Cheap, servicable trailer

[varmint]

I hesitate to post this little "project" because it isn't fine work like some posters entertain us with, but for someone looking for a small, inexpensive trailer, this might be of interest. I had an old trailer that was rotting and rusting away, and rather than rebuild it, I grabbed a 4' x 8' bed, 1195 lb. load capacity trailer "kit" that Harbor Freight had on sale, and with the 25% off coupon I had, it cost me all of $223. As I got into putting it together, I was pleased with the quality, especially for the price. I used some cumaru deck boards I had around (a tough, dense rot-resistant tropical hardwood- from a sustainable plantation, of course) and galv. angle material for intermediated frame supports (visable in the photo with the deck folded up, and some 3/4" treated plywood pieces I had in the barn for decking. I added a galv. angle strip across the back, to protect the deck when running stuff on and off, and installed a supply of d-rings and hooks for tie down. I also went to the trouble of putting the wiring in looms, and better securing it and sealing it to avoid lighting issues. I like the design that lets you fold the trailer up so it doesn't take up much space- handy when you only use it 3 or 4 times a year, at most. Of course, it isn't for hauling CUTs around, but for the uses I have, behind a Subaru Forester, it seems perfect.

 

[Bob77064]

Looks good, what size are the wheels and tires?

 

[J F]

That's a nice little set-up, nice job. :thumbsup: And kudos to the clean shop/working area...mine always seems to look like a bomb went off in it.

 

[varmint]

I was going to mention, it has 12" wheels, 4.80-12 tires. Rated for 785 lbs each. I figure the trailer weighs about 350 lbs, so I won't be putting more than a 1000 lbs max. on it. I liked the idea of being able to pivot the trailer down from the A frame, makes loading stuff easy.

 

[murphy1244]

Nice Job! I like your garage floor, what paint is that?

 

[timswi]

$223 including the axles, springs and tires?..If so, holy cow!!..Can't beat that even having to supply your own deck...That fold up feature is nice..Is that all based on leverage or is there a lock mechanism...Can't tell from the pictures...

Nice job!!!!

 

[Diamondpilot]

I got the best man in my wedding the same thing. He was always borrowing my trucks and he had a Subaru Impreza WRX. I got the trailer and hitch for him back then for right at $300. He has not used my trucks since.

I did do a bearing job on it for him 2 years ago. It was tough to find the seals so get 2-3 sets now while you have time. I ordered them through HF but it took a few weeks to get them.

He has added as spare tire and has taken that little trailer as far as 1000 miles from home with no issues.

Chris

 

[varmint]

Murphy- the garage floor finish is a two-part epoxy which I applied when the concrete floor was about a month old- I just etched it with muriatic acid and rinsed, then rolled on the paint like the directions said, and I have been 100% happy with it for the past 12-13 years. Paint and glue comes right up, and the inevitable spill when changing oil wipes up nicely, too. Sweeping up chips and what not is easy!

I will get a set of axle seals- that's good advice, but I don't use the trailers much more than 100 miles a year, so they should last? And $223 (well, plus tax) was everything but the deck stuff and D rings, but everything from lights to hitch otherwise. Folding it is a bit of manual work, maybe too much for one old guy, but easy enough for two. I think you would need a hook or chain or something to keep the back half in place folded up, but the A frame just hangs. Two hitch pins release the A frame, and you should have a couple of bolts to keep that back half from bouncing going down the road- I am thinking about a couple of pins with clips for that purpose, but it comes with bolts/lock nuts. If I just park it ready to go, I will use the bolts. Garage floor space is at a premium.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Seals rot due to the environment, not miles. Just the nature of grease on rubber.

We did pins in his after the first few trips. No issues.

Chris

 

[Stimw]

You might want to look into 13" rims and tires for it. A lot of those 12" tires are only rated for 55 mph. (check the side walls for info)