Penny Wise, Pound Foolish?

[LSmith]

I need help with a buying decision. I want to purchase a 20 foot shipping container as a temporary secure tractor home on my land. The best price quote I have gotten is $1000.00 for the container and $500.00 to deliver. I will need to move this container later when I start a workshop (in about a year) and it will cost me another $500.00 from the same guy to move it again. Now to the real question. an empty 20' ISO container weighes 5000 lbs. I am wondering if this jusitfies buying a used 20 foot flatbed trailer (about $2500) equipping it with a winch and moving the box myself. I have a 1-ton dually and would have no problem towing the load. I can envision some problems loading and unloading the box but nothing insurmontable. Finally I would have the trailer for moving the tractor or other uses. Does this sound like a plan to help offset the cost shipping and help justify the trailer? Or should I suck it up and pay the pros to move the box?


L Smith

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I'd buy the trailer before wasting 1k on shipping with nothing to show for it. You can fit your tractor and all the implements on that trailer in the future. Or sell it for less of a loss if need be.

I think with a 1 ton dually you will get it on and off easy enough. I woud just yank it off with a similar truck while it is still attached to your truck so the trailer doesn't move.

I am sure one of your buddies has a truck that could either do the pulling or at least attach to the trailer while you pull the container off.

99 F350 CC PSD Dually
JD 790 on order

 

[r0GuE]

I can understand you justification process, as I use a similar one all the time. Ain't it tough to have such a mind?? Always thinking of ways to spend more! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Anyway... I would suggest you go and look at the container (if you haven't). They are MONSTERS!!!
If you still feel you can do the work, I'd go trailer. If ou have some misgivings about it.... Pay the man...

 

[cowboydoc]

Buy the trailer. You will have an infinite # of uses for a good flatbed.

 

[sendero]

That is always a tough decision. I always think the same way when faced with such an opportunity. The old "kill two birds with one stone" theory.

Probably the real answer is "how much do I really need that trailer?". If you really needed one anyway, and have enough skill to use it for the appointed task - saving $500 is always nice /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

When in a similar situation, I almost always buy. I have not regretted those decisions yet.

BTW, if this is to be a temporary home, I presume you have looked at renting the container and found that to be uneconomical too?

SnowRidge

 

[dmccarty]

LSmith,

I have looked into the 20 foot containers as well. Its been
a few years but the price to move was around $75. A guy
at work is renting one and I think it was moved with a
roll on/off flatbed wrecker. I'm sure there is a better name
for the truck but that is what they used. You might want to
call some tow companies and see what they would charge to
move the container.

Later,
Dan McCarty

 

[Egon]

Buy the trailer. It will see lots of use if you are building a workshop.

Egon

 

[Boone]

Putting the container on and off might be accomplished by blocking it up like they do when they move a house.

Be sure to check for width so it fits and that it clears the fenders of the trailer in advance.