NT 5 x 8 online, bolt together trailer

[Doug S]

Hello,

A lot of people have experience with the Northern Tool 5 x 8, online, bolt together trailer, and I don’t think I’ve seen anyone say they did not like it.

There are two items that concern me.

1. The Axle, spindles and other components are all rated for a maximum recommended speed of 45 MPH. Who drives that slowly?

2. The owner’s manual, page 14, states “Re-fill grease on bearing after every 1000 miles of use. The trailer comes with a grease fitting in the dust cap. So, I take it that re-filling grease every 1,000 miles means apply more grease with a grease gun, and not cleaning and repacking the bearings.

I’d be particularly interested in the opinions of people who have used one of these trailers for years and taken it on extended trips.

Thank you,
Doug

[mckenney56]

I think that 45mph limit is if you loaded the trailer to the max. In your case that may be 2500lbs loaded on the trailer. Probably the same goes for greasing the bearing that often. Someone pipe in and shoot me down if this isn't right. My canoe trailer has made 4 or 5 trips down to Missouri with only 100 lbs loaded on it at 70mph most the way and nothing failed. That's probably 2000 miles total. It is built on the Harbor Freight 40X48 trailer which is rated at 900lbs cargo capacity. So the question is: How heavy is your finished and loaded camper going to be?

[eaglesdare]

i have a nt 5x8. i have gotten up to 70, but normally around 60ish. i have driven over 7 hours one way with it. haven't had any problems yet. i haven't done anything with the bearing and grease. but i am going to get on hubby to do that before it goes out this year.

[CarlLaFong]

I cannot fathom why it would be necessary to grease the bearings every 1000 miles on a trailer when the same, Timken style tapered roller bearings on a car can go 20-50,000 without a repack. Lawyers????

[drgranger]

I just bought a NT 5' x 8' and built a 5'x8'x4'high box with 2x4's and 1/2" plywood, filled it, and drove from Abilene Texas to Sarasota Florida without a problem.
Speed was just under 60mph. No problems at all. I weighed it when I got to Sarasota and it weighed 2300 lbs. Pulled it with an 07 Sonata V6.
I put Bearing Buddies on.

[Armed Patriot]

I just wish I could get my trailer delivered undamaged. First and second trailers were delivered with boxes torn open, parts shrink wrapped to the pallet, and bent frames. Waiting on the third trailer but cant even get a tracking number. I dunno know.