Enclosed trailer for my welder

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I picked up an enclosed trailer yesterday for my Trailblazer and was inspired by a couple of pictures that Flux put up for his enclosed trailer. I designed my trailer below and will be posting pictures of the progress. I don't plan on actually welding in the trailer and I don't always even need the welder so the shelves and bench will be wood. I use the welder to do small repairs on my excavating equipment and make tools and such. I like that if I want a hook on my bucket I can do it. I was thinking on picking up a Strong Hand Tools Nomad portable welding table or the Miller portable table.Before this trailer my welder sat in a shipping container to be used only in emergencies because of how far I live away from my storage yard and how hard it was to get the welder in my truck. I would have to take my excavator to the shop and grab use it to put the welder in my truck and then my truck would have a welder in it for 2-3 weeks before I could get it out again. I'm hoping a dedicated trailer solves my problem or usability. It was actually cheaper last year to hire a mobile welding company than pull an excavator off a job for a day and slow down production. Attached ImagesMiller Maxstar 150 STLMiller Trailblazer 302Lincoln Classic 3DMiller Suitcase x-treme 8VSMiller Spoolmatic 30A
Reply:How you gonna get at the shelves and in the back with the TB in place?AlA man is judged by what's between his legs...always ride a good horseMiller DialArc HFLincoln Classic 300DThermal Arc 181iPowermax 45Scotchman Ironworker(2) BridgeportsOkomota Surface GrinderAutoCAD 2010
Reply:The welder will be on wheels, I will have to roll it in and out. I need the space that the welder will occupy sometimes for supplies for work, so I needed it removable anyway.Miller Maxstar 150 STLMiller Trailblazer 302Lincoln Classic 3DMiller Suitcase x-treme 8VSMiller Spoolmatic 30A
Reply:That thing is downright heavy..You will want pneumatic wheels (Less digging in on dirt) and a winch under the floor to get that machine back inside without throwing your back out..Just like what you would do with a car.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:I agree those things are really heavy. I would hate to cut all that grass
Reply:Just a thought..What if you put the TB in front, sideways by the escape door? Might need another door on the back of the welder for cooling...not sure about that. That way when your ready to weld, open the door, string out some lead (or cables  ) and go to town. Full access to shelves, etc. and no rolling in and out.I agree those things are heavy. I get to roll around a Ranger 250 at the plant, on concrete floors. Usually makes me wish I took better care of myself when I was younger. If you do roll in and out, get a nice long gentle slope ramp. And a young, strong helper. Look forward to seeing your build.AlA man is judged by what's between his legs...always ride a good horseMiller DialArc HFLincoln Classic 300DThermal Arc 181iPowermax 45Scotchman Ironworker(2) BridgeportsOkomota Surface GrinderAutoCAD 2010
Reply:Well, I am done with the first day of building my welding trailer. I made a short video and put it up on YouTube. After being in the trailer with the 8' shelf and workbench combo I decided against the shelf running across the front. I put a tool box there instead. This also gave me room for a compressor I already owned to go where my tanks were. I have 3 or 4 spots that I have been thinking about for the tanks. I also have some tiny tanks I could use as well. Truth is most of my welding is stick anyway.   Lots of people think my welder is too heavy to be pushed around on wheels. I will be using these casters for the front, and these casters for the back - both from tractor supply, if they ever restock them here.  Check out the video! Last edited by jamo1911; 03-21-2011 at 12:30 AM.Miller Maxstar 150 STLMiller Trailblazer 302Lincoln Classic 3DMiller Suitcase x-treme 8VSMiller Spoolmatic 30A
Reply:Hey SPR,  I should have also mentioned that sometimes the welder will have to be taken out of the trailer to get to areas that are not accessible by the trailer. Or more accurately areas that I don't want to bring my trailer. I have another trailer right now at the top of a driveway that was so steep I had to lift it up there with my excavator and skid steere. I was disappointed in myself when I put it there because I did some cosmetic damage to the trailer getting it in there. I figured it was also easier to change oil and such if I could get it out of the trailer easily.  I may regret it, but I'm still going forward with the wheels. I figured I could use a little ATV winch if it became too hard to push. I'm sure it will be a pain in the rear on slopes. I also plan on using the trailer to work on stuff and want to use the generator while I am using the bench. I figured the noise would be too much for me with the trailblazer sitting right there.Last edited by jamo1911; 03-21-2011 at 12:44 AM.Miller Maxstar 150 STLMiller Trailblazer 302Lincoln Classic 3DMiller Suitcase x-treme 8VSMiller Spoolmatic 30A
Reply:It's going to take at least three men to push/pull that welder up a trailer ramp.  Best bet is to install a winch.  Will be easier to unload it gently too.My name's not Jim....
Reply:That is the way to go, having a tool crib in a trailer!  My boss talks about it all the time, but I'll believe it when I see it.  The ideal work trailer would have access doors externally for common tools, consumables and other crap we need on site, while still having back door access for larger stuff!  If you do a lot of field work, the concept is epic.  Add a ladder rack above the roof and you are skookum!  The trailer idea is great, especially if you work in the...err...snowier regions as it saves a lot of shoveling!
Reply:I wil hold out for the taller model if and when. No short box for me. Attached ImagesLast edited by tanglediver; 03-21-2011 at 02:18 AM.City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Nice project Jamo. The tool box fits in nice. The bench looks good. Think I'd try it out for a while as is....may not need the top cabinet on the tool box. With the roller cabinet and shelves you've got quite a bit of storage. With the front escape door should have access to most everything with the welder inside I assume. Winch be a good idea...you'll appreciate it after a long day. Maybe one of those hand held puller rigs if you don't already have the winch. Being in the excavating business you probably know the tallest, widest wheels are best on rugged ground. Good video also. Keep 'em coming.AlA man is judged by what's between his legs...always ride a good horseMiller DialArc HFLincoln Classic 300DThermal Arc 181iPowermax 45Scotchman Ironworker(2) BridgeportsOkomota Surface GrinderAutoCAD 2010
Reply:Your winch can, by the way, be anywhere you like and you can clip a small snatch block to a D-ring in the floor for pulls.
Reply:well, I woke up to snow today and have lost all motivation to do anything. I'll see what tomorrow brings.Miller Maxstar 150 STLMiller Trailblazer 302Lincoln Classic 3DMiller Suitcase x-treme 8VSMiller Spoolmatic 30A
Reply:Get a 110volt winch and mount it on the welder, then you can drag it anywhere you like.Leo
Reply:Originally Posted by NVWGet a 110volt winch and mount it on the welder, then you can drag it anywhere you like.
Reply:Originally Posted by NVWGet a 110volt winch and mount it on the welder, then you can drag it anywhere you like.
Reply:Originally Posted by jamo1911I was thinking ATV 12 volt because I have one new in the box for 2 years now. With the motor running will the charging system keep up with the winch like on a quad? I don't need 100% duty cycle.
Reply:The 12 volt winch will probably be ok for short pulls on a full size battery.  Alternators on ATV aren't very strong.  I had one that wouldn't run 4 50 watt lights when riding through the woods.  It did ok in the open field since you could keep the engine rpms up.  There's no way an ATV alternator will directly power the winch.  It's running off the battery, and a small one at that.Dynasty200DX w/coolmate1MM210MM VintageESAB miniarc161ltsLincoln AC225Victor O/A, Smith AW1ACutmaster 81IR 2475N7.5FPRage3Jancy USA1019" SBAEAD-200LE
Reply:A fully charged deep cycle battery would keep the winch going for a week with that load..But then again you have the welder so you can also run a battery charger to the battery while you whistle while you work......zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Just wire the winch to the welder battery and forget about it.  I'd bet money that if you go with a small winch (1500-2000lb), you can pull that welder in and out of the trailer a few times without killing the battery.  If it does become a problem, you might be able to boost the charging by mounting a charger onboard and plugged into the welder 110.  I'd doubt you'll need it though.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Hey All,  I just received the wheels for the cart I am going to make for the Trailblazer. I had a hard time getting them at Tractor Supply and they told me to just go home and order them online. I figured if I had to order them online I might as well get them cheaper too. I was quite surprised to get them so fast - 1 day! After a second inspection I also noticed the wheels have normal grease fittings on them. The wheels from Tractor Supply has some kind of mini fittings that I do not own a grease gun for, this for me is another plus. I knew that I could get these online but was willing to spend more and buy local - I am a local business as well after all. But when the sales person told me to go home and order them online I was taken back. I went right out to the parking lot, turned on my laptop and had them ordered in less than 10 minutes. I had forgotten that I even ordered them and wondered what UPS dropped off today. I will shop at Tractor Supply again, I actually went back today and got some stuff, but telling a customer to go home and order something online should be a no-no.   I will be building the cart next week. If I am not too busy with estimates that is. This Friday, Saturday and Sunday I will be at the Orange County Home Show trying to get swimming pool leads. So if things go as planned it may take a week or so to get the time to do the build.  I figured since unboxing videos are so popular on youtube that it was time something non-electronic got unboxed.Last edited by jamo1911; 03-23-2011 at 11:22 PM.Miller Maxstar 150 STLMiller Trailblazer 302Lincoln Classic 3DMiller Suitcase x-treme 8VSMiller Spoolmatic 30A