Software
Houzz Logo Print
balsam_girl

Harbor Freight Trailer Okay?

18 years ago

Anybody ever buy or use one of these Harbor Freight trailers? Even with overweight shipping the price seems good. I would use it to haul firewood behind an older Gravely garden tractor on my 30 acres.

Would this trailer be good for that purpose?

Thanks!

HEAVY DUTY 1175 LB. CAPACITY 48" x 96" FOLDABLE UTILITY TRAILER WITH 12" WHEELS

LARGER PAYLOAD CAPACITY

Stow this folding trailer just about anywhere--it only takes up 2 ft. x 5 ft. 3'' of floorspace! Steel frame has built-in slots for stake siding (stake sides and trailer contents not included). Add your own plywood decking for a 4 ft. x 8 ft. bed. Bed tilts all the way to the ground for easy loading. Easy assembly.

* DOT certified tail light, fenders and safety wiring harness

* Heavy duty steel construction with baked enamel finish

* Includes coupler assembly with safety chains and 1-7/8'' ball hitch receiver

* Three leaf spring suspension

* 4.80-12 tires

Max. load capacity: 1175 lbs; Axle thickness: 5mmOverall dimensions: 140''L x 61-1/2''W x 19-1/4''H; Weight: 287 lbs.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?function=Search

Comments (19)

  • 18 years ago

    The HF trailer is the same chinese import that Menards was selling in 2004. I've used it many times to haul about everything. Just keep your loads balanced and maintain a safe speed and it will do fine for you. Keep it inside a shed or a garage when not in use will minimize rusting.

  • 18 years ago

    I just used my HF trailer today to haul a load of firewood. Pulled it over 20 miles with over 1000lbs of logs in it at 50mph. They are good trailers for the cost. NOW, of course I DON'T use the tilt feature,and I installed 3/4 inch(treated) plywood for the flooring, and painted the plywood with oil-based paint(top,sides,bottom)before installation to prevent rot. Have stake sides on it. It tows and works great. Also used it for hauling my custom '02 Triumph from Colorado to Missouri and is used for many other purposes around the farm.

  • 18 years ago

    Just a question: you do have to get a DMV license tag for that trailer to travel on the roads, don't you? Was wondering what that cost?

  • 18 years ago

    "* Includes coupler assembly with safety chains and 1-7/8'' ball hitch receiver"

    Does anyone know if the coupler is welded or bolted on?

  • 18 years ago

    Jimtnc,
    In Illinois you have it titled initially @ $65 and pay $18 a year for plates/sticker
    Terry

  • 18 years ago

    turnage,
    The coupler assembly and just about everything else is bolted on and uses nylon locknuts. (nylocks) Take a look at the manual below for details.
    Terry

    Here is a link that might be useful: HF Trailer Manual

  • 18 years ago

    And, if you do use it on the highway, make sure you inflate the tires to the recommended pressure! It'll say on the tire sidewalls! A lot of folks say:"What??Put that much air in those teeny tires? HMMPH! No way i'll put that much air in them!" And then, those teeny tires blow out at highway speeds, and usually far from any help! Low tire pressures aren't so critical if the only thing you use to tow it is your lawn tractor, etc. But then, your son calls from 60 miles away with a flat tire on his motorcycle, or his truck that has a flat spare, and away you go, with tires with 15-20lbs of air in them!

  • 18 years ago

    Thanks tjeffers. I may look into this.

  • 18 years ago

    Here's another maker, Red Trailer. Check out this page:

    http://www.redtrailers.com/ShowTrailer.asp?id=1

    Here is a link that might be useful: Red Trailer

  • 18 years ago

    I have had this trailer for about 5 years and it has been great. There are no tags or registration fees here, check with your local DMV. It is nice because it tilts so you don't need ramps to load the tractor (you may need a friend to put his foot on the back or a bag of sand since it wants to rock forward to the level configurations). Folded up it takes up about the amount of room a push mower would. I bought the spare tire (comes with the mounting hardware) for about $45 dollars in case a tire blows, but so far haven't even had a flat. Be careful when you fold it so you don't stretch/tear the taillight wires. I put a quick disconnect at the fold point so I wouldn't have to worry about the extra wire getting pinched or caught on something.

  • 18 years ago

    Good info, metal. Thanks.

  • 18 years ago

    For those who bought one of these Harbor Freight trailer "kits" (or otherwise know,) can you tell me how many boxes they come in?

    I'm wondering how easy they are to slide off the delivery truck on planks and avoid paying the $75-100 "lift gate" charge. I'm guessing they come in more than one box. In total these trailer "kits" weigh around 275-300 lbs.

  • 18 years ago

    It comes in one box. A friend and I put it in the back of his pickup and unloaded it with no problems (neither of us are weightlifters by any means). It is a two person job though, unless you open the box up and just remove the heavy parts which is an option.

  • 18 years ago

    Metal,

    Just open the box and take out the heavy parts!

    I didn't even think of that. What a great idea! That wouldn't take but a few minutes of the truck driver's time. But it could save $75-100!

    Thanks!

  • 18 years ago

    I called up H.F. and asked the gentleman (sounded Indian): The trailer I'm favoring comes in 2 boxes: A) 110 lbs. B) 163 lbs

  • 18 years ago

    You might want to check out Home Depot, Lowes and/or Costco. I believe they all sell similar trailers and may be close enough to you where you can see it before you buy. For me that is worth something.
    Jim

  • 18 years ago

    I would go do that but none of those places are close by (this is a very rural area).

  • 18 years ago

    Freight to a home address will come via a smaller delievery truck with a load gate. To a commerical address with down dock it can be on LTL trailer. Will go through freight term to make the transfer from the LTL to the delivery truck, thats what the additional freight charge is. The delivery truck driver will probably just leave it in the drive, no additional time for the driver.

  • 18 years ago

    Bal Gal- Have you seen this trailer? It's another option.

    http://www.countrymfg.com/cgi-bin/shop.cgi/page=garden_trailer.htm

    - Kris

Sponsored