and back the trailer up and in a mater of 20 minutes I have a functional shop set up and working. When I build our next place, I plan on having a 1000' or so wood studio with space to keep my trailer inside functioning as a mobile tool room. When working in the studio, I can walk in and out of the trailer for tools, but when it's time to head to the job site, close the ramp and go.

Thanks,
Ron Paulk
www.paulkhomes.com

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Ron,

You'll probably need a highly paid helper in Hawaii to tune up the tools and keep them going, check that they build stuff properly, etc.  You can email me when you're ready to move.  [wink]

 

[peter halle]

Ron,

You'll probably need a highly paid helper in Hawaii to tune up the tools and keep them going, check that they build stuff properly, etc.  You can email me when you're ready to move.  [wink]

... and then Ken will mail you a check every month to pay that helper.

Ken,  you are so considerate  [thumbs up]

[popcorn]

 

[crpaulk]

Ron,

You'll probably need a highly paid helper in Hawaii to tune up the tools and keep them going, check that they build stuff properly, etc.  You can email me when you're ready to move.  [wink]

... and then Ken will mail you a check every month to pay that helper.

Ken,  you are so considerate  [thumbs up]

[popcorn]

I think Ken was planning on being the helper in shorts and flip flops ;D

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Thanks, Peter.  I guess I'll take it from the yearly cruise fund I was going to establish for you and Bethany.  [tongue]