Low Cost Heavy Stuff

[QC]

We are doing some prototype heavy truck testing, and I need to load up a dry van/tractor trailer rig to simulate an 80,000 pound load. Figure tare weight of the tractor trailer is around 35,000 lbs. So around 45,000 needed inside a 53 foot dry van.

So I need something heavy like sand bags. What is the cheapest thing that can be loaded inside a van? We will buy or rent this stuff. But I am guessing we can buy something and dump it later if we needed to. Previously we have rented K-rail and placed in on a flat bed, but I am lobbying for a dry van so fuel efficiency will be more typical of our customers. With a dry van the guys at the shop are telling me they can;t stuff it easily into a van, so I am suggesting that we could used some sort of a palletized load that whoever we buy it from could load it in our van. So parameters are:

I need around 45,000 lbs
Must be able to load it into a 53' dry van
Cheap (buy or rent, but figure 24 months)
Safe

Ideas?

 

[halfmoa]

Re: Low Cost Heavy Stuff

I googled "concrete construction barrier" only to find out it's proper name is "K-rail"... anyway....

5395 gallons of water is 45000lbs. Around here you can get used "palletized" roto mold containers cheaply from farm service places or paint shops. There's a guy in my area on craigslist that always has 20 or so laying around for sale.

 

[QC]

Re: Low Cost Heavy Stuff

Yeah water crossed my mind. I was worried about baffles, but obviously multiple containers solves that. Hmmmm.

 

[QC]

Re: Low Cost Heavy Stuff

I looked into these IBC Totes:

I could get these for around $2000 and get the job done. Easy to handle empty, and easy to get rid of the product (water) and easy to resell. I am liking this so far. Any other thoughts? I need to check sand cost still.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Low Cost Heavy Stuff

I looked into these IBC Totes:

I could get these for around $2000 and get the job done. Easy to handle empty, and easy to get rid of the product (water) and easy to resell. I am liking this so far. Any other thoughts? I need to check sand cost still.

Ayuh,.... For what you describe, it sounds like a near perfect answer...

Probably even Cheaper, if ya shop used/ surplus stuff...
'round here they're found on craigslist, 'n places that have plastic buckets, 'n drums...
Drums would work, but tougher to position, 'n secure...

Ya could balance the load in the wagon, 'bout anyway ya want,...
Easy to secure, just screw blockin' to the floor 'round 'em...

How many gallons each tote,..?? how many totes,..??

 

[QC]

Re: Low Cost Heavy Stuff

How many gallons each tote,..?? how many totes,..??

They range from 275 - 300 gallons, and I can get at least 20 on the floor of the trailer 2 wide. Seems to work. Another benefit is we could adjust the weight for partial load testing easily.

Edit: around $100 each used.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Low Cost Heavy Stuff

QC - I found this place in CA. Called Container Exchanger. They have 330 gal totes for $55. you would need around 15 with 330 gal. of water plus the tote weight. they have 30 on hand, 120 275 gal totes for $40.

You can be ready to test for less than a grand. Hope that helps.

 

[QC]

Re: Low Cost Heavy Stuff

I was on there and didn't see the page you are showing, but that's even better

Edit: the $55 ones are in Oregon, but that site is where I found the 275 gallon ones I was considering. All good. I think that's the answer. Sandbags are less money, but could be a hassle in comparison.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Low Cost Heavy Stuff

I didn't have full screen view open and missed the locations. You will have an empty 53' van to drive somewhere to pick them up so adding fuel and other costs it shouldn't be too bad $$$ wise. And you'll have them forever unless you "exchange" them when finished.

 

[MWG2600]

Re: Low Cost Heavy Stuff

Make shure there full, water sloshes and flips trailers.

 

[QC]

Re: Low Cost Heavy Stuff

Yeah, I was concerned about that and understand the same. Fact is these will only be 40ish inches high and 300ish gallons each. So kind of a self baffling type arrangement. Thanks for the heads up though

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: Low Cost Heavy Stuff

Scrap steel . Heavy Melt at prices now and wait 6 months to resale at higher price . Ballast used for Loco's , Rail Cranes use all kinds of this , Balls from brgs, abrasive media vibrators , heavy shot blast ,lead , Drained batteries , Water bed tubes filled . Good luck it will be a good amount . Resale of used totes is saturated .

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: Low Cost Heavy Stuff

How about pallets of cement blocks. Can be easily loaded and won't slosh!

 

[rbh]

Re: Low Cost Heavy Stuff

Make shure there full, water sloshes and flips trailers.

How about the days when the beef hung and swung.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Low Cost Heavy Stuff

Make shure there full, water sloshes and flips trailers.

Or pushes you through the intersection in a panic stop. (That was fun) Although in small containers like that there would not be as much slop as you get in a single compartment ag tanker.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Low Cost Heavy Stuff

There is enough BS hanging around these Fora that you could clean up around here and have enough weight to fill your needs ... get busy shoveling, QC!:faint2::laugh:

 

[QC]

Re: Low Cost Heavy Stuff

Now that would be cheap. Maybe we could get the members to pay me to shovel? A little side cash. Hmmmm.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Low Cost Heavy Stuff

100 55 gallon drums full of water will do the trick also.

 

[JRJ]

Re: Low Cost Heavy Stuff

Belt trailers load and unload easy. The totes filled with water is a good idea, but is there really a measurable mileage difference moving 80K, between pulling a van trailer vs a semi end-dump?

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Low Cost Heavy Stuff

The Totes seem the best option, easily loaded from a dock with a forklift.

Stackable, storable when not in use.

You might check what USED to be in them, residues possibly not something you want to release into your local sewer system.

Food grade would be ideal.