Feedback on Harbor Freight trailers

[les45]

I've seen a lot of pros and cons on the Harbor Freight trailers, so I thought I would provide some feedback on my experience with one. I have a 4X8 folding trailer with 4.80X12 tires. I bought the trailer new about five years ago for about $250 (with coupon) and it has seen moderate use hauling construction materials for home projects, hauling my riding lawnmower, hauling construction debris and trash to the landfill, and moving my son to and from apartments near his school about 80 miles away. I have not overloaded it, but I have pushed its capacity of 1,100 lbs to the limit according to the landfill scales. I would estimate that I have put about 1,000 miles on the trailer in those five years and I have driven it mostly at highway speeds of 55 - 60 mph. I always check the torque on the lug nuts and the air pressure in the tires before each use. I have not done any maintenance on the trailer in those five years except to repair some wiring that was chewed up by squirrels and paint the faded (to pink) exposed sections of the tongue. I have never folded the trailer but simply keep it in the back yard covered with plastic and tarps. It has a 5/8" untreated/unpainted plywood bed that is worn from use but with no rot.

Today, I decided to re-pack the wheel bearings and just give the trailer a good inspection and cleaning all over for the first time ever. I found the bearings and races to be like new. Even the machine grooves in the axle were still visible under the bearings. (I did re-pack the bearings with new grease when I built the trailer originally.) All bolts were tight and there were just two very small spots of rust, one on a galvanized fender bracket and another on the heavy frame bracket that holds the two hinges and the axle spring supports. All the other paint and galvanizing were in excellent condition. All the lights still work fine even though the little clip fasteners are rusting badly. The only thing I found of concern was some minor cracking in the sidewalls of the tires and that was only on the outside walls. The inner sidewalls and tread are still like new. I keep the tarps down over the wheels while in storage, but they still get some daylight (and UV).

In my opinion, you can't beat these little trailers for the price, and they are safe and quality products if used within reason. That is why I am using the slightly heavier (and wider) Northern Tool version as the basis for my weekender build.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Nice review. Very thorough and should be reassuring for those considering a Harbor Freight trailer for their build. I built both of my campers on the HF trailer, and I wouldnt hesitate to use one again for another build.

[LDK]

I have the 4x8 1700 lb trailer and the only problem I had was when I had it welded. It kinda torqued the frame alittle and made it about 3/8" higher in the center. I was able to work around it and you can't really tell it now. It's hidden by the aluminum skin and the lower trim.

[Nobody]

My experience has been very similar to les45. I bought the HF 1740# trailer in Jan 2006, assembled it in May of that year & began my TD build at the same time. Only modification to the trailer - I moved the axle rearward 4", extended & mod'd the tongue, & replaced the pins in the 'tilt' mechanism with bolts. I thoroughly cleaned the hubs/bearings before ever installing the wheels & used a good quality 'marine' bearing grease. I also carry an extra set of bearings/seals in a ziplok bag, for one hub but have never had occasion to use 'em. Finished the TD to 'campable' stage in Sep 2006, & essentially 'finished' it by spring of 2007. Since initial trip we've towed it 12K+ miles with absolutely no 'trailer' problems. Labor Day weekend 2010 I was rear ended while on a trip to Missouri. Damage was mostly 'cosmetic' & I was able to continue my trip. Primary damage was to the rear of the TD with some severe 'mangling' of the rear trailer crossmember & the stabilizer jack on left rear. After return home & final settlement from Ins Co, I was able to straighten the damaged trailer parts to an acceptable (not new or original) degree. During re-construction I found the impact had actually been strong enough that receiver on my TV was bent. Apparently the force was transmitted thru the HF frame & my tongue mod to the receiver/coupler without torquing or mis-aligning the HF frame/axle configuration . Trailer still tows absolutely straight & true with no odd or untoward wear on tires. I've read (here & other places) some rather severe critique(s) of the HF trailers but hafta say my experience leaves little or nothing to be desired (I even like the 12" wheels). Our travels have been over every kind of road/terrain from straight'n level freeways to abominable, back country, rutted, gravel/dirt trails on BLM & NF lands. I don't worry 'bout where I go; if my P/U can negotiate it the TD will follow. I made a mistake in the wheel-well design of my TD, leaving less than needed space between the top of tire & bottom of cabin (on really rough roads ). I've since added a 1" steel 'spacer' between the axle spring seat & bottom of the spring, giving me more than sufficient clearance. I don't consider that a deficiency of the trailer. Our TD weighs in neighborhood of 1150# or so, & with all gear/supplies aboard for a trip, probably 1250-1300#. If I were building again & didn't need/want a specific type chassis for a special need, I'd not hesitate to use another HF 'bolt-together' trailer.

Trailer tongue mod

Damage in rear end collision


Repaired TD damage