by TimC » Wed Jun 30, 2021 7:17 pm
The debate will never end on whether NT or Harbor Freight trailers are "worth it". I've purchased NT 5x8 trailers three times. One for my brother's TD. One aluminum 5x8 for my son's TD. And one I recently bought for a utility trailer. Happy with all of them. My first TD was a custom built by a local welding shop and cost me $1450 parts and labor. With labor and materials prices today it would be considerably more. It is heavy and is overbuilt so I expect it to last through many years. The VIN is TRA001. Yeah, the first trailer the guy built for profit. It was not a problem registering it in Wisconsin. I didn't need to register it but I didn't want any trouble on an out of state trip if I run into a traffic cop in a bad mood and get slapped with a violation. I don't think it is legal for other states to require a trailer that lives in my state to fine me, but I don't want to find out and wouldn't bother fighting it from afar anyway. So I slap the plate on when I go anywhere except WI and the UP. Hell, border control folks at the Soo didn't even question me when I traveled into Ontario. Just asked if I built it.
I've heard the statement before that so and so told someone that they could build a better trailer than the NT trailer for the same money. I believe the better than part. The same money part I call BS. I just did a quick search for trailer parts at etrailer. A basic 72" axle w/o brake bracket is $250. A set of 12" wheels/tires 5 on 4 1/2 is $220 (yeah I was shocked, look it up). Fenders are up to $50 a set for plain steel unfinished. Leaf springs are $60/set w/o brackets and fasteners. An a-frame coupler is $35. You are up to $615 and you haven't paid anyone for steel, lights, wiring or even one hour of labor.
So someone told someone they could build better for the same money. If you hear or read this statement be skeptical. Are these bolt together trailers tough enough to handle the average abuse. Well, there are an awful lot of them out there being used in many ways. If you have the skills to build your own chassis and want the best you can pay for then for sure, build custom.
BYOB