Enclosed welding trailer

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Hey guys,I'm about to finally pull the trigger on a 7x14 enclosed trailer for the mobile fab shop. Loading and unloading the truck twice a day has proved too hard to do every day, especially with my back the way it is.I've seen a few people's trailers, and got a bunch of great ideas. The one thing I'm caught up on, is the height of the trailer. The one I'm looking at is a Pace with an extra 6" added to the height from the factory. IIRC, it's 6' tall inside, give or take an inch or two. I'm about 5'10. I plan on hard-mounting the bobcat inside, and running the exhaust out, maybe through another muffler to quiet it down. 14' is about the smallest I told myself I'd go, those of you that run your fab out of enclosed trailers, how long are they?Miller: 200dx, Bobcat 225, Passport, Powermax 45, Milwaukee: Dry Saw, MagDrill, grinders
Reply:I dont have one, but its been something I've been thinking about myself. I'd go no less than 14' and the taller height while harder on fuel would still be a benefit. (storing 6' step ladder upright, shelving etc). I'd spec my trailer out with a side door, rear drop gate, roof racks and a side lift up awning door (for crossbreeze and to allow a fold out workbench)Thermal Arc Fabricator 2101970 Lincoln RedfaceMiller 150 STLStill need a Syncrowave and a plasma and a milling machine and a lathe and a bigger shop and a....
Reply:The one I found for a great deal locally is a 14', but it has a 3' beavertail inside. So actual flat space is about 7x10.9'. It has all the options I want including locking crossbars on the side door and both sides of the ramp, 4x brakes, fold-out extension on the ramp.. It's just.. I don't want to commit to something I feel is too small for my current amount of equipment, that's going to be a tight fit with no room to grow..Miller: 200dx, Bobcat 225, Passport, Powermax 45, Milwaukee: Dry Saw, MagDrill, grinders
Reply:I have an 8 by 16 enclosed.  welder torches all kinds of tools air compressor.  You want a fold down ramp for sure.  Shelves on one side or the trailer welder and torches on other side.  Middle for material or gates etc going to job site.  There are days I would rather have a truck rig than the trailer, but for most of my portable work the trailer is great.  I can take some guys to a job and get them started drop the trailer in a central location and go get supplies or look at other jobs.  I have enough welding lead and torch lead to service a 250' radius from the trailer.  So on big jobs we dont have to keep moving and moving we just add another length of lead on and keep on trucking.  the trailer will get hot if you just open the doors and not route the exhaust out.  Something as simple as a clamp on piece of flexible exaust pipe is easy enough to stick on and run out the side door befoe you start a big job and for small stuff (hour or so under)  you dont really need to worry about it.      There are some down falls though.  Been a couple jobs that I wished I had a truck with a good vise mounted on the bumper or a crane but hey you just cant have it all.     At the end of the day I have never been able to do a job because of the trailer as opposed to a truck and the trailer gives me the room to carry alot of stuff that I use periodically all the time.  So you dont get to a job site and say "oh **** i meant to grab the chainsaw"  or some other tool you dont use much but is nice to have with you when you need it.        Someday I will have a service truck with a crane and another welder and the works on it and it will be my run out and do small jobs or jobs that need its particular purpose.  I will always have a trailer rig to send out with guys to do larger install jobs etc.  you can lock it up at night when you leave and meet the insurance companys requirements for "tools stored in a lockable storage device"www.burdettenetworks.com
Reply:Most of my jobs are within a 15 mile radius (local farmers).  All the tools I use on site will fit in my short box Dakota.  That includes the genny and welder.  For a while I was looking at a mail truck (the small ones used in town), but the guy wanted too much $$$.  I don't do big multi-man, high dollar projects.I know that my post doesn't really help ya, but for some reason I felt compelled to make it.My name's not Jim....
Reply:JohnR-  I am using a 6x10 Pace Enclosed Trailer with dual rear doors.  I chose the double doors in case I am in a tight spot, I can open one door and run the leads out if needed.  I also have the entry door on the right side and it works out really well.  I use a set of ramps to run the welder in and out when needed I plan on putting a small squirrel cage type fan in the front of it and run it when I have to run the machine for extended amounts of time and I can’t get it out of the trailer.  Something to also think about is the walls, mine came with ¼ sheeting, I pulled it out and installed ¾ plywood then was able to hang hooks on it and plan to add a few small shelves.  Being able to lock down my tools and also keep them dry is also a great plus.  This set up works for me for now.  Good Luck with yours.Walt
Reply:I have a 14' converted Uhaul truck. Not really a "trailer" but close. It has nice ramp and plenty of head room (one of my guys is 6'5" ) the floor space is only 11' deep but the space above the cab is perfect for tools, we mounted tool boxes and other storage for tools, fasteners, abrasives and consumables. We do a lot of core drilling and take advantage of the 12v to run our waterpump. Its higher off the ground than most trailers but Uhauls are lower than most box trucks and the aluminum ramp is nice. I know you asked about a trailer but I wanted to mention this option. It is much easier to get around town and in and out of tight spots than a tow behind, plus the truck was about $3k. Its a little long in the tooth but it has been very well maintained.  It has its cons as well, sometimes we bring a support truck to carry very large items such as long stair stringers.Sent from my Kindle Fire using TapatalkMiller Maxstar 200 DX - Syncrowave 200 - MillerMatic 200 - Bobcat 225 NT - Spoolmate 3035/SGA 1003 X Lincoln Power MIGs (200, 215XT 255)3 X Lincoln SP's (100, 125, 130)Thermal Arc 181i (spool gun and TIG torch)HT Powermax 1000 G3
Reply:I am in a 6x12 enclosed trailer right now I have redone the tounge and put a 6k axle under it I have had my eye out for a 14 ft double axle I got a deal on the trailer I have now but it is way to small for all the crap I have compiled now lol.Vantage 300 kubota ,miller 304 xmt ,lincoln ln 25 pro , ranger 305 G, plenty of other tools of the trade to make the sparks fly.
Reply:Well, I decided to pass on the 14' trailer, it's just too short and the beavertail inside really kills it. There really aren't many trailers to be had where I live, and the ones I like are out of my price range. Seems every single trailer I like is in the 4.5-5k range, and I just don't have that much.Miller: 200dx, Bobcat 225, Passport, Powermax 45, Milwaukee: Dry Saw, MagDrill, grinders
Reply:Give some thought to finding a good used utility trailer with the deck space you need. Then enclose it yourself. You could use 1" or 1.25" square tubing to frame it in, then skin the outside and top with sheet metal. This way you end up with one built to YOUR exact specifications. You could beef up the wall framing on one side to hold a fold down welding table, and install a retractable awning over it for shade. You may end up spending more than you are wanting to right now, but that could be spread out over a period of time while you buy materials to enclose it and build at your own pace. You could start using it right away, and build the sides and top as money becomes available for materials. It would give you time to think about how you REALLY want it set up and where everything will go. This is just another option to think about,good luck on this and keep us posted on your decisions.
Reply:Would you not want to go 20'? that way you could stick some 20' sticks in there? I've never heard anyone say man i wish i would have gotten a smaller anything.Millermatic DVIMillermatic 251Older buzz box Cheap 120 welder
Reply:2 inch pipe comes in 21 foot lengths
Reply:The work i do a trailer would never work,carry way to much tools.But everybodys different  i do everything turn wrench,install railings,structural,need everything in the truck at all times.I have seprate tools for my shop because  i don,t like takin things from my rig,i know when i need it,its there,not at the shop.