Harbor freight trailer will break and crack over time. ?????

[afreegreek]

kneel and worship the 'Holy Frail' of the TD World..

[eamarquardt]

........ But a 4x8 trailer takes about 50 bucks worth of steel then another 100 for an axle........... Just cause it doesn't cost much more to get a stronger trailer..

2K Axle w/o brakes $100
Springs, hangers, u-bolts $70
3 13" import tire rims $210
Coupler $20
Tongue jack $30
Steel (estimate 3 - 2X2X20) $180

Total $610 plus tax and shipping

Cheers,

Gus

[8ball_99]

........ But a 4x8 trailer takes about 50 bucks worth of steel then another 100 for an axle........... Just cause it doesn't cost much more to get a stronger trailer..

2K Axle w/o brakes $100
Springs, hangers, u-bolts $70
3 13" import tire rims $210
Coupler $20
Tongue jack $30
Steel (estimate 3 - 2X2X20) $180

Total $610 plus tax and shipping

Cheers,
Gus

2x2x20 14 gauge steel is 40 a stick so if it took 3 thats 120.. I don't think it would take 60 feet though. Heck I dont think it would take 40
Tongue jack is 25 at harbor freight
Axles with springs and hangers yeah about 150-170
HB trailers only come with 2 wheels not 3 right? They sell them for 60 so thats 120
I agree 100% that a individual probably can't build a copy for the 300-350 dollar price tag. But you could get pretty close and would have better axles and probably a better over all trailer. A shop on the other hand that buys in volume doesn't pay what you pay for the steel or axles.. When I call to order steel the first question they ask is how many pieces.. If you order a hundred vs 10 there is a difference.. Same with axles.. Order 20 you don't pay what it cost for one or two.. I'd be willing to bet a company can build a better made copy of a HB trailer for about the same money.. And they would not have the same quality concerns of using a HB trailer.. Now before you say why aren't they selling them cause that would be their cost.. By the time the added a 20-30% mark up it would be the same price as a trailer at most trailer depots..

[eamarquardt]

........ But a 4x8 trailer takes about 50 bucks worth of steel then another 100 for an axle........... Just cause it doesn't cost much more to get a stronger trailer..

2K Axle w/o brakes $100
Springs, hangers, u-bolts $70
3 13" import tire rims $210
Coupler $20
Tongue jack $30
Steel (estimate 3 - 2X2X20) $180

Total $610 plus tax and shipping

Cheers,
Gus

2x2x20 14 gauge steel is 40 a stick so if it took 3 thats 120.. I don't think it would take 60 feet though. Heck I dont think it would take 40
Tongue jack is 25 at harbor freight
Axles with springs and hangers yeah about 150-170
HB trailers only come with 2 wheels not 3 right? They sell them for 60 so thats 120
I agree 100% that a individual probably can't build a copy for the 300-350 dollar price tag. But you could get pretty close and would have better axles and probably a better over all trailer. A shop on the other hand that buys in volume doesn't pay what you pay for the steel or axles.. When I call to order steel the first question they ask is how many pieces.. If you order a hundred vs 10 there is a difference.. Same with axles.. Order 20 you don't pay what it cost for one or two.. I'd be willing to bet a company can build a better made copy of a HB trailer for about the same money.. And they would not have the same quality concerns of using a HB trailer.. Now before you say why aren't they selling them cause that would be their cost.. By the time the added a 20-30% mark up it would be the same price as a trailer at most trailer depots..

We're quibbling/bickering but pretty much on the same page. Some real world adjustment if I were building a teardrop frame right now: rims and tires scrounge, if you wait long enough FREE. Tongue jack (bought two at a garage sale (nice ones) for $2.

The REAL reason to build your own frame, IMHO, is you get exactly what you want (size, strenght, brakes/no brakes, etc). Far fewer compromises (everything in life is a compromise, IMHO).

Cheers,

Gus

[grizz]

the same cat.

On behalf of planovet, myself and other cat lovers on this board, I say, "...hey, hey, hey!!!!"

I will admit that I have no particular affinity for cats. However, it's just a figure of speech.

I have NEVER skinned a cat (or any other animal for that matter).

Cheers,

Gus

But can we believe you Gus ?

Where I come from the size of a house is calculated by the ability to swing a cat in a room

However, I once had a house with a room that had space to swing two cats... Oh, and I do like cats.


Back to the subject at hand.

I think maintenance, a good eye for brewing trouble and a dash of common sense will be all you need.

These trailers may be built to a budget, but too many people have had good service from them to ignore that.

I am sure you will be quite happy with your choices.

[8ball_99]

I wasn't really trying to post against using them. It was posted if they were so great why don't Companies use these frames for the bones of their trailers?.. I was just trying to point out companies can build a better trailer for around the same money. IMO thats why. Not cause these trailers fall apart. If your choice is between a 350 HB trailer compared to a 700 dollar trailer and a big box store.. If both trailers will do the job its a no brainer to me..

[Larwyn]

I wasn't really trying to post against using them. It was posted if they were so great why don't Companies use these frames for the bones of their trailers?.. I was just trying to point out companies can build a better trailer for around the same money. IMO thats why. Not cause these trailers fall apart. If your choice is between a 350 HB trailer compared to a 700 dollar trailer and a big box store.. If both trailers will do the job its a no brainer to me..

Quite simply, the Harbor Freight trailers are cargo trailers. In many (most?) cases what the TD manufacturer builds or has built is a frame for a Teardrop which is a very different animal than a utility/cargo trailer. A proper TD frame takes into account that the TD body, when attached to the frame will contribute much to the overall strength and rigidity of the camping trailer. The cargo trailer is considerably heavier and is "overkill" in the role of Teardrop frame. Still the HF frame is a good option for the amateur builder with no welding or frame design skills. Overkill is not always a bad thing for the home builder in this type of situation.

[len19070]

:lol: Oh Lord! I go camping and it is still here but haven't seen a single picture or read a single account of a Harbor Freight disintegrating.....

Point made eh Len!

Yup!

[bdosborn]

I had a HF trailer problem. Well it was really more of a minor issue. Okay, it was just a little ding. I pulled it over 5 miles or so of wicked washboard and a u-bolt dinged the frame.



My solution? I slowed down. I noticed a long time ago that the most vocal critics of the HF trailers are the people who have never used them. Now that I've built a frame I'd use a HF frame again in a heartbeat. Saves a ton of work.

Bruce

[doris s.]

We got our trailer at Tractor Supply Co. for $349.
It was already assembled, saved us lots of time.
I hope it holds up ok.

Doris

[boxcar]

The reason the H/F trailer is not used as a frame for production t/d's is simple. Liabillity and insurence requirements. The h/f trailer is not up to the base standards required by DOT. For any production RV. That does not make it a bad trailer....I am not picking on the H/F trailer.
But have bin in the trailer manufacturing industry for many years.
Generaly the requirements are: (in laymens terms) the trailer must load test to three times the projected load of the unit to be built.
That meens that for a max loaded T/d of 2000lbs The trailer would need to test out to at least 6000 lbs. That way the insurer for sed trailer can prety much garontee a low failier rate. Rairly does a manufacturer take the rigidity of the coach into account when the trailer is manufactured for this very reason. much to vague of a structural value. And it will chainge over time. Most if not all r/v type trailers that have a gvrw of 15 to 1800 lbs are going to be equiped with brakes. In order to pass DOT standards thay will have to . So when you do the numbers for a comparison you should take that into account. 60 feet of tubing for a T/D trailer is prety close to the right number. 2-8' rails-at least 5- 5' cross members ( that includes front and back)2- 8' toungue rails. So with no frills you need a minimum of 57' of steel. Remember we live in a litigation happy country
Any manufacturer knows this so theay tend to over build there products.
We should all remember this last comment. Home built units are just as prone if not more prone to litigation in the event of an accident. Not to mention the fact that under building anything like a T/D is just bad. I believe that we must all be responsible to one and other .( If you build something whith the plan to take it out on the highway where you are interacting whith other people You better make damn sure that what you build will not jeprodize others lives.) And since most of this comunity do not quallify as mechanical engineers I highly recomend over building as a practice.... Boxcar... [img]:thinking:[/img]

[starleen2]

We got our trailer at Tractor Supply Co. for $349.
It was already assembled, saved us lots of time.
I hope it holds up ok.

Doris

TSC trailers - the "Macintosh" of the teardrop trailer world


Sorry - just had to post it. it seems whenever there is a discussion about Windows computer issues - some one always chimes in with a Mac comment. I too love a TSC trailer - even with it's shortcomings

[Larwyn]

Okay, it has been my understanding is that many commercially manufactured teardrop trailers do, in fact, have much less frame than most people would expect.

Also my research indicates that TEXDOT does not require brakes on any trailer under 4,500 pounds. And ODOT does not set a weight limit, only a requirement that the tow vehicle/trailer be able to stop within "the legal distance" (?). Looks like most states require brakes above 2,000 or 3,000 pounds.

http://www.campinglife.com/output.cfm?ID=1047259

http://www.roadkingtrailers.com/brakelaws.htm

http://www.marinemechanic.com/site/page29.html

There are more, but it's all "more of the same".

[boxcar]

When you look at trailer frames on RVs Some are more substantial looking than others .Designs varry BUT THE 3times load test is and has bin an industery standard for 30 years. What looks light to you may infact be made of heavier matireals than the one you mistakenly think is overkill. This test was driven by the insurence companies not the rv industry.... And as far as brakes and state requirements ODOTS stoping distance requirement is 40 ft at 30 miles an hour in all road conditions...... it is actualy one of the strictest and most well thought out of all 50 states. As far as Texas, thay are one of the most leanient on more than just breaking..... Having sed all this. You will find that if your tow vehical is less than 3 times the weight of your towed load and you have no brakes you stand a very good chance of being prosecuted for reckless driving in all 50 states. Especially if you find yourself in a fender bender ( god forbid you injure some one other than yourself) I find it iresponsable that we are even arguing this point. Look if a person wants to take a chance whith his own safty. He definatly has the right. AS LONG AS IT'S ONLY HIS OWN SAFTY. When this person involvs others in this equasion he no longer has that right . He is then obligated to a higher standard...... in other words if some knuckle head is screaming down the freeway in his Datsun Hunnybee towing a 2000 lb load with no brakes and hits another rig killing grandma (due to his own arrogance) I believe that he or she would or should be prosicuted for manslaughter.....You may have guessed at this point that I have some rather strong opinions on this issue and you'd be right. We as a race tend to forget that we have a leagal and moral obligation to protect others from our own stupidity. Case in point ( the Smart car Towing a T/D) ....come on . Can you give me one senario where that can be considered safe other than when the ignition is off....
Sory for the rant...Boxcar....

[Larwyn]

Who is arguing?

I just presented a bit of personal experience and the facts as I know them. The personal experience is mine and I know it to be true, I even included links to back up the facts. There is no argument here.