Paint Trailer - Paint Talk

Sully · 03-28-2012, 08:04 PM

Who has a trailer? Do you love it or hate it? I've been considering a van lately but have always planned on buying a trailer first since my I have a truck already and it's lettered, has new racks or a cover depending on the season. I also hate that you can't stand up straight in most vans. I do like that a trailer can be left on the jobsite and can be lettered up and used as a promotional aspect. Looking for some more input and suggestions.

CajunDavid · 03-28-2012, 09:25 PM

I went from years of pick up trucks to a van about 6 years ago. I bought the van planning on buying a trailer to match. I soon realized that I didn't need a trailer. I love my van and don't know why I didn't get one 20 years ago. Hope this helps. Good luck.

**Damon T** · 03-29-2012, 01:23 AM

I have a 5x8 cargo trailer. Its handy for exteriors that last a while. The only problem is its not legal to park on the street here without being connected to a truck, so we risk getting parking tickets (happened once already). Sometimes we can park in the driveway, and on one job they let us park on the front lawn, I kid you not.
It's a little tricky parking and maneuvering at times. I've been thinking of getting a box van, but the current gas prices isn't encouraging me for that right now.

Finn · 03-29-2012, 02:12 AM

We have 6 trucks for our Land Scaping but as just said, the gas prices are a big factor, with this in mind I wanted to buy a trailer, $2000.00 for a decent 5x8 here in Denver, so I constructed mt own cargo hitch for my ford escape: this is just a prototype and it works great, not as much space as a van or truck, but def a solution for a small residential painter.

You can drop it off at a site with a couple of your painters if you have truck with crew cab and then you can go onto another job

wills fresh coat · 03-29-2012, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finn

We have 6 trucks for our Land Scaping but as just said, the gas prices are a big factor, with this in mind I wanted to buy a trailer, $2000.00 for a decent 5x8 here in Denver, so I constructed mt own cargo hitch for my ford escape: this is just a prototype and it works great, not as much space as a van or truck, but def a solution for a small residential painter.

You can drop it off at a site with a couple of your painters if you have truck with crew cab and then you can go onto another job

Nice....looks like it will hold a couple ps too

benthepainter · 03-29-2012, 04:48 AM

G'day Sully

I use a trailer every day and wouldnt work without my trailer all of my work is domestic repaints so I can leave my trailer on most jobs.

I have been painting for twenty years and the last six out of my trailer and am happy with my setup I scored the trailer itself for $40 painted it blue to match my old ute
Put the top on for $1800 I wanted it high enough so when open I don't have to hunch over I'm 6,2 I recently added a tarp and a couple of tent poles
So I have an added awning lol

The trailer size is 7x4 its perfect size as I can fit heaps of gear in it and also on most jobs I can fit it in the front yard or garage no probs

I know there are a few word smiths on this forum excuse my spelling and grammar mistakes lol

image-1198893520.jpg

My brushes bedtime

benthepainter · 03-29-2012, 04:54 AM

I miss my old beat up ute : (

benthepainter · 03-29-2012, 05:01 AM

Everything has its place : )

**daArch** · 03-29-2012, 07:53 AM

Nice set up Ben,

Sully, when I was only a few years into the business, and doing interior work only, I made myself a trailer to tow behind whatever small car I was driving.

I loved it. No paint smell in the car and able to leave it on most jobs. I never liked using my van (when I had one) for painting because of the solvent smell ever present and the mess it would become.

And my pickup with a cap, was impossible to access all areas easily. my trailer was nothing special and definitely not as well thought out as Ben's, but it was better than the other options, for me.

If you need a "van" in which you can stand, there are the Sprinter and Nissan NV high roof.

Dave Mac · 03-29-2012, 08:19 AM

just got a 6x12, I think I should of got a box truck. I really dont like a trailer in some of these tight subdivisions.

**daArch** · 03-29-2012, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Mac

just got a 6x12, I think I should of got a box truck. I really dont like a trailer in some of these tight subdivisions.

Yup, my trailer, small as it was, was impossible in the city. One has to account for the market they work.

And sometimes the Sprinter and High Roof are too tall.

Dunbar Painting · 03-29-2012, 11:08 AM

This is my truck and trailer.

Since then I put a canopy on my truck, and bought an old 4runner to tow the trailer. Regardless, driving around the area I work is really hard with a trailer combo. I also suck at backing it up.
I am likely going to sell the 4runner and get a Van! Then keep the trailer in my back yard to be towed by either the Van or the Truck as needed.

InnovationsPainting · 03-29-2012, 01:18 PM

Wow, what a great setup! Kudos.

**Schmidt & Co.** · 03-29-2012, 04:17 PM

Love the trailer Ben!

Finn · 03-29-2012, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wills fresh coat

Nice....looks like it will hold a couple ps too

He he

Well there wasn't even room for a sleeve today , I have this habit of showing up on a job, and then going to home depot and buying things and then not having enough room to get stuff into box.

I've used the PS the Titan 440 for a couple of days now, both are great tools, the Titan is just amazing.

The PS eats up to much paint too fast, but is handy, I don't see it lasting too long if used every day.

Hired my sprayer and number 2 yesterday, he watched me spraying and told me I was very disciplined and consistent in my application, he asked who trained me: I said " The Military and you tube"

Painter Chick · 03-29-2012, 10:09 PM

if you are thinking of getting a van, look into Dodge sprinters and also Nissan makes a cargo van now, you can get these at different lengths and heights.
We have had trailers and I now drive an e-150 van but I am considering the sprinter. Check them out!

By the way the pro shot life span is around 50 gallons of paint and most are made to rebuild 1 time.

Sully · 03-30-2012, 12:53 AM

I sat in the nissan van at the philly auto show... Pretty pimp but it's a nissan. I'm a chevy/GMC guy. Dodge doesn't really fly with me either. but I do like the height of these vans.

As for working in the city, I try to avoid it. I have the tight squeezes and potential parking tickets. For the few jobs I do get in the city I could always just load the truck up with what I need like I do now and leave the trailer home.

Odds are I will hold off on either one and stick to my truck for another year. It just sucks when my ladder racks go on my cover has to come off so it leaves all my equipment exposed..

Dunbar that setup looks pretty sweet

Sully · 03-30-2012, 12:57 AM

Maybe some bed rail tool boxes are the answer I'm looking for... hmmm

**Damon T** · 03-30-2012, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benthepainter

G'day Sully

I use a trailer every day and wouldnt work without my trailer all of my work is domestic repaints so I can leave my trailer on most jobs.

I have been painting for twenty years and the last six out of my trailer and am happy with my setup I scored the trailer itself for $40 painted it blue to match my old ute
Put the top on for $1800 I wanted it high enough so when open I don't have to hunch over I'm 6,2 I recently added a tarp and a couple of tent poles
So I have an added awning lol

The trailer size is 7x4 its perfect size as I can fit heaps of gear in it and also on most jobs I can fit it in the front yard or garage no probs

I know there are a few word smiths on this forum excuse my spelling and grammar mistakes lol

My brushes bedtime

Great setup Ben! My guys would have that totally unorganized in no time!

TERRY365PAINTER · 03-30-2012, 11:15 PM

image-2719121883.jpg

2007 chev