to trailer or truck

admin

Ok so I started my own welding/fab business about 4 months ago and things have been great. Slowly been building more custimers ect. I just bought a trailblazer 250g with an engine rebuild for 800. It was a good deal and I jumped on it. I have been working out of a van or at the shop I share with inverter welders. I am still tight on money but cant decide if I want to build out a old truck or do A trailer.I do a little of everything from building racks, container home stuff, construction site, kitchen repair and boats. So I have a large variety of tools. I like the van bc I can leave 2 or 3 inverters in the lock box and its safe and dry. My van isnt cargo so looks normal. However everybody uses a truck and I know you kinda have to look the part also. right now I do everything with a small stick inverter a 210 tig welder and am getting a multipurpos soon with mig. I use my plasma way more than a torch bc gas is 3-5 times mainland prices.So I will have the trailblazer W/spool gun and suitcase. I will bring my inverter multiprocces and small stick for hard to get to places and 100ft leads on the trailblazer. I also am going to mount a aircompressor and my plazma. Plus a box for clamps ect and a vise. I want to be able to do most stuff on site when needed and work off it and my very small shop also so I dont have to take stuff on and off constantly.Any advise would be great. I am a one man op and have to be super flexable. I am about to make a gate with copper banana leaves. Thats the random stuff I get. Very stoked on being able to be a honest tradesman and my own boss but want to make the right next steps in building. Thanks so much this forum is great. I did look at similer thread in the search function but would like a fresh look.
Reply:there is a thread about 40 pages long full of welding rigs. look through all of it! there are some great ideas in there. a trailer is great because you can unhook and and have just a truck for a more multipurpose use. but if you go into tight spaces etc. its a real pain. I would rather a dedicated truck, and if needed I can hook up to a trailer to haul material or a finished project….- Christian M.C3 Welding & Fabrication - CNC Plasma Cutting-Mobile Welding-Custom welding and fabwww.c3welding.com
Reply:Truck. Then you won't have to worry about backing trailer into tight places, turning around in tight places or hauling a trailer in crappy weather.
Reply:Had a customer with a Hino box van with a TB 302 inside and the exhaust to the outside. He had a big compressor and all kinds of tools inside. He had a table to hook on the back to work off if the weather was nice but could go inside if the weather was crappy or cold. Had a heater inside so could keep warm in the winter.
Reply:Originally Posted by camjeep3there is a thread about 40 pages long full of welding rigs.….
Reply:thanks even though i really wan a trailer bc I think I could make a better mobile work station. I think I will go with a truck. Know I just have to find one for my meager budget.
Reply:Trailer, then make the hitch a little longer to make it easier to back up. One vehicle, one insurance, one maintenance cost. You feel you need a truck, then upgrade later when you have it figured out for yourself what you want exactly!
Reply:I like the trailer most of the time and I own 4, 2 axle 14k lb 7x20 flatbeds. The trailer can haul more weight, volume, and length than most weld rigs. It leaves the truck available for other uses. Can haul a skid steer or other things when needed. It has ample room for a work surface. It can be pulled with anything large enough to pull it with as long as it has hitch and brake control, and that includes a rental if your rig goes down. I can take 5 welders and nine employees with a trailer and a Suburban. You can buy a good used trailer for a lot less than a 1 ton truck, even if it is a 2wd, grease the bearings check the brakes fix the lights and it won't ever go down in value.  A weld rig has it's place, and I own a 4wd ton truck, but in my experience the trailer is a whole lot more versatile if you are not a dedicated pipe line type business. As far as looking the part goes, show up with a SAE 400, air compressor, torch, tanks, 400+ feet of lead, wire welder, several grinders and 1500 lbs of other tools and most of the trades will figure out that you're not the painter. Best of luck with your new venture.I forgot to mention that if you don't already have it you need insurance. Call an independent agent and cover your donkey. Again, best of luck.Last edited by gundog77; 08-19-2015 at 10:23 PM.
Reply:Yeah got insurance and am a LLC. I keep going back and forth. Maui is really small by that I mean raods drivways and parking spots. That makes me want a rig but a trailer seems like it might be better for know. I just hate parking short trailers.
Reply:Originally Posted by alohacanaYeah got insurance and am a LLC. I keep going back and forth. Maui is really small by that I mean raods drivways and parking spots. That makes me want a rig but a trailer seems like it might be better for know. I just hate parking short trailers.
Reply:Yeah I grew up working on my ranch in the summers with a front hitch. When I put one on our truck for our 34 ft boat trailer at work my boss thought I was the best thing since sliced bread lol