I have a ten year old pickup truck with a cap that's 10 years old with 70,000 miles (I don't like to drive very far for work). I've thought about getting a new one, but I really like this truck! It's probably only missed three days work in ten years and still has the original shocks.

I'm also considering getting a cargo trailer instead of a truck...all the room for supplies without the cost and maintenance of the engine and transmission. The only downside of the truck is not much room for a sign. The cargo trailer would have as much room for a sign as a van. I could also drop the trailer off at my main commercial project. Any of you use them?

Dave

I bought a 6x12' enclosed trailer with 6'6" headroom a few years ago when I had several grain systems to wire and they were scattered all over the state. I built shelving and conduit racks inside and still had plenty of room for 25' of scaffolding sections and a 5kw generator. It was very handy to work out of. I would still have it but another sparky offered me more than I had in it and I wasn't doing too many grain systems anymore.

If your truck runs good than keep it. New trucks cost big $$$. Besides you don't go very far.

I would worry about the trailer disaperaing one night. It happened to me once. You might check into how the insurance would cover it. And I hate backing up trailers.

Tom

I have a cargo van and cargo trailer. I bought a Haulmark trailer, 6x12 double axel, blue to match the van. I love it. I have not yet set it up with selves, but I wired lights with a battery and an inverter. I can plug the trailer in of run off the battery, or run off the van. Dave I think that you are from chicago area, I bought mine from libertyville. They were the cheapest and nicest. If interested I can give you the contacts.
Eric

Parking is a problem with the trailers. When I am in the city a trailer would never work. I also do a lot of work in rural towns where it would work fine. Tough choice for me so I sold it.
Milage will suffer with the trailer as the large frontal area and it being square and aerodynamicaly challaged. I have a diesel pick up and the wind makes the trailer feel heavier than it is

I would also be concerned with fuel mileage and parking the trailer. At $2.29 a gallon, it may add up fast losing a few mpg. I have an A.R.E contractors cap on my truck and I love it so far. I like it better than my previous cargo van due to it's side door toolboxes that don't involve crouching and crawling to access what you need. (in most cases)

heck Dave I have a 40 year old truck a 65 Ford250, and have a commerical topper on it with boxes on the sides with one single shelf in it, I prefer a truck and topper for just myself, even when i worked for the electric utility I allways asked for a truck with a topper verses a utility box. allthough i'm cashing in my stock from that old job and going to get a new GMC with a ARE topper.

I will go with the pick up and contractor cap next time around. I was working out of my pick up for years with just toll boxes on it, then decided to get a used van, I hate the van. I hate the noise and the lack of comfort.

I really appreciate the replies, guys.

I've really enjoyed this truck. I have a cap with top hinged windows, so I can get to my tools and supplies (from 3 sides) without climbing in. It's a little hard to describe, but I keep a lot on the truck, and keep it organized. The most difficult area was the center from the axle to the cab, and I put all my devices there in (6)mud-buckets with lids (switches in 3 colors, and receptacles in 3 colors). I can't pull them through the window, but I can get into them for the devices. Anything heavier would be difficult to get out.

I'm interested in this trailer mostly as a jobsite box for local commercial work. They are 3,000 sq. ft. buildings that I will work 3-4 weeks, 5-7 days/week per building. It would probably actually save gas to have it there over hauling the stuff around. Then when we move on to the next building, I can just move the trailer. I wouldn't need it for the residential work, where parking would be a problem. Thanks for your reminder about insurance, and I am interested in the Haulmark, Eric.

Dave

Wells Cargo is a very nice trailer as well.

How about locking a towing ball in the socket with a padlock and a tire lock on the tires to prevent theft?

Written by KD:
How about locking a towing ball in the socket with a padlock and a tire lock on the tires to prevent theft?

How about your own bandsaw used to cut those off??
I don't think it is about having enough safeguards in place, I believe it is about not leaving yourself open to theft by not leaving anything in a place where there is a remote chance of it being stolen. Even working on a job in the nicest neighborhoods the guys you are working alongside all day could come back that night and take your trailer if they know it is there.

Dave,
Got your email, but cant send anything out. http://www.internet-trailer.com
this is the website. get a quote, then call the libertyville store. They will give you a better price. the number is on the left hand side for the web page. any questions, I've done a lot of research on then just ask.
Eric

Thanks, guys...and thanks to the gent that e-mailed me about the sale at Farm & Fleet (wish I could find the e-mail). Now I have to see if I can park it here in a residential neighborhood.

Dave