Thoughts on utility trailer

[MidnightZ21]

As some here may know, my Father-In-Law passed away a few months ago and we are going through his estate. I have a thread in the Vintage tools section going over some of the items in the garage. He had a utility trailer he built from a kit. It has been sitting for several years. I was looking at it today . I know for sure it needs rewired and new tires. It looks like it has leaf springs that are pretty rusty.

For anyone familiar with trailers, is this thing worth putting some time and a few dollars into? Is there something I should be looking for? I have a truck, but could see the value of having a little trailer for things that are difficult to get into the bed.

Here are some pics. Thanks for the input.

 

[PoorUB]

It looks like a $500 Harbor Freight trailer, or similar.

 

[Firebrick43]

No, imho its worth its weight in scrap steel

8" tires are ****, prone to overheating and destroying bearings at high way speeds.

 

[Lucid Moments]

I am with everybody else. Sell it as it for $50 and let it be someone else's problem.

 

[bwringer]

Assuming the trailer is in Indiana, if you have a title, someone will take that off your hands about five minutes after you put it up for sale, assuming the wheels move. You could easily get $100-$200 for it.

If you don't have a title, that is a collection of scrap metal.

 

[gungatim]

LGR

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

Perfect size to use as a yard trailer behind the lawn mower!!!!

No lights required, tire size is fine, I'd even run those until one goes.

 

[iagsxr]

^^^ As mentioned, I see more of a yard trailer just due to deck size.

I also put thousands of miles on a snowmobile trailer with those little tires on it that I had set up to haul dirt bikes. Never lost a tire or bearing. Was religious about checking them.

Definitely worth more than scrap.

 

[jives]

Agree with the others. . . probably not worth putting on the road, but behind an ATV or garden tractor without any mods other than air in the tires. The tricky part could be the hitch, which could work for an ATV but not most garden tractors. Anyway, take off the wiring, sell as a garden/ATV trailer.

 

[MidnightZ21]

Thanks for the responses everyone! I do not have a title, but I have a certificate of origination - Apparently my FIL didn't believe in getting titles for trailers as he never titled the boat trailer either!

 

[FMB4]

I'd round the corners off on that alloy tread plate (if you decide to use or sell it).

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

Grease the bearings, New lights and tires on it and run it. Maybe buy some bearing buddies so you can use a regular grease gun. Dad got an old snowmobile trailer free from my grandpa when i was a kid. Only thing we kept was the axle assembly and tong. We built a new trailer around that. New high temp grease and ran it on and off for years. Pretty sure we never greased the axels after that

 

[Reese]

I wouldn't have any concern over not having a title. I bought a used trailer 8-10 years ago that I use 4-6 times a year on the road here in Indy. Never had a title or plates and never had an issue. I frequently cross paths with law enforcement who don't seem to care.

 

[FMB4]

Forgot to give condolences to you and your family over the loss of your Father-In-Law.

 

[captaindiode]

My brother has the same trailer with a wood deck. He pulled it behind his Suzuki Samurai back when they first came out. We pulled it out of the weeds last year and removed the lights, repainted it, and replaced the deck. It is perfect behind his golf cart for limbs and garden use.