If you have the tow pig a fritolay trailer or low profile dry van 40-53' box would work..I did a contract job in a plant years ago who had two 53' trailers backed into docks.They had a lathe and mill in one along with a press and shelving below the belt on the oposite side. The other trailer that they had housed air compressors and all the welding equipment on wheels parked on an angle for easy removal.

Im sure the same could be done with a cheap enclosed bumper pull with some steel reinforcements on the floor

 

two 53' trailers backed into docks.They had a lathe and mill in one along with a press and shelving below the belt on the oposite side. The other trailer that they had housed air compressors and all the welding equipment on wheels parked on an angle for easy removal.

That sounds awesome. At an angle, meaning forming an "L" or "T" shape?

 

For example, someone suggested outfitting one (or a bunch) of 20 foot containers as shops. But then how do you haul them around?

BATTLEBOX Mobilizer Wheels, Part 1 - YouTube

I like the versatility of these container dollies. Able to transport full loads on the highway and also lift it high enough to load onto a truck. Pretty compact when they're not in use (relative to a full-length trailer), too.

A lot of my architectural ideas with shipping containers involve two stories, so I wonder if there's a possibility of elevating them high enough to stack, too?

 

gubment has all the coolest toys. My unit had 4 of these all brand new full of every tool all snap on. Most importantly had ac. hang a net and a hammock on it and call it home.

its not feasible for normal people just cool I thought.

 

I want one. I'm sure GL will have them in a few years.

 

I don't have a great deal of expertise to add to this thread, but want to subscribe as I love the way this group sorts things out together!

I do however have some experience with shipping containers/semi trailers. I have used them for temporary shops, on job site storage etc.

My personal recommendation would be to figure out the length you want, standards are available. BUT, I would seriously look at reefer boxes, and these come in a WIDE range of styles, there are the standard, 20, 40, 53 conex lengths, but you can also find them off of delivery trucks & semi trailers that can be different lengths and widths. I would personally look at the 20' steel sided (not aluminum) non working reefer boxes for sea cargo. The skins are tougher and they have the fantastic heavy duty pillars which make them stackable, but also would be great places to attach out riggers/jacks. They are 8' wide, but you can get them in standard or 'high boy' heights. Gives you a lot of versatility. CL is a good source, but also spending a day driving around any shipping port can bring up a TON of leads.

I hope that little bit gives you some things to think about?

I look forward to what this group comes up with!

 

That is great information as I never considered the reefer option, and did not know those details.

Personally, I doubt that I can handle anything longer than 20' but some of you guys can probably go 40' and beyond.

Is there such a thing as a low deck, bumper-pull trailer that can handle a 20' container?

 

Dont discount the idea of a 20 ft bumper pull..Head over to Contractor Talk - Professional Construction & Remodeling Forum, News, Reviews, and Blogs | ContractorTalk and look in the message board..They guys over there often build trailers for their use.. Good place for ideas

Does it have to be all internal storage.Maybe you can build something from a long deckover trailer..Like a stripped ambo box on front for indoor workspace and precious storage, and the flat deck to house and engine driven welder compressor etc etc..Just brain storming here after working all day

 

Thanks for that lead - I'll check it out.

Personally, I probably need all enclosed. I may need to move everything in a couple of years and so, if I do this, will need something I can outfit over time but that is weather proof. Figure if I set it up as a workshop, I can continue to use the stuff in the interim as opposed to the work of some day shutting down, packing, yada yada.

 

I've seen ex-military shop rigs on ebay a few times- 5 ton truck with a special body that opens up on the sides to reveal all manor of tools- compressor, welder, lathe, mill, tool boxes, parts storage, ect. The ones I've seen went for pretty cheap, like a couple grand.

Angryblack- do you hang out on CT a lot? I used to spend some time there, same user name.

 

I've seen ex-military shop rigs on ebay a few times- 5 ton truck with a special body that opens up on the sides to reveal all manor of tools- compressor, welder, lathe, mill, tool boxes, parts storage, ect. The ones I've seen went for pretty cheap, like a couple grand.

I've thought about going this route a few times. I'd have to figure out the GL site, and go halfway across the country to get one.

 

on contractor talk, there is a sticky thread in the tools and equipment forum for people to post pictures of their work trailer.

 

@ robbiem what is the military identifier on that setup?

 

SEORTM is what they call them. One just sold on GL (an A1 tuck, though) for 11k a few weeks ago, if I'm remembering correctly.

 

SEORTM is a portable shop used since the 70's on an M811 or M944 5 ton truck or a 5 ton trailer frame, and includes a number of fabrication tools such as a lathe:

The one that RobbieM posted pictures of is called the M7 Forward Repair Station, and it's more of a portable mechanics shop than a fabrication shop.
M7 Forward Repair System (FRS) - ArmyProperty.com

 

a flatbed light equipment hauler or car hauler trailer would handle a 20' container. And if you came off the four corners with jacks, like the ones used on a truck bed camper, you could have in the 'up' position to load & unload. Or as was suggested in Jesse's thread, create a low tree house system connecting them with bridges etc. But that's a WHOLE other idea!

But rather than going with a rolloff or other complicated systems, a simple flat deck that you can place in and bolt to would do.

Locally a LOT of people are scrapping out old campers to make flatbed trailers to haul cars, desert toys etc.

 

An emty 20' cargo contaier weighs about 4-4500 lbs, start filling it with heavy metal equipment and they get VERY heavy very fast. Travel Trailer frame ain't going to cut it.

8' x 20' container is also pretty damn small once you start filling it with crap. It can be done, but it will be tight.

OP.

Are you moving these from jobsite to jobsite constantly? Or just thinking ahead of setting up work space for now, but realising you'll have to move in a couple years? If its constant movement, I'd look at a 20-40' semi trailer. Either pay or get your own day-cab tractor to move it with. Sure it will be 4' off the ground (build steps), but secure and extreemly portable.

If its future, another option would be (2) 20' containers, put them side-by-side. Bolt/weld them together then cut the wall out between them. Now you have a 16 x 20' shop space. When it comes time to move, cut them apart, rig up a false wall/plastic/plywood to protect the contents then hire a company to move them (either a roll-deck or a crane and flat-bed if you don't want to tilt the containers). Make sure to rig up some sort of HVAC equipment however, steel containers sweat, a lot depending on how they are used.

 

no affiliation but came across this while googling SEORTM. dropped the guy an email asking about price, $5k was his reply.

personally i would prefer the one that has the crane built on

 

Two interesting ideas i found online:

Al Fin: Getting Serious About Your Survival Compound's Machines

Gichner Systems Group - Mobile Tactical Shelters - Army Technology

I think the biggest things to think about are all individual based items. For example - what tools, how long does it need to be stationary, how quickly does it have to move, how many trips do you want to make (multiple containers). Personally I would look at small over the road trailers. One can be set up as a mobile shop, one can be an RV, one can be a garage - just pull tandems for what i need and go. Then again my needs are different from yours.

 

Been thinking about this topic lately as well as i may need to be able to move my shop and if i could just pack it up and tow it somewhere that would be super handy. Been thinking about a regular enclosed but weight is definitely an issue. 20' container seems good size wise, not too big not too small, but moving them is the issue. Those container dolly's up top are miserable, i've worked with these:Container Aircarft Loading. They are effective but tow like crap and you can't back them up other than straight due to the hay-wagon steering setup.

How something like this would be sweet: 5th Wheel Mobilizer Dolly Set

As to ex-military containers, there are some expandable shelters/containers out there. This one for instance: Expandable shelter, Mfg. Lockheed Martin, 2 Door, Expands to 21.4'. GL will load flatbed trailer only. - Government Liquidation


Military is doing this in a bunch of ways as seen above. here's another: U.S. Army Machine Shop @ Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan - YouTube

one more: Sea Box Mobile Machine Shop.avi - YouTube

 

One of the companies I know of has 4 or 5 53' semi trailers outfitted with mills, lathes, welders etc. They hung generators off the frame and build a nice ramp up the back so you could access them easily. They just pay a truck to move them to sites as needed. The one I saw had a Bridgeport, 12" swing lathe, work benches, bench grinder etc in it. They do a lot of rebuilds on quarry's, power plants, and oil wells. If you got one with a high roof you might even be able to put a bridge crane down the length of it. I think they also had windows in the walls to let in more light.

This is pretty similar to what they had but not this nice.

 

Think it's anything over 10,000lbs, but am not very well-versed on all that shit.

 

Ca, is weight rating. Even an empty trailer rated for over 10k would require a class A. Most dealers wait to sticker a trailer until it is sold for that reason. Two of my trailers are 14 k trailers, stickered at 9990

 

10k and over is cdl only if used for commercial here and in many other states, so you just need to check where you are. I believe you can legally run up to 26k here in WV if its non commercial, but thats just off the top of my head.

 

Unless the rig is titled as an RV, any truck over 26000 lbs, or any truck-trailer combo with trailer GVW over 10000 lbs and truck trailer combined gross over 26000 lbs requires a CDL, doesn't make any difference if it's for business or personal, or if you are loaded or not. You can get a no CDL ticket for pulling an empty trailer.

Example:
9k truck and 20k trailer- CDL, trailer over 10k, combined weight over 26k
9k truck and 14k trailer- No CDL, trailer over 10, but combined weight under 26k
23k truck and 7k trailer- No CDL- Combined weight over 26k, but trailer weight under 10k
27k truck and any trailer, or no trailer- CDL, Weight of truck over 26k

With any truck over 16k, you are limited to pulling a 10k trailer without a CDL.
On the other hand, you could buy 3/4 ton truck with a 10k gvw, and pull up to a 16k trailer without CDL.

 

I love numbers - let's do some math:

16,000 Deuce with, say 1,000 in the bed. That's 17K.

Flatbed trailer - what could they weigh? 3K empty?

That leaves 5,000 on the trailer with a 1,000 safety factor.

A bridgeport weighs, what?, 1500 lbs? That would be my single heaviest item.

It would seem that I had good breathing room to load up the bed and trailer, plus the fact that I doubt anyone is going to pull over an obvious non-commercial, OD, 55 mph army truck.

Now that is my potentially naive opinion, so please, you guys with more experience, let's hear your thoughts.

 

Check your local rules as well.

I've heard the 26K over-all gross in other states, but here in WA and OR and CA as well from what I know the trailer is 10K period. Doesn't mater what you are towing it with. If the trailer has a GVW of 10K or above by "rule" you need a Class A CDL. No other options to be "legal". Hence the invention of the 9900 lbs trailer that is also popular in other states.

Again, check your local rules (you haven't told us, I think, where your located)

 

Do you have an aversion to titling the deuce as an RV? If you go that route, you're more or less in a protected status as far as DOT and weight regs.

 

I'm guessing that a jerry can full of water, a trailer hitch toilet seat, a coleman stove, and a camp shower wouldn't work to kick it over to RV registration in most states.

 

You should look into that, might be surprised.

 

Ca recently changed their laws this year as I found out when I tried to change one of my trucks to RV registration due to my new camper shell. They now require a bed, real bathroom (no porta potty)... And there was another, to the point that my old six pack cabover would not even qualify.

 

Not trying to be a dick but I have seen this battle of weight and CDL on many forums and have seen many different answers to the same question...but what it comes down to is this check your local DMV laws call or visit them in person to get the right answer then you will know for sure..I drive a big rig in Florida and have a CDL with all endorsements and I am still confused

 

And that is a statement I can completely appreciate!

 

Was out in Yosemite when this discussion started, so wasn't able to participate then, but this is a subject that I'm very interested in. Started another thread a while ago about making the most of smaller workspaces, but there are a lot of aspects to any kind of portable workshop and I'd like to hear from more people who have experience working in these kind of environments. Mobile mechanics, etc.

 

a friend of mine had a 53' container moved with his whole life inside 250 miles on a drop deck used for containers, heavy equipment cost him $800. you could pay for quite a few moves for the cost of a truck. container deck would be more stable for mounting machines to

 

Container Lifter

I have a 20' container that my shop was packed into. Gross weight is 26,500 pounds. Where the container was going it would be hideously cost prohibitive to get a crane to the sight.

Home built legs with hydraulic cylinders cost of materials $800.00.
Gasoline driven pump and valves for actuation ala wood splitter $700.00.

Worked as intended. The legs lock into the lower ISO locks. 1 person can install the legs with the crane from the top pocket in about 10 minutes total. With the running around and swapping locking pins as the cylinders only have 20" of travel it takes about 10-15 minutes to carefully lift from ground height to 5'. It can go a bit higher. The legs are 8' tall. So at 5' extension there is 3' of leg in the outer sleeve for support.

Grr. black star will have to figure out how to post pictures.

 

Grr. black star will have to figure out how to post pictures.

imgur.com

click the stuff, upload, then copy/paste the "bbcode" ones into the post box here.