Yeah, trailer thefts suck, especially since they are so easy to steal sometimes. My dad had his Harley trailer stolen a couple years ago. They found it up the street with the doors broken into. Luckily it was empty beforehand but a lot of thieves see trailers as easy pickings unfortunately. :(

Nice work on your trailer though! I think this is something I may be doing sometime in the future, a mobile workshop to head to the track would be great. I love the bed liner floor idea, haven't seen that before. :yes:

Taking the wheels off and putting on stands is the best way to deter theft... If not the most convenient... At least get a good lock for the front, the shackle type that has a plate that covers the ball reciver look to be the best. And maybe chain thru the rims so it cannot roll.

When its at the house I have the round locks that you cant get to with a bolt cutter, tounge has a "guard dog" hitch lock, I've used cable locks through the wheels before i had the hitch lock, i might have to start doing that agian even though i have the hitch lock.

I do have insurance on the trailer with bikes in it but i might have to look at adding/updating it to inculde the value of this renovation along with the big $$$$ amount of r/c stuff inside.

Locked up
 

Besides all of the various trailer locks I used, I always kept mine in our backyard. I built a huge heavy duty double gate on one side of the house and kept the trailer locked inside the gate. Having insurance is the best way to protect your investment, but we have to protect our property from theft as well. Its bad enough on a regular basis, and now with our economy taking a dive theives become more bold. They always look for the easy theft, but some are are just so dammed stupid and desperate that they will try anything to make a few bucks.

I had a Halloween party at my house in Orlando, Fl one year and during the party had my garage door open. As the party began to wind down 3AM two guys walked right into my garage while some of us were still hanging out in teh house, and cleaned out whatever they could load up in their car. I tried to catch them, but by the time I got into my car and drove off after them it was too late. They disapeared into the dark with their lights off. I lost about $3K in tools that night.

Just a note of interest my insurance company would not pay up, because I did not have an active inventory or any receipts to prove exactly what I had lost. Take photos, log serial numbers, and create an updated inventory list for evidence, or you to may get burned by your insurance company. Cataloged photos and pics of serial # are your best proof.

I need to make a decision on my counter top so i can get it ordered. I can either go with Formica (laminate) counter top surface, or go with .030" 2024 T3 aluminum. either would be glued to 3/4" cabinet grade birch.


What would you guys go with? I have brushed aluminum handles, knobs and trim in the trailer. If i go with the laminate then it will be a light slate grey color.

Aluminum
 

Personally I would go with the aluminum. Getting a laminant countertop is cheap and easy but it damages easily to. The aluminum will give your shop a nice clean industrial look that is tough and should hold up much better than the laminant. Just my two cents.

These might be good, no idea of quality but I've seen them around.

http://www.southwestwheel.com/store/...ble-wheel-lock

they are basically the same price, the aluminum might actaully be cheaper honestly i gotta double check. that laminate is close to $3 per sq ft with tax and all. the aluminum ill hace to drive a ways to get and then use an 8foot break to put my back splash and front lip on.

I wouldn't go with aluminum, it's a soft material so it will get dinged up and chewed up while working on it. Stainless would be a much better choice

Agreed
 

I agree with stainless steel, but it all depends on your budget. Your shop is not all that big so maybe teh investment would be worth it to go with something more durable. Plus stainless would be at least double the weight for a trailer.

Ill have to look into stainless steel today. Not concerned a whole lot about weight, It wont be pulled with a half ton truck or any thing. My superduty doesn't even know this baby is behind it.

im still afraid stainless would look like hell after awhile, getting all scratched up.

Just give it a 600 grit wet sanding and the scratches will go away! :yes:

or i can just wipe off the laminate.....


still trying to decide

why not go with a std laminate kitchen counter? or do you need a custom width? 8 foot pre made lam counter is around 80 bucks at lowes iirc.

What about using the spray-on bedliner for the work surfaces and countertop also?

Or use the laminate and get some thick rubber mat cut to size and lay over it. That would definitely help parts to stay put, and protect the counter (and the parts). And you could replace it fairly easily if needed.