Mobile office trailers, or MO’s, are pre-manufactured portable offices that can also be used for temporary storage space.

Mobile office trailers are available in a variety of sizes, prices, and configurations and are more affordable than a traditional stick-build building. MO’s also require half the construction time of a stick-build building. For companies that need a quick, affordable, and temporary storage or office solution, a mobile office trailer may be the perfect choice for you.

At Dear John Trailer Rental, we serve as your number supplier of mobile office trailers in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Akron, Wheeling, and more! Using our expertise and experience, we’ve put together a guide to help you through the process of renting a mobile office trailer.

Common Uses for Mobile Office Trailers

The convenience of mobile office trailers is utilized across a range of industries due to their affordability. In many cases, businesses can’t close their doors to wait for permanent construction to be finished, so as a more convenient alternative, many companies use mobile officer trailers. With a mobile office trailer, you can remain in business with these temporary structures until the permanent building is finished. On average mobile office, trailers are used for 9-24 months but can be used for up to 3 years.

After three years, it may make more sense financially to purchase the trailer outright or consider a modular building or other permanent solutions.

Below are some of the industries that utilize mobile office trailers:

  • Construction
  • Utilities & Energy
  • Healthcare
  • Government
  • Chemical/Industrial
  • Oil & Gas
  • Education
  • Hospitality
  • Agriculture

Mobile office trailers are an excellent solution for providing your company with temporary space. Whether you are a growing business that needs overflow storage or office spaces or a medical facility that requires a short-term lab.

Sizes and Configurations for Mobile Office Trailers

When it comes to MO’s, there is a wide range of sizes and dimensions. | Dear John Trailer Rentals The layout and the size of the trailer you choose will depend on your specific needs. You may need a single office, an office/storage combination, multiple offices, a private office, or even a break room.

Single-Wide Mobile Office Trailers

Single-wide units are the most common size for mobile office trailers. The most common size mobile office trailer is a single-wide unit. Some common single-wide dimensions include:

  • 8’x 20’ (160 sq. ft)
  • 8’x 28’ (224 sq. ft)
  • 8’x 32’ (256 sq. ft)
  • 8’x 36’ (288 sq. ft)
  • 10’x 40’ (400 sq. ft)
  • 10’x 50’ (500 sq. ft)
  • 12’x 32’ (384 sq. ft)
  • 12’x 44’ (528 sq. ft)
  • 12’x 56’ (672 sq. ft)
  • 12’x 60’ (720 sq. ft)
  • 14’x 45’ (630 sq. ft)

Double-Wide Mobile Office Trailers

Double-Wide trailers area made up of two single units that are welded together, creating a larger unit. These trailers can have up to four separate areas, which can include a and break area. The more common double-wide dimensions include:

  • 24’x 44’ (1,056 sq. ft)
  • 24’x 56’ (1,344 sq. ft)
  • 24’x 60’ (1,440 sq. ft)
  • 28’x 70’ (1,960 sq. ft)
  • 28’x 74’ (2,072 sq. ft)

Triple-Wide Mobile Office Trailers

Triple-wide units are less common than other types of mobile office trailers due to their size. This type of MO Is made by welding together three single-wide units to make an extra-large trailer. Triple-wide units are bulky, so they are delivered to your site as three separate units and are then welded together on site. In many cases, businesses don’t want to spend the extra fees for three deliveries, or they simply don’t need that much space, making triple-wide trailers less common.

If you do have an immediate need for a large space, a triple-wide trailer would still be cheaper than a traditional build. The most common dimension for a triple-wide mobile office trailer is 42’x 76’ (3,192 sq. ft).

Determining What Size Mobile Office Trailer You Need

When determining what size trailer you need, you can follow these basic guidelines:

How many people/employees do you need to accommodate?

Typically it is recommended that you have 100-150 sq. ft. of space per person. For example, a single-wide unit of 720 sq. ft hold up to 6 people comfortably, whereas a triple-wide unit measuring 3,192 sq. ft. can comfortably hold up to 20 people without feeling crowded.

How much space is available on your site for the trailer?

Before your trailer is delivered, be sure to accurately measure the space you plan to have the unit placed. Miscalculating the size of the space can cost you time and money, and the worst-case scenario will require you to send the unit back and order a new size.

Standard and Add-on Features

Typically, standard mobile office trailers include:

  • Basic lighting
  • Windows
  • HVAC
  • Vinyl floors

Features above and beyond this are considered add-ons and will cost extra. Add-ons include features like under-belly skirting to cover the wheels of the trailer and deter rodents or metal steps.

It can cost anywhere from $20 to $50 for step installation and around $500 to $800 for metal skirting to be added, depending on the trailer’s square footage. Keep in mind that it will be your responsibility to arrange for plumbing, phones, the internet, etc. to be set up once the unit is delivered.

Common Add-ons for Mobile Office Trailers include:

  • Electricity connection
  • Data connections
  • Interior finish-out such as lighting, shelves, desks, cabinets, etc.
  • Wheelchair accessible ramp
  • Bathrooms
  • Security cameras
  • Exterior finish-out, such as custom roofing, windows, entryway, etc.
  • Locking mechanism

Shower Trailers and Changing Trailers

Shower trailers, commonly used on industrial sites such as coal mines, construction sites, and the oil and gas fields, are a great way to provide your employees with the convenience of on-site showers. The shower trailers feature vinyl floors, HVAC, basic lighting, and windows. They also have a changing area where employees can put their clothes and other items. Common shower trailer sizes and their features include:

8×36 Decon/Shower Trailer

  • 272 sq. ft –
  • Dirty Room – 8 x 9.5
  • Provides wire shelving w/coat hooks
  • Entry/Exit Door
  • Shower Room –
  • Two 39″x48″ Showers
  • 50 cfm exhaust fans
  • Sink/Mirror
  • 80-gallon Hot water tank
  • Clean Room – 8 x 10’11”
  • Provides wire shelving w/coat hooks
  • Entry/Exit Door
  • Trailer Info –
  • 120/240 Electric Panel
  • 120v Baseboard heat
  • 8000btw 120v Thru-wall air conditioning
  • Over the floor hurricane straps/tie-down locations

10 x 44 Shower Trailer

  • 12 x 13′ 6″ pre-shower area with dual vanity and mirrors
  • 7′-5″ shelving and clothing hooks
  • Vinyl floor
  • Baseboard heat and air conditioning
  • One exterior door with adjoining man door to the shower area
  • 12 x 13’8.25″ shower area with six stalls
  • 125-gallon electric water heater
  • 12 x 11′-12: power-shower area
  • 4′-1-” & 3’6.5″ shelving and clothing hooks
  • Vinyl floor
  • Baseboard heating and air conditioning
  • One exterior door with adjoining man door to the shower area

Change Trailers

Change trailers provide your crew with a place they can store fresh street clothes and uniforms and change in and out of them as needed. Common change trailer sizes and their features include:

8 x 25 Change Trailer

  • It can accommodate up to 16 people – 168 sq. ft open area
  • 12″ wire shelves and clothing hooks along three walls
  • Baseboard heating and air conditioning
  • Painted wooden floors
  • One entry door

8 x 36 Change Trailer

  • It can accommodate up to 24 people – 256 sq. ft open area
  • 12″ wire shelves and clothing hooks along three walls
  • Baseboard heating and air conditioning
  • Painted Wooden Floors
  • Frosted Windows
  • Two Entry Doors

12 x 60 Change Trailer

  • It can accommodate up to 56 people – 672 sq. ft open area
  • 12″ wire shelves and clothing hooks along three walls
  • Baseboard heating and air conditioning
  • Tile floors
  • Frosted Windows
  • Two Entry Doors

Change and shower trailers add convenience to your job site and can help make your crew more comfortable.

Should I Rent or Buy?

When shopping for a mobile office trailer, you will notice that there is an option to rent or buy the trailer. You may be wondering how to decide between the two options. Your decision will rely on how long you plan to use the office trailer.

It may be best to rent when:

  • You need the trailer for less than three years.
  • You don’t have the budget for or simply don’t want to spend $20,000-$30,000 on a mobile office.
  • You would prefer to pay a monthly fee of $200-$900 to rent the office.
  • You don’t have a need to own a mobile office for long-term use.Many dealers have a 3-month minimum for renting, and some may even offer a discount if you choose to sign a lease for a year or more.

It is best to buy when:

  • You need the trailer for three or more years.
  • You have a budget of $20,000-$30,000 to purchase and make the long-term investment for your business.
  • You have plans to refurbish the unit and resell it at a higher rate.

How Much Does It Cost to Rent?

Monthly costs for renting a mobile office trailer can range anywhere from $200-$900. This depends on the size of the unit and the add-ons you’ve purchased. It is important to remember that costs will vary per region and supplier. The spring and summer will also bring an increase in price. Below are some costs are broken down by the size of the trailer:

  • 8’ X 20’ (small trailers) = $200 to $400 per month
  • 10’ X 40’ (mid-sized trailers) = $300 to $500 per month
  • 12’ X 60’ (large single-wide trailers) = $500 to $700 per month

Mobile or Modular?

The way that mobile and modular are used interchangeably can be confusing, but the main difference between the two terms is their size. Below are some details about the two to help you better understand:

A mobile office is meant to serve as a temporary office space that is:

  • Commonly used for 24 months or less
  • Delivered in one trip by flatbed truck and trailer
  • Pre-assembled and ready to install when delivered
  • Easy to prepare the site for installation
  • Made of lightweight materials such as metal, vinyl, wood siding, etc.
  • Easily to set-up and tear down.A modular building is known as a temporary building that is:
  • Usually used on for three years or more
  • Can be made of multiple floors as well as adjoining structures
  • Made with permanent building materials such as stone, concrete, or steel.
  • Assembled on-site using a prefabricated design and, in some cases, requires welding and other installation services before it is ready for us.

Prepping your Site for Delivery

When determining how your site needs to be prepared for delivery, it is important to ask yourself the following questions about the site:

  • Is the ground at the site level?
  • Is the space clear of vegetations, branches, debris, or wires? (these could get in the way of delivery)
  • Is the chosen site prone to flooding?
  • Will there be enough space for the mobile officer trailer?
  • Are there any narrow fences or gates, steep hills, or gravel roads that may make it difficult for the flatbed and trailer to access the site?
  • Which direction will the trailer’s entrance face? This information will affect how the unit is loaded for delivery.

Surfaces that Can Safely Accommodate a Mobile Office Trailer

Typically the combined weight of the truck and the mobile trailer is usually around 30,000 pounds or more, so it is important to choose a site that can handle all that weight. Recommended surfaces for a mobile office include:

  • Stone-paved (preferred)
  • Cement
  • Gravel
  • Asphalt

If your site is made of a softer surface such as grass or other soft terrains, you will need to put a foundation in place to support your mobile office and prevent sinking and shifting. Options for a foundation include:

  • Railroad ties
  • Concrete or gravel bed
  • Hardwood piles
  • Asphalt paving

How Much Space is Needed to Accommodate the Mobile Office?

If you have a 40-foot mobile office trailer, it will be delivered on a 20-foot tall, 12-foot wide, 100-ft long trailer. When it comes to ground-level offices/storage containers, your site will need to have enough space to accommodate the office as well as 120 feet of ground clearance so the unit can be unloaded properly.

During the delivery, the truck will back up to your site and roll the unit off the back of the trailer. It’s important to also have an additional 5 to 6 feet of length available plus the exact length of the unit to help make delivery easier.

Delivery of your Mobile Office Trailer

For delivery, you should budget for around $1,000 to $1,500 for your delivery and set up fees. Keep in mind that the further you are located from the supplier, the more you may pay in delivery. Many suppliers charge a flat rate for delivery within a certain mile radius, with an extra fee if you are located beyond that. Working with a local supplier can help you keep costs low, but be sure to ask for the delivery fee quote based on the ratio of dollars-per-mile to distance in miles.

How Does the Delivery Process Work?

After the mobile office trailer is delivered and positioned on the site, the delivery team will work to block and level the unit for you. They will then anchor it to the ground and install any of the add-ons you purchased.

Make sure that you inspect the unit for any damage that may have occurred during delivery or set-up to ensure the issue is resolved before the delivery team leaves.

The time it takes to deliver a unit varies from supplier to supplier. You can expect anything from same-day delivery to a few days or a few weeks. The speed of your delivery can be affected by:

  • Distance between your site and the supplier
  • Supplier’s delivery schedule availability
  • Availability of the unit you requested
  • Number of or extend of the customized features you requested to add to the unit

Do I Need Insurance Coverage for My Mobile Office Trailer?

Damage and Liability Coverage

Depending on the supplier, you may be offered insurance coverage for your rental unit that will protect you from third-party claims for bodily injury and property damage. Other suppliers may offer a damage waiver option that will cover damages to the unit and attachments beyond a specific minimum amount. Insurance coverage will vary between suppliers, so if you are looking for good insurance coverage, be sure to do your research on several suppliers to see what is offered.

Theft Prevention

Because your structure will likely be left unoccupied for hours at a time, especially at night, there is an increased risk of theft. To help prevent theft, you will want to work with a supplier that offers high-end locking systems for an additional fee. When it comes to add-ons, a sturdy lock is a great investment. You may also consider adding other security features such as metal bars to protect your windows as well to keep your supplies, machinery, and other valuable safe.

How to Choose the Best Supplier

Finding the right supplier can make all the difference in the quality of service and units, as well as the pricing you receive. For company’s in Pittsburgh, Akron, Cleveland, Morgantown, and beyond can trust in the competitive pricing and quality units offered by Dear John Trailer Rentals.

We provide comprehensive mobile office trailer services, including delivery, set-up, and pick-up services that can provide you with the space you need and help you maintain seamless operations. Contact us today to learn more!

Author; higherimages 2021-12-08
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