Ok, I have been looking for a nice 4x8 folding utility trailer for a while. All I can find for a decent price is the harbor freight ones.

I would rather go with a trailer that has 13 or 15 inch wheels because I will be using it strictly on the highway. Any one know of any good places to find something of this nature?

It really needs to be a folding trailer because I live in an apartment and it would have to go in my storage unit when not in use.

Unfortunately, your objectives conflict: "folding" and "highway capable". The main thing with the super-tiny wheels on the folding trailers is the weight. Standard-sized wheels, tires and axles are heavy - making a folding trailer out of regular parts would make it impossible to maneuver when it was folded-up.

Unfortunately, your objectives conflict: "folding" and "highway capable". The main thing with the super-tiny wheels on the folding trailers is the weight. Standard-sized wheels, tires and axles are heavy - making a folding trailer out of regular parts would make it impossible to maneuver when it was folded-up.


Well, if thats correct then I need to start my own buisness. I dont see how adding a little more weight would make it impossible to move around. I guess I need to do some more searching because I just cant imagine that there isnt a trailer like that out there.

Harbor freight does have one with 12" highway wheels here (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90154).

I have one and it works pretty good. I had a ground issue with the lighting and had to jumper a few joints to get them all working 100%. Others here have suggested cleaning out the factory grease and re-packing the bearings. I've not done that yet as I've used it for fairly local trips so far.

It's great to go get something like mulch and it stays nice and clean in the garage when not being used which is a nother bonus.

Oh, and assembly will take you a while. A friend around to help is nice, especially when the truck show up with a 275 lb box to get off of the truck with no lift.

Yeah I have looked into those also, but it just seeems almost to goodto be true for the price. Thats where I am at now, but I dont have a problem spending more money if I find one with bigger wheels.

Try a Google™ search: folding utility trailers. Your choices seem to be 8" or 12" wheels, and the bigger ones solve the maneuvering problem with either a caster rack or caster wheels strategically placed on the folded frame.

Try a Google™ search: folding utility trailers. Your choices seem to be 8" or 12" wheels, and the bigger ones solve the maneuvering problem with either a caster rack or caster wheels strategically placed on the folded frame.

Yeah I have been googling since this post. Same deal here. All I can find is the 8 or 12 " models. I wonder if 12" would be fine if I added some good grease and bearing buddies.

I found these here, and they look like the exact same thing as the harbor freight trailers but for about 1000 dollars more. http://www.redtrailers.com/TrailersFolding.asp#choose

Anyway I gotta go to work now I'll check back later. Thanks for the help/.

I found these here, and they look like the exact same thing as the harbor freight trailers but for about 1000 dollars more. http://www.redtrailers.com/TrailersFolding.asp#choose

There is a very slight difference in the way the to bar attaches. This on folds down one bar and leaves a triangle up. The HF one has to bars that meet at the front and it folds down as a unit. The benefit of it is that it takes up less vertical space in the garage.

Oh, and don't try to take it very far on those casters. They are like those on an office chair and don't work well on a rough/un-even floor.

Yeah, the 12" should be fine. I like the idea of repacking the bearings. I'd use a good synthetic grease, which shouldn't "cook" like regular ol' dark bearing grease in the higher heat of higher speeds. I'd also keep the load on the light side and probably not go over 75% of the rated capacity - if in doubt, leave it at home.

My comments in the other thread about spinning the wheels off really only apply to the 8" wheels. But I've seen 'em on the highway, and they scare the crap out of me... they're gonna go, but when? I give 'em really wide berth.

Yeah I wouldnt go with 12 ". I only would be putting my 450lb motorcycle on it with a chock and tons of straps.

Well I went with one of the 12" red trailers and found out after I paid for it that bearing buddies dont fit, so you think that just repacking the bearings with some nice synthetic grease and keeping a good eye on them would be sufficent?

I am going to be doing a 3000 miles round trip in a few weeks with it.

A Bearing Buddy would be nice, but seeing that you can't, just repack with syn grease. Considering the relatively low weight of your bike, you shouldn't be stressing it too much.

That is, unless you actually manage to put "a ton" of straps on it. ;-)

Something you might do for your peace of mind is to go to an auto parts or welder's supply store and get a "temperature stick" for 150°F. It's like a crayon - you swipe it across a metal surface, and if it melts, the temperature is above the stick rating. Max safe temp for wheel bearings is in that neighborhood, so if you melt the crayon when you check it at, say, a rest stop or just after pulling into a gas station, you've probably got a problem which needs attention.

Hmm good idea. I will look into that.

I changed the tires on my WaveRunner trailer to 12" highway tires and put on Bearing Buddies. They are both worth their weight in gold. The tires didn't heat up and the bearings are able to last with the grease being pressed into the bearings instead of flinging themselves all over the wheels. lol

how much did the tires run you?

how much did the tires run you?

I went to a trailer/RV place about 4 yrs ago when I bought them. They were around $25-30 per tire/wheel combination. The wheels are 12", the tires are bigger. I don't have the trailer at my house, it won't be here until this weekend for me to give you an exact tire size.

Awesome thanks!

http://tentrax.com/gallery/images/6.jpg

These are a little on the high side. But if it fits the idea.

They can be found HERE (http://tentrax.com/trailers.html)

yeah a lil much, and kinda stupid lookin

Oh c'mon...just get a Yuppie Wagon (http://www.yuppiewagon.com/)...you'll find the space for it. (you may want to hide it from public view:shock:)

haha yeah your right

So I got the trailer and bilt it up this weekend. It was extremly easy to put together. It took my roomate and I about 6 hours from start to finish...bed and all, completly wired up and taken for a test drive. I repacked the bearings and hubs with mobil one fully synthetic grease.

I just need to mount the wheel chock for the motorcycle and figure out where to mount my tie downs when the bike is up there.

I'll host some pics in a few days.

Oh c'mon...just get a Yuppie Wagon (http://www.yuppiewagon.com/)...you'll find the space for it. (you may want to hide it from public view:shock:)
.


Damn....that looks like a port-a-pottie that was tipped on its side and had wheels bolted on.

The Tentrax is interesting. But for that price, I'd pick up a teardrop trailer.

To pickup this thread from a few months ago, I too am considering a small Harbor Freight trailer with 12" wheels. I am looking at a dinky 40" x 48" payload area with about 1,075 lbs load capacity. I'll buildup a box for storage of food cooler and tools, etc. This will be for traveling/camping many thousands of miles. On our last trip our food cooler was stored under our bedframe inside the E. It leaked milk down into the spare tire compartment. :x Man, you talk about "Funke", it was nasty. This trailer will alleviate that again, and give a little extra storage.

I need to determine if bearing buddies will fit this specific trailer:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90153

By chance, anyone have success slapping bearing buddies on these Haul-Master Trailers?

I just got off the phone with Harbor Freight Tech Support. I asked if this trailer above can handle Bearing Buddies. He said yes and no. Due to the "cheap" design, it may not function as intended. He said the bearings should be serviced every 2,000 miles.

When I asked if this trailer, with 12" wheels, can be pulled at highway speed, he said, "no no no, the maximum speed for this trailer is 45 mph". :mad:

That kinda bums me out. I guess I'll start looking for a medium quality/cost trailer that can be driven at 70 - 75 mph.

I'm very interested in seeing how this turns out. I like the basic mark one mod zero Uhaul-style 4x8 or 5x8 trailer. I asked the local dealer who said Uhaul makes their own trailers and basically runs them forever. I've seen similar type utility trailers at Home Depot but they just don't look studly enough for the highway. I know there's a thread here someplace about that style trailer. Anyway, more to follow. :confused:

I'm very interested in seeing how this turns out. I like the basic mark one mod zero Uhaul-style 4x8 or 5x8 trailer. I asked the local dealer who said Uhaul makes their own trailers and basically runs them forever. I've seen similar type utility trailers at Home Depot but they just don't look studly enough for the highway. I know there's a thread here someplace about that style trailer. Anyway, more to follow. :confused:

Hey RocketDog, what ya gonna haul?
I've been looking for a while, and the prices are a bit high! Harbor Freight makes decent ones, but the are not as robust as the Uhaul ones your talking about! Not by a long shot!:???:

Hey RocketDog, what ya gonna haul?


I don't have a specific idea on what I am going to haul just yet. I will probably end up with either a pop-up camping trailer or in the extreme a lightweight recreational trailer like the Scamp or Burro. The reason I bought the Element is I can use it (kinda) like a pickup without having to drive a pickup year round..although I love pickups. I have carried 2x6 boards and cement foundation blocks. I like the idea of a 4x8 utility trailer in the event I carry a big load of plywood or other long heavy construction materials. If, god forbid, we ever have to evacuate due to heavy weather, the trailer comes in handy as well. Long answer to a short question, sorry. :-|

I don't have a specific idea on what I am going to haul just yet. I will probably end up with either a pop-up camping trailer or in the extreme a lightweight recreational trailer like the Scamp or Burro. The reason I bought the Element is I can use it (kinda) like a pickup without having to drive a pickup year round..although I love pickups. I have carried 2x6 boards and cement foundation blocks. I like the idea of a 4x8 utility trailer in the event I carry a big load of plywood or other long heavy construction materials. If, god forbid, we ever have to evacuate due to heavy weather, the trailer comes in handy as well. Long answer to a short question, sorry. :-|

No Prob! Basically the same for me!

I have not used my HF trailer for any lengthy trips on the highway but I have taken it for a quick 25 mile trip at highway speeds 65-75 mph unloaded and had no problems. I have also hauled a riding mower many times over 45 mph, as well as a trip from lowes with 600lbs of flooring at 65mph. I have not had any problems with the trailer.

I grease the bearings quite regularly with a high performance grease and a grease gun through the grease fittings on the inside of the wheel hub. I also installed a much stronger floor made of 2x4's and 1x6's. I am planning on getting the spare tire/wheel and a couple extra bearings to keep with the trailer along with the few tools I would need for any quick roadside bearing replacement if I take a long road trip with it.

The guys at harbor frieght are just covering the tails when they say it can't go above 45mph. Take a look at the next u-haul trailer you see on the highway, it says max speed it 45mph!!!

Oh, don't get me wrong. I just said they are not as beefy as the U-hauls! The U-hauls are built a bit more robust!
I will most likely get a Harbor Freight trailer myself and beef it up!
I need to get the one with 12" wheels, and the 1800 tow cap! I have not make up my mnd weather I like the folding up option they offer?

It's all good! :-D

I forgot to mention that the heavy duty floor I used negates the folding option but I have room to store it as is.

This is the one I have been eye balling! :rolleyes:

HEAVY DUTY 1175 LB. CAPACITY 48" x 96" FOLDABLE UTILITY TRAILER WITH 12" WHEELS

23929


Stow this folding trailer just about anywhere--it only takes up 2 ft. x 5 ft. 3'' of floorspace! Steel frame has built-in slots for stake siding (stake sides and trailer contents not included). Add your own plywood decking for a 4 ft. x 8 ft. bed. Bed tilts all the way to the ground for easy loading. Easy assembly.
DOT certified tail light, fenders and safety wiring harness
Heavy duty steel construction with baked enamel finish
Includes coupler assembly with safety chains and 1-7/8'' ball hitch receiver
Three leaf spring suspension
4.80-12 tires
Max. load capacity: 1175 lbs; Axle thickness: 5mmOverall dimensions: 140''L x 61-1/2''W x 19-1/4''H; Weight: 287 lbs.

ITEM 90154-3VGA

Was $299.99
On sale $229.99

I have the exact one. I just checked the wheels last night and they say max speed 55mph while the trailer says 45mph.

here are a couple of pics. Not pictured is the rear section of the trailer wall.

I like the lumber on there for the bed & removable fence. Looks to be beefy. Does it flex much when you load it up?

Is the floor 5/4 deck boards?

The floor is made of decking boards is is super sturdy. When the guys at lowes loaded a pallet of laminate flooring on the trailer they said they were amazed at the how sturdy it was. My father-in-law and I cut down some large dead cherry trees at their property and loaded the trailer to haul the wood to the back of the lot and there was no doubt the floor could handle it. I bolted 2x4s to the metal cross rails of the trailer and then used decking screws to attach the deck boards.

You lose the folding option this way but add some strength to it. After I assembled the trailer I realized that folding it would not be very practical because of the number of blots you have to undo to be able to fold it, so that is why I went with the floor I did.

I can also attach my old Yakima rack with the door jam grips to the floor of the trailer and carry extra bikes and still have room for more gear.

Thanks Scorsone for your helpful information. We all have different trailers and uses in mind. This info was very helpful.

I'll be basically towing a small HF 40 x 48 with 12" wheels, and a box that I will build for it. I too will "beef it up".

What concerns me is the trip length and highway speed. My last trip was 4,000 miles from Kansas to East coast and back. Speed was 65 - 70 -75 mph.

This trailer won't be overloaded. It has a 1075 lbs capacity, of which we'll probably top out at 600 - 700 lbs with trailer weight included. So, if I grease the bearings while traveling with a high quality lube like Mobil 1 synthetic, we should be ok at 70 mph. :smile:

This is the one I have been eye balling!

HEAVY DUTY 1175 LB. CAPACITY 48" x 96" FOLDABLE UTILITY TRAILER WITH 12" WHEELS


Gents, if my intention was to deck-up the folding model, therefore rendering it un-foldable, should I consider this model instead? The difference I can see is that this one takes a 2" ball and doesn't fold. What do you think?

23998

I went to the Harbor Freight store today and saw the actual trailers suspended from the overhead.

On second thought, I think the trailer one size down from the model I listed above, would suit me best. It also comes with 12" tires and with a sturdy deck and side boards it will suit my needs.

24301

I believe that the trailers all have the same construction so it would really just boil down to the size you need and the price difference. From what I can tell they all use the same wheel bearings so it is just a difference in the number of lugs and the size of the deck. The trailer is narrower than the E so it can be difficult to see it behind you. I would suggest adding some corner markers for the back of the trailer or trailering mirrors if you use the trailer alot in tight places. Also pick up a trailer stand and spare tire while you are there.

That's great advice, thanks very much. :D

I believe that the trailers all have the same construction so it would really just boil down to the size you need and the price difference. From what I can tell they all use the same wheel bearings so it is just a difference in the number of lugs and the size of the deck. The trailer is narrower than the E so it can be difficult to see it behind you. I would suggest adding some corner markers for the back of the trailer or trailering mirrors if you use the trailer alot in tight places. Also pick up a trailer stand and spare tire while you are there.

I stopped by Harbor Freight again and took a long hard look at the 48 x 96 trailer. It's just too big for me. I'm going to buy the 4 foot trailer with 12" tires and make that work.

Hi

I'm looking at buying an Element SC to replace my aging Chevy Astro in the spring. Current plan is to build a small teardop trailer and use the SC as the tow vehicle. Check out this website for lots of info about small trailers.

http://www.mikenchell.com/forums/

Doug

Glad to have you aboard Doug!
Let us see your progress during E'Tear building :razz:

CDI'ER out . . .


Hi

I'm looking at buying and Element SC to replace my aging Chevy Astro in the spring. Current plan is to build a small teardrop trailer and use the SC as the tow vehicle. Check out this website for lots of info about small trailers.

http://www.mikenchell.com/forums/

Doug

I'm looking at buying and Element SC to replace my aging Chevy Astro in the spring. Current plan is to build a small teardop trailer and use the SC as the tow vehicle. Check out this website for lots of info about small trailers.

Thanks Doug and welcome. That's a cool website.

Nice teardrop Glenn. How does it tow with the Element, what sort of mileage do you get with the trailer?

Doug

If you are traveling a long way, I recommend that you buy a spare wheel hub assembly, including bearings. One of my bearings blew out on a Harbor Freight trailer, and I lost a full day sitting at the shop while he machined a replacement for me. It cost me more than the new price of the trailer. They're metric, and very difficult to find replacements for when you're travelling. Once that fiasco was over, I put 2600 miles on the trailer without problems. I didn't go over 55 though.

Hello future E'er Doug!:razz:

Tows like a dream! You should see the looks I get when I pass people on long grades!:shock:
Longest trip so far was Phoenix AZ to Lake Tahoe CA (one of MISS Ellie's awesome E'trips!) Will be heading over to Death Valley on another MISS Ellie E'trip in FEB.

Trailer weighs in at 900lbs. Averaged 20-21 mpg on two trips so far (Joshua Tree CA & Lake Tahoe CA). Cannot complain about that!

Keep in touch,
CDI'ER out . . . :evil:




Nice teardrop Glenn. How does it tow with the Element, what sort of mileage do you get with the trailer?

Doug

This is just an update on my HF trailer. Over the holidays I traveled up to northern Cinci and back about 200 miles towing my trailer full of Christmas goodies and had my wife, daughter and two dogs riding comfortly inside the E. My milage was in the 21 mpg range and I was able to cruise very comfortly at 70mph. I did stop and check the wheel hubs temperature and nothing was getting warm at all.

I am very tempted to tow this trailer out west when we take a road trip to Estes Park CO this summer. I would like to bring my bike and kiddie trailer, not to mention a few other items. My wife is expecting our second child in about a month, so we will have a few more things to pack for the long road trip. I know I would have to pack extra bearings and tools to complete the recomended servicing on the trailer once we get out there but that would only take an hour to do. I know my wife will probably advise not to but the milage is much better than using my roof basket and bike rack.

This is just an update on my HF trailer. Over the holidays I traveled up to northern Cinci and back about 200 miles towing my trailer full of Christmas goodies and had my wife, daughter and two dogs riding comfortly inside the E. My milage was in the 21 mpg range and I was able to cruise very comfortly at 70mph. I did stop and check the wheel hubs temperature and nothing was getting warm at all.

I am very tempted to tow this trailer out west when we take a road trip to Estes Park CO this summer. I would like to bring my bike and kiddie trailer, not to mention a few other items. My wife is expecting our second child in about a month, so we will have a few more things to pack for the long road trip. I know I would have to pack extra bearings and tools to complete the recomended servicing on the trailer once we get out there but that would only take an hour to do. I know my wife will probably advise not to but the milage is much better than using my roof basket and bike rack.


One of the guys here at HF told me that their trailers won't stand up to highway travel over the long run. After 10 or 20K miles he thought the axle would be beat.

http://www.sportutilitytrailers.com/utility-trailer.htm