Rig setup, welder in bed or in trailer?

admin

So this is a first for me, the company I work for has the welder in an enclosed trailer. I guess its maybe 15' or so long, Pace trailer. So we have the welder in there, the leads and the torch. Plus bins of useless **** and half used grinding wheels from the guy who used to do all the mobile stuff, not much else.To me, having the welder in the trailer has been a giant pain. We argue back and forth about it alot. About a month ago I took the welder out at a job because I couldn't get the trailer in close enough. So I rolled the welder to the work (its a trailblazer 302) When I got back to the shop I put it in the bed of the my F-250 and I got away with that for about a week.During that week I was stoked, I didn't have to haul that trailer all over. But they made me put it back, insisting "trust me, you'll be glad its in the trailer" Several times someone has had to follow me with a second trailer with I-beams or railingsor whatever because I have to tow a trailer just to bring a welder and a torch.Do any of you guys keep your welder in a trailer? Why? What am I missing? Only thing I can think of is snow, but it gets parked inside. and if its not inside its either moving or being used.Yup
Reply:Miller doesn't recommend putting the trailblazer in a enclosed trailer because of recirculating hot air back thorough the machine at least that's what my manual says. I have mine in the bed of my dodge 2500 along with a 60gal gas compressor and an aluminum toolbox still have enough room for my plasma unit and wire feeder,and a bottle. I was going to put mine on a trailer just because I wanted my bed back for other stuff but i'm sure some loser would steal it around here. Hauling all that in a trailer definately limits your mobility as far as tight or offroad,rough areas. I going to end up with a flatbed setup in the near future and i got the cover for the trailblazer to keep covered when not in use.Syncrowave 250Millermatic251Trailblazer302Thermal Dynamics cutmaster52
Reply:I had it on a trailer first out of necessity at the time, and was very glad to have it on the truck when I finally could.  I wouldn't go back, for many of the same reasons you just mentioned.If you ever use the truck for things where the welder would be in the way, then it's an issue; if not, no brainer.  Easy to make it vandal-proof.
Reply:I started with mine on a trailer thinking it would free up my truck and be a good idea. Boy was I wrong I am now putting it on the truck because I have had one to many jobs where it was a huge pain in th *ss to get the trailer in close enough and then needing the exta apace to psrk the trailer and hoping some one doesn't cut the lock and take it. (yes they could steel my truck to but you don't need to know how to hot wire to take a trailer). But thats just me. Each to his own if someone likes to use a trailer all the power to them its just not for me anymore
Reply:i personally have mine in my truck. is just so much easier than dragging a trailer all over. i'm looking to get a four wheel drive flatbed or maybe a service bed later on.
Reply:I was just reading this for somethin to do lol and if I had a mobile unit I think I would buy a long box truck and put a short box in place, with the space put the welder there on the frame between the cab and box. may have to reposition the rear axle but would work slick look slick too,
Reply:A bit of a double edged sword this one.  I prefer it on the truck myself, but if your not working on your own it can be a pain if someone else needs the truck.  Nothing worse than having to muck about with trailers though, I normally put the foot down and insist on having it my way as I'm the one using it so why does it matter to them how I have it set up?I'd rather be hunting........USE ENOUGH HEAT.......Drifting around Aussie welding more pipe up, for something different.....wanting to get home.
Reply:If you are using a welder every day to make your living a trailer mounted rig can be a real pain in the butt. The truck mounted rig is so much easier to use especially when having to setup on a cluttered jobsite. I used a trailer mounted rig the last 5 years I worked and it could be really annoying. Even though I didn't intend to work but a few years i really considered rigging up a truck several times just to end the hassel of dragging that trailer around.I'll admit to being glad I could drop the trailer a few times but not very many. I can see where a trailer might be better all around in some cases. I believe a person should carefully evaluate what his requirements will be and base his choice on that. What works for me might now be best for your situation.I will say that there are a lot of welding rigs in this area and very few sit on a trailer. Nearly all ride on a one ton truck. It's big enough to haul all your tools and a lot of material at the same time.
Reply:They both have their Pro's and cons depending on just what you will be routinely doing.  I now primarily work out of a truck, and at times wonder if it would be easier to go back to the trailer day in and day out.  My business is mainly repairs, and there is plenty times that I will work 3-5 jobs a day, and sometime more.   All the while running to pick up parts etc....  the trailer was nice since if I was working on something I could just unhook go grab what I need and come back.  Now I have to roll up everything and put up tools just to run to the parts store for 10 minutes only to get back string it back out and go to work.  However there are times that I can see the truck as more beneficial.  Weigh your options, and decide based on just what you will be doing.  Me personally I now have both, and not sure I could go back to one or the other.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:If you had a forktruck to load it you could build a skid mounted set-up the would lockdown in the bed for quick removal if needed.Syncrowave 250Millermatic251Trailblazer302Thermal Dynamics cutmaster52
Reply:Why not just use an open, shorty tag-along trailer.  Only a couple of feet long so it will go anywhere your truck will, and all the benefits of being able to unhook it.Pulling it around in a 15 foot enclosed sounds asinine to me.
Reply:I can't imagine having to drag a trailer around with all my crap on it.  Here's how mine is rigged up.
Reply:Today was another prime example.  We do alot of work for a construction company in downtown Milwaukee. There I was again this morning looking for a place to park an extended cab F-250 w/8' bed and that damn trailer. I ended up parking a block away and pushed the welder to the job Yup
Reply:Originally Posted by SupeWhy not just use an open, shorty tag-along trailer.  Only a couple of feet long so it will go anywhere your truck will, and all the benefits of being able to unhook it...
Reply:Both have their advantages and both have their flaws. My main rig is truck but my extra is on a trailer. When doing buildings and moving the truck with A-frame around to lift rafters and such, it's nice to have the trailer so you don't roll up leads all the time. But working IN buildings and barns, it is so much easier to get the truck where I want it with out the trailer.
Reply:Originally Posted by BurnitToday was another prime example.... I ended up parking a block away and pushed the welder to the job
Reply:Originally Posted by denrepThat's bad.How about a compact modular skid system, so that the welder could be swapped and locked from shop-cart, to truck, to trailer?
Reply:I have a trailer set up now.  I hate it and love it.  Its a pain to tow (can't go over 65 or it gets squirly) but I can uhook it by myself and push it closer to the job if needed.  Frees up my truck, and I can tow it with the GF's SUV is needed.  But it can walk off by itself very easly.   But what I am going to do come spring is removed my pickup bed and install an custom alum flat bed with the welder mounted on the truck.  Then keep my trailer engine drive as a backup/repair rig and tow it with a tacoma I plan on buying.Lincoln 300 Vantage 2008300 Commander 1999SA250 1999SA200 1968Miller Syncrowave 200XMT350MPA/S-52E/xr-15Xtreme 12vs Millermatic 251 w/30A  Millermatic 251 Dialarc 250 Hypertherm 1250 GEKA & Bantom Ironwokers