Harbor Freight Trailer - Experiences Please

[A**holes Garage]

I live in the burbs and don't have anywhere to store a trailer. I haul my ATV several times a year and based upon some reviews I reluctantly decided to purchase the HF
4 x 8 folding trailer.

I modified it to be haul my ATV and I made a few other mods to it to access the locking screws, portable wheel sizes, accept full 4 x 8 sheets of material etc.

Overall, a decent trailer if you have some mechanical skills, welder, etc. to modify it to your needs.

I have a .pdf build and mod sheet if anyone is interested. PM me.

 

[jpinca]

I've had had the foldable with 8" tires for about 8 years.

I bought it to haul my dirtbike prior to getting hitch carrier. It is built light, so there probably isn't too much margin in the design. Even so, I never had any issues other than the feet used when folded are too low and easily catch curbs. They didn't last long.

Last I used it to move broken concrete around my property prior to getting tractor with loader. I loaded it with ~1-1.5 tons of concrete and managed to bend the coupler, but it wasn't a catastrophic failure. It's now being used to keep ~1 ton of firewood off the ground. I may end up rebuilding into a hydraulic dump trailer since it already has the CA registration.

 

[jmarkwolf]

I've had one for many years and it's worked well for me.

The only downsides is the quality of the paint, and the "overly optimistic" capacity rating.

The heaviest thing I've hauled on it is my 28HP (yeah, right) Cub Cadet lawn tractor.

If you store it outside it will rust badly, unless you re-paint it with better paint.

The folding feature makes it nice for minimum floor storage area.

 

[RECox286]

When I acquired a rather hefty snowblower, I decided it was time to

look at a "small" trailer. I looked at several trailer specific retailers,

and at the HF stuff. For about a difference of $100 more, the trailer

I got was fully assembled, and much more sturdy, being welded and

well engineered and made in US. Also, it has a nice fold down ramp

in the back, so I don't have to strain to put the snowblower on and

off. Another plus was the GVW and big tires came stock. In my

mind, there was very little good to say about the import, except a

few dollars saved for a whole lot less in the way of equipment. Do

yourself a favor and seek out a trailer retailer to check out their

product, before you make your final decision.

Uncle Bob

 

[A**holes Garage]

When I acquired a rather hefty snowblower, I decided it was time to

look at a "small" trailer. I looked at several trailer specific retailers,

and at the HF stuff. For about a difference of $100 more, the trailer

I got was fully assembled, and much more sturdy, being welded and

well engineered and made in US. Also, it has a nice fold down ramp

in the back, so I don't have to strain to put the snowblower on and

off. Another plus was the GVW and big tires came stock. In my

mind, there was very little good to say about the import, except a

few dollars saved for a whole lot less in the way of equipment. Do

yourself a favor and seek out a trailer retailer to check out their

product, before you make your final decision.

Uncle Bob

I agree, if you have room for a regular trailer buy a decent one to suit your needs.

For me, it was all about space.

 

[musgofasta]

Another HF folding trailer positive experience here. I taxed the springs a few times going at slow speeds, but had no problems at all with the trailer.

 

[some zilch]

I believe that how much you spend on a trailer depends on the value of what you're carrying on it. I wouldn't spend $300 for a trailer and then put a $25,000 Harley on it. I might put a bunch of scrap/junk/garbage on it.

wow, then where does one find a $25k utility trailer? I have a real, nice 6x12 trailer; 15" rims, good tires, usa made, etc. it cost $950 new in 2005; would you put a $25k harley on that??

if you have a $25k harley, shouldnt your badass self be riding it, not towing it behind your wife's minivan?

 

[Stephenw]

This is an old post someone topped.

With that said, I have the heavy duty model from Harbor Freight and have generally been pleased with it. Mine was made in the Ukraine.

Two articles on my blog about my trailer...

http://garagebulletin.com/2013/04/harbor-freight-trailer/

http://garagebulletin.com/2013/05/stake-sides-for-harbor-freight-trailer/

 

[upndown]

wow, then where does one find a $25k utility trailer? I have a real, nice 6x12 trailer; 15" rims, good tires, usa made, etc. it cost $950 new in 2005; would you put a $25k harley on that??

if you have a $25k harley, shouldnt your badass self be riding it, not towing it behind your wife's minivan?

 

[dreamingmuscle]

I had (just gave it to my son) a 4x4 with a enclosed box built on it. I bought it used from a friend who towed it from CO to WV several times. I towed it from VA to OK behind a mini van several times. 70 MPH 1250 miles each way. I did buy new tires and grease the bearings each time.

Only problem I ever had was the front cross member cracked where it mounted to the frame. My fault I over loaded it on the rear with a large tool box. Also had a full top cargo bag on top of it at the time.

Glen

 

[jwicker]

Here is my HF folding 4x8 with the 12" wheels.

Front 'gate' pulls out and slides into 2"x4" alum box tubing on the rear gate to form the ramp.

I can pull my 3 wheeler all the way up to the coupler and pull the wife's 4 wheeler behind. Not recommended but works for me.

 

[wmartin]

Huh...those things gave me a good idea.

I'm sort of tired of owning pickups. They make crummy cars, and the beds are empty 95% of the time.

Realistically, how much weight (in addition to the trailer) could you tow behind a Chevelle, old Camaro, or something like that?

 

[mge_1]

I say ignore the HF haters and listen to those who have actually owned and/or used these trailers. I borrowed a friends light duty version with the 8" wheels for a trip from Michigan to Tennessee and back over a weekend, hauling my motorcycle. I towed for hours on end at speeds up to 80 mph without issue. This was not a new trailer, but one well used and abused.
I was impressed enough that I eventually bought the heavy duty version (non-folding) with 12" wheels. I put a 5/4 PT wood deck on it and have taken many 1000+ mile trips with my motorcycle on it without any issue whatsoever. Like any kit, the end product is a direct result of your build quality. If you do a poor job assembling it, it will not serve you well. If you build it properly, do a proper job cleaning and greasing the bearings, running wiring and lights, etc, (and use it within the limitation of a light trailer) it will give you many thousands of trouble free miles.

Very true. I the folding version and it works wonders. Best bang for the buck trailer in my opinion.

 

[mge_1]

Love these HF 4x8 folding trailers. Get the 12" wheels its much better on the highway.

 

[mge_1]

My regular HF 4x8 trailer. Does the job!

 

[mge_1]

Huh...those things gave me a good idea.

I'm sort of tired of owning pickups. They make crummy cars, and the beds are empty 95% of the time.

Realistically, how much weight (in addition to the trailer) could you tow behind a Chevelle, old Camaro, or something like that?

Gotta have a pick up for these type of cargo though...

 

[bczygan]

Don't know if it's a HF, but looks similar and folds up. Maybe an older model. Bought used for $100. Put 3/4" wolm. ply on it for a bed.
Good for light local hauling with any type of vehicle. Overloaded it with a 3ph compressor and a load of gravel made the axle bend.
Put new tires/wheels on it. Getting rusty.

They have one model on sale right now and 25% makes it even better.

http://www.harborfreight.com/20off-coupon912-aff-17547.html#

 

[sam_i02]

I had the 12" wheel version, similar to mge_1 above. Bought it used on Craiglslist for $150. Put my 500# cruizer bike on it and hauled it from Baltimore, MD to Ontario at highway speeds. Only thing I did was repack the wheel bearings before the trip.
Folded and fit nicely on our 1-car garage in Ottawa. Used occasionally for 3 years and then sold for $350 this summer! Would do it all over again

 

[A**holes Garage]

 

[Stephenw]

Gotta have a pick up for these type of cargo though...

I have the heavy duty version of the Harbor Freight trailer. It has a weight capacity of 1,720 lbs. You just need to be aware of the weight of the materials you are hauling. A wet yard of gravel weighs about 3,000 lbs. I have hauled dozens of 1/2 yard loads of gravel in my trailer with no problems.

I've seen the suspension bottom out on plenty of 1/2 ton pickups when a yard of wet gravel was dumped in the bed.

 

[Stephenw]

1/2 yard of garden soil blend in my trailer...

 

[jd_1138]

wow, then where does one find a $25k utility trailer? I have a real, nice 6x12 trailer; 15" rims, good tires, usa made, etc. it cost $950 new in 2005; would you put a $25k harley on that??

if you have a $25k harley, shouldnt your badass self be riding it, not towing it behind your wife's minivan?

Obviously, he doesn't mean that someone should buy a $25k utility trailer. He just means it's probably prudent to buy something a tad more substantial than a HF Chinese one. Several people here (including you) have mentioned that they've bought USA made beefier trailers for just a little more money than the HF one. It's better to buy American when one can -- especially if the quality is better. Just sayin'.

 

[mge_1]

Obviously, he doesn't mean that someone should buy a $25k utility trailer. He just means it's probably prudent to buy something a tad more substantial than a HF Chinese one. Several people here (including you) have mentioned that they've bought USA made beefier trailers for just a little more money than the HF one. It's better to buy American when one can -- especially if the quality is better. Just sayin'.

In a way true. Dodge Ram but HF trailer all the way hehe.

 

[mge_1]

awesome!

 

[mge_1]

1/2 yard of garden soil blend in my trailer...

Very Nice!

 

[jd_1138]

Those wooden slats are nice. You could drill some holes in the wood and use it to cinch down a tarp if ever needed.

 

[beeph]

buying a cheap trailer that wont fail 99% of the time is like buying a parachute that opens 99% of the time. Even one war story telling of a failed trailer is enough to make me seriously consider spending more money. They seem to be good if they are reinforced with welds.

 

[Twiggss]

Gotta have a pick up for these type of cargo though...

Really?
2,000 lbs on a HF trailer pulled by a 90 hp FWD economy car.

Yeah ok wasn't the smartest thing I've done

but I've hauled plenty of loads in the 1,000lb range with this setup.

buying a cheap trailer that wont fail 99% of the time is like buying a parachute that opens 99% of the time. Even one war story telling of a failed trailer is enough to make me seriously consider spending more money. They seem to be good if they are reinforced with welds.

So every other trailer on the market has 100% succes rate?

 

[redbird1958]

Re: From 9/12/13=I made it back from Dover De.to Pensacola, Fl. and had about 500lb.on trailer coming back, and we even went through Washington D.C. down the middle of town and down to capital St. and came back the Tenn. route=The little trailer did great I am a proud owner of a HF trailer and would recommend one to anybody ==I have the 4x8 folder with 12" tires !

 

[familytruckster]

I have one and like it. Even hauled 2400# of blast media for 5 miles with it (non-highway and took it slow)

But by the time you buy the plywood bed and sides and extra hardware, you are adding about 100 to 150 dollars and a day assembly.

If I were to buy another small trailer, I would get a 5x9 or 5x10 with a rear mesh map.

 

[FTG-05]

Three page thread over on Arfcom about these little HF trailers.

Yea, the HF haters get spanked pretty bad by people who actually put them together, use and abuse them.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_1_5/15...of_these_little_Harbor_Freight_trailers_.html

 

[wmartin]

buying a cheap trailer that wont fail 99% of the time is like buying a parachute that opens 99% of the time. Even one war story telling of a failed trailer is enough to make me seriously consider spending more money. They seem to be good if they are reinforced with welds.

That makes some sense, let's say that the HF trailers are pieces of **** for a moment....

If I were to sell my truck and buy, say, a Chevelle SS convertible with a trailer hitch, what would be a good trailer to buy that would haul 1000 lbs safely, and fold up small when not in use?

One thing that strikes me as cool about going to trailers, which I've never owned before, is the potentially low lift height for sticking stuff on the things.

 

[MG44]

Wmartin you should be fine. My daily is a 2006 Hyundai Sonata with a hitch on it and I've pulled the HF trailer with snow blower in the back, roofing shingles, scrap, without a problem. I've probably had it loaded to 1,000lbs, but not over on the car. When its on the truck, I just fill it up until I can't fill it up anymore without any attention to weight.

 

[tearlessj]

I've used the **** out of mine. It did cause me a pretty big headache this summer though. Me being the noob that I am, over torqued the **** out of the wheel bearings. Like 100 ft/lbs tight. That being said,

Drove 900 miles from Memphis to Knoxville and back. No issues.

350 miles into a 700 mile trip a wheel bearing takes a ****. Destroys the entire axle, welded everything together. The best solution at the time was to just buy a new trailer and swap axles. This was in Effington IL. Again I overtorqued the bearings (not as bad).

Made it the rest of the way. Before we headed back, I rechecked the bearings. They were destroyed! So I bought 2 bearings at Napa (for $60!) and put them on right. Added fresh Lucas grease and BARELY tighten them. Made it 12 hours back with no issues.

I've done multiple trips since then with no issues. So make sure you pay attention to those bearings!

 

[hemifalcon]

I bought one of these "trailers in a box" and loaded it with about 1600lbs of "property" when I left California enroute to Chicago. I had opted to get out of the service and my tow vehicle was a 2002 Honda Civic EX (stock sedan with four cyl) and needed something to put all my stuff in. So--I threw the trailer together--and it worked very well. YES--it was severely overloaded--but performed perfectly.. I sold it for more than I paid for it after moving home since it was assembled.

My mom has one that is probably 10 years old.. Have replaced the wheel bearings, wheels, hubs and decking.. I've also welded it now so that it does not fold. It works really well and has hauled all sorts of items. They are a pretty good deal and only need minor improvements to make them really worth their money.. For light use inside their recommended load range--they are excellent.

 

[Bender78]

I have one of these Chinese folding trailers that I bought from JC Whitney back in about 1983. It has hauled countless loads of firewood and building materials towed behind everything from a Chevy Citation to a K20 pickup. Despite over 25 years of use and abuse it never failed to perform even on 600 mile trips. It was always stored out in the weather and I can’t recall even servicing the wheel bearings more than twice in all that time.

I finally took it out of service two years ago because the frame was getting pretty thin in a few spots…..more than thin – the C-channel wasn’t even an L anymore. I scabbed some scrap steel onto it and now use it as a body dolly for one of my Corvette parts cars.

It was replaced with a USA made 5 x 8 trailer with an expanded metal deck.

 

[bigjoey38]

I just bought a HF 4x8 trailer from a guy that moved from California to Colorado. He just used it one time to move his stuff. I just like the fact that I can fold it and store it. I have used it once already to haul a full size bed, dresser and 2 end tables... No issues...

Just going to use it for stuff that I cant fit in my HHR... I hate asking people for help or borrow from them so this is the cheapest way to go.

Now to learn how to grease the bearings..........

I had to add new wiring, so when I folded the trailer the side marker wire broke so on both sides so I need to fix that..

 

[paranoid56]

buying a cheap trailer that wont fail 99% of the time is like buying a parachute that opens 99% of the time. Even one war story telling of a failed trailer is enough to make me seriously consider spending more money. They seem to be good if they are reinforced with welds.

i know this is an old post but its stupid.

I have had a few trailers (all borrowed and made in the USA) fail. with wheels locking up because the bearings welded themselves to the axle, to axles breaking bla bla. all **** breaks. just keep them tuned up and lubed and you wont have issues.

 

[4AudiQ]

I put a wanted ad on freecycle, got a trailer within two days. Cleaned it up, greased the bearings, rebuilt the racks, new lights, had about $60 in it total. Sold it before I moved for $400... just some food for thought.

Hey, electrodude.
My wife's sister lives in Garfield.
You probably know David & Melody!

 

[c4cruiser]

I had bought one of the small 4'x4' HF trailer to haul race tires behind my Corvette and it did a good job for what it was intended for. I also added a bracket for a spare tire and a tongue jack with a wheel. Made it much easier to push around for hitching up.

What I would suggest for any of the HF trailers is to go slowly on the frame assembly. Make sure everything is square as you tighten the bolts. I would recommend welding the corners to make sure everything stays square. Keep the bolts, just add the welding.

Definitely go with the 12" wheels or if you can find 13" or 14" wheels that have the correct bolt pattern, upgrade to that size. You will wind up with tires that can handle the load. Carefully check the wheel bearings that came with the trailer. They are a standard size and it's worth getting a better set of bearings and races. The HF Trailers don't have a lot of grease in the bearings, so at the very least, pull the bearings, clean them completely and re-pack.