The Elite HF Trailer Club

[absolutsnwbrdr]

In light of some recent discussions on the quality of Harbor Freight trailer frames, I'm interested to see who all has built a teardrop on a HF frame, how long its been around, and how many times it has spontaneously combusted.

Note: If you're just going to bash on HF frames, without actually having any personal experience with one, this is not the thread for you. I don't want to read about how your cousins brothers aunt's high school teacher had one and it fell apart. If you actually have had a bad experience, feel free to share.

I'll start -

I've had my HF trailer underneath my teardrop for less than 2 months. The frame probably has about 50 miles on it, for various trips such as inspection, material runs, etc. The first voyage will be this weekend, to Tearstock. Results to follow.

[Arne]

I've built 2 on h/f frames. The first build can be seen at:

http://www.freewebs.com/arnereil

That trailer was widened to 5 feet and sold with 30k miles on it. Original tires and wheel bearings.

No. 2, at http://www.freewebs.com/aero-1 has about 12,000 miles on it and a lot of the original h/f frame parts were discarded as just being extra weight and the frame reshaped to 5' wide.

Still has original tires and bearings.... and still going strong.

If I was to build a 3rd, it would be on a h/f trailer. With even less parts on it. I would use the steel and make the simple A frame that has been posted before. A frame back to the axle.

[parnold]

I have a 39x48 HF trailer that is about 30 years old. I have had various boxes etc built on it, and have personally put about 3000 miles on it. I never greased the bearings, or had the hubs off.

My tear is on a HF 4x8, but only has about 100 miles on it so far....

to be continued.

[Endo]

I have owned a number of HF trailers.

I sold my teardrop that was on a HF 4x8 frame. It was 5 years old. I live in Ohio.
The frame/teardrop had been down to Florida 3 times, up to Canada once, up to northern Michigan countless times.
Thousands of miles on that one. Not a single problem.
A guy from Minnesota drove to Ohio to purchase that teardrop.
I am confident he will tow it for thousands of miles as well.
He sent me an email once he was back home, he said the camper towed great!

I have 2 more HF trailers in the garage right now.

[Larwyn]

My TD, the Escape Pod, is built on a Harbor Freight 1800 pound capcity 4x8 trailer.

Though life has interfered with me actually completing the build at this point, it has been towed on a couple of different occasions. When I moved it from Plantersville TX to Kerrville TX, a trip of about 250 miles, it was loaded with whatever I could fit in it. It was not overloaded but definitely more heavily loaded than it would ever be for a camping trip yet never provided me with a reminder that it was back there. If not for the TD in my mirrors, I could have forgotten there was even a trailer behind me.

I was towing with my half ton '00 Silverado pick up truck which was also loaded with boxes of "stuff". This truck has 4 wheel disc brakes that are designed to stop the truck when fully loaded. Even with no trailer brakes, the trailer consistently stopped every time the truck did. At no point did I find myself wishing for brakes on this small, lightweight trailer.

So, not many miles so far but no problems whatsoever to report. I made no modifications to the trailer other than moving the axle back a bit and welding the cross members and using grade 8 bolts instead of those provided by HF. I think it is an excellent platform for a lightweight teardrop trailer, even if it may be a bit overkill for the purpose.

At this point my welding skills and equipment are considerably improved over what they were at the time I started on my TD. If I were starting from scratch today, I would probably build my own frame, not because I think it would be of better construction or material, but because it's size and shape could be custom designed to fit the purpose at hand. As it is, I have a Harbor Freight frame and do not feel in any way handicapped by that fact.

[Nobody]

Built my 5x10' (nominally) TD in '06 on an 1800# HF trailer. Only mod was to the tongue (see my album). Thus far we've put 10K+ miles on it with no problems whatever. I'm kinda toying with the idea of building a small 6x10" standy but it'll be on a custom trailer frame that I'll build myself, just 'cause I have the material & want to try a couple of ideas. It'll still have wheels/tires under the cabin as I don't want the 'track' to be any wider than my TV. I'd not hesitate to build on another HF otherwise.

[Ageless]

Perhaps what has occurred is what is called the 11% factor. As with any group; about 11% will make the other 89% look bad.

Many years back; I had a Sears DIY trailer; I towed it with camping gear (i.e. overloaded) for many years thru WA and OR . . . .only failure was the 8" tires.

[wannabefree]

Our HF 1740 has been completed for about 10 months and towed 2400 miles. We are planning a 4800 mile trip this summer that might happen if the job/boss/dog/kids all cooperate. We have no fear of the trailer falling apart. It will last longer than we will

[toypusher]

Mine has been fine for over 5 years now - I have no idea the mileage though!

[Creamcracker]

Hi....my name's NAPSACK ...and I'm a recovering Harbor Freight Trailer......
Philip

[Rock]

I avoided 75% of the problem by throwing away 75% of the trailer....



Eric

[Steve_Cox]

This was built on a 1740# HF trailer stretched to 117 inches long.

Has about 2000 miles on it, 14 months old.

[len19070]

I have used HF frames Many, many times since the early 90's and have never had a problem.









Happy Trails

Len

[cdfnchico]

We'll join the club!! HF 1800# trailer no mods. Took her on a 1500 mile trip through the Pacific Northwest last year....just getting started!!! Flipped the axle last weekend...here we are at the Dam Gathering.
[/list]

[eamarquardt]

This truck has 4 wheel disc brakes that are designed to stop the truck when fully loaded. Even with no trailer brakes, the trailer consistently stopped every time the truck did. At no point did I find myself wishing for brakes on this small, lightweight trailer.

A Silverado with 4 wheel disks is not a "pregnant roller" skate w/o 4 wheel disks, weighs a lot more than 3K#, and it's wheelbase is a lot more than 100 inches. Of course you feel ok with your rig!

I would probably build my own frame, not because I think it would be of better construction or material, but because it's size and shape could be custom designed to fit the purpose at hand.

And you could, if you desire, you could equip it with brakes. You and I are of the same mindset!

Cheers,

Gus