Welding is most definitely a good thing to know. I took metal shop all all 4 years of High school, and I am glad I did. Welding is a great occupation pays very well, even though I never welded for a living myself.
My dad bought a HF trailer when I was a kid. I was maybe 7 or 8... I'm 38 now, and I can still remember that old red trailer!😂 He put sides on it and 2 flip tops to store vacation gear! We hauled that little trailer out west 2 years in a row. From MI to the Dakota's and Wyoming, the whole west adventure! He continued using that trailer for years after them 2 vacations! I think I was going on 18 when I finally scrapped it! It had sat out for the last few years of its life and rusted out😢 still have fond memories of all the bears from bear country leaning up on it and sniffing all our gear and dirty laundry😂😂😂 That was FUN times! That little trailer stood up to bears and the wild west! Gonna get one of my own trailers very soon!!😂
I got one of those harbor fright trailers about 12 years ago and put sides on it to haul the garage off and it’s still going today, I did put good grease in the bearings when I bought it and repack them every other year and the old trailer keeps on going!
I bought this same HF trailer a couple years ago to haul a bass hunter EX on. it worked well enough except for launching and landing. That boat didn't really work for what I was doing so I sold it and bought a Native Titan kayak. Same deal - can't really get the trailer deep enough into the water to launch so I extended the tongue and installed that same hinge you have. Its better now but I still need a more streamlined way to launch and land. Some of the ramps I use are a very shallow angle or need to be dredged. I'm looking for ways to lower the trailer about 6 inches without completely rebuilding it - which is probably what led me to your video. I like the fab work you did on the axle of the scratch trailer and think that I will eventually need to replace the axle anyway. By the way - I've been running that blue grease since it was new. Its been dipped in many times and never any issues. I do plan to repack the bearings this year so I will see how bad it is. 99% of the people complaining about the grease have never packed a bearing let alone own the HF trailer. Thanks!
I dragged one of those trailers (used and overloaded) from Anchorage Alaska to Washington via the ALCAN and the only issue was a blown tire and I had brought three spares. I did rebuild the hubs before we left.
That’s a sad day for everyone involved. Especially for the guys that did the work. But greatness will prevail. If I had to choose out of the three personally, it would be the gift card to your store. Second would be Pond prowler.
I ended up putting an extended 2x2 steel tube backbone from back bar to hitch. And welding all seams. Also added 2x4s as extra cross members. But my harbor freight trailer is utility. So i made it to laugh at 2000lbs. Also needed new axel and tires. To actually go 65mph. But in beginning, the trailer was. Cheap easy start.
Few days ago, I was looking at the HF trailer, but the size smaller, thinks it's about a 4x4. I noticed NT had one, looked identical except for the color. Not sure if they had the bigger one since i was looking at the smaller one though. But they do still have some trailers.
Harbour Freight Trailer paint does not last very long. Mine is flaking off (MN winters with salt). Two if wanting it to fold don't follow the directions where you bolt them together. There are two trailers pretty much the same kit, one you bolt together and one you put the hinge on and then there is a bolt on the side that you you put in to secure the trailer from trying to fold while trailering, if you want. I also, I didn't use any of the electrical kit or the tires. Repacked the bearings. I also ran a ground wire along with grounding to the frame. The hinge doesn't not give a reliable ground. Mine is not setup for a boat but to be used as a utility trailer
Yeah I bought the red lawn mower cart a couple years ago. Within a week I had this red paint chips all over my yard. Big chips too. I'm in middle TN, and it was just around my yard so no salt and it was summer time. So not the winter/salt affecting it. More like cr&ppy quality control. I'm still finding chips around lol. It's on my to-do list to scrape off the rest and repaint it one of these days. I was looking to get one of those trailers, but the smaller 4x4 one. I saw that red and really debated on getting it. Might go with the Northern Tool version for that very reason. Unless there's some way to get it to not chip to start with?
Man you have the coolest job in the world. Lol. I want to do all these things at my house but I haven’t figured out a way to make money at it yet. Lol. I just cost me money at this point.
I have a 12 foot boat that JUST fits on one of these older Harbor freight trailers. It hangs off a little bit where we have it secured but overall, it's a great option to start from especially if you have a flat bottom. Ours is a 2012 that has a little rust but other than that i don't even know if the previous owner replaced the bearings or grease and they still spin free without any rumble.
I have 3 of these and they all fold I notice many people put them together wrong and that's why they don't fold. My original one has a boat on it and it's going 7 years strong not a single issue it has been allnover az California and texas tens of thousands of miles . The people that talk shit about these trailers talk shit because they don't own one
I guess I put it together wrong because it sure doesn’t look like how he did in the picture. However, the way I put it together there a specific instructions saying to put it together like that so maybe there’s two versions in the instructions.
I also would like to know if its possible to somehow add a second axle to these? If you are putting weight on them then at some point someone might think that they might want extra support. And can you add extra length to the trailer also to make it longer, safely?
I’ve built 7 of those HF trailers since COVID started. I’ve made the two capacities available for different purposes that people have asked for, from mobile car wash to motorcycle hauler and my personal favorite, tiny house on wheels. What you’re asking is actually on my drawing board as we speak. I have a couple of the trailers new in boxes that I want to combine to make a double axle 4x16 trailer that has a sleeping quarter with a rear deck for a motorcycle. It’s actually quite simple using the kits and just a few extra steel pieces added on. The most difficult will be the hanger and equalizer bar used for slipper springs but it’s not really rocket science. Just look up double axle trailer suspensions using slipper springs and you’ll see it’s a pretty simple concept. And just FYI, they mention that the hubs have a 55 mph rating but the truth is no metal part of the trailer has any kind of speed limit, it’s the tires that have a limit which is 62. I guess the Chinese just put that sticker on the fender to avoid lawsuits.
I also noticed he didn’t address the electrical setup. I know for a fact that the lights that come in the kit are not submersible. And after adding that much more tongue the wire kit ends up too short also. Both of those issues are easy enough to upgrade though. HF does sell a submersible light set and also a 20 foot trailer harness (with full length ground too) to keep from splicing the one that comes in the trailer kit.
@@TinyBoatNation then maybe you got a good one. But those factory welds broke off completely on one side and partial other for me after 2 years. Looking at it. The weld was of low quality, very porous. Couldnt tell at first with the paint.
Welding is most definitely a good thing to know. I took metal shop all all 4 years of High school, and I am glad I did. Welding is a great occupation pays very well, even though I never welded for a living myself.
My dad bought a HF trailer when I was a kid. I was maybe 7 or 8...
I'm 38 now, and I can still remember that old red trailer!😂
He put sides on it and 2 flip tops to store vacation gear!
We hauled that little trailer out west 2 years in a row. From MI to the Dakota's and Wyoming, the whole west adventure!
He continued using that trailer for years after them 2 vacations! I think I was going on 18 when I finally scrapped it! It had sat out for the last few years of its life and rusted out😢 still have fond memories of all the bears from bear country leaning up on it and sniffing all our gear and dirty laundry😂😂😂
That was FUN times! That little trailer stood up to bears and the wild west!
Gonna get one of my own trailers very soon!!😂
I got one of those harbor fright trailers about 12 years ago and put sides on it to haul the garage off and it’s still going today, I did put good grease in the bearings when I bought it and repack them every other year and the old trailer keeps on going!
I bought this same HF trailer a couple years ago to haul a bass hunter EX on. it worked well enough except for launching and landing. That boat didn't really work for what I was doing so I sold it and bought a Native Titan kayak. Same deal - can't really get the trailer deep enough into the water to launch so I extended the tongue and installed that same hinge you have. Its better now but I still need a more streamlined way to launch and land. Some of the ramps I use are a very shallow angle or need to be dredged. I'm looking for ways to lower the trailer about 6 inches without completely rebuilding it - which is probably what led me to your video. I like the fab work you did on the axle of the scratch trailer and think that I will eventually need to replace the axle anyway. By the way - I've been running that blue grease since it was new. Its been dipped in many times and never any issues. I do plan to repack the bearings this year so I will see how bad it is. 99% of the people complaining about the grease have never packed a bearing let alone own the HF trailer. Thanks!
I dragged one of those trailers (used and overloaded) from Anchorage Alaska to Washington via the ALCAN and the only issue was a blown tire and I had brought three spares. I did rebuild the hubs before we left.
Good feedback, thank you.
Dang, making it through the Alcan speaks volumes for the trailer. That's good to hear.
That’s a sad day for everyone involved. Especially for the guys that did the work. But greatness will prevail.
If I had to choose out of the three personally, it would be the gift card to your store. Second would be Pond prowler.
I ended up putting an extended 2x2 steel tube backbone from back bar to hitch. And welding all seams. Also added 2x4s as extra cross members. But my harbor freight trailer is utility. So i made it to laugh at 2000lbs. Also needed new axel and tires. To actually go 65mph. But in beginning, the trailer was. Cheap easy start.
I admire your creativity Mike… keep your DIY’s coming… it would be a dream to have one of your tiny boat setups!!!! Blessings man!
Thanks 👍
Northern Tool used to have a smaller T trailer just for small boats. Not sure if they still do, but it would be something to look into.
Few days ago, I was looking at the HF trailer, but the size smaller, thinks it's about a 4x4. I noticed NT had one, looked identical except for the color. Not sure if they had the bigger one since i was looking at the smaller one though. But they do still have some trailers.
Lol I usually a draw wall ruler for everything as well that I’ve never used for drywall
Harbour Freight Trailer paint does not last very long. Mine is flaking off (MN winters with salt). Two if wanting it to fold don't follow the directions where you bolt them together. There are two trailers pretty much the same kit, one you bolt together and one you put the hinge on and then there is a bolt on the side that you you put in to secure the trailer from trying to fold while trailering, if you want. I also, I didn't use any of the electrical kit or the tires. Repacked the bearings. I also ran a ground wire along with grounding to the frame. The hinge doesn't not give a reliable ground. Mine is not setup for a boat but to be used as a utility trailer
Thanks for the heads up!
Yeah I bought the red lawn mower cart a couple years ago. Within a week I had this red paint chips all over my yard. Big chips too. I'm in middle TN, and it was just around my yard so no salt and it was summer time. So not the winter/salt affecting it. More like cr&ppy quality control. I'm still finding chips around lol. It's on my to-do list to scrape off the rest and repaint it one of these days. I was looking to get one of those trailers, but the smaller 4x4 one. I saw that red and really debated on getting it. Might go with the Northern Tool version for that very reason. Unless there's some way to get it to not chip to start with?
Man you have the coolest job in the world. Lol. I want to do all these things at my house but I haven’t figured out a way to make money at it yet. Lol. I just cost me money at this point.
It takes a while lol
Like the harbor freight trailer.👍👍👍👍👍
I’m currently fitting a 85’ skeeter trailer to fit a Lowe 170. 170 trailer was trash and I got a nice c channel for 200$. Needs work tho of course.
I have a 12 foot boat that JUST fits on one of these older Harbor freight trailers. It hangs off a little bit where we have it secured but overall, it's a great option to start from especially if you have a flat bottom. Ours is a 2012 that has a little rust but other than that i don't even know if the previous owner replaced the bearings or grease and they still spin free without any rumble.
And it does 1.5 hour trips to a nice lake without any issue. 65mph on the highway all day long.
Very nice 👍
I have 3 of these and they all fold I notice many people put them together wrong and that's why they don't fold. My original one has a boat on it and it's going 7 years strong not a single issue it has been allnover az California and texas tens of thousands of miles . The people that talk shit about these trailers talk shit because they don't own one
I guess I put it together wrong because it sure doesn’t look like how he did in the picture. However, the way I put it together there a specific instructions saying to put it together like that so maybe there’s two versions in the instructions.
Not supposed to bolt center over the axle in case you want to fold it when not in use
👍👏Awesome video 👏👍
Thank you 👍
I also would like to know if its possible to somehow add a second axle to these? If you are putting weight on them then at some point someone might think that they might want extra support. And can you add extra length to the trailer also to make it longer, safely?
I’ve built 7 of those HF trailers since COVID started. I’ve made the two capacities available for different purposes that people have asked for, from mobile car wash to motorcycle hauler and my personal favorite, tiny house on wheels. What you’re asking is actually on my drawing board as we speak. I have a couple of the trailers new in boxes that I want to combine to make a double axle 4x16 trailer that has a sleeping quarter with a rear deck for a motorcycle. It’s actually quite simple using the kits and just a few extra steel pieces added on. The most difficult will be the hanger and equalizer bar used for slipper springs but it’s not really rocket science. Just look up double axle trailer suspensions using slipper springs and you’ll see it’s a pretty simple concept. And just FYI, they mention that the hubs have a 55 mph rating but the truth is no metal part of the trailer has any kind of speed limit, it’s the tires that have a limit which is 62. I guess the Chinese just put that sticker on the fender to avoid lawsuits.
How do go about getting a title for a trailer you build yourself?
Yeah, she built it yourself when you take the title and receipt to the DMV
I have questions about you hf trailer like did you use factory lights or upgrade
I also noticed he didn’t address the electrical setup. I know for a fact that the lights that come in the kit are not submersible. And after adding that much more tongue the wire kit ends up too short also. Both of those issues are easy enough to upgrade though. HF does sell a submersible light set and also a 20 foot trailer harness (with full length ground too) to keep from splicing the one that comes in the trailer kit.
So... Theoretically... Could you just build a trailer from unistrut?
Now take that modified harbor freight trailer and coat it with truck bed spray liner and it should damn near last you forever.
Will do, thanks.
There's issues with that red paint chipping off in big chunks. Would hte bed spray liner prevent that from happening?
Would you have had to extend the tongue if you just put the yak on it?
If the yaks under 12 feet then probably not
Also the welds on the tongue fold bolts... Very weak. Someone should reinforce them if not weld away flex with other supports.
That tongue ain’t going nowhere!
@@TinyBoatNation then maybe you got a good one. But those factory welds broke off completely on one side and partial other for me after 2 years. Looking at it. The weld was of low quality, very porous. Couldnt tell at first with the paint.