Jobsite box as tongue box?

[geanes]

Been looking at tongue box options for my small camping trailer. They all seem to be crazy expensive ($400+) and made of thin steel with cheap locks. The cheaper ones (sub-$200) are even more flimsy and don't seem too secure.

This got me thinking: what about using a mid-size jobsite box from either Ridgid or Kobalt? They are 16 gauge steel with recessed padlocks. The Ridged has a lid gasket to prevent or minimize dust/water intrusion. But, it's BRIGHT orange which attracts attention. The Kobalt has no lid gasket (can add one very easily though), but has nifty rubber covers that go over the 2 padlocks to prevent dust/water intrusion. The Kobalt is less overt as it's a blue color. Both are powder coated, so I would think they would hold up well on the tongue platform of my trailer.

Both are 5 cubic foot storage which would be plenty for setting up a small battery system and still have room for other valuable things.

Curious if anyone else has used these.

Ridgid 32" jobsite box: RIDGID 32 in. x 19 in. Portable Storage Chest-32R-OS - The Home Depot

Kobalt 32" jobsite box: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-19-in-W-x-32-in-L-x-18-in-Steel-Jobsite-Box/1000172277

Here is my trailer for reference....

 

[skidplate]

I'd use any one of those. Buy a couple of cans of rattle spray the color you want and go for it. My .02

 

[Whiskerz]

The only concern might be the weight of the box.

 

[77TLCFJ40]

Do craigslist and eBay searches for military box and military container. Military spec boxes are a good option.

Good luck.

 

[ntsqd]

We used an "ammo can" of some sort (non US, I think) for the tongue box on the C.U.T. Ours is too small for what you want to do but others out there may not be.

 

[cruiserpilot]

Those things weigh over 75 lbs. crazy waste of weight. Try a tractor supply place, see
if you can find something in aluminum would be my suggestion.
Something like this at 40 lbs.

Tractor Supply 37 in. Single Lid Chest Tool Box at Tractor Supply Co.

Find Tractor Supply 37 in. Single Lid Chest Tool Box in the Innerside Truck Boxes category at Tractor Supply Co.This Tractor Supply 37 in. Chest

www.tractorsupply.com

 

[KYNate]

I used the black tractor Supply tongue box. It was $269. Its very sturdy, not too heavy!

 

[KYNate]

Actually looks like it is only $229. Must have remembered incorrectly!

Tractor Supply Co. Trailer Tongue Box at Tractor Supply Co.

Find Tractor Supply Co. Trailer Tongue Box in the Trailer Tool Boxes category at Tractor Supply Co.Stay organized and keep gear safe with the Tr

www.tractorsupply.com

 

[80t0ylc]

Been looking at tongue box options for my small camping trailer..........

I've been looking for one too. I like this choice:

Actually looks like it is only $229. Must have remembered incorrectly!

Tractor Supply Co. Trailer Tongue Box at Tractor Supply Co.

Find Tractor Supply Co. Trailer Tongue Box in the Trailer Tool Boxes category at Tractor Supply Co.Stay organized and keep gear safe with the Tr

www.tractorsupply.com

Although, the shape is a double edged sword. It's a great shape for a small trailer tongue box, but the taper will limit how you can arrange your devices inside. The gas struts concern me that they might also limit setup. Did some measuring and the outside dimensions will work well for me. @geanes are you thinking yours will be just for your electronics or some storage, too?

 

[geanes]

I've been looking for one too. I like this choice:

Although, the shape is a double edged sword. It's a great shape for a small trailer tongue box, but the taper will limit how you can arrange your devices inside. The gas struts concern me that they might also limit setup. Did some measuring and the outside dimensions will work well for me. @geanes are you thinking yours will be just for your electronics or some storage, too?

I got the Harbor Freight tongue box on July 4th as a promo. As it's only going to carry the battery, charge controller and a few small odds and ends such as chocks and tent/awning pegs/tie downs, it should meet my needs easily. Everything else (trailer jacks, camping gear, etc.) will stow on the fender boxes I'm adding later this week or in the tub.

Picked up their 35ah battery which should meet all my electrical needs (a few LED camplights and the 4 linear actuators I'm adding this week to raise/lower the tent platform 16"). I don't plan on any type of water pump or other electrical needs that might require something bigger.....at this time. HF had a ridiculous special on their highly rated 100w solar charging setup, so I got it as well. The panels will fit in the tub nicely.

 

[80t0ylc]

I got the Harbor Freight tongue box on July 4th as a promo. As it's only going to carry the battery, charge controller and a few small odds and ends such as chocks and tent/awning pegs/tie downs, it should meet my needs easily. Everything else (trailer jacks, camping gear, etc.) will stow on the fender boxes I'm adding later this week or in the tub.

Picked up their 35ah battery which should meet all my electrical needs (a few LED camplights and the 4 linear actuators I'm adding this week to raise/lower the tent platform 16"). I don't plan on any type of water pump or other electrical needs that might require something bigger.....at this time. HF had a ridiculous special on their highly rated 100w solar charging setup, so I got it as well. The panels will fit in the tub nicely......

You're not going to be running a fridge? Mine's in the back of my LC and wired with an aux batt to run. But while camped, I want to pull it over to the trailer for convenience. So my electrical requirements will be higher than a 35ah batt. Before I got my trailer, my 80ah aux. batt. with the fridge and inverter was sufficient. A 125 watt solar panel did the trick, so it should work for my trailer, too. Like to see pics of the linear actuators when installed.

 

[geanes]

You're not going to be running a fridge? Mine's in the back of my LC and wired with an aux batt to run. But while camped, I want to pull it over to the trailer for convenience. So my electrical requirements will be higher than a 35ah batt. Before I got my trailer, my 80ah aux. batt. with the fridge and inverter was sufficient. A 125 watt solar panel did the trick, so it should work for my trailer, too. Like to see pics of the linear actuators when installed.

The Morris trailer isn't tall enough to handle the fridge. The height from base of tub to bottom of lid is only 18.5" My fridge is 21" tall plus the height of the fridge slide. For now, my fridge will remain in the back of the rig. At some point in the not too distant future I plan to fab up a new one-piece "top" to my trailer to replace the clamshell doors. I'll increase interior volume of the trailer to the point that it will support the fridge on a slide. I'll have to fab up a new rear door as well to compensate for the increased opening height. Just don't have time to do all that before HIH9. Once that's done though, I'll go with a much bigger battery setup to support the increased load demanded by the fridge. The tongue box I have is plenty big enough to handle all of the electrical needs.

 

[80t0ylc]

The Morris trailer isn't tall enough to handle the fridge. The height from base of tub to bottom of lid is only 18.5" My fridge is 21" tall plus the height of the fridge slide. For now, my fridge will remain in the back of the rig. At some point in the not too distant future I plan to fab up a new one-piece "top" to my trailer to replace the clamshell doors. I'll increase interior volume of the trailer to the point that it will support the fridge on a slide. I'll have to fab up a new rear door as well to compensate for the increased opening height. Just don't have time to do all that before HIH9. Once that's done though, I'll go with a much bigger battery setup to support the increased load demanded by the fridge. The tongue box I have is plenty big enough to handle all of the electrical needs.

Yup, I've got similar problems with my trailer and fridge. I'm thinking about looking for a shorter fridge for the trailer and keeping my existing fridge in the LC, because it's so damn convenient to have a fridge in the rig - even when not camping. Yeah, I'm not sweating my schedule. Building the trailer up is part of the fun, plus who else can get it done like you want it. Glad to hear you're satisfied with your tongue box. I'm glad I checked your build out - I got my idea for my tongue box from @KYNate back in post#8. It looks like it was made for my trailer...