HF trailers, high quality or just a low cost???

[Mikedaub]

The old saying is you get what you pay for, but others seem happy. I just need to ask for a little piece of mind, if you wouldn't mind entertaining this question.

So, looking to do this on the lower end of the price range, I am looking to build a cargo/teardrop, something to haul gear to the campsite and mountain bike races and only really camp in it in awful weather. I have the plans and ideas for the wooden structure, but the trailer part is twisting my mind.

I would think a 4x8 would do the trick, and it seems as if the HF trailers are what most people use. I was thinking about either the 1195 pounder (http://tinyurl.com/7hq7z) or the 1720 pounder (http://tinyurl.com/dbbbcq).

It seems to me that the only real difference is the weight they can carry, both being on the lower end of the price spectrum (as compared to buying a built up utility trailer from someone else, like a dealer). So, back to the saying, you get what you pay for, for those who have these trailer, are they a quality trailer or am I getting what I pay for?? I know with low cost and super high quality, you have to pick one or the other and sacrifice one, but will I be happy with this trailer for what I am looking to do with it? Again, just looking to build a smaller cargo trailerto haul gear and possibly sleep in with bad weather (something light weight to tow with a 4 banger Jeep Wrangler), but I will be towing on the highway a couple times a year (which is why I went with the 12 inch wheels).

Thanks in advance..

[rvsixer]

http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=29653

I'm going with a welded trailer.

[KBS]

I own a Long Chih trailer, which is virtually identical to the HF trailer. (For all I know, Long Chih may be HF's supplier.) I bought it in 1988. I've used it to haul a waterbed (the big ugly wooden kind), a Honda Goldwing, half the crap in my house, lumber, and just about anything else that would fit. The only problem I've had was my own fault when I overloaded it with wet sand. The tongue buckled when I hit a rough spot. But I had modified the tongue (obviously doing a poor job), and I bet if I had left it original, it would not have buckled.

I've been very satisfied with mine. I've not used it for a teardrop, but I'm sure it would do just fine, as many others have. My only complaint is that he slipper springs are very loud/rattly, and don't offer much flexation.

I replaced the 8" wheels with 12", and it rides smoother and more level.

[Endo]

I have put thousands of miles on my HF trailers without any issues.
I do make sure to maintain the bearings. I think that is the most important part.
I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one. It is a decent trailer for a reasonable price.

[aggie79]

I have the heavier rated HF that I use for local hauling of teardrop, woodworking and landscaping supplies and equipment. It has been very good for that and I can fold it to fit into my cramped garage.

That said, I am using a welded frame for my teardrop in part so I can use wheels/tires that are the same size/bolt pattern as my tow vehicle so I don't have to carry a spare tire.

[Nitetimes]

Well I'll just say, high quality they are not. Inexpensive they are. They are useful for their purpose and a lot of them get drug around the country without much issue. Would I use one??? No. Would I use one for my tear if it was given to me? Again...No.
But that's just my opinion YMMV.

[doug hodder]

I'm with Rich. I've got one, use it to haul yard stuff around, trash runs, firewood etc....but I don't think I'd put all that time and effort and $$ into a build on one of those frames at least on the bottom end ones. They are an inexpensive way to get in to a frame however. Rolled hat and C channels with extra holes in them for different applications CAN be future issues. Just my opinion, others may vary. Doug

[Larwyn]

I used the HF trailer mainly because it was a good way to get a "professionally engineered" trailer plan, complete with pre cut steel and imitation nuts and bolts. I replaced all the nuts and bolts with grade 8 hardware from TSC. I also welded all the joints with a little Lincoln Weldpac 100 (a 120 volt mig/flux core machine). That was the only welder I owned at the time.

If I had the cutting and welding equipment at the time that I started the build that I have now, I would have built my own trailer. It would be overbuilt, and overweight. For what I have spent on cutting, welding and wood working equipment since I started the build I could have bought a new Camp Inn......

And if I did not have all these tools, and the projects that go along with them, I would have time to finish my trailer and go camping.........

[Mikedaub]

Thanks all for the input. After a little looking around, I found this little guy at TSC (http://tinyurl.com/6upxpq). About the same price, but it, to me, is a bit better brand, plus I can pick it up instead of having it shipped, saving me close to a hundred bucks, plus I can check it out before I buy.

Looks like this weekend, I've got some shopping ahead of me...

[rvsixer]

After a little looking around, I found this little guy at TSC (http://tinyurl.com/6upxpq).

Suggest checking out some of the threads here on the non A-frame tongue on this one before purchasing.

I keep doing the math and just can't see a great cost savings on these BCBT trailers. By the time they are assembled/repainted/reworked/upgraded to larger tires they are not that far off from just buying a welded trailer (locally I can buy ready to go welded, completely assembled made in USA 4x8 for $690 with a 2000lb axle and 13" tires, 5x8 for $820).

[Larwyn]

After a little looking around, I found this little guy at TSC (http://tinyurl.com/6upxpq).

Suggest checking out some of the threads here on the non A-frame tongue on this one before purchasing.

I keep doing the math and just can't see a great cost savings on these BCBT trailers. By the time they are assembled/repainted/reworked/upgraded to larger tires they are not that far off from just buying a welded trailer (locally I can buy ready to go welded, completely assembled made in USA 4x8 for $690 with a 2000lb axle and 13" tires, 5x8 for $820).

Best I can remember I paid either $359 or $399 for the Harbor Freight 1800 lb axle 4' by 8' trailer with 5 lug 12 inch wheels and it only weighs around 250 lbs. See no need to upgrade the wheel size, those 4.80/5.60x8/12's have been hauling boats around this part of the country for years and many of them would outweigh most teardrop trailers.

You need to be careful even if you buy an American made trailer. I set out to find a small flatbed trailer during a recent move and some of them had weld joints that were down right scary to see on something that gets pulled down the road at highway speeds. Not fully trusting my welding ability was a factor in deciding to get a HF trailer in the first place. Even my own questionable welds at that time were better than what I have seen in more than one trailer sales yard. Most of the steel you buy these days comes from China now anyway, they buy up nearly all the scrap metal here, melt it down, mix it all up with little or no quality control and sell it back to us. Quality steel is hard to get and quite expensive these days.

If you are not building a removable teardrop, the trailer mainly functions as a place to hang the axle and the tongue. Most are on much more trailer than needed.

[rvsixer]

Most are on much more trailer than needed.

Anything else would be so un-Texan though . Seriously your points are sound and well taken. Its been about 20 years since I last worked in a machine shop, I had no idea on the current state of metal.

My own experience is I have returned EVERY made in China item I have purchased from HF due to design/durability/QC issues. I have a hard time going from those experiences to trusting a trailer to "save" $250-300 upfront, and having to possibly replace/rebuild it properly the second time around anyway. Time to take a welding class and do it the right way me thinks .

[TimJones]

Boys let me tell you between the bearings or the tires and now the whloe frame, I getting pretty worried about even leaveing the driveway. Also
only use extenion cord and powerstrips for electric. Got no battery, no pet cool, no ac., or side tent. I am in a mess here>

Tim

[Larwyn]

Boys let me tell you between the bearings or the tires and now the whloe frame, I getting pretty worried about even leaveing the driveway. Also
only use extenion cord and powerstrips for electric. Got no battery, no pet cool, no ac., or side tent. I am in a mess here>

Tim

Don't waste time worrying until you see sparks in the side mirrors.......

I always heard that worry is just regret about something that has not happened yet, and in fact may never happen.

[Wimperdink]

Don't waste time worrying until you see sparks in the side mirrors.......

I always heard that worry is just regret about something that has not happened yet, and in fact may never happen.

I couldn't have said it better myself. A little maintenance and a lot of fun and worry about the break down only if it happens. Just don't forget the occasional maintenance and inspection. You will still have to maintain and inspect a home made or custom built trailer.