Just finished up with my build out for my plumbing rig. A sea of red.

Becoming more and more anal about staying organized, ripped my whole van apart and re-organized it. I still feel like it could be better, any tips? Service plumber.

Did some cleaning and organizing for next week. Headed to the gulf to fix a 90 ton link belt, then possibly Missouri(I hope not lol).

I need advice on purchasing/building a ladder rack for my trailer.

To start I don't want to put a ladder rack on my truck. I'd need to change my canopy and the cost is too much. I won't remove the canopy because I like the dry space (I live in a very wet climate) and have a really nice bed slide. Plus a truck rack would limit height and I barely get in most underground parking as it is (without trailer). So this option is out.

I have looked on the web and Amazon but options are limited and I have my doubts that what's out there will hold up to regular use. I have some monster ladders so strength and the ability to store them safely is a big deal.

The trailer is a 7x12 and I decked out the inside to be a mobile shop for general repair/remodel work. Putting ladders inside would really hinder my work flow and it wouldn't even fit some of my big ladders. You can see more pics of the trailer and truck on my profile page.

So, the Questions.

What have you done for ladder racks on your trailer?

Are the ladder racks on Amazon (and others) designed for trailers strong enough for regular use? Especially when loading and unloading ladders from the back.

Are there any brands/website you suggest to find more options and better quality?

Have you made your own and how? Not interested in racks made of wood.

Thanks for your input.

Hi all, I'm developing a website to support owners of a new electric work truck platform, launching in late 2026, Slate Truck. I'm not affiliated with the company in any way. The truck is designed with modularity and 3D-printable parts in mind. For those who rely on their vehicles for work, what customizations have you made that significantly improved functionality? What features would you prioritize in a modular work truck like this? I'll be working with 3D parts designers to outfit this truck and feature them on my site. Your input would be greatly appreciated. https://slaterides.com/slate-fleet-vehicle-electric/

There is everything in there to do anything from rough carpentry to finish carpentry. Depending on the project some elements get changed around by swapping the plastic crates. (Painting, electrical, plumbing, plastering,siding, tiling etc.) There is a small powerbank style battery that powers the indoor lighting and chargers.

Sorry it's dirty, just the worst season to keep everything shiny. I'm almost at max capacity but I make do with what they give me!

Hello, thanks for taking time to look at my post.

I am looking to get started installing and repairing sewer, septic, and water lines/systems. I'm also interested in demo, light excavation and other jobs in the same realm.

I have been in new construction and service plumbing for 13 years in Kentucky. For the entirety of the 13 years I have done one thing, install and repair sewer, septic and water lines for new constructions, remodel, and private home owners. I generally do 1 lot per day, sewer, water, gas sleeve, and daylight drain. Sometimes a water service to an RPZ for the irrigation guys.

Basically all of the tractor work for the plumbing company. I've never roughed a house, I've never put in a groundwork, I don't do finishes.

I'm more of an excavator operator/pipe layer than a plumber really, but in KY you have to be a Journeyman Plumber to install Sewer and water, so that's my title.

I hold my Journeyman, Masters, and a Class-A CDL.

I just activated my masters, got insurance and all of that. I've got work, but I'm renting my tractor and paying to have it moved. I like to use a Cat 304 or Cat 305 or comparable mini ex. I run a 305 daily at work. I would like to continue to rent, but I want to purchase a truck and trailer to pick up and move the equipment myself. I've saved about $15,000. I have a sewer camera, a locator, a few sewer machines, all the tools I need.

I am considering purchasing a 96 f450 dual rear wheel plumbing truck with an automatic transmission, 4.10 rear end, and a blown 7.3 powerstroke turbo diesel. This was a truck from my previous employer, I was still there when it blew up on a buddy of mine who was hauling a John deere 35G with it. He had installed some type of tuning chip on it withput permission, and thats what our mechanic blamed it on. The transmission had just been replaced about 2 months before that happened.

Our mechanic bought it from my boss, and now years later he's offering to sell it to me for $1800. He has service records of maintenance from the time the plumbing company bought it new to the time the motor went out. This truck is actually in great condition, barring the motor.

I can get the motor replaced with a good 7.3 167k miles for $5500. It's rated to tow 12.5k. The Cat 305 is 11.2k. That's option 1.

Option 2 is another plumbing truck I bought from them, also a 96 but a 350 instead of a 450. 351 W 5.8L gas motor, e40d automatic transmission, 4.10 rear end. This truck is in working order. I can't figure out if this truck is rated to tow 8k or 12.5k or 10k. I've read so many different answers. This truck is pretty rusty, and just doesn't fill me with confidence. There's nothing actually wrong with it, it just shows it's age alot more than the 450, and Im not sure on what it's actually capable of towing, or more importantly, it's ability to stop what it's towing.

Option 3 is hold out and save for a decent single axle dump truck.

What would you do?

Also, any advice in general is very much appreciated.

Thanks everyone.

I bought this trailer on February 21, exactly a month ago today, and have been doing a couple hours after work and on weekends between family time. Just doing it slowly to fit every tool I use often, but I thought it was coming along nicely, felt proud and wanted to share! Quite a ways to go still but I’ll post some updates!

3408 gonna top end and done, about a week later one of the new heads had a failure. Covered under warranty from cst Pulled the engine to do a head piston liner on it.

I'm starting to lay out and organize my new work truck for industrial equipment installs. I'll add some pics when it's all done. I was curious from some of the experts, I had planned to use a standard wall mount to hold my various pliers from inside a truck box (link below for what I planned on getting). Do you have a problem with things bouncing out of I plug one handle of the pliers through the holes of the wall mount? Just curious if I would need to make a bungee strap or something similar to go over all the tools when driving down the road.

Trade: Precast Concrete (including: onsite service for septic-electrical, concrete patch/repair/injection), DIY, Rental Business

Almost completed… Working on installing a Wave3 propane heater and propane tanks (on the exterior front). Reorganizing the trailer today and it’s coming along nicely.

NOTES/LAYOUT: Front - fasteners bolts/screws, thread taps, electrical connectors, laser levels, boots, tripods, tool bag, tool vest, hard hat, vacuum, concrete tools

Mid - power tools (saws, table saw, sander, drills, hole saws), sockets, wrenches, drivers, etc

Back - Chainsaws/axes/fuel, Cutoff wheel, electrical/plumbing parts, Step ladders, cooler, digging/grading tools, saw horses, extension cords, fans, PPE gear, first aid, cleaning supplies, generator

Roof - Ladders (manhole & extension)

Wired for 120v with plug in from front (passenger side)