Harbor Freights trailer... dirty little secret

[pfarber]

WARNING

This post is for informational use only. The modifications discussed are not approved by the manufacturer. Do not operate your trailer at more than design, rated, and licensed limits. Read at your own risk.

WARNING

Many people (including me) have purchased the nifty little 1100lb capacity folding trailer from HF. Its cheap, fits 4x8 sheets and it generally regarded as a good buy and a significantly better trailer once you do the 'upgrades' to it.

The 1100lb capacity trailer is Item # 90154.

There is a larger capacity trailer that carries 1700 lbs, but does not fold. The Item number is 94564. It also costs about $100 more.

Well, the dirty little secret is that the smaller trailer comes with 4.8-12 (4 lug) tires, the larger comes with 5.3-12 (lug tires). Thats the only difference.

So, many people have been simply getting the larger 5.3-12 tires (in 4 lugs rims) and SAFELY carrying 1 ton of cargo. The tires are rated at 1045lbs and using the guideline of (tire capacity x 2)-200 gives 1045x2 = 2090-200 = 1890 load rating. The trailer weighs 200 lbs so that gives you a load of 1690 (call it 1700lbs).

Walmart sells these tire for $60-75 for the pair.

Trailer mods page:
http://www.links4jeeps.com/forum/index.php?topic=6436.0

Tire info page:
http://www.etrailer.com/Tires-and-Wheel ... 30780.html

[pfarber]

my HF 'junk trailer' has:

Been from PA to CA.. the return trip with a CCKW wooden cargo bed on it.
Just picked up 150 gallons of motor oil (150gal x 8lbs/gal = 1200lbs + 200lbs of rigging, dollys, ramps etc).
Numerous trips to Lowes/Home Depot for cement, drywall, 2x4's etc.

This year I will tear it down, repaint and redo the wiring that is pretty old and brittle.

They are good values (not great, but you are going to pay $600+ for the same thing at other stores).