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

[WesGrimes]

I built a custom frame out of 2"x1/8" square tubing and the first comment on this board suggested that it was too dangerous to use.

I would not let it get to you. It does not matter what you build it out of, someone will call it unsafe...

Lots of people have used those trailers, and I have not seen anyone report it falling apart.

[Kurt (Indiana)]

I suppose that any frame could break (eventually). My trailer weighs 1100lbs which is well within the limits for the 2000lb rating.

So far, I've had it for 9 years and many thousands of miles. Hopefully it will continue to do the job for many years to come.

I've had more issues with the axles (non-HF) and suspension than anything else.

[Arne]

if you build it correctly... breaking 'over time' is bull $hit.... I've used two and have never had a problem.... over 50k miles.

It is a t/d, not a tank hauler..

look at the link below to see what I did with no. 2.... hardly any frame at all.. and still going strong.

[Grid Runner Adventures]

I have had my 4x8 hf frame the folding model for 4 years now, with many many trips back and forth between wisconsin and washington state hauling alot of heavy tools, ie 700lb metal lathe as well as a full compliment of tile setting tools

HEH though i do have a beefy axle, maiden voyage to washington a semi truck threw a U joint just over crest of hill in north dakotah i didnt see it till ran it over, bent axle like it was nothing. heated it up straitened it out and welded angle iron to it to stiffen it up till i got to washington state. then I cut the spindles off and cut chunk of thick wall water pipe to length, drilled several holes in the ends of that pipe, slid the spindles in the ends of the pipe and used those holes to fill with weld all around the perimeter of the spindles

now it feels like its built like a tank.
quick and easy upgrade for all of you. i feel the pipe axle is stronger then the stock chanel iron axle.

[sagebrush]

There are a lot of HF trailers being used and abused and not many complaints from the owners. With enough abuse most anything will bend and break. I've seen new D9 Cat dozers pretty much destroyed in one season. Use your head for something 'sides a hat rack, perform necessary maintenance and you will probably have no problems.
Will

[Sawyer]

I don't think you need to worry. I have almost 7000 miles on my HF 1700# trailer. I just got back from a 2200 mile road trip, hitting nasty potholes and bumps the whole way at 75 mph. No problems at all. I did, however, weld all the joints after bolting the trailer together, which really added to the rigidity. I also swapped out the axle for a higher quality one that would allow for bigger wheels. The HF axle does seem pretty wimpy to me, and had cheap nasty grease in the hubs. The steel in the framing welded really well, which I would assume indicates at least decent quality steel...

[Corwin C]

I'm going to build my frame from scratch ... mostly because my requirements are quite specific and I want to start with a perfect fit rather than adapt something to do what I want.

Any trailer has the potential to fail over time, especially if abused. The adage that you get what you pay for also applies here. If you choose to use a HF trailer, my suggestion would be to watch it and make sure that issues aren't developing. Even catastrophic failures have signs that could be recognized by someone who is paying attention. With reasonable care, maintenance, and proper use, I believe that a HF can last a long time.

[afreegreek]

I assume HF sells the same type of trailer sold in Canada at Princess Auto. if that's true, I'd be more worried about the axle and wheel bearings than the frame itself. they look like the cheapest crap they could manufacture.. personally I wouldn't touch one with a 10 foot pole but that's me. I'll buy 2 dollar T-shirts but I'll pass on the 2 dollar wheel bearings.

[eamarquardt]

.......axle and wheel bearings.......look like the cheapest crap they could manufacture.. personally I wouldn't touch one with a 10 foot pole but that's me. I'll buy 2 dollar T-shirts but I'll pass on the 2 dollar wheel bearings.

Pretty strong words, cowboy! Lottsa people are getting a lotta service from HF trailers. But in my experience, getting out of a hole (as in breaking down in the middle of nowhere and not being able to get replacement parts) is a lot harder than staying out of the hole in the first place (using good quality, standardized components). For the expense and TIME it takes to build a teardrop, I'd rather put a bit more money into the frame/running gear.

Just because we disagree (on using a HF trailer), it doesn't mean one of us is WRONG!

Cheers,

Gus

[Endo]

But in my experience, getting out of a hole (as in breaking down in the middle of nowhere and not being able to get replacement parts)
is a lot harder than staying out of the hole in the first place (using good quality, standardized components).

Agreed, but it is easy to avoid the hole if you take the spare parts with you.
I can't count how many times I have seen a trailer on the side of the road with the tire and hub removed, as the owner is off somewhere searching for parts.

I have owned many trailers over the years (many different manufacturers).
I always carry a spare set of bearings/race/seal and dust cap.
It doesn't matter what trailer I happen to be towing a spare set is always part of my trailer tool kit.
To me it is no different than a spare tire.........I don't leave home without them.
Cheap insurance in my opinion.

[Nobody]

But in my experience, getting out of a hole (as in breaking down in the middle of nowhere and not being able to get replacement parts)
is a lot harder than staying out of the hole in the first place (using good quality, standardized components).

Agreed, but it is easy to avoid the hole if you take the spare parts with you.
I can't count how many times I have seen a trailer on the side of the road with the tire and hub removed, as the owner is off somewhere searching for parts.

I have owned many trailers over the years (many different manufacturers).
I always carry a spare set of bearings/race/seal and dust cap.
It doesn't matter what trailer I happen to be towing a spare set is always part of my trailer tool kit.
To me it is no different than a spare tire.........I don't leave home without them.
Cheap insurance in my opinion.

Yeah that...! First thing I did after removing the original 'grease' from my HF hubs wuz have my son (he has a NAPA store ) bring me a new set of bearings & extra seals. I 'packed' the new bearings & re-wrapped 'em, put 'em in a sealed plastic container & they ride in my tongue box in case they're ever needed (never needed yet ), I've done the same with every trailer (RV, utility, equip, etc.) that I ever pulled for any significant distance, regardless of the brand name, quality, etc. Extra bearings don't cost much & folks that 'go prepared' usually don't need the spares 'cause they've already done proper, timely maintenance anyway & won't need 'em except for unusual 'catastrophic' occurrences.

[eamarquardt]

........folks that 'go prepared' usually don't need the spares 'cause they've already done proper, timely maintenance anyway & won't need 'em except for unusual 'catastrophic' occurrences.

One of my "creedos" is Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Perfromance". Most people don't have your foresight to properly maintain things and carry spares.

Cheers,

Gus

[Arne]

bearings and seals can be purchased from any bearing supply place. Bearings and spark plugs are pretty much std world wide.

in my 50k of towing h/f trailers (2).. have never had a bearing failure.. but do carry spare parts, hammer, wooden block, etc.

If I remember correctly, the bearing no. is stamped on the bearing face. It is a std. size and easy to find.. the seal should be taken in as it is, as many are, in millimeters.. and I can not recall the width. The od/id are std, but they come in different widths..

I think about $20 covered a bearing set with seal.

I always check hubs for overheating a couple of times a day when traveling.. never had a hot one.

[Dan & Julie CO]

bearings and seals can be purchased from any bearing supply place. Bearings and spark plugs are pretty much std world wide.

in my 50k of towing h/f trailers (2).. have never had a bearing failure.. but do carry spare parts, hammer, wooden block, etc.

If I remember correctly, the bearing no. is stamped on the bearing face. It is a std. size and easy to find.. the seal should be taken in as it is, as many are, in millimeters.. and I can not recall the width. The od/id are std, but they come in different widths..

I think about $20 covered a bearing set with seal.

I always check hubs for overheating a couple of times a day when traveling.. never had a hot one.

What is the proper temp for bearings does anybody know? I have a temp gage that would be useful

[absolutsnwbrdr]

I think that cooler is probably better, but I'd like to know what would be considered too warm.