Northern Tool Trailer : ******* me off

[fredbaly]

So I just wanted to warn folks that are interested in buying a trailer from Northern Tool. I bought 125692 a 5x8 Trailer. I did a ton of work too it and even added a ramp. Found out that they don't recommend you do faster then 45 with it....

They wont do anything for me and I lost money on this for sure.
Pain in my ***.

 

[lutter94]

What happened? I'm lost....

 

[NastyNate]

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200356494_200356494

Theres a link. Huge mistake by the company IMO. It should be clearly marked somewhere a recommended speed. The web site shows nothing UNLESS you go to the questions area. Its obvious they are trying to hide the fact this is a low speed trailer. You get what you pay for kind of a deal but who would think to ask about speed recommendations unless you have bought trailers before.

In my case the only trailers I have ever used are local built high end trailers that I borrowed. If I went out and bought one I would never think they would produce a trailer limited to 45mph....


EDIT http://www.northerntool.com/downloads/manuals/125692.pdf

Just read the small little link on that page for product manual. On page 11 they show 45mph as recommended speed. Unless this is show in store or have some sort of flyer depicting all restrictions how would you know? Ask a min wadge drone?
You could have found out if you spent time digging through the site or asking someone in the store... If they clearly marked it 45mph it would reduce sales... Advertising at its best.

 

[porphyre]

It doesn't actually mean anything. Just legal ***-covering. The HF utility trailers have the same disclaimer.

I own an HF unit (link) that I bought used from a friend. He used it for about 4 years and I've had it for three. It's been to, I think, seven states. Regularly hauled about 400-600 lbs (load limit of 1100 or so) at speeds up to about 80mph.

Check the speed rating on the tires and follow that.

 

[Dustball]

I don't see anything that would limit you to 45 mph. Like porphyre said, it's a liability thing. I've seen rental utility trailers that have the "45 mph limit" stickers on them even though they're intended for highway use.

 

[NastyNate]

It doesn't actually mean anything. Just legal ***-covering. The HF utility trailers have the same disclaimer.
It's been to, I think, seven states. Regularly hauled about 400-600 lbs (load limit of 1100 or so) at speeds up to about 80mph.

Check the speed rating on the tires and follow that.

I don't see anything that would limit you to 45 mph. Like porphyre said, it's a liability thing. I've seen rental utility trailers that have the "45 mph limit" stickers on them even though they're intended for highway use.

I get up in arms over it and you guys run em at 80... figures... Personally I still wouldnt use them at that speed but if it works it works.

 

[lutter94]

Sorry but you're getting what you pay for with a trailer like that. That is a pretty light frame, there isn't any weight to it. Hit a bump doing 80 and it will be on its top, common sense will tell you that. We have a trailer like that at home, its great behind an atv. But I wouldn't take it too far from home. If you need a utility trailer, buy a utility trailer. Here is one that is the same size, with a realistic axle underneath of it. Granted it might cost double, but you will have something with value years down the road. Need something to get you by, get the el cheapo and scrap it when you're done.

 

[geologist]

In fairness, I don't know how your trailer was built, but I once owned a Featherlite horse trailer (built like a brick *********) that also had a somewhat low suggested speed recommendation. My old man (RIP) drove with a lead foot, so it seen 80 MPH more often than not. Never had a problem with it.

HOWEVER...

I have seen smaller trailers bounce all over the place, get squirrely, and even sustain damage (mechanical failure) when pressed beyond their limits. I suppose it just depends on what you do with it.

Would I drive 80 MPH with your trailer (empty) on a bumpy road? Hell no. An empty trailer has its own set of risks, as does a smaller trailer. Combine the two and you've got a unique set of handling characteristics that changes as it's loaded. However, it wouldn't petrify me to cruise down an average highway, speeding, with a riding lawnmower loaded on the trailer.

 

[Outlawmws]

In my experience, the stability of a trailer is far more dependent on the distance of the tow ball coupler to the axle, and having adequate tongue weight, than anything else.

Once that distance gets too short, things are difficult to stabilize. The 4x4 versions of those cheap trailers are the worst, and the "boat trailer" versions are the best. (ever notice how boat trailer people can tow constantly faster than almost anyone else? long ball to axle ratio is the key.)

I agree, those 45 MPH ratings are a lawyers CYA statement. U-Haul does the same on many of their towing rigs.

One other thing that those trailers often have that can be a fatal weakness is the tongue construction. When they are a simple inverted "U", if you ever have the load shift to negative tongue weight, it can spreed and "collapse" upwards folding the tongue into an angle until the tail of the trailer drags. (ask me how I know this...)

Mine was bought about 25 years ago (Same basic design) and the only part of the original trailer still in use is the axle and the springs. After the tongue collapsed on me, I rebuilt the whole thing and extended it as well.

In its current configuration I've towed it well past 75 many times, especially with my old full sized truck, as with that truck you could not tell you were towing anything at all with that trailer. BTW that trailer has a small tent trailer box on it and is when fully loaded with camp gear is about 1000-1200 lbs.

I will also say I don't trust many of the 8x4 tires made today at all... YMMV

 

[Gmonkee]

The tires and wheel bearings are the weak point.
Take the rear axle out of an old Chrysler K car or from an older FWD VW Rabbit/Golf model and put that under the trailer. Not only real 14" tires but decent bearings and the possiblity of brakes. Another nice feature is the car axles won't bend so easily.