Welding rigs -- Details

[weld-tek]

very nice eric,when im down there next month i would like t come browse around and check your operation out,if it is ok.

[Portable Welder]

Thanks for the kind words there Aero weld and for sticking up for me, However its been a couple of years since you've seen my truck.
Its not quite as shiny as when it was new and she's got a few rust spots starting on the bed and tool boxes, I'm hoping that they dont show on the pictures, however she still works just as hard as I ever ask her to.

Jim I'm glad to hear you finally picked up a 550, let me know if I can be of assistance when you need to set the bed on.
My crane can safely pick up 3,500 Lbs 8' out.
As far as hauling 24' pcs of steel, installing a reciever tube in the front and rear of the truck with removable uprights.
I cant imagine not beeing able to carry long pcs.
Next thing youll want is a crane on your truck.
I cant tell you all the jobs that I now can do because of the crane that I used to pass up on.
As far as concealing the crane I seen a guy with a nice cover for his crane that really made it blend in.
I've seen a couple cranes in the auto swaper connected to trucks for $ 6,500.00 Just take the crane off and sell the truck for $ 5,000.00 and you have a $ 13,000.00 crane for $ 1500.00
Jim, Its because of me seeing your F- 450 set up so nice that led me to build My F-550 and by the sounds of it your raising the bar even higher.
Have you seen my buddy Verns Rig out of Plymouth, its the new GMC 4500 with the aluminum alcoa rims, its a butifull truck.
Happy New year everyone.

[Eric Carroll]

looking good, but aren't you worried about the rust when it comes time to paint?

I plan on having the whole bed sandblasted in the spring.That way I can run it for a while and if i want to change anything it wont be a big deal.Need to get/make a spool for my o/a now.I only get to work on it a few hours a week.I may get the bumper on today.

[MMW]

So Portable has asked for pics of my set up. Thought I would revive this old thread.

In 2009 after 23 yrs. at a fab shop they closed their doors & I went out on my own. I had already been doing mobile side jobs for 11 yrs. with a skid (no pics) & a 89 Chevy crew cab dually. At this time I had a 04 Chevy 1500 xtra cab with rear air bags. I didn't get a dedicated truck because I planned on doing mostly shop work at my shop & occasionally mobile as I had been doing. I turned out doing just the opposite & after 8 months decided to try a trailer first to see how it worked. For what I do the trailer is perfect.CIMG2328.jpgCIMG2329.jpgCIMG2331.jpg

[MMW]

I found a 6x12 v-nose enclosed trailer used. It already had brakes on a single axle & was rated at 3500 #. I ran it this way but was constantly at about 3500-3700#. I looked for a tandem & when I couldn't find one I added a second axle. I don't have recent pics but these are when I first was setting it up. I'll take some pics this week & post them.1104101758_0001.jpg1104101759_0001.jpg1104101759a_0001.jpg

[MMW]

Here it is as a single axle & getting the second axle & extending the fender. Moved the original one as far forward as I could with the side door. 1021101029.jpg1021101030.jpg1230010947.jpg1230011308a.jpg1230011415.jpg

[MMW]

In one of my truck boxes I carry misc. mechanic type tools. In the trailer I have welder, feeder, two 125cu oxy, two 145cu acet, one 125cu 75/25, 25' stinger, 21' work lead, two 46' ext. (I have two 80' ext. that I bring when needed, also 100' torch hose) 50' each of oxy/acet hose, mig hose & 14 pin ext. Grinders, clamps, compressor w/60' hose, cac torch, rods, wire, misc. steel, ext. cords, 4' step ladder, rosebud. I'm sure I forgot something but it works great for what I do. Where I mostly go is wide open so no problems getting in & out. I love the fact that everything is out of the weather & hidden from view.

I can drop the trailer & use my truck as needed without it being tied up & I don't have the overhead of a dedicated truck. Another plus is it is easy to get in & out of with out climbing up. The other nice thing is in the winter I leave the side door closed & it gets to be about 55* inside while in the teens outside. In the summer with all the doors & vents open it stays about outside temp. The silver color keeps it from baking inside from the sun.

[jpence38]

More Pics
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[jpence38]

Some pics.
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[JSFAB]

If I recall correctly, there were several threads started about the same time as this one, those who keep posting up asking for "rig ideas", could simply do a search and find every possibility out there.

Although it woudn't work for me, an enclosed box truck or trailer, set up properly, can actually give you more useable space than a dedicated truck or open trailer. Depends on your needs and your clientele. Myself, over 25 years, went from a pickup, to a flatbed, to a F350 utility bed, to a class 7/8 diesel rig, and now, mostly due to California air regulations and CHP rules, back down to single rear F350's. Gassers, no more diesels. Being in business, it definitely pays to be flexible.

Last two posters, nice setups, worth thinking about if it fits your needs.