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Painting Business, Ladder rack or trailer

Discussion in 'Jobs & Careers' started by spares, Jan 17, 2012.

  1. Jan 17, 2012 at 11:21 AM
    #1
    spares

    #1
    spares [OP] Canadian Bacon

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2010
    Member:
    #43710
    Messages:
    311
    Gender:
    Male
    New Brunswick, Canada
    Vehicle:
    06 DCSB TRD Sport
    This coming summer I am going to be operating a painting franchise in my area, the issue at hand is should I buy a ladder rack for my truck and put paint/ supplies in the bed. Or i have sourced a 6x12 enclosed trailer for about 150 bucks per month.

    Comparison of observed details

    BackRack headache rack
    Pros;
    Cheaper ~ $300 for rack
    Savings in fuel milage
    Cons;
    miscellaneous wear and tear in/around bed
    having to unload supplies whenever leaving truck unattended
    Ladders are quite long therefore with 5 foot bed there may be quite an overhang front and back

    Trailer Lease
    Pros;
    Save wear/damage on truck
    Ladders will sit nicely on roof mounted ladder racks
    Place to store all supplies and be locked
    Cons;
    Higher cost, ~ $150 per month, 600 for the summer
    Reduced gas milage (unknown how much)

    From anyone's experiance, will it be a pain in the ass to work from a trailer, having to haul it around when transporting ladders?


    TL;DR
    Trailer lease for ~600 or Headache rack for ~300

    Any other input is appreciated! thanks
     
    spares, Jan 17, 2012
    #1
  2. Jan 17, 2012 at 11:36 AM
    #2
    757southpaw

    #2
    757southpaw Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Jay
    757
    Vehicle:
    07' DC LB TRD Sport 4x4
    BAK BakFlip Tonneau cover, 30% front tinted windows, AVS vent shades, Black Billet Grill,Pop& Lock, secondary air filter removed, Goodyear Duratrac's, Billies @ 2.5" on front, Billies on back w/ 1.5" AAL, Toytec Diff drop, NOKYA Hyper Yellow fog light bulbs, LaminX Weathertechs, Rear diff breather mod, BHLM
    My vote is for the enclosed lockable trailer!

    I used to install electronic systems out of the back of the truck. Quickly learned that a topper was needed and then graduated to a Leonard trailer.

    I found that it was much easier working out of it. Supplies were more accessable and protected from teh elements. On several occassions I was given permission to leave it on the job site. Either way I could use the trailer for work and the bed of the truck for personal and I could leave the trailer at home when not needed.

    Edit: If im not mistaken, you can write of the lease as a business expense
     
    757southpaw, Jan 17, 2012
    #2
  3. Jan 17, 2012 at 11:38 AM
    #3
    09DC4X4

    #3
    09DC4X4 Night In The Ruts!

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    Brian
    Southern Maryland
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    09 Double Cab 4X4 V6 Auto
    Too much, thanks TW.
    Enclosed trailer for sure.
     
    09DC4X4, Jan 17, 2012
    #3
  4. Jan 17, 2012 at 11:41 AM
    #4
    OZ-T

    #4
    OZ-T You are going backwards

    Joined:
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    Peter North
    British Columbia
    Vehicle:
    Mag Grey 09 Trd Sport DCLB 4x4
    OME 885x , OME shocks and Dakars , Wheelers SuperBumps front and rear , 275/70/17 Hankook ATm , OEM bed mat , Weathertech digifit floor liners , Weathertech in-channel vents , headache rack , Leer 100RCC commercial canopy , TRD bedside decals removed , Devil Horns by Andres , HomerTaco Satoshi
    Trailer
     
    OZ-T, Jan 17, 2012
    #4
  5. Jan 17, 2012 at 11:50 AM
    #5
    mountainwolfpup

    #5
    mountainwolfpup Ford Guy (Formerly known as a Toyota Guy)

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2009
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    972
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    Vancouver, WA
    Vehicle:
    2015 Ford F150 Lariat FX4 3.5l Eco
    First month of ownership... This month I'm removing front air dam, and also Rhino lining the bed.
    Have you considered a cap/shell? There are tons of used ones out there for cheap. You can easily put cross-bars on the top and cary quite a few and long ladders on your roof. And they can be locked down easily. And of course the shell/cap will lock protecting your stuff inside.

    I've got to say that besides the trailer option the cap/shell is the #1 way I see painters operating. And those with a trailer also seem to have a cap/shell for more gear..

    Anyway, it's a cheaper alternative as you get started. And much more secure then a rack.
     
    mountainwolfpup, Jan 17, 2012
    #5
  6. Jan 28, 2012 at 1:19 PM
    #6
    aficianado

    #6
    aficianado Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Member:
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    Messages:
    8,103
    Gender:
    Male
    bay area, california
    Vehicle:
    2006 access cab. 4x4, TRD-OR + 2023 TRD off-road.
    back to bone stock.
    trailer. nothing worse than coming home from a long day and having to unload a truck to get it ready for hunting/fishing/camping/date-night...
     
    aficianado, Jan 28, 2012
    #6
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