I am wanting to build a ATV pull trailer for general utility use and maybe for bugging out or whatnot.

I have a good supply of steel to build it. I was pricing hubs and spindles...then tires/wheels...its gonna get expensive VERY quick if using new parts.

What make/model cars (from a junk yard) would have a simple spindle type axle I could pick up for cheap ? Ideas for a sturdy, but inexpensive axle/wheel/tire setup?? I figure a wrecked boat trailer with usable hubs would be hard to find.

My constraints are light as possible with a 41" max width (same as the ATV). Largest diameter tires I can use so it rolls over terrain easier. Does not need suspension. Does not need a dump bed. I am gonna guess it will never carry anything over 350lbs. For the box I was thinking 2'x3' with 2' high sides and a removable rear tailgate. The width of the box can be changed depending on what width tire/wheel is used.

Thanks for any ideas/sugestions.

I would look at craigslist or your local paper for a used trailer.  There are lots of trailers out there that sell for way less then you could ever build one.  Then, if you really need bigger tires or the like you can modify it.  Harbor greights also sells a very small trailer and it is an easy to build kit but understand cheap kits give you what you pay for!

Also, you do want some type of suspension.  If you don't have basic springs when you are driving down the road your trailer may bouse 2-feet in the air on a bump and your ATV is going to take the abuse or your trailer will just fall apart unless it is built like a tank.

Here is the harbor freight trailer, 870 pound version:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42708


Bigger 1090lb load version:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=90153


For $200 - $240 you would be hard pressed to get everything you need anywhere else to build a small trailer and this says it can haul 870-1090 pounds!  I have their larger folding trailer but we don't use it very much at all.  Just note you may want to weld the joints or at a minimum double nut all the bolts as the bolts work free while driving these bolt together trailers.

Also, check how much it will cost to get the dambed thing inspected, titled, and registered.  My $300 trailer cost me about $400 to get titled so I could have just bought a pre-built trailer and made out better if I valued my time at all.  PA has some really painful rules to put a trailer on the road so your state may be better!

This is the one I bought... and it does work fine for a cheap trailer I just was poorly prepared for the cost to get it inspected, registered, titled, etc here in PA....

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=90154

If you got the Harbor Freight one, I would defenitely weld some more framing onto it... their trailers look like those cheap ass lawn mower ones, where they have almost no framing and only a mesh floor. Buy a larger trailer off of craigslist that you can rob the wheels axle, etc, off of, and then build your own like a tank.

I don't know where you are in Georgia but look at this one:

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/mcy/1303037348.html

That would be tough to build for $525 and not a whole lot bigger then you wanted...

Another:  http://atlanta.craigslist.org/mcy/1302676566.html


Craigslist for Atlanta:
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/search/?areaID=14&subAreaID=&query=trailer&catAbbreviation=sss

Oh yea, I only suggest the Harbor Freight units for light duty unless you strengthen them considerably.  Ours works but I really only use it to get mulch a few miles from home not that it couldn't be used for more but it is a very light duty trailer!

Halffast started a thread about a year ago using a Northern Tools 40"x48" trailer as a "budget bug-out trailer".  It was identical to those Harbor Freight ones.  I am not a Team Member, so I can't link the old thread for you, but he put a plywood floor and 2-2"x10" walls on the sides I think, and they did an extended ATV trail run with it and I believe it worked out well.  I think there was a Part II thread as well?  Someone who is a team member might be able to find the thread and link them in here.

I was actually just thinking about that thread last night, because Harbor Freight has the mini-trailer with 12" tires on sale again for $199, and I am thinking hard about getting one.  I hope somebody links those threads (hint hint).

First, look at what you get for $2/month!
http://www.ar15.com/content/page.html?id=2

Here is the link:
http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=10&f=17&t=613210

I am not talking about a trailer to haul the ATV, I am talking about a trailer to tow behind the ATV

Similar to this one: http://www.swisherinc.com/dump_cart.asp But this one is too wide and locally is ~$449.

I need a max width of 41" so it does not stick out any wider than the ATV when being towed (by the ATV - not a truck).

Ooops, sorry  The thread in the archives you were after is here:

http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=10&f=17&t=613210

For $24/yr you can see it...

Here is a reposted pic from that thread and it is that small trailer as linked above...

Note, this could be titled and used on the road too

Did you try a google images search for ideas?

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=atv%20trailer&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi









There are some really neat ideas when you start looking!

Thanks for the link to the old post. I may be able to use that cheap northern tool trailer and just cut the axle and bed width down to a max of 41" and still come out cheaper than welding one up myself. It just needs larger tires......and larger tires/wheels cost more money, lol

I have been hitting google quite a bit, but have not found any "cheap" ways to build one. The trailers with the poly beds are crap, I had a lawn cart at one time that had a poly bed on it....what a joke, lol

Ya cant beat the little Harbor Freight trailers... I took one a couple years back and added one of those 'pods' you see on top of minivans for vacations and it made a great trailer to pull behind my motorcycle...It should also work behind an atv... Have at least 2 spares tho as the china rubber is not the best..

Just need some cheap wheels/tires/spindles/hubs.....and I would build something similar to this:

http://www.atv-guru.com/Off-road%20ATV%20trailer.htm

I was told the rear spindles/hubs from  a 90-something honda civic would unbolt and work perfect.....now to locate one and a couple spare tires/wheels.