trailers...so expensive!!

[rhltechie]

Hi All,

I have been doing lots of planning and such waiting for the moment when I will be able to gather the money for a trailer. By the time I buy the red trailer and get it shipped it will be almost $700

Does anyone know if would maybe worth my wild to look into having someone local do the welding for me if I bought the steel? Where does one buy steel?! Is it just as expensive as me buying a trailer? thanks all....

mandy

[toypusher]

Mandy,

You probably should go check with some local welders on that. They might be able to get all of your steel for you too.

[satch]

Steel can be pricey, but it depends on what you want. Still, I,m sure it wouldn't be $700, but then you need to factor in wheels, tire and an axle.

[mikeschn]

The biggest bang for the buck, in any size, is the trailers that they sell at Harbor Freight.

Even the one I had welded up for about $500 a few years ago, I still had to furnish the wheels, coupler, chains, lights, etc...

Mike...

[rhltechie]

I was looking at the HF trailers at one time when someonen here posted the coupon for that weekend a lil while ago. one question..if i am following the gen benroy plans will i have trouble folllowing with a HF trailer as opposed to the recommended red trailer?

[mikeschn]

Check out the trailer costs ideas here:
http://www.mikenchell.com/weekender/chassis.html

Mike...

[mikeschn]

This is the HF trailer you would use:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=93747

and it's not cheap either. But yes, it would work for the Generic Benroy...

Mike...

[rhltechie]

yeah..i had looked and noticed it was prolly just as expensive. i believe i have a local HF, so no shipping cost but with it being a more expensive trailer than the red trailer it's really a wash.

[rhltechie]

the real reason i had asked about building a trailer is that my dad has his own steel erection business...he has been a welder for longer than i have lived my only concern in biting the bullet to ask him for help...isnt that always the way?? lol I had not wanted to ask for the help because i didnt want the negativity of "you are doing what?? you prolly wont be able to do that" kind of attitude...but, alas it may be my only option if i want to get started sooner rather than later!

[boomboomtulum]

I welded and built my own frame and here are the costs.
1. 60 ft of 2x2x1/8 tubing $110.00
2. 2500# 4 in drop axle. 239.00
3. lights, wiring and hitch. 75.00
4. Wheels (used 14in) 20.00
5. Tires 100.00
6. Fenders 300.00

Now you do not have to have vintage lights or RW Johnsons fiberglass fenders but those are what I wanted, so you could save there as well. Plus I weld so there was only minimal cost for materials there, but if I was to build that exact frame for someone a 56 x 9ft of course there would be labor charges on top of that approx. $150 -250 not including lights and fenders or paint.
I looked at all types of frames before I began and could not find the size and quality I wanted. So hence the build your own route and it saved me bucks, but not everyone can do that. Add those costs it comes to around $520.00. W/O fenders and lights. Talk to a local welding shop, ask around who may do welding, check w/ friends if they know someone but w/ these calcs you may find the one you priced will work out about the same. However with a build your own you can customize the size. Just my thoughts. I have bult several trailers and could do this if you are close.

Dave

[cdfnchico]

We bought this HF for our Gen Ben build and with the instore coupons that are valid thru October 20th it was 499.00 And in store pickup means no shipping either. Check our thread for the mods we chose to do to it...

Enjoy your build...we are!! In fact, it is very windy here on this Labor Day...so we cancelled a planned boat day on the lake...Leo and I both looked at each other, smiled and said, "Teardrop Time!!"

[rhltechie]

i checked with my local HF dealer...unforutnaltey they do not stock this trailer...grrrr....i asked about it further and he said i would have to check back in a week at least as the warehouse doenst have any either. that really sux...i could prolly have swung it with the coupon that dave so kindly sent to me.

edit:

i actually called several HF stores within 90 miles of my house and all of them apparently have it as mail order...go in, purchase and it arrives at the store within 2 weeks.

do the rest of you guys actually have stores that have them in stock?

[Dean_A]

You can always check out Craigslist for a bargain. There are always lots of utility trailers for sale there, but it's a real crap shoot as far as quality goes, so buyer-beware.

[rhltechie]

I was actually on craigs list today looking at trailers...i saw a couple that look like they could lead to something...i emailed a few people..will see what comes of it.

[Lgboro]

Tractor Supply and a local trailer dealer sell several versions of a trailer made by CarryOn that will work for a tear build. I had a welder add 12" to mine as I wanted to build a 4 X 9 foot tear. The local dealer was more willing to call the company and do some customization for me. It was only $300 plus sales tax and I didn't have the hassle of inspections etc. and dealing with the DMV. Another hundred to the welder is still only $419. Not sure what a 5 wide would sell for.