What I Learned After Towing A Harbor Freight Trailer 5,000 Miles 

Thank you. That’s a wild ending for your trailer. I feel like I’ve got my money out of it after the first big trip vs. the cost of renting a uhaul trailer.

So do you guys think these little HF trailers really can stand up to the full 1700 lb capacity? Thanks.

That’s a wise move. Be sure to square everything up. The trailer can easily be skewed, but you won’t notice it until its all together.

Hey, I appreciate it. I’ve been on the side of the road enough that I try to be ready.

They’re a great deal. I’m about to load it up again this weekend for another trip.

Right on. 35 years is definitely a payback in your initial purchase. Good luck with the next one!

I think it is a fine frame to start with. The bearings are still holding up fine.

Did you find any good tutorial videos or plans that include everything to build a teardrop?

It’s still hauling good. I have a big trip coming up with it soon.

All great tips! I'm about to dust off the trailer for a cross country trip, and I'll make sure to check everything before I go.

Good idea on extending the tongue.

Thank you. I made this one just for fun.

Yep. great idea about the ball.

Edit: ZERK fittings.

I replaced the OEM fittings with plugs. One broke off the first time I used it. So, I was not convinced that it would hold up. Trailer is still holding up fine, and I have not put any new grease in since the video.

I might pass through this summer on a road trip from MO to WA.

@@OffGridAdventure let's meet up for lunch

Right on! This was a fun video to make.

I still use it now, I have not replaced the tires, but I recently bought a spare. It's a great trailer.

Great idea, this one has held up fine since then.

I put it together a few years ago and hauled it across the country. It’s getting beat up, so I inspect it every time I use it. I’m surprised it still hauls.

I’ve seen some nice teardrop conversions with this trailer. Sounds like a fun project.

Nice. So, after reading a lot of comments, it seems like the gross weight rating is 2,000 lbs.

I believe it. Theoretically, these bearing buddies can’t be over packed. The excess pushes out of the front.

You’ll have to follow that 45mph speed if that’s what’s stated in the manual. I can’t recommend anything else. My tires are rated up to 87mph, but other factors may lower the speed for liability reasons.

@@OffGridAdventure are you using the tires that came with the trailer?

@@mtnguyen1696 yes, and you can find out more about them here: www.carlstar.com/our-products/product-detail/sport-trail-lh/

No, but it’s so easy to do that I pump it up every few thousand miles. Still pulls smooth.

The Curt hitch?

I don’t remember exactly, but it is a big box that weights about 50lbs. Something like 24” x 12” x 48” plus or minus a few inches.

The tires have held up great so far. I am always checking them, always concerned with them. But, no issues. I keep them inflated to the max, because they are not radials and have thin walls. Also, I believe there were a few years that the tires were not reliable, but HF has a better supplier now. They feel balanced, so no shaking on the highway.

How fast have you gone down the highway?

It depends some on the trailers Suspension and load. Around 12”-15”. I’m loading up the trailer this weekend and will measure.

I recommend that you follow the manufacturer’s guidance. There are liability issues with doing anything else.

​@@OffGridAdventure Understood, thanks for the feedback! As an update, I continued doing some research and asked around a bit more for specifications, considerations, and context on the speed ratings. I checked with some folks from etrailer and from the tire manufacturer Carlisle, as well as checking the ratings of the tires sold in the Harbor Freight store against the trailer specific owner's manual. The indication seems to be that the 45mph speed listed in the manual is a safety speed that the trailer should not sway at. The sway seems to be a concern over 45-55mph with this 1720lb capacity trailer as it is very light and would not have the tongue capacity on its own to prevent sway at higher speeds. However, if the trailer is properly weighted and properly loaded (loads 60% ahead of axle), then the trailer should not sway. Beyond swaying, the trailer bearings, the stock grease, and the stock tires should handle high speed travel. The 5.30-12 Carlisle Sport Trail LH (6H01381) is load/speed rated 82N which (in the Harbor Freight manual) translates to 1047lb load rating and an 87mph speed rating when properly inflated (80psi) /loaded (carlstar dot com/our-products/product-detail/sport-trail-lh/ # tech_tab). That said, 87mph is probably pushing it and even the etrailer folks suggest keeping it around 67mph. For anyone looking to go beyond the 45mph stated limit in the manual, they should focus on getting the tongue weight and trailer loading relationship with the tow vehicle just right to avoid a catastrophic failure. But of course, since this info deals with some potentially dangerous or even fatal concepts, don't listen to me, find out your own answers from the pros.

@@OffGridAdventure Understood, thanks for the feedback! As an update, I continued doing some research and asked around a bit more for specifications, considerations, and context on the speed ratings. I checked with some folks from etrailer and from the tire manufacturer Carlisle, as well as checking the ratings of the tires sold in the Harbor Freight store against the trailer specific owner's manual. The indication seems to be that the 45mph speed listed in the manual is a safety speed that the trailer should not sway at. The sway seems to be a concern over 45-55mph with this 1720lb capacity trailer as it is very light and would not have the tongue capacity on its own to prevent sway at higher speeds. However, if the trailer is properly weighted and properly loaded (loads 60% ahead of axle), then the trailer should not sway. Beyond swaying, the trailer bearings, the stock grease, and the stock tires should handle high speed travel. The 5.30-12 Carlisle Sport Trail LH (6H01381) is load/speed rated 82N which (in the Harbor Freight manual) translates to 1047lb load rating and an 87mph speed rating when properly inflated (80psi) /loaded (carlstar dot com/our-products/product-detail/sport-trail-lh/ # tech_tab). That said, 87mph is probably pushing it and even the etrailer folks suggest keeping it around 67mph. For anyone looking to go beyond the 45mph stated limit in the manual, they should focus on getting the tongue weight and trailer loading relationship with the tow vehicle just right to avoid a catastrophic failure. But of course, since this info deals with some potentially dangerous or even fatal concepts, don't listen to me, find out your own answers from the pros.

@@arisafghanzada I agree with everything you said, and did similar research. I don’t have any sway issues with almost 14k miles on the trailer with original tires. At full load the tongue weight is around 200lbs and manageable.

Great idea.

I was surprised when I got it that the hardware store didn’t have any solid plywood and had to get this to complete the build. I’ll eventually swap it out, but it’s never been rained on and hasn’t started to crumble yet.

When you get actual plywood, paint it with Rustoleum Truck Bed Liner spray paint, especially the edges. It'll keep water out and help it last a LOT longer. I wouldn't recommend doing that to the OSB because paint (of any kind) might hide the damage as it deteriorates.

I’m surprised, but the top of the deck is still in good shape. I’ve never let it get wet, and don’t want to let it get wet. I need to check underneath though, because I have driven on rainy days, so the the bottom could be about to cave.

I got them through Amazon. There’s a link in the video description.

Right on!

Ha! That trailer is still holding up. Here’s the update going over all of the problems I’ve had with it. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-3Un3kTIMiCg.htmlsi=iAltIQrpS_jOCjTD

Not very often.

@@OffGridAdventure Well that is a good answer. I was afraid you were going to say every 600 miles.

@@silentvoiceinthedark5665 It’s been a few thousand miles. The trailer has about 15k miles. Same tires, and same bearings. I still check with the thermometer, and the thing pulls fine. I’m surprised how well it held up. I posted an update video about it this summer.

I also have gear in the van.

Is your trailer new? I can’t speak for your trailer, but mine has no problems at any normal speed. I just posted an update last month. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-3Un3kTIMiCg.html

I’m about to take a big trip with it. I’ll check all the bolts before I step of.

Hi, the quad in the video would fit. The trailer has a loading feature and the sides come off like a Red Ryder Wagon. Many people make these trailers into toy haulers.

Definitely possible. The A arm swings to fold, so it’s possible the the folding caused it to loosen. I think the trailer should come with carriage bolts for this connection.

@@OffGridAdventure And nylon lock nuts

Ya I don't get all these peeps using OSB for applications like that.

I towed a car on a dolly across country and used electric brakes for that, but before making this video removed the 7-pin and brake controller. It’s not too difficult to put back in if needed.

@@OffGridAdventure the limit for brakes in the US is 3000 lbs. That's why all single axle utility trailers by other manufacturers have a GVWR of 2990lbs, even though the axle rating is 3500 lbs.