Small trailer

[California]

Note there are half ton and one ton versions for those red trailer kits sold at Northern and HF.

I bought HF's tiny 3.3 x 4ft trailer specifically for camping. It's great for taking the bicycles etc to Yosemite. Also ideal for offroad adventures behind my Subaru in the Sierras canyons or Nevada desert, where its light weight keeps it from becoming a boat anchor. Worst case I can unhitch and turn it around independent of the Subaru if I get myself into an impassable spot. (Been there, done that.) It weighs only 140 lbs so it tows like it's not there and at home I stand it on end in the garage.

For actually hauling stuff I have a 1 ton 4 x 8 trailer from Home Depot (see attached photo) that is a little better quality than the HF jobs. It has C-range 12" tires and weighs 500 lbs, 400 if the sides are removed. The tongue can be extended and the front and back panels laid down flat to make a 12 ft deck, and I've carried a 16 ft rolled carpet that way. Home Depot gets them from Ontario so I suspect they are sold as snowmobile trailers up there.

I recommend these Home Depot trailers if you expect 1500 lb payloads such as gravel, building materials, or a subcompact tractor.

Both these trailers are light enough to hand-push all over the place like a wheelbarrow so they are easy to store in odd places.

 

[tomnky]

If I am going to haul the BX or material(mulch ,gravel ) I use The Big Tex, 10,000lb. trailer (7 ft x 16ft) it will haul more than My F-150 SuperCrew will pull /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif.
All I want a small one for is hauling a riding lawn mower or transporting something small( less than 500 lbs.)

 

[imported_OWDouglas]

Tom. the attachment has all the info on the HF trailer. I'm looking at the new ad right now and it's on sale for 199.99.
The payload capacity is 1175LBS the 179.99 trailer is 990lbs, and it has the 8"tires.

 

[tomnky]

O W Thanks I sure appreciate the post .it looks to be close to what I would be interested in.

Tom

 

[Harhir]

Hi all

Thanks for sharing the information.
I am also looking for a small and affordable trailer. I would love to get my hand on a cheap used one. But I have been looking for weeks in local adds and Ebay. Nothing under $500. If you find them at all.

So I also checked out the foldable 4x8 at our local Harborfreight store. Currently on sale for $199 with the 12” wheels. But I am not really convinced about the stability and the quality.
This thing looks really flimsy. Although I like the feature to fold it and store away.
And with the additional plywood for floor and side railings you easily get close to $250 or more.

Tractor supply has a non foldable 4x6 for $349. Also complete with lights and wheels. Including mesh floor and rails.
http://www.mytscstore.com/detail.asp?pcID=3&paID=1023&sonID=733&page=1&productID=9269
I just checked it out today. Much more sturdy than the harborfreight trailer. It has a “real” axle and is tiltable. I think this also would allow it to be placed upright with the hitch tilted down.
But it is a lot heavier. However you do not need to add any plywood. At least not, if you do not want to haul gravel or sand.

So I am still not sure which way to go. From the price point I like the Harborfreight trailer. From the quality I like the TSC trailer.

Stefan

 

[notamustang]

Welcome to TBN !!!
What do you want to do with your trailer ?

 

[Harhir]

Thanks.

I just need it for the typical homeowner usage like hauling bags of mulch, compost, stones.... and for the other obligatory trips to the local hardware store. But I want some kind of quality and so far I was not always very happy with the cheap stuff from Harbor Freight.
I am in the process of starting some majoy yard work. I am just tired of messing up my SUV. And I do not really need the 8' length. 6' length is fully sufficient. I am not going to haul ATVs or lawn tractors.
If I add all the plywood and bolts to the harbor freight trailer plus the additional 1 7/8 ball (or swap the trailer hitch to 2") then I am getting close to the $300. So the difference is getting smaller.

 

[tomnky]

Just go for the TSC trailer!

You know You want it so just Bite the Bullet...........I usually won't settle for anything less than I want when I have pretty much decided. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[rbeitz]

I have a TSC trailer. It is made by Carry-On and it is real solid. I have the 5x10 model with 2x8 flooring and a fold down ramp in the rear. I paid $859 for it in Feb 2004. I believe the prices have shot up since then. I should have gotten a larger trailer becuase in the fall of '04 i bought a 6 ft ZTR and it will not fit inside! The wife won't authorize another trailer purchase so I had to improvise to haul the ZTR home...

 

[rbeitz]

Here's one more view....