The Homestud's Reno/Flipping Trailer
RIG DETAILS
| USED FOR | Construction |
| TYPICAL JOBS | remodeling, flipping |
| BODY | Enclosed Trailer |
ORGANIZATION
Jeff runs a remodeling business where he does lots of large and small jobs, from remodeling to house flips.
His trailer is a 7' x 12' V-nose which 6'6" tall on the inside. The trailer's design is largely inspired by Ron Paulk's builds, although Jeff says there are some organizational concepts where he's preferring some different ideas.
He plans to do a redesign of his current setup, and it'll be interesting to see what he changes!
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Why a Trailer?
Jeff originally started out with a dump trailer and a pickup. Like many contractors, he would pile tools in the truck and go job to job.
He says:
"I was in a constant state of worry that I had forgotten a tool, or couldn't find a tool, and it became more of a headache to have to dig and waste time sorting through that truck to find what I was looking for than just being organized right from the start."
Thus he decided to transition to a Paulk-style trailer.
Paulk Storage
For many of his larger tools, like his circular saw, track saw, reciprocating saws, and biscuit jointer he uses the Paulk style of organization using individual compartments.
He also has slots for lesser used drills and drivers right near the back of the trailer. Batteries and chargers are right above and below. It's easy to see if these tools are there or not.
Toolbox Will Go
He uses a large metal rolling toolbox for some organization. This is definitely more of an old school storage technique (take a rolling toolbox, remove the wheels, bolt it in place), but Jeff says he feels like it's starting to become a bit of a "dump zone". He'll remove the toolbox in a redesign of the trailer.
The toolbox isn't really too far from what a lot of Paulk-style trailers look like as they often use the same sized drawers as a toolbox, just made of plywood.
Paulk Deviation
One interesting thing that Jeff does is a deviation from Ron Paulk's method of individual tool storage. Most tools have their own cubby, but he says some tools he's starting to use what we call Grab 'n Go.
Grab 'n Goer's
His Makita drills and bit organizer have their own case that are easy to grab and bring on the job site.
Two of Makita Interlocking Cases (terrible name!!) stack in the back of the trailer. One holds a small Makita router and all the bits that he frequently uses. The router, attachments, and bits are held in place with foam. He says:
I like having that all together, because I can just grab the Systainer (note: these are not Systainers) and head out to the job site wherever I'm working.
Another case holds his two battery-powered Milwaukee finish nailers.
Feed the Packouts
Packouts are also a little less Paulk, and more Grab 'n Go.
Jeff decided he likes the Milwaukee Packout system, so he is accumulating them, while he still has a few, more traditional plastic organizers.
He's got a good system for how he uses them. His "finishing" Packout is used like this:
It holds whatever finishing hardware he typically needs. He can pull out an individual organizer in the packout and take it onto the jobsite, which is pretty convenient.
He keeps larger containers of finishing hardware on a less accessible and visible shelf. When the Packout empties, he can refill it from his large containers.
This means he can carry lots of finishing inventory in large boxes, let them take up space in less accessible spaces, and only needs to carry small containers onto the job site.
Power Layout
The trailer can easily be plugged in to the grid. Some builds use one or two 4-way outlets, but Jeff is using a few 2-way outlets, connected with MC cable, throughout the trailer.
At the back, a power strip plugs into a 2-way and could be dismounted and brought on the jobsite.
In the front of the trailer, a 100' extension cord on a reel is mounted next the the side cargo door, so it's easy to roll out or reel in. It can provide the shore power to the trailer.
Compressor-heavy to Battery
He built a compressor cart for his twin tank compressor when he used air tools a lot more. It plugs into the trailer's grid power and he uses a 100' hose. He says the 100' hose that he uses has been sufficient to reach outside on the properties he works.
Track Saw Tracks
Some remodels clamp their track saws to the roof, but Jeff uses a custom long, flat shelf to hold the tracks.
He likes this because the tracks are stored flat and he doesn't have to worry about accidentally putting a curve in to them.
Some Thoughts on Configurability
Jeff has a radial arm saw in the trailer that he thought he would use more, but he's contemplating removing it in a rebuild of the trailer.
He also just bought some new levels that now need a dedicated storage space. His old levels have dedicated slots under his workbench.
So:
This is one issue with some Ron Paulk builds. Some systems have configurablility, but it's worth spending some time to think about how you'll deal with adding new tools in the future or completely reconfiguring some section.
If you currently have 4 drills and drivers on a rack, what happens if you want to add 2 more?
If you have no workbench, but you decide you want one, can you reconfigure a section without completely rebuilding one side of your truck or trailer?
Your desired level of configurability will probably change the longer you work:
If you've been in a trade for 3 years, you'll probably change things a lot as you figure out what makes you efficent.
If you're been in a trade for 20 years, you probably know what tools you need and how they should be situated. At this point, you might even use fewer tools because you've specialized in your trade, so that you can be "the millwork guy" instead of another remodeling contractor.
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