Idea for an Enclosed Trailer Set-up

MVPPOWERWASH

New member
Since we already have an enclosed trailer setup, and think it is very functional here in the North East, I am going to build another one. I have a unique idea though. Has anyone ever seen a trailer that didn't just look like a "Trailer"?? I want to design a flat open trailer, and custom build a mini-house on it to fill the same footprint. I will have cedar shakes on it, and a Timberline roof. I want to then put a chimney out the top where I will vent the Hot-Water Unit. I then can have 1x2 studs, that I can run the water supply lines through, and have it be a model for a cedar siding paint job, as well as a powerwashing trailer/advertising. I thought about weight, and if I use 1x2's spaced around 18" apart, it shouldn't weigh too much. I'll also only use 1/2" plywood for roof under the shingles. I can add a soffett vent for good circulations and all the other makings. I would also add some boxes that are trim wood and they wouldn't have cedar, just professional made metal signs with business info and huge phone number. I also want to add a front tool box to the trailer near the neck (Like the ones you see on boat trailers) but I want to make it look like a cedar deck, where I can lift up the floor of the deck, and have the toolbox inside. Basically a mini-model for services. Any ideas? Positive and Negative Critizism welcome!!
 
Sounds like a very unique idea. My concern would be if this was a rolling advertisement you are going to have to maintain it very well. Do you really want to put that much time and effort into keeping this thing looking really good? Maybe a traditional trailer with a vinyl wrap with pictures of your work would be a better and easier to maintain route.
 
I think its a great idea. My truck has been the best advertising for me.
 
A big concern for me would be will it hold up? Trailers bounce a lot and wood will shake and loosen up after a short time. You may find your walls falling down after only a few months.
 
Sounds like a very unique idea. My concern would be if this was a rolling advertisement you are going to have to maintain it very well. Do you really want to put that much time and effort into keeping this thing looking really good? Maybe a traditional trailer with a vinyl wrap with pictures of your work would be a better and easier to maintain route.

I agree. Not only would you have to maintain the appearance of the cedar, but you would also need to be sure shakes aren't falling off when traveling.
 
Great replies so far everyone. I appreciate the input. To respond to some worries, I thought about both instances. I would have it constructed to be almost bulletproof. I would sink the walls with carriage bolts through the trailer, and for cedar shakes, I would screw them, (Top and bottom)countersink the screws, fill over them, and coat all shakes with latex stain. Great thing is, it will show staining that we do (Obviously), but maintenance will be to give it a 5 minute wash after/before a job, or back at the storage area. Also, I would have rafters crossing the top of the trailer so it is as sturdy as can be without too much weight. I can also run some iron braces to the corners if need be. I don't really want to do vinyl cedar impressions on the trailer as a friend had reccomended, just because then it doesn't really show "All" services. Keep the responses coming, they have been very helpful in the past hour! (Idea isn't perfect, but with the right imput, I think I can put all the great ideas together to make this work)
 
Also, right now I have a trailer with full graphics that people have known for the past 17 years, but I want to try something new. I will have both trailers, and I think this new idea can really drum up some word of mouth. Especially in colder temps when people see some "smoke" coming from the chimney
 
I agree with Looking Good. In order for a bouncing trailer to hold up with a mini house on it, it would have to be built very well. Take in to account the wind resistance, maintenance, bounce factor and hope that it stays together long enough to become known for you and your business will likely not happen.
I think that the vinyl wrap is the way to go. Good before and after pics, better durability, cheaper and easier to maintain, yet still very professional. I too am located in New Jersey and understand the need for inside storage, but every spring your first job will be your trailer. I vote for the "wrap."
 
Maybe you could use a regular enclosed trailer and put your cedar roof on that??? Might end up being cheaper,lighter,stronger. Maybe even do a custom wrap on it in addition to the cedar roof.
 
Those wraps can be made from any digital image.You could get it wrapped and it would look like a ceder sided house without the liability of things falling off while traveling.You also might have DOT issues.Here in Alabama if you meet a weight requirement you can be stopped and inspected just like the big rigs.

I think it would look good for things like fairs and arts and craft festivals where you want to get your name out ,but everyday use would worry me with the real wood.
 
I actually wash year round here in NJ. We've had large commercial contracts since 1991. Enclosed is a must for me. I like the vinyl wrap idea too. I'm not set on doing the "Mini-house", but I was thinking of it all day. Heck, it might really look funny with me towing a "House" lol. Back to the drawing board......
By the way, NJWashingGuy, shoot me a PM, mostly only know the guys from my area. Get lots of leads for North Jersey.
 
It is an interesting idea, but I'd steer clear.

This sounds heavy, and the wear will be higher than residences get, because you will be collecting road film. That stuff is awful to metal and plastic, much less to cedar.

Also, I think some of the guys here probably passed out when you said "Latex". I'm no woodie per se, but I think that gets some people pretty exercised.

I think as a little used piece for Promo, PR types of jobs, this could be a great idea, but on a daily, it sounds like more work than it needs to be.

I like the wraps idea myself. Whatever you do build, post some braggin' pics.:cool:
 
It is an interesting idea, but I'd steer clear.

This sounds heavy, and the wear will be higher than residences get, because you will be collecting road film. That stuff is awful to metal and plastic, much less to cedar.

Also, I think some of the guys here probably passed out when you said "Latex". I'm no woodie per se, but I think that gets some people pretty exercised.

I think as a little used piece for Promo, PR types of jobs, this could be a great idea, but on a daily, it sounds like more work than it needs to be.

I like the wraps idea myself. Whatever you do build, post some braggin' pics.:cool:

Good points. I would put an oil based primer and latex top coat. Anything other than a latex based siding stain would be hard to keep clean having head from inside the trailer combined with the road dirt/debris you mentioned. It would be easy maintenance. I may just look into a wrap for the trailer. We've really taken on some large scale revolving jobs the past six months and I have to set up some more rigs.
 
I think it is an awesome idea. It can be done fire departments have basically have the same thing with fire safety houses. You could ask you local department if they have one or have access to one that you can look at and get some ideas on how to build it.
 
OK didn't look at how old this post is. Still sounds like an awesome project. If it was done post some pics( unless I missed that to somehow).
 
Back
Top