I've been looking at trailers to use for hauling my motorcycles (mainly just one of them). I'll be hauling it with my Corolla, so I'm looking at very light weight trailers. The car is only rated for towing a max weight of 1000 lbs. I have towed bikes behind this vehicle before (bikes weighing up to 800 lbs.), and it's handled it just fine. The trailer I used in the past was a Trailer in a Bag, and it worked flawlessly. It only weighed 140 lbs empty. Unfortunately, I got rid of this trailer when I went on my last no-bike hiatus, and that particular model trailer has been discontinued. The closest trailer I've been able to find that's not priced in the stratosphere has been a couple of trailers from Harbor Freight. Both are 4' X 8' trailers, one has an 1195 lb. capacity, and the other can handle 1720 lbs. These trailers weigh 249 lbs, and 276 lbs respectively, and would fall within the vehicle's towing weight limit with a 450 lb. bike on board. Most of the reviews I've read about these trailers are favorable, with a few issues that can be designed out while assembling, or can be easily modded if purchasing a used one for little cost. I'm curious if any of you have one of these trailers, and how well it's served you...and would you buy it again?
Harbor Freight trailer experience ?
- Thread starter grampi
- Start date
I looked years ago and they had tires rated for a fairly low speed - like 50? By the time you paid to replace the tires it wasn’t much of a deal? Perhaps it’s changed but check it out first.
On my second one, first was retired due to rust and is still used for yard duty. Big fan of them, but they are cheap, so keep expectations low. Paint fades, wiring is cheap. Bearings are metric and you have to buy online else its like $20 per locally. And I find mine go bad often, or are bad whenever I check, after a couple of winters.
Some like to do an axle flip so as to get it lower to the ground. It’s only a couple inches but it is nice… cept it messes with the fender install. Not sure if I would do that again.
Some like to do an axle flip so as to get it lower to the ground. It’s only a couple inches but it is nice… cept it messes with the fender install. Not sure if I would do that again.
I knew someone with one. After he basically rebuilt it with better components (axle, bearings, wheels, tires, and steel reinforcement), it seemed to be okay for light hauling of yard waste to the dump.
It's very entertaining to see these being pulled on the Interstate at 75mph-and those little tire spinning like crazy-to see the tires blow out up the road.
You would need to upgrade both tires and axles if you are putting anything of value on it.
You would need to upgrade both tires and axles if you are putting anything of value on it.
Sure it wasn’t overloaded? The 4x8’s are like 1,100lb gross, not 1,100lb capacity. Once a deck goes on and sides, it’s probably max of like 800lb cargo. Less if bouncing around on bad roads.
I figured, mine would be overloaded before it was too much for my FWD car. They are flimsy, and I know it every time i step onto it.
Again-weight issues aside. Anything worth more than what you are comfortable losing on the Interstate due to the cheapness of the trailer requires upgrading said trailer.
The Harbor Freight trailers are flimsy. I have a Tractor Supply 5x8 with the 13" wheels that I use for most of my stuff and it works awesome. Pulls well on the interstate as well.
This isn’t an actual answer to your question but it’s adjacent. In 1995 I foolishly decided I would like to have an SUV so I traded my truck for a Nissan Pathfinder. To fulfill the duties previously performed by the truck bed I bought an unassembled 4x8 flat packed trailer from Sam’s Club for $279 plus tax. I had the fork lift guy haul it out to an unoccupied space in the parking lot with the intention of assembling it on the spot and driving it home. Of course I picked the hottest day of the year, and assembly took more time and effort than I had anticipated, so by the time I got it home I was severely dehydrated and badly sunburned. That particular trailer had a plywood floor and 12” wheels and with a floor replacement my brother is still using it today. The Pathfinder only lasted two years before I decided I really needed a truck again.
That’s a long trip down memory lane just to suggest that you check Sam’s Club and Costco to see if they are still selling trailers.
That’s a long trip down memory lane just to suggest that you check Sam’s Club and Costco to see if they are still selling trailers.
I'm fine with that statement. I've not lost anything from my trailer, and did even take it on the interstate several times over the years, but eh, it would have been a tolerable loss. In the end, I doubt I put more than 2,000 miles onto mine over 10 years. Lots of short trips in town. Very useful for that, could pull behind my Camry and do odd things, like pick up a riding mower.
The tires on these aren't rated for 75mph though. At some point it's the owners fault. I think originally these tires were 55mph rated, maybe the newer ones are now 65mph. After about 10 years I did replace mine with much higher rated tires, up a load range.
Drivers towing trailers much faster than what the tires are rated for is a common problem. Then-they come on the Internet and complain about "China bombs".
Not this one:
https://newsroom.harborfreight.com/...lly-customizable-haul-master-trailer-at-sema/
Way overdue for introduction.
Ask your dealer when.
Been waiting to see that too. Was supposed to have been released this past summer.
They are great for the price.
It belonged to a neighbor of my parents. He was a smart guy, and well aware of overloading concerns. Having been a contractor with heavy equipment prior to retiring. All he used it for was light plant trimmings and bagged grass clippings from his yard. Maybe a couple hundred pounds at most per trip. The trailer was just very flimsy as designed.
I got the 40x48" little guy. One tire was egg shaped from the factory but they replaced it under warranty. It rattled a lot when bolted together so I welded everything I could find and that quieted it down some. Great trailer, never any bearing or tire problems. HF got caught with the lights being non-DOT compliant so they sent me a set of upgraded LED lights that are technically compliant. IIRC they used to have a motorcycle trailer but seem to have dropped it from their lineup.
I have a 4' x 8' 1700 lb capacity trailer from Harbor Freight I built almost 20 years ago. With minor lighting upgrades and grommets where needed , the trailer has been great. No issues with speed or tires (besides replacing old or worn ones). I did substitute better nylon nuts and and sturdier bolts than the ones supplied, but the trailer is great.
I used one to haul camping gear all over the US and Canada behind my minivan for a number of years. I never had an issue with the tires it came with unless on the Interstate in a downpour at 70 mph. It was a great trailer that hauled firewood and home repair stuff too. I sold it as I didn’t need it anymore.
Unfortunately, trailers of this type are way too heavy to pull behind my Corolla...
