Question regarding Red Trailer vs Harbor Freight

[rich5665]

Other than price is there a reason that HF Trailers seem to be the choice for most builds? For instance a 4 x 8 HF Haul-Master 94564 is almost half the price of the RT Model SJ-8511. I've been reading a lot of the threads and haven't seen many Red Trailer builds. Maybe I just haven't gone through enough of the threads yet. I know the RT is a fold-up and the HF isn't. Would that be another reason for the choice?

[S. Heisley]

I would think that price is a big factor. Also, for most people, I would think that Harbor Freight is more readily available. There are a few of us out there with RT's but, in the process of building, that white Red Trailer sign on the back eventually gets painted over.

I had a problem with my RT but it turned out to be my own dumb fault. So, I still think RTs are better made than HF. Also, HF has fold-ups too and, the last time I looked, RT had trailers that weren't fold-ups. Oh! If you look at the weight, that might be another consideration. I believe RT might be a tad heavier than HF but I suspect that's because they are also a tad better/beefier made.

I don't know what state you live in; but, a while back, the PA store moved to a new location. I was told that about the same time, the PA owner was in a life-threatening accident that kept him in the hospital for an extended period. I think they kept that quiet while it was going on because they didn't want it to hurt business. During that crisis, there were a couple complaints about service here on the forum; but, since then, things have gotten back to normal and I think all is fine again.

Here are a couple people that I believe have used Red Trailers:

Mikeschn :




Sam I Am:

[RandomAbstract]

Other than price is there a reason that HF Trailers seem to be the choice for most builds? For instance a 4 x 8 HF Haul-Master 94564 is almost half the price of the RT Model SJ-8511. I've been reading a lot of the threads and haven't seen many Red Trailer builds. Maybe I just haven't gone through enough of the threads yet. I know the RT is a fold-up and the HF isn't. Would that be another reason for the choice?

I just bought a folding 4x8 trailer from Northern Tool. Looking through the manual, one of the pictures of the rear of the trailer had Red Trailer written on the back crossbar! Hmmm....

I was pretty impressed with the heft of the "C" channel and angle steel. And it was only about 10% more than the HF trailer.

[dh]

The RT also has an extra tongue member...

[gregp136]

For us it was strictly price.
May be a less sturdy trailer, but after 3,000 miles we have had no problems.

Greg(and Laurie)