My advice to anyone installing lights on a rusty trailer, run a dedicated ground wire from the plug down each side of the trailer and land it to the frame at the taillights, by the connector at the tongue, and at the side marker lights. That way you have a return path that isn't relying solely on rusty metal and bolts.
Fun video! I love my HF trailer. Mine is the 1720# load capacity & would recommend it highly. The things that you had to get are called pocket or post brackets. Whoever built this trailer before obviously didn’t install them. Don’t know why as it was super easy; putting the trailer together was super easy. When I built mine, I used a forstner bit to to give me a way to lay the plywood flat. I would also recommend using eye bolts to secure &/or cover loads. I would highly recommend getting a trailer jack. All said, I like your modifications. Especially the "Load Handler." Going to watch that part again to see how you did that. Good job!
Instructions for folding is to take 6 bolts out! 2 carriage bolts on each side and 2 bolts under the two middle crossbars that are bolted together all for stability. Makes no sense honestly. I built one and just don’t use the folding ability(not worried about space saving right now), was a pain the butt to build, but it was worth the low cost.
Nice vid…are you ok? You were talking so fast I’m not sure you couldn’t breathe…thanks for the laughs, some real good basic ideas for us Harbor Freight 4x8 trailer owners…
I didn't trim the width at all. Instead, I curl the extra width up the sidewalls to help contain the debris. It's a hand crank unloader. You can see it 3.5 minutes into this video: ua-cam.com/video/PnRf5eQezxQ/v-deo.html
Were you able to use actual two by fours? The take the little plates off and install them around the two by fours? Mine are not quite large enough for actual two by fours. They are slightly smaller requiring me to shave a blonde one off the sides of all the 2x4s to make them fit
Definitely keep a spare wheel and tire if you have a small trailer. I made that mistake and by the time I got back, the trailer was gone. Some crackheads saw it as an opportunity I guess and just put it in the bed of the truck or dragged it. No recourse whatsoever, DMV and highway patrol. Don’t give a damn about your little utility trailer even if it is bonded to get a license plate. Yes, here in North Carolina you have to have a tag on any trailer of any size. Some folks say. that you can paint “farm use only“ but what is a farm used trailer or vehicle doing on public highways? Seems shady to me. The process in North Carolina is silly, you have to go to your insurance company and pay over $100 to get the trailer “bonded“ after which they send you a form that you take to the DMV. If you do not have a vin number you will be in trouble.
I’m wondering if the wiring diagram on the instruction manual that came with these trailers is wrong, every single one of these I have seen that have been put together and wired by people who work in electrical engineering the left turn signals do not work. I have seen three like this and all three were assembled by folks with electrical engineering jobs or degrees.
You are really not supposed to toe with all wheel drive on Subarus, since they are actually all wheel drive. I would not turn more than 1000 pounds and if there is a front wheel drive option or if you can pull the fuse to make your Subaru front wheel drive only I would do that for towing.
My advice to anyone installing lights on a rusty trailer, run a dedicated ground wire from the plug down each side of the trailer and land it to the frame at the taillights, by the connector at the tongue, and at the side marker lights. That way you have a return path that isn't relying solely on rusty metal and bolts.
Fun video! I love my HF trailer. Mine is the 1720# load capacity & would recommend it highly. The things that you had to get are called pocket or post brackets. Whoever built this trailer before obviously didn’t install them. Don’t know why as it was super easy; putting the trailer together was super easy. When I built mine, I used a forstner bit to to give me a way to lay the plywood flat. I would also recommend using eye bolts to secure &/or cover loads. I would highly recommend getting a trailer jack. All said, I like your modifications. Especially the "Load Handler." Going to watch that part again to see how you did that. Good job!
Instructions for folding is to take 6 bolts out! 2 carriage bolts on each side and 2 bolts under the two middle crossbars that are bolted together all for stability. Makes no sense honestly. I built one and just don’t use the folding ability(not worried about space saving right now), was a pain the butt to build, but it was worth the low cost.
Thanks man! Might change it up when I refinish things after my project!
Nice vid…are you ok? You were talking so fast I’m not sure you couldn’t breathe…thanks for the laughs, some real good basic ideas for us Harbor Freight 4x8 trailer owners…
I lost my license plate on my first trip with my trailer. The lock washers didn't lock.
How about showing the cargo unloader working still can't get in my head , if you cut the width down.
I didn't trim the width at all. Instead, I curl the extra width up the sidewalls to help contain the debris. It's a hand crank unloader. You can see it 3.5 minutes into this video:
ua-cam.com/video/PnRf5eQezxQ/v-deo.html
Good job 👍
Were you able to use actual two by fours? The take the little plates off and install them around the two by fours? Mine are not quite large enough for actual two by fours. They are slightly smaller requiring me to shave a blonde one off the sides of all the 2x4s to make them fit
Mine fit the full 2x4 with a bit of room to spare! I walked into Home Depot to physically measure beforehand for that exact reason
Definitely keep a spare wheel and tire if you have a small trailer. I made that mistake and by the time I got back, the trailer was gone. Some crackheads saw it as an opportunity I guess and just put it in the bed of the truck or dragged it. No recourse whatsoever, DMV and highway patrol. Don’t give a damn about your little utility trailer even if it is bonded to get a license plate. Yes, here in North Carolina you have to have a tag on any trailer of any size. Some folks say. that you can paint “farm use only“ but what is a farm used trailer or vehicle doing on public highways? Seems shady to me.
The process in North Carolina is silly, you have to go to your insurance company and pay over $100 to get the trailer “bonded“ after which they send you a form that you take to the DMV. If you do not have a vin number you will be in trouble.
I’m wondering if the wiring diagram on the instruction manual that came with these trailers is wrong, every single one of these I have seen that have been put together and wired by people who work in electrical engineering the left turn signals do not work. I have seen three like this and all three were assembled by folks with electrical engineering jobs or degrees.
Did they use self tapping screws to ground them?
Did the HF unloader hold up to unloading the concrete?
It did! Hand cranking it was a challenge with all the weight but everything held up, nothing tore, and nothing bent. That's about all I can ask for!
those are called hitch pins
You are really not supposed to toe with all wheel drive on Subarus, since they are actually all wheel drive. I would not turn more than 1000 pounds and if there is a front wheel drive option or if you can pull the fuse to make your Subaru front wheel drive only I would do that for towing.
What? Why does my Subaru have a hitch receiver and 3,500 towing capacity?
You talk more than a dad telling his daughter what to say as her gown comes off after the prom