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

[absolutsnwbrdr]

You better also watch out for Big Brother. The world is ending in 2012. AND Aliens are coming for us. oh... and HF trailers will crumble if you look at them wrong.



Seriously though...

I've only had my HF trailer for 2 months, never camped in it, BUT there are MANY MANY people on this forum that have camped in their teardrops built on HF frames for years! As with anything, its all about maintenance and prevention! Keep an eye on your wheel bearings and check your bolts from time to time. There have been a few people that have strengthened (and lengthened) their tongues using tube steel, but from what I've read that is pretty optional.

Oh and make sure to put your jack up before you drive away.

[len19070]

Your always going to have people who tell you things are not going to work. And a lot of times this is based on Nothing.

I guess the real question should be "Harbor freight trailer will break and crack over time"

If you do what to it?

Yes you will have problems if you disregarding the manufactures guidelines.

Overloading, improper load distribution, Bad tire inflation etc.

And if you looked at every little piece as an individual piece and didn't consider the BIG picture, you could come to that conclusion.

BUT

When you build a Teardrop on a HF frame it's no longer "just" a HF frame.

Meaning a Teardrop "Box" is NOT a dead load on a flat trailer. Once bolted in place it becomes an intricate part of the entire unit and takes on entirely new Dynamics.

An example;

If you bolt a piece of 3/4" plywood cut out to the profile of a Teardrop to a HF side rail you no longer have a piece of plywood and a 3X2 "C" channel.

You have a "C" channel with a 3/4" X 4'X8" beam stiffening that "C" Channel.

In order for that "C" Channel to brake its got to brake the plywood as well. Everything you bolt on to that frame makes it a stronger unit.

No, its not the best frame in the world, but if you use it as its supposed to be used they will last. Our own history has proven that.

There are Thousands of HF trailers out there that have been used, abused for years.

And there still there.

Happy Trails

Len

[bobhenry]

2 years and 8,000 miles and now I am too scared to look

[halfdome, Danny]

Check out this thread Danny

[aggie79]

Your always going to have people who tell you things are not going to work. And a lot of times this is based on Nothing.

There are Thousands of HF trailers out there that have been used, abused for years.

And there still there.

Len

My teardrop is being built on a custom frame; however, I have a folding 140# HF utility trailer that I use as a parts hauler. It is stock, except I used grade 5 bolts instead of those supplied, 3/4" plywood is bolted to the deck, and separate ground wires were added to each of the trailer lights. The bearings and seals have not been replaced.

I've used and abused this trailer for a few years. Many times I have exceeded the gross weight rating (but am not advocating this practice.) Admittedly, my haul distances have been short - about 20 miles max. Other than the red paint turning a not so manly pink in color, this trailer has worked fine for me.

[emiller]

I have a few older Home Base trailers that are like the Harbor Freight trailers. They are used here at the airport and I have modified every one of them, not because they failed although the biggest problem was the guys bending the tung beyond repair. But making them more convenient for there use. They aren't going down the road so it is hard to determine how they will last but I know I won't buy another because it is just better for me to know what I have when I build it myself. I did buy a 2000# axle from Northern tool on my first 5x10 and the axle bent where the tire and wheels bent inward at the top. I believe it is how you build the trailer on how it will last. It is always good to go over the trailer constantly home made or bought just to have piece of mind. All in all I would not recommend those light weight trailers from Harbor Freight but to each is own.

[chorizon]

My Dad has one of the 4 X 8 tilting bed HF trailers.

I know he uses it quite a bit and its 5 years old.

He's gone through a few sets of tires but the trailer still looks OK (other than the West Texas sun has turned it pink, also!)

I also might mention there are 18 miles of washboard roads between their house and the nearest pavement, if that helps you in your assumptions.

I'm pretty impressed with it actually.

[eamarquardt]

Never owned a HF trailer, never will. HF trailers are probably fine for a light teardrop.

However:

According to a recent post they are currently discontinuing one of the popular models and parts are difficult to come by even now.

HF is all about cost. If they find a cheaper supplier they'll change and will probably drop what little parts support for the current trailers thay have now.

Quality control with HF stuff is marginal at best.

You can build a trailer (materials) for $6-700 in materials. If you network you can probably find someone to help cut and weld. Then you'll have a
trailer with std parts that can be serviced anywhere in the country anytime. Whatareyagonna do if you break down in the boondocks and can't get parts?

HF trailers are, however, inexpensive and easy to get but you get what you pay for.

Anyone who wants a custom frame is welcome to contact me and we'll build one in a day.

Cheers,

Gus

[Mightydog]

This person posting on here also told...

Opinions are like cowboy hats in Texas, everyone has one and theirs might not fit you.

I've found that taking what people post here as guidance for what I might want to do. Might want to do. Maybe.

My trailer doesn't have brakes, solar power, a TV, air conditioning or a nuclear power source. For some reason, my wife and I still enjoy camping in it and are able to move it from place to place without incident.

There's a lot of good advice here. None of it is scripture.

[eamarquardt]

Opinions are like cowboy hats in Texas, everyone has one and theirs might not fit you.

Well said. The first corollary to the above statement is a different opinion is not always criticism of "your" opinion. Just a different way to skin the same cat.

Cheers,

Gus

[glassice]

If you use as they plan it to be used it will be OK I think there going to the heaver one is most put to much on it . How many times have you seen a yard of sand are rock in a s10 are any 1/2 truck .It's where house cost is less for just 1 idem and cost the same to build for them a $200 are $500 trailer so they make more money JUST DON'T HAVE IT POWDER COATED it hides rust and cracks.

[Endo]

I need opeions of harbor freight trailer frame owners that have some miles on the frame. Do you guys have cracks in your frames on your teardrops after say 2000 or 3000 or more miles on your harbor freight trailer frame?

My thoughts, Slowcowboy.

I had my first teardrop for 5 years. It was built on a HF frame.

It had thousands and thousands of miles on it! Numerous trips to Michigan, Florida and into Canada.

I NEVER had any issues.

I am sure the new owner will also put thousands of miles on it as well.

In fact all of the miles were on the original bearings (routine inspections and repacking as needed).

Second teardrop was built on a HF frame (never a problem), third teardrop was built on a HF frame (never a problem).........are you seeing a pattern here .

I have 2 more HF trailers at the moment. They don't worry me a bit.

Don't overload them, inspect and properly maintain them and they do just fine (in my experience).

Is it the greatest trailer frame in the world........NOPE........but it works just fine for me.

[Mightydog]

the same cat.

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

[eamarquardt]

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

[Shadow Catcher]

If you do not exceed the design characteristics of the trailer you should be fine. The difficulty is knowing what those are, and how close did they come to the line.
As an example.
In ASTM steel specifications you are allowed a 5 or 10% plus or minus on dimensions, from first hand experience I can tell you which dimension the manufactures crowd (I worked at North Star Steel for 8 years).

My personal feeling is that the vast majority of teardrops are grossly over designed. In essence you are creating a stress skin structure, witness the tear recently constructed of the PVC panels.

I remember one of the frames from the prototype F18 a 2' thick billet was brought in to be ultrasonically tested (put the flaws where the holes go. When the final product was brought in for penetrant testing it was a web with lots of holes and I could lift it with one hand.