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mike93lx

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Dec 9, 2013
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37,339
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Richmond, VA
While visiting Spain last fall I ran across this cool little trailer in a small village that I wish they made here.IMG_4139.jpegIMG_4141.jpeg
When I was looking for my current trailer, I came across an aluminum dump trailer, I think 5x10, with dual 2200lb torsion axles. It was perfect for someone wanting a dump.but not having something big enough to justify a 1600 lb tare.

That said, it was over 10k so I passed. Wish I kept a link
 
OP
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garagesapien

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Joined
Jul 13, 2022
Messages
121
I appreciate everyone for sharing their wisdom and offering valuable insights. Your input has certainly encouraged me to consider the option of trailer rental. My initial inclination towards ownership over renting was driven by my trailer usage habits. I tend to keep an eye out for enticing deals and interesting opportunities, often requiring quick action. Additionally, my past experiences with renting trailers, roughly a decade ago, were somewhat time-consuming. However, I'm open to the possibility that the rental process may have improved since then.

As for mentioning the 80 GL Compressor, I was presenting it as an extreme hypothetical scenario.

Regarding the Macan Tow package, I'm pleased to mention that my Macan came equipped with the Factory Tow package, so I'm all set in that department.
 

driftpin

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Dec 22, 2016
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11,178
Location
Miami-Dade/Broward Co. Florida
If you posted your city or other I.D. of general location, I'd know if you're close-enough to me, for a referral to my friend's business, where you can find a 80 gallon upright compressor, made in USA, rebuilt, and for a very reasonable price. They have three technicians covering a three-county area of 6 million and they deliver, so screw the trailer! That's how I got my 705 Saylor-Beall 80 gal. upright.

The other day, while I was visiting, a junk collector/scrap man came by, and this was proudly riding in his truck.



1695617688557.png

The motor didn't smell burnt, and the compressor turned-over, motor too, so he bought it for cheap. He will do whatever it needs to restore it to function, and then sell it.

Much of the time, the compressors come off the delivery trailer from the manufacturer and are only in-stock as-long as it takes to bring them to the businesses who ordered them. The old customer compressors get loaded onto the trailer to be removed because the business doesn't have the space nor the time to deal with FBMP foolishness.

This is the S-B 705 I got from him, for a price which would make a full-purchase price buyer cry.

I have a 4' x 10' utility trailer which has a hot-dipped galvanized U-channel frame, and PT 2X8 for the flooring. It easily could have hauled my purchase, but it was worth it to me to have it delivered. "Put it over-there, yes a bit-more to the left, perfect!"

1695618071957.png

Happy hunting, happy hauling.
 

racecougar

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Jan 26, 2021
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4,979
Location
Missouri
I recommend upsizing the wheel/tire package on any of these little trailers if you'll be traveling on the interstates. Not only does it eliminate the concern of the low speed rated tires, it significantly reduces the hub bearing revs. I went from 5.30-12's to 205/75R15's on this little 5'x8' tilt bed.


361625484_10100912595449413_490630834217188525_n.jpg
 
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Bucko

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Aug 23, 2021
Messages
679
What about just getting the simple cargo carrier for the stuff you don't want to put in the car and if you need something bigger occasional you can just rent a small trailer and not have to deal with registration, maintenance, and storage.

 

metalmagpie

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Joined
Nov 1, 2011
Messages
796
Location
Seattle
A downside to this is that uhaul trailers are built like brick **** houses and weigh a lot (relatively for their size)

I am a giant fan of the smallest open U-Haul trailer. I think they're 4x6. They are made of aluminum and do *not* weigh a lot. They are like Volkswagen Bugs back in the day. They had one design and continued refining it for many years making only incremental design changes. Their current design is now excellent. Brilliant. Last I used one they were still under $20 a day too. I do suggest buying a 100 lb. sack of sand from Home Depot and throwing it in the trailer before pulling it empty. Otherwise they are so light they bounce around and make a racket.

metalmagpie
 

mikedodge

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Jun 27, 2017
Messages
2,750
I have one of those 4x8 folding trailers. I bought it used years ago. I don't use it too often but when I need it its sure handy to have and not mess around renting one. It does spend most of its time folded in storage tho. Most things fit in the back of the suv without needing a trailer.
 

sbpiddler

Member
Joined
Sep 24, 2023
Messages
9
When I was looking for my current trailer, I came across an aluminum dump trailer, I think 5x10, with dual 2200lb torsion axles. It was perfect for someone wanting a dump.but not having something big enough to justify a 1600 lb tare.

That said, it was over 10k so I passed. Wish I kept a link
 

sbpiddler

Member
Joined
Sep 24, 2023
Messages
9
I think DR company has trailers similar to that. I have their DR Trimmer I bought over ten years ago, I used the heck out of it , had to replace engine , it is electric start. This is a great company to deal with.
www.drpower.com
 

mike93lx

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Dec 9, 2013
Messages
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Richmond, VA
I am a giant fan of the smallest open U-Haul trailer. I think they're 4x6. They are made of aluminum and do *not* weigh a lot. They are like Volkswagen Bugs back in the day. They had one design and continued refining it for many years making only incremental design changes. Their current design is now excellent. Brilliant. Last I used one they were still under $20 a day too. I do suggest buying a 100 lb. sack of sand from Home Depot and throwing it in the trailer before pulling it empty. Otherwise they are so light they bounce around and make a racket.

metalmagpie
Are you sure on that? I don't think I've seen a uhaul that isn't galvanized steel
 

racecougar

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Missouri

mike93lx

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Dec 9, 2013
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Richmond, VA
Ditto.

U-Haul's website doesn't specify, but it does list the empty weight of the 4'x7' as 630 lbs and the 5'x8' as 1000 lbs. I wouldn't consider that lightweight by any means.
Agreed. My aluminum 5x10 is 500lbs empty. If those uhaul weights are correct, they are definitely steel.

Can't see why uhaul would want aluminum over steel, either. Aluminum wouldn't last the 250 years they keep trailers on the road for
 
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rayra

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Dec 1, 2014
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Escaped from Los Angeles
I've been considering the Harbor Freight trailer heavy-duty folding trailer for a custom project for some time, there are deficiencies there that need to be corrected*, but would do for occasional short-haul use.
But the smaller uhaul open trailers would be much better, at ~$30/day you can rent a LOT of trailers before you come anywhere close to the budget small trailers. The 6'x12' UHaul posted above is a monster for the Macan. Works great behind my upgraded Suburban. And I've towed the enclosed versions of that size nearly a dozen times over the last 3yrs. Tandem axle is the way to go for heavy hauls and distance, that's for sure. But that if far outside the OP's criteria.


* I won't trust their tires for 1 mile of open road.
 

sbpiddler

Member
Joined
Sep 24, 2023
Messages
9
What about just getting the simple cargo carrier for the stuff you don't want to put in the car and if you need something bigger occasional you can just rent a small trailer and not have to deal with registration, maintenance, and storage.

I recommend upsizing the wheel/tire package on any of these little trailers if you'll be traveling on the interstates. Not only does it eliminate the concern of the low speed rated tires, it significantly reduces the hub bearing revs. I went from 5.30-12's to 205/75R15's on this little 5'x8' tilt bed.


361625484_10100912595449413_490630834217188525_n.jpg
I think Tractor Supply now sells UHaul trailers
 

whateg01

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Joined
Mar 13, 2006
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11,185
Location
doo dah, kansas, usa
Man fb is providing all kinds of useful info. This is something I saw 5 years ago apparently. Apparently you can haul (part of) a mustang with the harbor freight trailer.
 

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duneslider

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Jan 20, 2013
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2,245
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Riverton, Utah
My friend had a harbor freight trailer for a lot of years and used the **** out of it. It looked like junk the whole time. He recently overloaded it with sod and sadly had to junk it. He bought a similarly sized aluminum trailer and said while it was obviously more expensive he should have done it sooner as everything about the new trailer is superior to the HF trailer.
 

dougf

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Joined
Feb 22, 2013
Messages
402
Location
Missouri
Trailer rental vs ownership is something i'm struggling with currently too. I just sold my 16' steel car hauler because it was homemade and getting a title was a PITA. Looking at trailer prices now shocked me. I would love a tilt trailer, but they are pricey. I also cruize marketplace for deals and often jump on items to get good deals. I figure if I cant get something in the bed of my RAM 2500 i'll swing by a rental place down the road and fork out $50 for 6 hours of trailer use. I always felt bad about seeing my trailer sit outside and deteriorate anyway.
 

JeepYJ

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Joined
Dec 25, 2015
Messages
8,897
That a pig, not a horse. That’s almost as bad as calling the sheep herders in brokeback mountain cowboys.
Cowboys ride a horse. Those cowboys are driving a Cadillac.
Of course that’s a pig. Whole hog
 

Firebrick43

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Joined
May 12, 2015
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13,971
Location
West central Indiana
Cowboys ride a horse. Those cowboys are driving a Cadillac.
Of course that’s a pig. Whole hog
Cowboys don’t raise or herd pigs, pig farmers do

At one time making such blasphemous comparisons would get you shot, now they might be kind enough to just crack a beer bottle up side your head.

Why would you say such horrible denigrating words?;)
 
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rayra

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Dec 1, 2014
Messages
4,724
Location
Escaped from Los Angeles
There's an entire community of folks turning the 4'x8' harbor freight trailers into retro teardrop camping trailers with chuck wagon syle cooking accommodations at the rear. Real neat designs.

Any Harbor Freight / Northern Tool trailer kit is going to take some welding, grade 8 hardware upgrades, alterations to take a lot of wear. But lots of people have hauled their Harleys on them.

If you are helpless or someone that sneers about branding or perceived quality, they aren't for you. If you need to move heavy loads often, they are not for you. If you are unwilling to do some work to improve their shortcomings, they are not for you.
 

rk_tek

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Joined
Apr 12, 2015
Messages
153
Location
Bella Vista, AR
I’m late to the party, but I bought a HF 4x8 used and immediately after backing it down my driveway, went to the steel yard and bought a 10’ stick of 2x2 HSS. I made a new cross member on the tongue and cut up a HF receiver hitch extension to replace the original coupler and go in the new crossmember. I have holes drilled in the new tongue for fully extended(about 17’-6” overall trailer length), fully retracted(original length), and about a 4’ extended position which is where I usually keep it. This makes backing up much easier and I can jacknife the trailer a full 90° without catching my bumper. I’ve since made 16” sides(one sheet of 1/2” plywood) and added D-rings and I have a motorcycle wheel chick that bolts in when needed. I’ve used it for my 80 gallon compressor, hauled 1 yd of topsoil at a time, and filled it to the brim with scrap wood from a home reno. Scaled out at the landfill about 100lbs under the max capacity, so the 16” sides are just about perfect.
 

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