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Cheap enclosed trailer? or build my own?

aphex

aphex

Moderator<br>All Things Apple
Moderator
Thinking about buying/building a small luggage trailer to tow behind the car for the infrequent trips to the parents home (~300 miles away, 2-3 times a year).

Something along the lines of this might work;
http://www.letsgoaero.com/ProductDetail.asp?Pid=29
Small_Enclosed_Cargo_Trailer_Subaru.jpg


But seems really pricy for its size ($2987) - anyone know of any cheap versions of something like this?

Also - i thought about maybe building one using a trailer from Northern Tool ($280) and mounting some type of enclosed box to it - http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_7769_7769

Thoughts?
 
Can you weld? How much is your time worth?

A premade one like the above will have the advantages of being completely weatherproof and more aerodynamic. But I'm sure you could build a pretty good little enclosed trailer on a prefab frame for a lot less. And hold a lot more...and not have to worry about expensive replacement parts if you get a crack in a plastic one.
 
You can find some pretty cheap trailers on CL. Just a quick glance shows a bunch for under $600 in my area.

As mentioned, you can build up on it pretty easily. I've seen some that have removable sides, either stake side or solid plywood. You could always get a few big plastic totes and pack your gear in those to keep it contained and out of the elements.
 
What are you towing this with?

FWIW I have seen very very few decent homebuilt trailers. Like, maybe one or two.

The NT/Harbor Freight trailers aren't bad for what they are, but most of them come with tiny 13" wheels and really don't tow that well.

Personally, I would definitely get some sort of regular flat aluminum garden type trailer over one of those >$2k aero ones or even a HF/NT tiny one. You could buy a lockable box and bolt it to the trailer using the plastic threaded bolts (makes it where it takes some work or cutting to get the box off rather than just unbolting it). You get to a point where if someone wants your stuff they'll just cut the trailer lock bolt.
 
JoeyP said:
You can find some pretty cheap trailers on CL. Just a quick glance shows a bunch for under $600 in my area.

As mentioned, you can build up on it pretty easily. I've seen some that have removable sides, either stake side or solid plywood. You could always get a few big plastic totes and pack your gear in those to keep it contained and out of the elements.
Click to expand...

This, but it depends on how much your time is worth to you.

I'd offer this guy $500, settle at $600, and have a ready to go trailer. http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/for/3370822759.html
 
SpatiallyAware said:
FWIW I have seen very very few decent homebuilt trailers. Like, maybe one or two.
Click to expand...

ugh yeah, i see quite a few borderline dangerous to others trailers around here.

once on the interstate i was behind a guy with a homebuilt trailer hauling gravel. one of the wheels was wobbling pretty bad and i decided to switch lanes. about a minute after that the wheel flew off.
 
+1 for buying a used enclosed trailer, or a flat trailer and adding weather-tight boxes or bags to it. So much more utility than the aero-egg jobber.
 
You can also get a luggage basket that will go into the receiver hitch. The are about 5'x18-22 inchs. They only cost 100-200. I've used them alot, even stacked a fairly good amount of weight on them without issue.
 
5x8 is getting a little large for midsize car towing. but probably alright for occasional use. Main concern is braking, then transmission. On the plus side as long as you confirm full 8' interior length, it becomes a great tool for trips to home depot.

Sent from my SGH-i917R using Board Express
 
Highly recommend the northern tool route. Many of my motorcycle buddies have done just that. For something you are only going to use a few times a year you can't beat the price and to be honest, the roof top carrier mounted to the small trailer frame doesn't look bad at all.
 
I'd be worried about the trailer at highway speeds. It only has 12 inch wheels. At the very least I'd carry a spare wheel and a spare hub for the trailer and all the tools needed for the job in case of tire or bearing failure.
 
OILFIELDTRASH said:
Just as I suspected. Read the faq at bottom and it says tires are rated up to 45mph...
Click to expand...


Not all 12" tires are created equal. Not surprised by the Northern Tool/Harbor Freight cheap trailers and their tires. What do you expect from a Chinese made trailer with Chinese made tires?

Our small utility trailer, a 5' x 8' trailer, has 12" tires, but they're rated for 60mph, and if overinflated by 10psi, rated for 70mph.

As with all things, you get exactly what you pay for.
 
herm0016 said:
that is a heck of a deal.

you can always do a "truck bed trailer" with a cap on it. cut a pick up and half and weld on a tongue.
Click to expand...
Seen this as well. Removable cap, plus bigger wheels for less strain on the bearings. I'd splurge for the electric brakes just for peace of mind.
 
$3k for that is fukin retarded. Margin on that must be through the roof.

I imagine for a grand and some time with plywood and a screw driver you could get a good trailer better than the HF one and make your own box.
 
Hi
A little late on this but I've have this trailer from northern for 10 years

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200356493_200356493

I was going to buy a smaller one but got something that took a sheet of plywood. I ended up using it a lot more than I ever thought I would. If you can find the space to store it easily the extra size might be nice.

It has held up amazingly well as I leave it outside and on a dirt surface. It is just rusting a bit now and last year I had to clean the ground wire connections. I used to pull it with a V6 Camry and didn't have a problem. Highway speeds are fine. The most I traveled with it at one time was about 150 miles.

Also Harbor Freight Tools has similar trailers and sometimes they have really good sales and free shipping.

And if you really want to build something fancy search for "teardrop trailers"
 
I now a older couple who built a very neat little trailer with a kit from Harbor Freight and they said it cost less than a 1000 and it is basically a mini sleeper camper with a baed and ac. If you just want something to haul stuff you could build an enclosed trailer much less
 
I just bought one of these for $1200, holds 1300 pounds and is built really solidly. I towed it from south Missouri to Alberta in a pontiac montana and couldn't tell it was back there until i loaded it all the way up.
 
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