Rated trailer limits ... HF, TSC, NT etc

[Txsbluesguy]

new member here and my first post.

I'm late in my planning stages and getting ready to purchase a trailer for my build and I have a question that I have not found answered anywhere and I hope you can help me

ok So HF has trailers with weight limit ratings of 1720 and 1195. What are the limiting factors? is it the frame or is it the bearing, axel, wheel, spring combination?

The frame construction of the two look different but comparable.

I ask because I live in Texas and most of my use would require driving at Interstate speeds and I will need to replace the stock tires and might replace the bearings to deal with the speeds and general heat. If Im going to replace most of the running gear, can I buy the lower rated but less expensive folding trailer frame and use the money saved to upgrade to new NT axel,hub and hi speed wheel sets?

I know it may be a stupid question but not compleatly stupid ......

[Woodbutcher]

If your plan is to replace the axle, tires and wheels, have you given thought to building a frame yourself and get what you want. Most people opt for a 5' wide trailer. If you are as well then you have to build out over the wheels. If you plan on a 4 ft then why not just use the larger HF trailer and be done with it. If the tires worry you just replace them and use the existing wheels. There are people on here who have towed a HF trailer just as it comes all over the country with no issues. Others have had some problems. Mostly with the tires from what I read.

It may help people give more specific answers if you told us more about your build. Have fun!!!

[Txsbluesguy]

I still feel starting with an off the shelf trailer is less expensive and quicker than a custom one. Having delt with several welders and fabrictors and machinist of all sorts in my area trying to sort thru the flakes to find some one who will do a simple strailer frame for a simple price is not something I want to spend the time to do. Especially when I'm within a 15 minute drive from several HF, NT, and a TSC and want to start next weekend.

The trailer is to be a low frill sawtooth body style of trailer. 4 ft is fine with me since 97% of the time is is to get me, my bikes and camrea gear to various state parks in cental and North Texas. For the last few years I have done ok with tent camping, but since my time off schedule only allows me to do long stays in the summer time (july and august).I feel I need a solid wall type shelter that I can run an air conditioner to cool down after hikes and rides along with small refigerator for food and beverages is necessary. The trailer will mostly be used in state parks, a few festivals and the ocassional ranch. Due to work, school and custody schelules, shorter closer trips will be done. but often I have less than 12 hours notice of a completely free 48 hours, so I want something that will stay packed in the garage that I can get hitched and enroute to a desitnation in less than an hour and break camp in less than 30 minutes. The other 3% of use will be with my two kids who are preschool and kindergarden sized.

After pondering this for almost a year I believe a smaller low frills budget trailer will best meeet my usage requirments and budget. I'm willing to forgo expensive interrior treatments,trim, mattresses, water tanks, self contained battery systems etc. The one area I feel I cannot skimp are the rolling components. Getting in and out of Houston pretty much means interstate driving and several hours to get to the places I want get away to.

Keeping the cost down is a major goal since this not a trailer that is meant to passed down to my kids or become a charised heirloom. Nor is this to be a showpiece magazine spread trailer. I also intend in a few years when the kids are older and larger upgrading to a larger trailer. Controlling cost at each and every step and considering material and component purchases that save $50-$75 at several stages will add up. I am reusing components I already own such as 12v inverters and LED lighitng, Refigerator, small sink, top cargo rack etc.

My thought was if the trailer rated for 1170 is essentially the same frame I might go with it since I would prefer in the long run to ditch much of the rolling compoents for relability. But if there ARE major differences say in the spring and axel then I will go with the 1720 since its on sale thru the end of march and just mount new tires and put switching the hubs off to a later date.