Tool and Gear Storage on Trailer

[Captgb65]

Hi All,
Looking for info/ideas/photos on storage boxes (types, brands and sizes) to be mounted on a 16' dual axle transport trailer. Box will store chains, 5 gallon fuel container, ratchet binders, chock blocks, etc. Will be transporting BX25 on frequent 75 mile trips on highways from home to summer home. In advance, Thank you much.

 

[Captgb65]

Additional Info on Trailer
The trailer has a pipe rail about 12 inches high on three sides of it. I cannot use a tongue mounted box because a support pipe is welded to the pipe rail on one end and is angled down the center of the tongue where it attaches to the trailer frame (welded) at the point just behind the hitch.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I personally would get the support cut out. I do not have one on my 18' pipe rail trailer and 9 out of 10 I see do not have it either. Only reason I could see you needing it would be if you had a poorly secured load.

As for the fuel cans I would not store them in the box. If it spills or even just the fumes can be dangerous. I would store them in the front corners of the trailer. I used to store 2 on my trailer and what I did was use some 2x2 treated lumber screwed down to the wood deck to hold them in place with a eye hook on each side. I then used a bungee cord though the handle of the jerry can. This held it down and the wood cleats held it in place.

For a tool box on the tongue there are many on the market but what we equip many trailers with is a Rubber Made box from WalMart for $19. Its black with a gray lid and red handles. I pick up some 3/8" 3M adhesive foam weather stripping from Lowes or even WalMart to make a gasket on the lid. Mine has been that way for 8 years now, no leaks. I have towed 8 hours in a driving rain, ran it though the car wash, power washed it, ect. Cheap, easy, does not rust, ect.

If you need more security you can get a purpose built diamond plate box at TSC but they cost and will rust up your chains quicker.

Chris

 

[Raspy]

You can also get used steel Knack boxes for $100. to $200. or so and bolt them down. Very secure and weather tight. I'm getting one for my 16' trailer.

If you need the room up front in the trailer, for the loader bucket, you can get a size box that your bucket can go around. Just mount the box up on bracket about two inches off the deck and it will go into the bucket when you load.

Instead of just cutting off the diagonal tongue brackets as suggested, make sure they are not needed to strengthen the tongue. I find a lot of trailers have weak tongues and I sometimes have to beef them up. But you might be able to redesign them to allow a box up front.

 

[Scooby074]

Watch the local papers for poly truck boxes. They can be had cheap second hand and are good for storage. Plus they have a "lock".

If you want new, the rubbermaid "action packers" are decent and can be bolted to the tongue and theyre cheap

Buyers makes some steel underbody boxes that are decent as well, but prone to rust in the painted models. Stainless and poly is available. They also have a model specifically designed for trailers to match the angle of the tongue http://www.buyersproducts.com/toolboxes-mounting-brackets/trailer-tongue-toolboxes/trailer-tongue-boxes/. If moneys no object look at Weatherguard. Theyre the best boxes out there.

http://www.buyersproducts.com/

 

[grsthegreat]

i made my own tonge mounted box, as the ones i found were either plastic or cheeply made metal boxes. i shopped all over and finally gave up. i also agree, lose the front cross piece. it really doesnt make any sence. you wont secure a load to a side rail anyways. add side tie downs. since making mine, i have found a few dscent ones at a local farm supply (where were thaey when i needed them). but i enjoyed making mine anyways. i added an electric tongue jack to the trailer so i could make a larger box. i store a winch, tie downs and binders, chains, etc in there.

 

[JB4310]

These boxes were on my trailer when I bought it, so I left them, since the trailer is 20 ft I can spare the space they take. Probably would not want boxes on the deck, if it was only 16ft.

JB

 

[sklunk]

I'm looking for a box for my 16' trailer right now too. Another option if you don't have much tongue space (in front of the rub rail) is a side truck box or mini truck box similar to these:

Kobalt Side Mount Truck Box
Kobalt Slim Line Compact Truck Box
Kobalt Slim Line Full Size Truck Box

They are a little slimmer from front to back so they won't come too far forward toward the jack, especially if you have a fold-up jack. Or you could bolt them to the deck behind the rub rail and you wouldn't lose too much deck space (they are about 12" wide).

I agree with NOT storing the fuel can in the box. Most of the purpose-built truck toolboxes are weatherproof and have seals on the lid to keep water out. I would be worried about fuel vapors building up in the box.

 

[countrybumpkin]

I got a tool box out of a 03 ford Ranger, that I had bought for a re-builder. It worked out great, I had a winch Plate added when I ordered the trailer, basically a 6" wide piece of C channel the was welded flush with the top rail that ran forward about 12" or so then had a brace that ran down to the center support of the tongue. I then added another 6" wide piece of C channel to the front end of the winch plate and ran it side to side about 4 foot, this made a nice flat platform to set the tool box on. I have a winch and battery mounted inside the tool box that also charges off the tow vehicle when hooked up. I then cut a opening in the rear of the box for the cable then took a scrap piece of tread plate I had and cut a piece about an inch larger on all sides of the opening and added thin weather stripping to the cover and used to thumb screws to hold it on when not in use to keep the box weather tight. I have really been pleased with the setup I keep all my chains, straps, boomers, crank handle for the spare tire carrier, and what not in it.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Nice setup Country.

Chris