Ideas for a huge trailer tongue box?

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Ideally we need a big-ass storage box on the trailer tongue. Something like 5' wide by 24" deep by 24" tall.

Any ideas about what we could use to do this on the cheap? Most new and used truck tool boxes are about 17" or so, too small to fit things like a spare trans.

Crazy ideas welcome. Ideally want to do something for under $100 or so. Doesn't need to be totally waterproof.

Old chest freezer? Steal a high school locker? Cut the trunk off an E30? Hmmmm.....

Stephen Westerfield · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2012 6:25 pm

Like this but cheaper?

Jason Tower · **Joined:** Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:31 pm **Posts:** 1173

closest i can think of is a lateral filing cabinet, but we'd have to make a top for it.
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/fuo/2776970434.html

Stephen Westerfield · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2012 6:53 pm

It has to be 5' long?

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/tls/2779793050.html

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/tls/2779701617.html

BretLuter · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2012 9:51 pm

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/tls/2782067467.html

Here you go.

I want to be like you when I grow up Mike...

:thumbsup:

Jason Tower · **Joined:** Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:31 pm **Posts:** 1173

sweet, and i might be in f-v soon on a client consultation. nice find bret!

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2012 11:32 pm

BretLuter wrote:

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/tls/2782067467.html

Here you go.

I want to be like you when I grow up Mike...

:thumbsup:

FYI MSRP is $723, weight is 190 # empty

http://www.knaack.com/jobsite_storage_e ... php?p_id=1

FYI these smaller custom steel boxes weigh 40 lbs each which was all the construction of my trailer could handle. We won't talk about how many times I've repainted the interiors over the years and how I wish I'd spent the money for aluminum.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

BretLuter wrote:

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/tls/2782067467.html

Here you go.

I want to be like you when I grow up Mike...

:thumbsup:

Why wait until you grow up? :

Thanks for the pointer. Picked that one up today. I had searched for Job Boxes earlier yesterday before it was posted... not many for sale, especially at that price.

FWIW it weighs 155lb, not 190 or 200 like the website says.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Wed Jan 04, 2012 4:15 pm

Mike,

Good to hear it is "only" 155 lbs since most of it will be tongue weight even before you put anything in it.

Is that going to be an "issue" or is it similar to a lot of weight at the inside front that has to be balanced by moving other weight to the rear more? I'm assuming the trailer frame can handle it. Also will you be using a weight distribution hitch?

Just questions for future reference since I know that you've sorted this out.

Thanks,

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

DickRasmussen wrote:

Mike,

Good to hear it is "only" 155 lbs since most of it will be tongue weight even before you put anything in it.

Is that going to be an "issue" or is it similar to a lot of weight at the inside front that has to be balanced by moving other weight to the rear more? I'm assuming the trailer frame can handle it. Also will you be using a weight distribution hitch?

Just questions for future reference since I know that you've sorted this out.

Thanks,

I'm not planning on towing this thing with the Durango. Rob's 2500HD will be the tow beast, and he insists that the truck "doesn't care" about anything weight related. He doesn't even want to use load bars. We'll see

We're betting on about 7300# mostly-loaded and 900ish lb tongue weight. If it's too much, we'll turn the car around.

The trailer frame appears to be ridiculously overdesigned with three 6" box tubes. The axles, not quite so overdesigned (7000lb)

steve remchak · **Posted:** Thu Jan 05, 2012 8:02 pm

MikeWhitney wrote:

DickRasmussen wrote:

Mike,

Good to hear it is "only" 155 lbs since most of it will be tongue weight even before you put anything in it.

Is that going to be an "issue" or is it similar to a lot of weight at the inside front that has to be balanced by moving other weight to the rear more? I'm assuming the trailer frame can handle it. Also will you be using a weight distribution hitch?

Just questions for future reference since I know that you've sorted this out.

Thanks,

I'm not planning on towing this thing with the Durango. Rob's 2500HD will be the tow beast, and he insists that the truck "doesn't care" about anything weight related. He doesn't even want to use load bars. We'll see

We're betting on about 7300# mostly-loaded and 900ish lb tongue weight. If it's too much, we'll turn the car around.

The trailer frame appears to be ridiculously overdesigned with three 6" box tubes. The axles, not quite so overdesigned (7000lb)

you shouldn't ever have any issue if you use Rob's truck, but the axles are 7K each? if so you are quite fine but if they are 3500# each i wouldn't suggest you go too far over that weight.

what i have noticed with tongue weight issues is that moving the car one way or the other 6 inches or so makes a huge difference. granted mine is only a 18ft trailer.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

steve remchak wrote:

you shouldn't ever have any issue if you use Rob's truck, but the axles are 7K each? if so you are quite fine but if they are 3500# each i wouldn't suggest you go too far over that weight.

what i have noticed with tongue weight issues is that moving the car one way or the other 6 inches or so makes a huge difference. granted mine is only a 18ft trailer.

Good advice. They are 3500 each. This was the only "issue" with the trailer, and was debated. We decided to "risk it". Will be right around 7k loaded, maybe 7500.

Out of curiosity, I did a bunch of searching and never found even one story of axle failure due to overloading. I bet we could tow this trailer with 10k total weight for years and never have a problem.

Anyone _know_ what happens if a trailer is overloaded by 1000 lb (ignoring any DOT/compliance issues)?

Re car placement -- will be as far back as possible. We have scales and plan to check it all out.

steve remchak · **Posted:** Fri Jan 06, 2012 11:49 am

i don't know a lot about this issue, imagine that, but i think it has something to do with the twist that a trailer axle sees in its usage.

the other issue is that the brakes on a 3500# axle are typically not the same as a higher rated axle.

FWIW............ Torsion Axles

Advantages: These can be very compact and allow additional freedoms in designing the trailer. The elastomer also gives some natural damping to the "bumps" in the road. They are also very nice because single sided units make for an independent suspension. Torsion axles can be a good choice for light duty trailers -- BUT ONLY if the frame is designed for the added stresses.
Disadvantages: While it is true that they make torsion axles for larger capacities, we do not recommend them for the following reasons:
First, the loading of the torsion axle to the frame is more complex and localized on the frame. This adds stress (a lot) over simple the leaf springs described above.
Second, Loading to the frame can be complex -- especially when individual units are used so there are moments in 2 directions along with vertical loads.
Third, Torsion axles don't load share in multiple axle configurations. This means as a trailer is pulled over a bump, the one axle takes far more of the load than the other -- which means one could overload while the other is hardly loaded.
Finally, because the "spring" is an elastomer, it has a limited life. Over time (years), the elastomer will gradually harden and crack.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Fri Jan 06, 2012 12:05 pm

Most trailer related failures I've heard about on various road racer forums are TIRES.

General consensus is trailer rated with the maximum possible load rating and FRESH!!!

Brands . . . pick your favorite "they or the worst or they are the best" brand since it seems to be all over the place.

FYI I've had both a trailer spare and a van spare literally BLOW out while in my driveway while I was home. The van spare had been abused in service for awhile and then covered on the tire rack of the van. It blew out "down". The trailer spare had been used but not abused and then was mounted without a cover on the trailer for several additional years. It blew out UP. Both were major brand radials.

Best I can tell the killers are time, load, moisture, and impact damage. Assuming, of course, that you will NEVER run them under inflated.

Cash Davidson · **Posted:** Fri Jan 06, 2012 1:52 pm

Steve mentioned brakes - that would be my concern. On my 5000lb camper there are brakes on only one axle. On my 10klb dump trailer there are brakes on both axles. I'd want brakes on both.

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Ideas for a huge trailer tongue box?

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