Trailer as Storage Shed Idea

[ScoopCzar]

I'm planning a PT425 purchase next year plus attachments and trailer of some kind. Since I have three different locations (hours apart) where I'll be using it and no ideal storage building at this point, I'm thinking of buying a large enough trailer to build a custom frame and cover that will enclose everything and serve as transporter and shelter in one. Has anyone heard of anyone doing this? Are there any old posts or other resources along these lines? Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[creekbend]

Just a thought, and hope this helps. I just did this and there were all sorts of info available. Hopefully you will find info in regards to your inquiry.Just enter pt425 on Google. There are posts and threads from TBN there also. Good Luck.:tractor:

 

[George2615]

I just did this also. Bought a used 24' enclosed car trailer. Found one locally for less than half the price of a new one. I did register it so I can tow it around during summer months but for winter its parked in my yard. For the winter months I store my 29 street rod, motorcycle, John Deere rider, and Polaris 550 ATV inside. That frees up some garage space. I have padlocked the trailer doors and the it is parked where one of my surveillance cameras keeps it in view.

 

[ultrarunner]

I just did this also. Bought a used 24' enclosed car trailer. Found one locally for less than half the price of a new one. I did register it so I can tow it around during summer months but for winter its parked in my yard. For the winter months I store my 29 street rod, motorcycle, John Deere rider, and Polaris 550 ATV inside. That frees up some garage space. I have padlocked the trailer doors and the it is parked where one of my surveillance cameras keeps it in view.

I use one for antique car storage... keeps it safe and out of harms way...

Did notice one problem this year... had it in all winter and it ran fine when I locked it up last fall.

When I took it out in the spring I could not get it too run for nothing... found out there was a lot of water in the 5 gallon tank... the trailer does not leak but is more susceptible to temp changes is the only reason I can come up with...

 

[ScoopCzar]

Thanks for the comments. Has anyone done this sort of thing with a Power Trac? Has anyone devised a good system for stashing the attachments?

 

[greasemonkeyok]

At least around here, trailers containing tools or equipment are a frequent target of thieves (they don't have to load, just hook up and drive off).

Last week there was an article in the paper about a man that lost his tools this way. But, he had a surveillance camera and video. When the police arrested his next-door neighbor based on the video, the perp took the police to his friend's house where he had stashed the loot.

Trailer hitch locks are virtually worthless for deterring thieves. They bust them with a hammer, hook up, and drive off.

 

[ScoopCzar]

Yes, security will be an issue. In one of my three locations, I wouldn't worry at all, but I'd still lock it up. In a second location, I'd have a little more concern, and in the third, a fairly high concern. So if I do this, I'll need something a lot better than just a lock on the hitch.

 

[woodlandfarms]

because the PT is front mount on implements, you are great in luck. It gets to be a bit of an issue with tongue weight so you need to think through this with your trailer but here is the plan.

You put shelving in the front of the trailer, no higher than 5 feet i think. use the PT and stack your implements. For the most part this will work well except for the Post Hole Digger. You are going to have to either disconnect the bit, or come up with an alternate storage spot (like rignt inside the gate). Also make sure you design secure strapping.

You have heard the water condensation / theft issues. I personally feel that if someone wants your stuff they are going to steal it no matter what precuations you take. (this is not to say don't take any) but it is to say make sure you are properly insured, and if possible financially, either lojack or video security in play as much as possible.

 

[ponytug]

You can check out racingjunk.com It is a good site for used trailers. (and trucks.)

I have a small solar powered fan in a 4" hole in the roof to keep it dry. Before that, I had issues with condensation, and after I installed it, the trailer has remained dry. YMMV. I used a marine style vent tube, so that if it turned out to be a bad idea, I would have a method to bolt it shut in a waterproof way.

All the best,

Peter

 

[SpringHollow]

You can lower the chances of theft by jacking up the trailer and removing the tires.

Ken

 

[kthompson]

Ultrarunner, is it possible the water in gas issue was due in part to ethanol?

How the trailer is painted can affect it's being stolen. Here a white enclosed trailer is common. A Yellow with pink poky dots is not and would most likely be noticed. Guess you could have a hole in floor of trailer and run post hole digger through it and into the ground making it very difficult to move. It is not just the theft of the trailer and it loaded but their opening it and taking the equipment out. Certainly would not want a trailer that had a Harley Decal on it. The jack trailer up and take wheel is used here by road side produce vendors and not aware of their having one stolen. Then who would steal a trailer of old produce?

Have a friend who uses an alarm powered by auto battery inside his. He uses the cargo boxes for shipping. Stronger than most trailers and he does not have them on wheels.

Have you checked around those location to see about a place you could park it even at someone else place or storage company? You might even find a large barn or other building you would be able to park inside of.

As to insuring it, be sure you are covering it for where it will be parked and know how they will cover it.

 

[ScoopCzar]

A Yellow with pink poky dots is not and would most likely be noticed. ... Certainly would not want a trailer that had a Harley Decal on it. The jack trailer up and take wheel is used here by road side produce vendors and not aware of their having one stolen. Then who would steal a trailer of old produce?

Thanks for the advice, KT. I guess I'll cancel my pink poky dots plan. Maybe I should rig it with a "Manure Hauling" sign or "Toxic Waste - Keep 50 ft Back."

 

[PTWannaHave]

I'm planning a PT425 purchase next year plus attachments and trailer of some kind. Since I have three different locations (hours apart) where I'll be using it and no ideal storage building at this point, I'm thinking of buying a large enough trailer to build a custom frame and cover that will enclose everything and serve as transporter and shelter in one. Has anyone heard of anyone doing this? Are there any old posts or other resources along these lines? Any suggestions? Thanks!

I don't want to state the obvious here, but what about purchasing the Power-Trac purpose-built trailer and building a custom frame & cover on it...?

One potential drawback is that some implements are meant to be loaded/unloaded from the side...

Good luck,

 

[Fixemall]

Get yourself one of those wheel "boots" that the parking enforcement folks use, I know a couple of guys that use them for their "on site" trailers.

 

[ScoopCzar]

I will look into a PT trailer as an option. Not sure how the price will compare. And I'd like to be able to offload the PT stuff and use the trailer for something else on occasion. I'll check into it.

The wheel boot is a very good idea.

I appreciate all the suggestions.

 

[BobRip]

I think the PT trailer is near its weight limit. If you close it in it will probably be over.

 

[MossRoad]

I'm planning a PT425 purchase next year plus attachments and trailer of some kind. Since I have three different locations (hours apart) where I'll be using it and no ideal storage building at this point, I'm thinking of buying a large enough trailer to build a custom frame and cover that will enclose everything and serve as transporter and shelter in one. Has anyone heard of anyone doing this? Are there any old posts or other resources along these lines? Any suggestions? Thanks!

I have an 18' car hauler trailer that I put my PT42 on with my 60" mower, 48" brush hog, 60" power angle snow blade, large material bucket with small toothed bucket nested inside of that with my pallet forks nested inside of that! And there is room for plenty more. So why don't you look for an enclosed car hauler of the same length? I'm sure it would work just fine.

 

[ScoopCzar]

I have an 18' car hauler trailer that I put my PT42 on with my 60" mower, 48" brush hog, 60" power angle snow blade, large material bucket with small toothed bucket nested inside of that with my pallet forks nested inside of that! And there is room for plenty more. So why don't you look for an enclosed car hauler of the same length? I'm sure it would work just fine.

Thanks MossRoad. I've learned a lot from your website and postings. Can I ask a couple of questions related to your attachments? Have you done any dirt/gravel grading with your blade? How well does it cut and scrape? Can it do any light duty dozing? Also, I saw your grapple addition to the rock bucket. If instead of buying PT's grapple bucket, I had a shop fabricate a grapple add-on like yours that I could remove when desired, what would your ball-park guess be on what that might cost? Thanks!

 

[cqaigy2]

Have you done any dirt/gravel grading with your blade? How well does it cut and scrape? Can it do any light duty dozing? Also, I saw your grapple addition to the rock bucket. If instead of buying PT's grapple bucket, I had a shop fabricate a grapple add-on like yours that I could remove when desired, what would your ball-park guess be on what that might cost? Thanks!

I've got a blade with out the wheels. It move loose gravel alright but not too good on hard dirt. I think the wheels would make it easier to use. The problem with the blade is how it attaches to the PT. The PT wants to crawl up on the blade so float is problematic. I mostly use it when we get snow. If i did it over i'd probably get the forks instead of the blade and make do with the bucket for removing snow.

 

[J_J]

ScoopCzar,

About the grapple. There are simple grapples, and two tine grapple and full bucket grapples.

If you have any welding skills, you can make a grapple for your bucket. If not, you can purchase one to fit from paces like Ebay, etc.

Black grapple and red cyl is one I made from box blade shanks, and there are some more examples of other grapples. .