ALMOST FINISHED WITH CHEAP TRAILER

[varmint]

So, when I posted some photos a couple of weeks ago of my "new" Harbor Freight" trailer project (it's a kit, and I started "improving" it when I put it together) I hadn't figured out just how I would finish it. I decided to add rails around it, some mud flaps to keep spray off the lights, and a little jack stand to hold it off the ground for drainage, etc., when it was being stored. Notice the bike lock thru the wheel to slow down potential thieves. Only project left is a steel wire gate/ramp to be hinged at the back. I know, I have probably used up 20% of its weight capacity with all the improvements, but since I don't carry really heavy stuff, I think the utility is worth it. I can always remove the rails if I have to.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Nice job.

Chris

 

[deepNdirt]

Yes good job, May I make a suggestion, I see it is a tilt trailer, You will be loading things by either using hand truck or ridding mower ect,etc, when the trailer is tilted posistion it will have a bit of a step-up at the rear rail, perhaps adding a rubber bumper could tapper this area providing a easier transition, plus add some protection to the rear frame rail against the ground,

 

[varmint]

I store it tilted so water won't pond on it. You can't really tilt it to load because of the license plate and lights, but the wire gate/ramp will be intended to drive things/walk onto it. I did install a galvanized angle to protect the back of the plywood deck when I load it. Keep in mind I was mostly using stuff I had around, since I am cheap (oops- thrifty...)

 

[RoMad]

It is looking good. You might want to take out the bolts on the sides and turn them with the threads facing out you yo don't catch you loads on the exposed threads.

 

[crazyal]

Decades ago I had a 4'x6' trailer similar to yours that I bought from a department store called Ames. It had the smaller 8" wheels and was bolted together. The frame was bent steel, not angle and never felt too solid until I replaced the bolts and l brackets with welds. I think I paid $99.99 plus tax. I bet it was back in the early 80s. Over the years I have welded the frame to stiffen it, replaced the frame to make it wider to hold two dirt bikes, made it longer to handle a snow machine, made it tilt and wider to handle two snow machines, and now it's a 4' x 5' trailer I pull with my side by side to haul firewood out of the forest. If you have the same kind of luck I have had that trailer could be with you for a very long time.

 

[varmint]

RoMad: believe me, I agonized over which way to put them... better inside, so passersby don't get snagged, I figured. I will probably take a cut off wheel to them before I am done. An on-going issue.
crazyal: I remember Ames from when we lived in Upstate NY. Sort of like Target... I got a portable air tank when they were closing. (I am careful to put only dry air in it, before I get lectured on rusting explosions from age)

 

[BigMike50]

I bought the 1000 pound capacity tag along last year. It is the size smaller than yours but has bigger wheels. I made it into a dump trailer and holds almost 2 yards of material. I reinforced the heck out of it and it dumps. I can easily load 3 thousand pounds in it. I don't use it on the road

 

[MESSMAKER]

That is a pretty handy trailer. You can use it around the yard or for a trip to the lumber store or 100 other things you will think of. It can be a little tough to haul a lawnmower on it due to the width.

 

[varmint]

Garden tractors only! It is 4' x 8', which is what I needed for plywood and most lumber I would haul. Another couple of feet of boards could stich out over the A frame in front.