Carry-On (NT/TSC) welded 5x8 vs NT bolt-together?

[Kharn]

This week I contacted Carry-On about a no-floor welded 5x8 trailer, they said that Northern Tool normally carries them (~5 hours away from me), and that my local Tractor Supply could special order the same (TSC normally sells a 4x8 no-floor version). I'm a little unsure if I should go with the welded one, or NT's bolt-together 5x8 so many are familiar with.

Either one would need tongue changes to extend/reinforce it, and a friend-of-a-friend could weld anything I need changed/added if I supply the steel and the beer.

Any thoughts?

[rowerwet]

I didn't know carry on was still selling the no floor trailers, last I heard they weren't due to people abusing the weight rating, (that might have just been tractor supply not carrying them anymore)

I built my TD on a carry-on no floor 4x8 trailer, it is 5x8, making the floor an extra 6" wider on each side is no big deal. the floor plywood can support that span of 6" between the outer frame rail and the bottom of the wall to floor joint that suspends the outer edge of the floor. (all joints are fully glued, no fasteners) the sidewalls are suspended in place by the front wall of the trailer, and the lower galley/foot of the bed wall.

I think either option you mention is not the best way to spend your money, (see my signature) in hindsight I wouldn't buy a trailer unless it was less than $100 for an old PUP.

If you really want to buy a new trailer, IMO the carry-on is a better trailer, mostly because it is made of solid angle iron, instead of the stamped steel any bolt together trailer is made from. Of course all the Harbor Freight trailer based TD's out there seem just fine. we still are awaiting the "my trailer disintegrated on the road" threads that would point to a stamped metal trailer being a death wish.

I was really looking at getting a HF trailer until I read of the issues people had with the axles, mostly with trying to get the metric size bearings, and the way HF seems to randomly change spindle sizes. I thought the extra $60 was worth it for a quality Dexter axle. (plus I would rather support an American worker with my money)

I haven't seen the issues with the carry on tongue some people have, it seems they upgraded the attachment area. I did add a 2x4 to the floor at the end of the tongue (the area being pulled down by the weight on the hitch) and through bolted the floor, 2x4 and tongue attach cross member together. If that sucker ever does bend down it will have to pull the center of the trailer floor down with it.