Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Found an online manual for the Harbor Freight 1800# trailer. Item number 8 under Warnings and Cautions says do not tow trailer more than 45 mph.
Was curious as to whether or not this is a caution that is expressed to buyers or kit builders that purchase Tears suggesting to use this frame. I am thinking of using this trailer but was hoping to hear from any who have been towing this trailer at highway speeds for a while. Thanks for any responses.

Link to Harbor Freight trailer manual:
http://www.harborfreight.com/manuals/40 ... /40597.PDF

If you tow your trailer at 45mph on the highways in Michigan, you'll get rear ended for sure...

I had a HF trailer for a summer, and drove it at highway speeds... read circa 80 mph.

I'm sure others will chip in too, but plan on driving at highway speeds!

Mike...

I do not have a HF trailer, but I think the warning is more for covering Liability issues.

It just like the U-Haul trailers that have the same warning/speed limit. They do not want to be sued by someone who did not maintain their trailer and has the trailer or goods damaged due to a failure of the bearings caused by high temperatures and high speeds. That's just my 2 cents.

I just puled it w/1000lb of wood pellet's for 40 miles at 65 mi per hour.W 1980 ford shorty truck,F100...no problems,it sat on the road fine..The problem was...going over to get the pellet's..it hopped all over the freeway,I jumped off & took the back road..at 45 mph...much better..I think there a very light trailer...Thats my guess...they don't ride good tell you get a few 100 lbs on,to hold them to the road...Good luck...

I caught my self running ~85 on the way back from the beach, when I pulled over the bearings/hubs were cool and the tires barley warm. If you use the tires that come with the trailer make sure to run them at ~80 psi or they will get hot. A trailer tire is not designed to be ran low, look on the side wall.

Was wondering at 80 psi did your trailer bounce around much?

Checked you site. Nice job on that trailer. What thickness of plywood did you use on the sides? Looks like may be 1/2 inch.

I have car tires on the Baja Benroy, and I run the pressure fairly low... somewhere in the 25 psi range. It keeps it from jumping around like a jack rabbit!!!

Mike...

The 1800# Harbor Freight comes with a 5 bolt hub that I believe is 5 on 4 1/2. I guess I could get another wheel to fit that in a 13 inch size to put a car tire on it. Don't know a lot about wheels and tires. Do you?

The HF trailer comes with 2 12" wheels. That's all I used on my first Benroy. They worked just fine! I wouldn't spend any extra money on wheels.

Now if you're going to build a custom trailer, let me show you some really kewl wheels!!!

Mike...

Like I said I don't know much about tires. Can you get a car tire that can be run a little lower on pressure that will fit the 12 inch rims that come with the trailer?

GeorgeT wrote:Was wondering at 80 psi did your trailer bounce around much?

Checked you site. Nice job on that trailer. What thickness of plywood did you use on the sides? Looks like may be 1/2 inch.

I don't think I've ever noticed it bouncing it pulls great. The sides were made with 3/8" ACX plywood.

Roly Nelson went to Minden, then farther north to visit and back to So Cal with his woody. He said he ran about 75/mph and had no problems.

Denny

I have a 4x8 HF utility trailer. With the standard 8" tires, I have towed it at 70. You have to remember that towing a trailer with 8" tires at 70 mph, the wheel is turning RPMs equivalent to your 14" tire doing over 125 mph. However, I checked the hubs and they remained reasonably cool. As long as the bearings are well lubed and stay cool, there shouldn't be a problem. I replaced the 480x8 tires with 560x8, increasing the diameter, width and capacity. I'm not using this for my chassis, but if I did, I'd replace the wheels with 12" or larger.

Dale

I have the folding HF trailer. I've only used it on short hauls and hauling materials, but I've towed it in excess of 80mph without any concern. I've felt the hubs and they've stayed cool. I have the 12" wheels. It's a good trailer.

check previous threads....I think that Roly had some wear issues on his trip...Doug Hodder