Harbor Freight trailer as substitute pickup truck

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Oldtom

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Good evening - I was thinking about a cheapo Harbor freight cargo trailer as a substitute light duty pickup truck. I do not need to haul any weight, just appliances or bulky stuff like plywood. The advantages are no insurance, minimal maintenance, and no need for a dedicated pickup truck. The disadvantages are harder to drive and park. I can back a trailer with no problem. Have I overlooked anything? Has anyone done this?

Thanks in advance for any input :-)
 
Tow vehicle is a Dodge Caravan 3.3 liter V6

Cargo weight will be a washer or refrigerator, so about 300 pounds max.
 
Seems like a great idea if you've got the space to store it. Light enough not to strain your tow vehicle (though I might still add a transmission cooler) and room for bulk goods.
 
Originally Posted By: Astro14
Seems like a great idea if you've got the space to store it.


+1. 4' x 8' would be excellent (same size as a full-size pickup bed between the fenders). $250 or so at Harbor Freight...just add some decking:

62648_zzz_alt1_500.jpg
 
The tires and bearings on their trailers suck so be prepared to replace. I was given one that is 4x4(mounted a car top carrier for camping) and is handy but the tires sun rot quick and the bearings even with proper attention were shot in 2 years Bearing kits are around $15. Help a couple friends with repairs of thiers. You can find small trailers for sale on CL and in my state have a lifetime registration which is worth more than $50 as well
 
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The only issue is see, is with small trailers in general, not just the harbor freight.

They are difficult to back when they are shorter than the vehicle and they are hard if not impossible to see from inside a truck, possibly worse in a minivan.

I think if you are not hauling weight it should work. I'd check craigslist also. I would add some type of vertical post the sides so you can see where it is when backing.

Similar to whats on a boat trailer
 
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How often are you doing this type of task?
If it is not for a hauling business, you better rent a pick up truck to haul appliances.
 
I have the folding 4x8, I think 1100 lbs capacity. I mounted a piece of angle across the front for tying down dirt bikes and have a sheet of plywood for decking. I threw some sides together for it as well. It's super handy and I could probably sell it for what I have in it (minus my time).
 
I'm doing just that with my Cruze and a HF foldable 4x8 trailer. It works perfectly for the occasional bulky/dirty item we need to haul. For the 4-5 times a year we need it, it's perfect.

I spent about $600 or so for the trailer, decking/sides, and registration. The wood and hardware for the sides and a sheet of 3/4" weather-resistant plywood was a big part of that for my build. OTOH, it's built sturdy and can haul bulky items with zero drama.
 
You'll need to be careful when hauling taller stuff like refrigerators, etc.-they tend to tip over or fall over since there's nothing to tie them onto, you'll have to haul stuff like that on their sides, with resulting possible damage, having to wait for compressor oil to run back down into the compressor, etc. One possible way to handle the low trailer visibility problem is a couple of whip flags (like kids used to use on their bikes) or just the masts tied to the corners-I'm going to put one on my tow behind log splitter since there's no way to see it when backing it up (until it jackknifes).
 
I think you're better off spending a little more to buy a regional name brand that's sold at trailer dealers in MD. Trailer manufacturers tend to serve a limited regional area because it's expensive to ship trailers to dealers.

Also, insurance for a trailer is cheap, so spend the money on insurance. You'll be glad you did when something falls off the trailer and causes an accident or the trailer itself does. I know this because I manage the insurance for my son's small business.
 
I actually sold our old F-150 several years ago, and replaced with a utility trailer and a hitch on our family car. Our old truck needed $500/yr in repairs whether we used it much or not, plus insurance. So the trailer has been much less expensive over the years. Only issue is, I'm on my 3rd hitch so far, because I give our old cars to my kids when they go off to college!
 
Price of registration on a truck or car or motorcycle in my state increases by about $30 every year recently and with no end in sight. I have a truck to haul my dirt bike and to address minor landscaping chores at home. It's a crew cab. I use it to camp in during spring/summer/fall. I sleep in the cab instead of a tent. Dry, warm, and quiet.

My postage stamp yard/driveway/garage has no space to store even a cheapo Harbor Freight trailer.
 
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If you plan to rarely use it...consider delivery. It's not that expensive for an occasional project.
 
At one time in the past my wife and I did flea markets and fairs, we used one of the small trailers for 10 years dragging that little thing all over the midwest. I had built a box on the steel frame. Only trouble I had was replacing the wheel bearings once. I'd say the Harbor Freight served us well to say the least!
 
I had the Chrysler minivan similar to your Dodge. With the seats removed or folded it carried 4x8 sheets, and I had both a washer and dryer in it more than once, the standard kind. I now have a trailer similar to the Harbor. They can be folded up if not used often. I tow it with my 2007 Prius and it tows it easily. It is still pulling a trailer and I don't go long distances. I would rather have the van again as it keeps the things out of the weather and I know sometimes I left it loaded for probably a year. But the van needs the maintenance and license. Tall items on such a trailer, not for me anyway.
 
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