Buying a trailer - tractor supply - recommendations

[jackandjill 683]

Its becoming obvious that I need something to transport some topsoil once in a while (for gardening, backyard etc), some bee hives or wood etc. Been looking for truck but thats larger investment. Would a trailer, like the ones they sell at tractor supply suffice ?  I am talking once a month type usage.  Appreciate any recommendations or experiences. 

[67gtonut 847]

Looks like Tractor Supply sells Carry-On brand trailer.....  great trailer, not cheap, long term usage. I put thousands of miles on mine trailering motorcycles back and forth to NC.....

Might be overkill for your usage....

Look at the Harbor Freight trailers.... much cheaper and will stand up to good local mileage...

[fishnut 2,358]

+1 for harbor freight trailers. Can't beat them for the price 

[jackandjill 683]

Thanks both. I see a folding type and regular with 1000lb capacity on HF site. Any preference between them ? They dont have any rails. Do you build rails and slap on a plywood for the floor ? 

[fishnut 2,358]

Folding one is very strong but folds to store in garage. Its pretty convienent. 

There are pockets built in to trailer frame that accept wood or whatever for sides. 

Plywood, diamond plate, aluminum ECT the choices are endless for floor and side rail materials 

If you want to see how crazy people can get with these trailers search Harbor Freight trailers on expeditionportal.com 

[mustang69 505]

I'd recommend the Tractor Supply 5x8 mesh deck for what you're looking for.  Maybe a bit overkill, but it's a real trailer that will last a lifetime.  Get it on sale for $600 and you'll find more uses for it than you could imagine.  Light enough to tow behind most cars, full size trailer tires and frame.  Store it behind the shed when not being used.  Plus it won't lose any value if you decide to sell it.  

Everyone I've spoken to that bought the 4x8 Harbor Freight trailer eventually sells it, either because they don't need it or want something bigger.  Either way it's barely worth the cost of the plywood you put on it. 

[Sota 1,191]

https://www.harborfreight.com/1195-lb-capacity-48-in-x-96-in-heavy-duty-folding-trailer-62666.html

I've had one of these going on 12 years now.  I've beaten the piss out of it. other than the occasional bulb and greasing the hubs i've done nothing but add wood for a deck and sides, and paint the wood a couple times.  I keep mine folded and indoors  though, so that's probably helped the longevity.

[mikeyjones 88]

https://www.harborfreight.com/1195-lb-capacity-48-in-x-96-in-heavy-duty-folding-trailer-62666.html
I've had one of these going on 12 years now.  I've beaten the piss out of it. other than the occasional bulb and greasing the hubs i've done nothing but add wood for a deck and sides, and paint the wood a couple times.  I keep mine folded and indoors  though, so that's probably helped the longevity.

I have the same one, never painted it and keep it unfolded outside. Still going strong after 5 years.


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[jackandjill 683]

5 minutes ago, mikeyjones said:

 

I have the same one, never painted it and keep it unfolded outside. Still going strong after 5 years.


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Thanks. Did you build any contraption for rails ? Any time of year these things go on sale (than the 300 advertised) or other tricks to save some money ? 

[mikeyjones 88]

Thanks. Did you build any contraption for rails ? Any time of year these things go on sale (than the 300 advertised) or other tricks to save some money ? 

2x4 on the rails. I'll take a pic later.

If you can find a 25% off coupon, that's your best bet. Otherwise, 20% is good enough.

Insider tip, they have large sales 4x a year, the Thursday before the sale starts, they discount their wares, and you could still use a coupon.
That used to be a glitch in their system, not sure if they've fixed it. Been a while since I had a large ticket purchase from them.


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[fishnut 2,358]

4 minutes ago, jackandjill said:

Thanks. Did you build any contraption for rails ? Any time of year these things go on sale (than the 300 advertised) or other tricks to save some money ? 

25% off coupon can be found online anytime and can be used for on sale items. 

Keep an eye on them for when they go on sale. 

[Lambo2936 297]

I had a folding HFT 4x8. Was a nice trailer but a PITA with the wiring and what not. Also, left it outside and it looked like shit fairly quickly. I ended up selling the whole thing with 3/4" plywood floors and wooden rails all around that were removable to load from any side, for what i paid for just the trailer; not terrible, but i lost like 150$ in PT lumber.. lol.
If you aren't keeping it in a garage or something, get a real trailer as everyone else suggested; the price difference after you spend all the time and money assembling the HFT one and putting in a floor and rails and all is minimal, if there even is one. Plus, a quality trailer like carry on will last far, far longer than the harbor freight ones.
If you could fold up the trailer and keep it in a garage, though, its not a bad choice. They just do NOT do good outside.. paint faded, rusted like hell because their powder coat is garbage, etc.

[Nucrunner 75]

I bought a 4x8 galvanized trailer from Franklin Trailer.

Works great for what you are looking for....

Not sure if there is a Franklin in your neck of the woods, but I'm sure there is something similar.

Hauls a ton of topsoil, mulch, sand, whatever.

Also, if you have a kid in college, carts a dorm room of stuff from one side of the state to the other - on problem.

[fapipa 3]

23 hours ago, mikeyjones said:

If you can find a 25% off coupon, that's your best bet. Otherwise, 20% is good enough.

Read the fine print, the generic HF discount coupons often exclude trailers, and they regularly mislabel the heavy duty / super duty configurations in their trailer ads...