ever used a HF trailer tilt feature?

[vavet]

The HF folding trailers list an ability to tilt the load floor to the ground to make loading and unloading easy.

I've been thinking about buying a small (4x8, 5x8) utility trailer. The HF units are attractive because of their price. I don't mind the idea of installing my own decking and side rails, but the idea of building a folding gate to serve as a ramp is more than I want to undertake. I'm looking for a tool to help me with my projects, not another project unto itself.

Have you ever used this feature? Does it work well? Could I drive my lawn tractor up on the trailer as easily as I could with a typical Lowe's variety utility trailer with the gate ramp?

Should I just have some 2x8 lumber I dedicate to ramp duty?

Typical uses I see for this trailer:
1. hauling sheet goods and lumber home from the store
2. hauling yard waste (limbs, leaves, etc) to the local transfer station/mulch site
3. transporting my lawn tractor for service (expected to be infrequent)
4. transporting various equipment home from rental place for specialized projects (tiller, trencher, aerator)

 

[Hghgrad]

I used one for a few years before I needed a bigger trailer. I ended up building ramps, and using the stake pockets to use the ramps as sides. Seemed like the easiest place to stow them and they were dual function for grabbing lumber and stuff.

I never seem to be able to get a trailer to tilt to load. Seems it drops as soon as I get the first set of wheels on it.

 

[Bobcat753]

I have had a HF 4x8 trailer in the past. I bought it used and refurbed it. I used the tilt function pretty often. It works but the angle is very steep. I would get a pair of folding ramps that have an arch so things would be easier. The one use I found the tilt was beneficial was for unloading snowmobiles and unloading dead riding mowers.

 

[gdocktor3]

I had one when I first started my landscape co. I also used ramps instead.

 

[jakemac]

I bought a heavier built trailer with a beaver tail. I was concerned that the axel was too light for the loads I'd be hauling on 5 hour trips.

 

[AndeiH]

i had to pick up my buddy and his motorcycle off the side of the road one time and used the tilting feature to load the motorcycle.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Ive had one of those trailers for 24 years. If I'm carrying a riding mower:
1. I tilt the bed and place a small 2 x 4 between the bed & frame to keep it in place.
2. I then pull the mower to the end of the bed to hold it in place.
3. Then I remove the 2 x 4 and drive the riding mower slowly on to the bed.

Don't forget to put the pin back that locks the bed to the frame.

 

[maxpower_hd]

I had one given to me a while back. I didn't like the tilt myself. It didn't seem to ever work the way I wanted. And it wasn't very strong for my purposes. I welded supports down the middle for strength (motorcycle hauling) and welded the trailer solid so it would tilt anymore. It also made grounding the lights a PITA because I couldn't keep a ground through the trailer.

I just used ramps. It was easier.

 

[jmarkwolf]

I once attempted to back my riding mower off the HF 4x8 tilt bed trailer that I've owned for years.

I assumed, as I slowly approached the tilting threshold, that it would slowly tilt to the ground and I could simply drive it off.

But the tilt happened so quickly and the back edge of the trailer hit the ground so abruptly, that the front end of the lawn tractor came up and started to go over with me on it!

The only thing that saved me was the trailer hitch and ball on the back of the lawn tractor!

There I was sitting on the tractor, stuck in a "3-point stance" on the rear wheels and the trailer hitch, unable to force the front end back down, afraid to take my foot off the brake, sitting at quite a steep angle.

The trailer hitch was extended to reach beyond the triple bagger on the back of the tractor. If it hadn't been so long that tractor would've come right over on me.

Had to call to my neighbor to force the front of the tractor down to the bed.

Coulda been ugly!

Always use the ramps now.