Gear storage and organization

J

Jasonk

Participating member
We have always typically left all of our day to day gear in the truck tool boxs locked at night, taking out or putting in things we don't use every day (cabling tools, 3120, etc.). Lately it seems gear is being left unaccounted for at the end of the day (for no good reason). My thought is to have the trucks unloaded every day so that everything is visible and in its place. It's obviously going to be timely but lost equipment will be costly as well. I'm curious what others have for gear protocol for storage. Also looking for good organization ideas to lay out gear in the shop.
 
Tool boxes do nothing but keep your tools organized and available for thieves, when unattended. I'd empty every box at the end of every day.
 
I am fortunate to be in an area where I don't worry too much about thieves. I love having a well organized toolbox. Everything has it's home and it's pretty easy to make sure nothing is missing at a glance. That said, stuff still gets forgotten every once in awhile. Shit happens as forrest gump famously said.
 
I just went from a pick up with no boxes to a 550 with L boxes. It has saved me a ton of time loading and unloading gear every day. Also it makes me remember to bring everything too... Cause it's all there. The only things that come off at night are those that aren't going to be used tomorrow. I don't think I will ever go back to unloading it all...... If I can help it!!!

I left a tree work ahead sign behind the other day, because I was in a rush to get to the next job. My fault, I knew it. And the wife was sure to let me know. I should have done a walk around like I normally do which is a good practice for several reasons. Probably less time consuming would be to make it the forman's job to walk around and ensure all the work was done, clean up is satisfactory and all the tools are picked up. It's now his responsibility to come home with all the tools... Period. From there it's just a performance issue.
 
Those of us with the space to bring everything home are lucky. Our large trucks sit in a lot amongst the populated suburbs. To costly to commute the tree trucks daily, I live 20 mins away out in the country. This leaves the boxes vulnerable to thieves, curious kids, and drug addicts looking for a quick score.
 
I use large "tactical" backpacks from the local army navy store, they store a ton of stuff and have plenty of pockets to keep everything as organized as you want within the bag. I hold two ropes, 120' 150', and everything I use for climbing very easily.
Thought I'd throw that out there if it's helpful
 
CutHighnLetFly said:
I use large "tactical" backpacks from the local army navy store, they store a ton of stuff and have plenty of pockets to keep everything as organized as you want within the bag. I hold two ropes, 120' 150', and everything I use for climbing very easily.
Thought I'd throw that out there if it's helpful
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I shop there also and have some surplus luggage holding my gear.
 
It's a trailer... kind of hard to tell in that pic... it was the frame of a pop-up camper that was given to me. Was just a frame with the wheels/tires and a ball coupler when I got it. No fenders, lights, deck or anything. It does have leaf springs. I always have a lot of pressure-treated lumber laying around, so I decided to try to make something useful out of it. It can carry a lot of gear and chainsaws. Pretty much all of my climbing/rigging gear, all the tophandle saws, and there's room in the middle (between the toolboxes) for the bigger saws. The toolboxes are bolted to the deck of the trailer. The whole thing goes in the garage or a shed at home or the shop, at night.
 
Nice. I have played with the idea of trailer except that we about always have to pull the chipper with the pickup and the dump with the chip truck. So we probably will pursue building a skid with all the saws and everthing with its own holder.
 
JeffGu said:
Holds everything...

View attachment 38321
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Man, I really appreciate being able to see a picture, but that's such a waste of tow space for me, in almost any situation. If the job is small enough that you can trailer your gear to it and leave the mini or chipper or grinder behind, why not put the gear in your truck? The only time I can imagine using this rig is if I've got a back yard project with lots of small trees and I'm taking, like, at least five guys to the job site. I'm sure you have good reasons. Mind sharing them?
 
I live in a very rural area, small towns and acreages/farms. Jobsites are usually 10 to 75 miles away. I use two pickup trucks to get everything there, and the trailers/equipment stay there until I get done. I don't have any of the big equipment that you guys use, everything fits in the trucks or trailers. Everything gets cut into firewood/kindling, and brush under 1.5" goes through the chipper. I need the trucks empty because they are our "chip box". Most of the toolboxes on the trailer started out on the trucks, but I just didn't like the arrangement.
 
Similar question here: I work mostly out of a pickup truck. What is quick and easy DIY way to store saws, gas, and oil in a regular 8' bed? I hate getting gas and oil all over the place. I've been thinking of totes with slots to put the bars through to contain that drizzle.

I already store my climb and rigging in totes with wheels and locks on them to keep them clean.


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Look up drydek for compartments then put an oil pad underneath it. My box has dry deck all across it. If there is a catastrophic leak it won't get on my gear. Same stuff they use on floors of bars and restraunts
 
NorCalBrock said:
Similar question here: I work mostly out of a pickup truck. What is quick and easy DIY way to store saws, gas, and oil in a regular 8' bed? I hate getting gas and oil all over the place. I've been thinking of totes with slots to put the bars through to contain that drizzle.

I already store my climb and rigging in totes with wheels and locks on them to keep them clean.


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Click to expand...

I think snow sleds might work too. From what i hear, they drag very well, even on landscaping.
 
Yes, jet sleds! The first company I worked for used them for shuttling gear to and from the truck at job sites. They have a dedicated gear truck (cab forward box van) that tows a mini. The second crew uses a suburban for gear and towing. I think two sleds fit side by side in the suburban, if memory serves me well. Great for deployment and eventually putting back into the main truck that we padlocked. On site they were used for brush and wood as well. Superior to a can in many respects. It can also serve as a guard against gouging driveways with your chipper jack if the grade change is going to make it close (a good friend demonstrated this for me). They can be easily stowed in most setups.

Oh, and they're a lot of fun on steep properties.
 
I like that suggestion - serves multiple uses.

I'll have to look up where to purchase them - I live in the California Valley. Snows once every 5 years here.


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I just looked them up - I think they sell them at the local Sportsman Warehouse for hunters


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