Cable
Omono
Oh, I didn't even think about insulation! That might not be a bad idea! Thanks guys!
Bonsai trailer
- Thread starter Cable
- Start date
Cable
Omono
I hate you. Now I REALLY want folding shelves! lol.
Let's say I got the 16" brackets you're suggesting. According to the internets, shelves shouldn't overhand the brackets by more than 1/3 so I could do a shelf 21" wide. Is that sufficient for most trees?
I had originally wanted to do support legs to reduce stress on the sidewalls but with the E-track system and the studs every 16" anyway it should be stable enough.
Thoughts?
RKatzin
Omono
Ow! Major gel o cee!
I told you we have big plans for your rig. I think they would. Maybe not do folding shelves on the bottom shelf and make it wider for your big ones.
Pitoon
Imperial Masterpiece
You could drill multiple 1" holes in your sheves to run bungees through to secure the trees during transit. Also if you use 3/4" ply for the shelves keep the brackets at 24" invervals. Wider than that the shevles will sag if you put anything heavy in between the brackets.
You figured out anything on the AC unit?
Cable
Omono
I took some measurements and pretty much every tree I own would fit on a 21" shelf. I could always place a heavier tree on the floor. It's not just me, though, eventually I thought it would be nice if I could help local folks get their trees to the show.
I was going to put eye hooks down for bungee cords but I could also go with wire shelves or resin shelves for more tie-down points. With wood, though, I could also make a lip as well as put down a rubber mat or rubber coating to reduce slippage so right now I'm leaning towards wood shelved.
One of the nice things is that I will be able to easily reconfigure the trailer. I could use folding shelves for one trip and then plywood shelves across the trailer on another depending on need.
AC unit is a future upgrade next year or the year after. I've already spent a LOT of money on this trailer and need to chill a bit. lol
Cable
Omono
The big question is, regardless of what I want what do folder shelves really bring to the table? I can do fixed shelves more easily and for less money. Taking it a step further my dad suggested not doing all mounted shelves at all but instead just get regular standing shelves and strap them to the walls. I'm worried about stability there.
I like the idea of folding shelves because I feel like you could reconfigure in the middle of a trip. I'm struggling to come up with an example of where that would be beneficial, though...
I like the idea of folding shelves because I feel like you could reconfigure in the middle of a trip. I'm struggling to come up with an example of where that would be beneficial, though...
Pitoon
Imperial Masterpiece
Go with the folding bracket. You'll thank yourself later when you need space and fixed brackets are in your way.
Home Depot has them cheaper I believe......if you're a Veteran and service connected you can get an additional 10%.
Cable
Omono
I agree but don't forget, these are going to be mounted on e-track so can be removed either way. That's what I meant about being able to reconfigure mid-trip. With fixed shelves I can easily remove and leave them at home. With folding I could have shelves while outbound and no shelves while inbound.
Cable
Omono
I just remembered I have another decision to make and this one is more or less permanent. What height to mount the e-track?
The inside height of the trailing is 6'5".
If I split it into thirds I'd put one rail at 24" and the second one at 48". That seems awful low for the first one to me.
If I raised the first one to 36" and put the second at 60" I'd still be able to fit a 17" tall plant on the top shelf.
I think I need to do mock-ups.
The inside height of the trailing is 6'5".
If I split it into thirds I'd put one rail at 24" and the second one at 48". That seems awful low for the first one to me.
If I raised the first one to 36" and put the second at 60" I'd still be able to fit a 17" tall plant on the top shelf.
I think I need to do mock-ups.
Cable
Omono
Ok, I think I like this one. This mock up has the lower shelf at 30" and the upper shelf at 54".
I also took some pictures of the e-track with the 2x4 supports.
I could just flat out use 2x4s as the supports for the shelves...
Or flip the 2x4 vertically and use either fixed or folding shelf supports. In this orientation the shelf support would mount to the edge of the 2x4.
I also took some pictures of the e-track with the 2x4 supports.
I could just flat out use 2x4s as the supports for the shelves...
Or flip the 2x4 vertically and use either fixed or folding shelf supports. In this orientation the shelf support would mount to the edge of the 2x4.
Pitoon
Imperial Masterpiece
Using those I dont think you will need the drop down brackets.
MrWunderful
Omono
Throw some lights in there.
Pitoon
Imperial Masterpiece
Definitely need some light in there, LEDs would be a good option since they have low power consumption.
Cable
Omono
I’ve changed my mind and now am planning to go with fixed shelves like you’d put in your garage yet affixed to the etrack. Will be sturdier.
And yes, lights are a must. It came with two LED lights and I’m supplementing with a 1500 lumens LED lantern (I like the idea of being able to move it around and even outside if I need to.
Cable
Omono
Ok cats and kittens, I need some advice.
I've decided that I'm going to go with freestanding shelves. Now that I understand "trailer bounce" a little more I'm worried that shelves strictly wall mounted will bounce too much. So, I'm going to get freestanding shelves and use the e-track to secure them.
I believe I have three options: wire, resin, and metal.
Wire shelves like this are my least favorite but they are strong, lightweight, easily adjustable, and have lots of places to tie down plants with straps.
I do like plastic shelves for being very lightweight and having lots of spots to tie-down plants. These two options can't have the self heights adjusted, though. The first one is stronger but the shelves are closer together. The second one isn't quite as strong but the shelves are higher which would accommodate a taller plant.
Then, of course, are metal shelves. Heaviest but strongest. They don't really have any points for strapping down plants, though I could probably add hooks to the metal shelf edges. The second one even has a lip, which is something I wanted as an added security function to keep things from sliding (like if I was putting boxes on the shelves and wasn't strapping them down.
I think I have a favorite but I'd like to get input. If you were transporting your favorite tree, which one would you trust the most? The least?
I've decided that I'm going to go with freestanding shelves. Now that I understand "trailer bounce" a little more I'm worried that shelves strictly wall mounted will bounce too much. So, I'm going to get freestanding shelves and use the e-track to secure them.
I believe I have three options: wire, resin, and metal.
Wire shelves like this are my least favorite but they are strong, lightweight, easily adjustable, and have lots of places to tie down plants with straps.
I do like plastic shelves for being very lightweight and having lots of spots to tie-down plants. These two options can't have the self heights adjusted, though. The first one is stronger but the shelves are closer together. The second one isn't quite as strong but the shelves are higher which would accommodate a taller plant.
Then, of course, are metal shelves. Heaviest but strongest. They don't really have any points for strapping down plants, though I could probably add hooks to the metal shelf edges. The second one even has a lip, which is something I wanted as an added security function to keep things from sliding (like if I was putting boxes on the shelves and wasn't strapping them down.
I think I have a favorite but I'd like to get input. If you were transporting your favorite tree, which one would you trust the most? The least?
Cable
Omono
Ok, so, I went to Menard's 95% sure I was getting the Maxit plastic rack but willing to look at the metal racks, though the one with the lip that I liked best was a special order item not available until October.
I ended up calling an audible because I really liked the metal rack with wire shelves and the shelves are reversible to give me the lip I wanted! Plus, while 300 pounds per shelf is nice, 1,000 pounds per shelf is even better!
Today we got the rails installed and two shelves built. It turns out with a six foot wide trailer and these shelves are two foot wide I only get a 24" aisle so I'm putting two big ones on the left wall and taking the third one back to exchange for a thinner one for the right wall.
Not the best pic because my dad photobombed it...
I ended up calling an audible because I really liked the metal rack with wire shelves and the shelves are reversible to give me the lip I wanted! Plus, while 300 pounds per shelf is nice, 1,000 pounds per shelf is even better!
Today we got the rails installed and two shelves built. It turns out with a six foot wide trailer and these shelves are two foot wide I only get a 24" aisle so I'm putting two big ones on the left wall and taking the third one back to exchange for a thinner one for the right wall.
Not the best pic because my dad photobombed it...
Cable
Omono
It's done! It only took a month thanks to the rain, heat, and misc. stuff going on. I took it on a test run and the trees I had in it did just fine!
I had originally planned to put shelves here as well but it ended up with too narrow of an aisle. I can also put 2x4 brackets on both sides and lay a sheet of plywood across them if I want to add an entire level.
Two sets of racks in place. They ended up being very secure!
One of the things I liked about the metal shelves was that the shelf height is adjustable. I have about 24" on the two lower shelves and 17" on the third one. This top shelf doesn't have much clearance but can be used for storage. I also have room for the spare tire, two bags, two baskets, and my garden cart. Lots of floor-space for more plants or cargo, too!
I bought two of the baskets but really was after the E-track clips they are using. One day I'll probably use those clips for larger baskets. I also have room on that rail to add a third one if I want.
There's a duffel bag for misc. stuff to get it off the floor and the heavy-duty toolbag has straps and E-track clips in it. The spare tire is also clipped to the lower E-track.
I had originally planned to put shelves here as well but it ended up with too narrow of an aisle. I can also put 2x4 brackets on both sides and lay a sheet of plywood across them if I want to add an entire level.
Two sets of racks in place. They ended up being very secure!
One of the things I liked about the metal shelves was that the shelf height is adjustable. I have about 24" on the two lower shelves and 17" on the third one. This top shelf doesn't have much clearance but can be used for storage. I also have room for the spare tire, two bags, two baskets, and my garden cart. Lots of floor-space for more plants or cargo, too!
I bought two of the baskets but really was after the E-track clips they are using. One day I'll probably use those clips for larger baskets. I also have room on that rail to add a third one if I want.
There's a duffel bag for misc. stuff to get it off the floor and the heavy-duty toolbag has straps and E-track clips in it. The spare tire is also clipped to the lower E-track.
Cable
Omono
I wanted metal mesh shelves because it gives me the flexibility of lots of places for tie-downs. I'm using velcro cinch straps to secure the trees.
The cinch straps are very secure and I can use bungee cords, too.
I can overhang cascading trees with ease.
This tree is over 24" tall and fits just fine.
These straps are great for securing different sizes and shapes of pots. I took it for a test run, including driving over three sets of railroad tracks, and it performed flawlessly!
The cinch straps are very secure and I can use bungee cords, too.
I can overhang cascading trees with ease.
This tree is over 24" tall and fits just fine.
These straps are great for securing different sizes and shapes of pots. I took it for a test run, including driving over three sets of railroad tracks, and it performed flawlessly!
