Ideas for loading very heavy toolbox through side door.

r.e.wing_fc3s

I need to move my toolbox. its not dimensionally huge ~4lx2.5wx3.5h but probably weighs at least 600lbs. trying to think of a way to load and unload the box into vanagon without taking all the tools out. i wish i could build some ramps and use a come-along, but i dont think anything is strong enough on the van to attach the come along to.

ShootingFish · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 10:23 am Post subject:

I am in the same position... sadly I think that it will be a load and unload event.
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Props aren't just for boats....

'88 2WD ALH-TDI Westy Red Vanagon

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Zero419 · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 10:23 am Post subject:

one time?
use a floor jack
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1987 Westy Auto Bostig 2.0 Ztec

PDXWesty · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 10:28 am Post subject:

take the drawers out one at a time. Shouldn't have to unload tools.
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto

jackbombay · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 11:04 am Post subject:

Ahwahnee · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 11:15 am Post subject:

Not cheap (about $160 with the usual coupon).

I don't know whether this is a one-time thing or something you will have to do time and again...

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-capacity-foldable-shop-crane-93840.html

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Williamtaylor33 · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 11:20 am Post subject:

I don't know how much access you have to heavy equipment...but in times past I have put heavy/hard to handle items on a pallet and tied them down. Then used a fork lift to move the pallet into the van. Fwiw a standard size pallet is a nice fit inside a vanagon.
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89 Bostig powered syncro westy

buildyourown · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 11:27 am Post subject:

As a machinist, it speaks to your job security to be able to move your personal tools quickly and easily.
If your shop doesn't have a forklift, then removing all the drawers is the standard.
Still sucks though. Make sure you tie the mess down once it's in the van.

73thingsale · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 11:32 am Post subject: Fore arm forklift? :)

How about a smallish engine hoist?

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200305491_200305491

I suppose you could haul the engine hoist inside the van too.

Maybe an ATV hydraulic lift. Looks like a little table/platform lift.
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=lift

Just some thoughts.

Dave

Spinal Tap · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 12:02 pm Post subject:

That's a hell of a tool box. Maybe post a pic on the "Luxury Tools" thread!
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'74 MG-B

Bassyaks · Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 6:39 pm Post subject:

Done it with my big snap on box in a 79 bay window.
I used the lift at the shop, I was able get in there at an angle.

Vango Conversions · Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 9:11 pm Post subject:

If you had a long enough ramp you could probably roll a 600 pound tool box into the van by hand, if you had a helper it shouldn't be too bad. If you have a roof rack you could carry the ramp with you.

IdahoDoug · Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 10:27 pm Post subject:

Slide the Vanagon under it.

Heh - I'm SOOOOO funny tonight. Recently I had to get some 100+lb bags onto my trailer. Had some grade school kids over to pay them to do lawn work and they filled ordinary leaf bags with dirt, so not even enough bag strength for 4 people to lift - would just tear. So, faced with the prospect of literally just tearing them open and reshoveling into bags I hit on a solution you might use. I carefully rolled them onto a sheet of plywood, picked one end up and dragged it to the trailer, set my end down on the trailer's edge. Picked up the opposite end and rolled them onto the trailer.

For you, get a heavy sheet of plywood and set one end in the Vanagon's doorway. Let a lot of air out of the right side tires to dramatically lessen the angle. Brace the plywood at several spots. Get a couple buddies and it won't take as much force as you'd think to move 600lbs up a mildly sloped ramp.

DougM
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1993 Toyota LandCruiser, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

r.e.wing_fc3s · Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 10:32 pm Post subject:

exactly.

I used those 11ft long 2x8 plus some car ramps under the middle. im having a carpenter friend help me make shallower ramps at each end with his large capacity band saw. [/img]

r.e.wing_fc3s · Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 10:35 pm Post subject:

no they aren't tied down.

Terry Kay · Banned Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331

A borrowed Clark fork lift would make short work of this loading adventure.
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T.K.

IdahoDoug · Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 10:54 pm Post subject:

You could also use your factory jack on the opposite side along with airing down to lower the door side dramatically. If you wanted to do this yourself, take a cue from the Egyptians when the built the pyramids. Drill holes up the center of the ramp large enough to fit a light pipe in and pry it up the ramp 6" at at time or whatever. If you do this a lot it would be worth the extra 15 mins to drill a dozen 1" holes. Wedges to hold the toolbox between holes.

DougM
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1993 Toyota LandCruiser, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

climberjohn · Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2011 7:00 am Post subject:

j_dirge · Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2011 7:07 am Post subject:

?Waldo? · Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2011 8:13 am Post subject:

In the future if you want to use a come-along and don't want to hitch inside the van, you could place the van in a strategic location, run the end of the come-along through the driver's side window and fasten the it to something more solid, e.g. a tree.
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I am a high-functioning autistic into VW diesels and Vanagons along with other things that are unrelated to this site.


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Ideas for loading very heavy toolbox through side door.
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