Trailers, as in utility

[Guest db99wj]

I am having a storage issue with my Jeep and minivan. With six people and stuff for a week, we were jamb packed last week.

That trip was at a minimum 6 hour trip, longer with stops for food and restrooms.

We take other trips that are 2-3 hours, like to my moms at the lake and will want to head to Hot Springs and other places as my youngest gets older. I will want to take the Jeep on these. I would have rented a Uhaul pull behind trailer this time if expense wasn't so great.

Anyway, I am going to buy one of the 2" receiver mount racks for the Jeep to help with storage, but that will only work for the weekend trip so I have been looking at trailers, roughly 40X50 utility trailers.

I found a trailer at, Harbor Freight, - Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

and think this will work. I would of course put a plywood platform on it, then buy a couple of rubbermaid trunks, we bought one for my kids to go to camp in. Just like the old camp trunks, but plastic. They also make a tarp like cover that would keep my stuff dry. This one has 12" tires that are DOT certified.

They also have this one, - Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices but it has 8" tires and a speed rating of 55mph. Sorry I drive faster than that.

One thought is to buy the above and do what I mentioned with the trunks for storage, or build a box, or, buy one of the plastic travel eggs and mount it on there so I could remove it. This way would be more versatile. I could haul wood, or mulch or plants or camping gear or vacation gear.

One question, anybody know the speed rating for the 12" tires? I am guessing higher than 55mph. I won't be hauling anything at high speed with a lot of weight, just suitcase type stuff.

What "low cost" solutions have you done or seen?

Any other ideas?

I have seen some awesome trailers from Adventure Trailers, but I don't want to spend upwards of 10 grand on a trailer.

[Chucktshoes]

When I worked for the Home Depot in the Tool Rental dept we had multiple trailers including some quite large ones with tires larger than 12" (like 30' trailers for things like excavators and bobcats) and they were all marked and rated for 55mph. Max towing speed takes more into account than just tire rating, It also accounts for the structural strength of the trailer. YMMV.

Edited July 14, 2009 by Chucktshoes

[Guest db99wj]

When I worked for the Home Depot in the Tool Rental dept we had multiple trailers including some quite large ones with tires larger than 12" (like 30' trailers for things like excavators and bobcats) and they were all marked and rated for 55mph. YMMV.

Boo.

Rated vs safe speed...like 70mph.

[Guest kdpate]

If you're gnna get a utility trailer like that, go to Northern tool and pony up the cash for the one with the sides on it.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200244924_200244924

They are a tad stiffer and have larger tires on them (65mph tops IIRC). Also take a look at any place that builds/ sells utility trailers in your area. They can custom make what you want.....

My utility trailer was built in 1968 but has gone through a few upgrades since then.....

Edited July 14, 2009 by kdpate

[Guest coldblackwind]

Carry-On 4 ft x 6 ft Trailer, 2000 lb GVWR - 1011070 | Tractor Supply Company

We used to sell a ton of these when I worked at TSC, people loved em.

[Guest db99wj]

I'm starting to see that speed is not necessarily what they are rated towards, the ratings go to weight for the most part. I'm not going to have a weight issue.

That one is closer to the size I am wanting. We have a TSC close to here as well.

[dariks]

Carry-On 4 ft x 6 ft Trailer, 2000 lb GVWR - 1011070 | Tractor Supply Company

We used to sell a ton of these when I worked at TSC, people loved em.

I bought one of those from TSC. After I bought some angled metal and added some reinforcement for the metal mesh, it worked great.

[Mike.357]

hauling ass with a trailer is fine and all until something goes wrong.

I assume that is why they all seem to have the 55mph warning.

I like the TSC trailer, I have seen them and they are very sturdy. Would work great for hauling a quad or yard tractor. ( TO ADD i WAS SPEAKING ABOUT ONE WITH A GATE)

[Guest db99wj]

hauling ass with a trailer is fine and all until something goes wrong.

I assume that is why they all seem to have the 55mph warning.

I like the TSC trailer, I have seen them and they are very sturdy. Would work great for hauling a quad or yard tractor. ( TO ADD i WAS SPEAKING ABOUT ONE WITH A GATE)

I have only seen one with a speed rating, and it had the 8" wheel and is primarily used for motorcycles and can be used behind cars. It was very narrow as well, It is 38" wide.

Not talking about "hauling ass", talking about speed limit and as mentioned, only one has had the speed rating.

[Guest kdpate]

On upgrade I done to mine that helps is going to a larger wheel/tire combination. My trailer had the old (and I mean OLD) 6.90x9 wheel and tires. The worked good but tire selection is scarce with them. I notice the new style trailerscome with the 4.80x12 wheel/ tire combination that works okay. If you get one I would seriously look into getting a pair of 175/80/13 wheels and tires (got mine from TSC several years ago at a reasonable price). Helps with the load ratings and prevents the wheel bearings from spinning faster than they should (keeps them a tad cooler).

I've tested mine up to 75-80 mph hauling an antique garden tractor and no issues at all. Actually makes it easier to tow....

[Guest Traumaslave]

I just had a guy my wife works with build a 6x12', treated lumber floor, with drop gate for $800. It has small Chevy 5 lug tires on it. If you know someone who can build it, it would be alot cheaper for alot more.

[enfield]

You'd be well-advised to limit your top speed to 65 when towing a trailer, slower if handling is an issue.

Why not a cargo trailer, with sides and a top. Keeps everything dry and secure. A new 5x8 trailer is about $2200 at Lowes.

[Guest db99wj]

On upgrade I done to mine that helps is going to a larger wheel/tire combination. My trailer had the old (and I mean OLD) 6.90x9 wheel and tires. The worked good but tire selection is scarce with them. I notice the new style trailerscome with the 4.80x12 wheel/ tire combination that works okay. If you get one I would seriously look into getting a pair of 175/80/13 wheels and tires (got mine from TSC several years ago at a reasonable price). Helps with the load ratings and prevents the wheel bearings from spinning faster than they should (keeps them a tad cooler).

I've tested mine up to 75-80 mph hauling an antique garden tractor and no issues at all. Actually makes it easier to tow....

Hmm, I have thought about that, but wasn't sure but this is good to hear. Thanks for the info.

[Guest db99wj]

You'd be well-advised to limit your top speed to 65 when towing a trailer, slower if handling is an issue.

Why not a cargo trailer, with sides and a top. Keeps everything dry and secure. A new 5x8 trailer is about $2200 at Lowes.

Price, weight, size.

Those with jet ski's, waverunners, bass boats, crappie boats, jon boats, ski boats, how fast are you driving? (most of my highway stuff would be under 65mph, by the way)

[Mike.357]

Not talking about "hauling ass", talking about speed limit and as mentioned, only one has had the speed rating.

I feel ya, to me going 65 is hauling ass, LOL

[Guest db99wj]

I feel ya, to me going 65 is hauling ass, LOL

You live in the hills and curves, we are flat landers over on this side of the state!

[Guest kdpate]

Hmm, I have thought about that, but wasn't sure but this is good to hear. Thanks for the info.

No problem. Just make sure the tires/ wheels / lug pattern on the trailer hub match. Might have to shift the fenders upward but that's about it.

[Guest db99wj]

No problem. Just make sure the tires/ wheels / lug pattern on the trailer hub match. Might have to shift the fenders upward but that's about it.

Sawzall.

[kckndrgn]

hmm, well I just brought a boat from MN to TN and traveled 70 - 75 the whole way. I did make sure I had the grease fittings fully lubed before leaving, but I never really gave it much thought, just drove and I didn't notice any problems with handling.

Tire size was 8.5 x8 or something like that.

[Guest coldblackwind]

Just make SURE you check the lugs every once in a while. Thats mainly what the rating is for, if you stay under 55 they don't loosen, and it says right in the manual, check the lugs every 50 miles. We had customers come back a couple times because wheels came off, of course when we asked, they had had the trailer for quite some time, and never checked. If it has lug nuts, like on a car, it seems to be less of a problem, if it has bolts, they tend to loosen after a while.

[DaveTN]

Any other ideas?

For no more than you are hauling I wouldn’t risk pulling a trailer with wheelbarrow tires at highway speeds.

You can get a car top carrier as big (or bigger) than the second trailer you posted.

[Guest db99wj]

For no more than you are hauling I wouldn’t risk pulling a trailer with wheelbarrow tires at highway speeds.

You can get a car top carrier as big (or bigger) than the second trailer you posted.

Definitely not getting the trailer with the car carrier on it (if that is the one you are referring too). I can't put one on top of the Jeep, the hard top is not load bearing.

The 12" tires are what come on many smaller boats.

[TripleDigitRide]

The main problem with those very short, light and cheap trailers is, they will tend to weave and shake quite bad. A quick brake or jerk of the steering wheel, and it could easily be a disaster.

You can generally find taller and wider tires for a reasonable price, and this will often help with the weaving and shaking, but will rarely eliminate it completely. Double axles really helps, but can get a bit more pricey.

You may have already seen these, but here's some worth looking at.

4x8 folding trailer with floor, must go within week

Trailer for sale

Trailer 5x8

ATV /Landscape Trailer 8 x 5.5

6x11 trailer

[Guest kdpate]

The main problem with those very short, light and cheap trailers is, they will tend to weave and shake quite bad. A quick brake or jerk of the steering wheel, and it could easily be a disaster.

You can generally find taller and wider tires for a reasonable price, and this will often help with the weaving and shaking, but will rarely eliminate it completely. Double axles really helps, but can get a bit more pricey.

So true. My trailer being a 4x8 is rated for 2500 lbs and is very stable due to the weight and construction. When I get home tonight I'll post pics of it (even thoug ithas some junk tied to it now).....

[Guest db99wj]

For some reason I want to stay away from used....maybe.

The one at TSC is rated for up to 2,000 lbs. For my trips, the luggage/camping gear will not be anything close to that, most of these trips will be 100 miles or less.

Side note: My Jeep has a towing system on it that helps with trailer sway. It applies braking and power to different wheels to limit and eliminate sway from pulling a trailer. I was pulling a generator/light tower that we rented a few weeks ago and was going down a road that is very ^ shaped, hit a manhole cover and the trailer bounced a little and went sideways, the Jeep wiggled around and straightened up immediately limiting the pucker factor.