Posted: 6/11/2015 10:03:53 AM EDT
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I want one. I don't have one. I don't really know what to look for or what to avoid.
The desired use is to transport purchases from home improvement stores to our home or our land, transport yard equipment between our home and our land, transport my son's Power Wheels between our home and our land, and eventually to use to transport an ATV. Suggestions are appreciated. |
| Tell us more about your want/capabilities. What kind of tow rig do you have? Are you looking to haul a few boards or a whole deck? I ended up with a 6x12 trailer with a fold down rear ramp and the sides towards the front can be taken off and used as ramps to load and ATV cross ways of the front. I tow it behind a Ranger. |
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I got impatient and ordered a Northstar Multistar from Home Depot.
I'll be towing it behind a LX470 (Land Cruiser 100). I don't have any plans to haul boards, but I'm sure Mrs. Undefined will require that I haul many loads of mulch and dirt. This is what I ordered: 
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| I ended up with a 5x8ft, 3500lb axle, and a removable ramp gate, I was limited on size because I wanted to fit the trailer with my 4wheeler on it in the garage. What you are looking to do will make a huge difference in what you get. One word of advice is stay away from small trailers with tiny tires and weak axles. Always opt for full size axles and wheels. Additionally I would stay away from grated floors. |
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Wait until you can find one used. I got a 16' utility trailer from a place in Clarksville for $800 ten years ago. Not sure if they still sell them or not, or if you're close. It was half the price of a comparable trailer anywhere else. Little mom and pop bait store on 41a that had a hookup with a utility trailer builder. |
Doesn't much matter now, since you've already ordered one. I'm sorry I missed that HUGE 2-hour response window.  Trailer weight is a huge consideration, as it figures into your towing capacity and reduces the amount of cargo by the weight of the trailer. If you are hauling mowers, lawn tractors and such, you are going to hate that steep, short ramp as you will NEVER get a riding mower in there. If you don't have a pickup truck and don't plan to get one, the minimum size for a trailer should be 4' X 8' to haul a full sheet of plywood or other similar material.
Bryan |
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Cancel that order and search craigs list. Theres always plenty available. I recently bought a 5x8 with new tires and a folding ramp for $400. Took about 3 days, 4 phone calls and two visits to find the right one. I have searched CL. I found one here in Nashville that looked pretty good - if I hear back from the owner I may cancel the order. 5 x 8 (or even 4 x 6) is plenty for what I want. So long as it is big enough to fit a Power Wheels or a push mower, I'm squared away. |
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You will hopefully live long enough to hate that trailer. It won't take long either. The ramp is too steep and I don't see you laying a sheet of 4x8 anything flat in it. What you got there is a road legal lawn cart. Yup--too small to be useful and the sides make it worse than worthless. Removable sides are a good thing, at least on rare occasion, but permanent ones are as useful as tits on a boar pig. Damn OP, if you are going to ask for advice, wait ten minutes in order to GET good advice. 
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Yup--too small to be useful and the sides make it worse than worthless. Removable sides are a good thing, at least on rare occasion, but permanent ones are as useful as tits on a boar pig. Damn OP, if you are going to ask for advice, wait ten minutes in order to GET good advice. Quoted:
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You will hopefully live long enough to hate that trailer. It won't take long either. The ramp is too steep and I don't see you laying a sheet of 4x8 anything flat in it. What you got there is a road legal lawn cart. Yup--too small to be useful and the sides make it worse than worthless. Removable sides are a good thing, at least on rare occasion, but permanent ones are as useful as tits on a boar pig. Damn OP, if you are going to ask for advice, wait ten minutes in order to GET good advice. A thread in GD that goes for close to two hours without having its cherry popped didn't seem likely to generate a response... Usually someone has something to say much faster than that. 
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A thread in GD that goes for close to two hours without having its cherry popped didn't seem likely to generate a response... Usually someone has something to say much faster than that. Quoted:
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You will hopefully live long enough to hate that trailer. It won't take long either. The ramp is too steep and I don't see you laying a sheet of 4x8 anything flat in it. What you got there is a road legal lawn cart. Yup--too small to be useful and the sides make it worse than worthless. Removable sides are a good thing, at least on rare occasion, but permanent ones are as useful as tits on a boar pig. Damn OP, if you are going to ask for advice, wait ten minutes in order to GET good advice. A thread in GD that goes for close to two hours without having its cherry popped didn't seem likely to generate a response... Usually someone has something to say much faster than that. Dirt will kill that little trailer. Just a heads up. |
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Aren't sheets of wood and/or drywall usually 4x8? The dimensions for the trailer seem like it would fit, and some of the reviews claim it works. Foxtrot08 - Why would dirt kill the trailer? http://www.northstartrailer.com/images/Multistar-2L.jpg From its specs: Gvw - 2000lbs Trailer weight - 570lbs. Which means its rated to hold give or take 1400lbs of whatever. 1 yard of dirt is going to weight between 2000lbs and 3000lbs. A yard of dirt isn't that much at all. That trailer will be over loaded nearly all the time if you use it to haul dirt around or anything such as that. (Sand / stone / etc.) |
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From its specs: Gvw - 2000lbs Trailer weight - 570lbs. Which means its rated to hold give or take 1400lbs of whatever. 1 yard of dirt is going to weight between 2000lbs and 3000lbs. A yard of dirt isn't that much at all. That trailer will be over loaded nearly all the time if you use it to haul dirt around or anything such as that. (Sand / stone / etc.) Quoted:
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Aren't sheets of wood and/or drywall usually 4x8? The dimensions for the trailer seem like it would fit, and some of the reviews claim it works. Foxtrot08 - Why would dirt kill the trailer? http://www.northstartrailer.com/images/Multistar-2L.jpg From its specs: Gvw - 2000lbs Trailer weight - 570lbs. Which means its rated to hold give or take 1400lbs of whatever. 1 yard of dirt is going to weight between 2000lbs and 3000lbs. A yard of dirt isn't that much at all. That trailer will be over loaded nearly all the time if you use it to haul dirt around or anything such as that. (Sand / stone / etc.) Shit. Thank you for the explanation. That means 16 - 17 normal (1 cu ft) bags of top soil (based on Google's 2,200 lbs per yard) is the maximum load. Hell, my wife has loaded up our old Jeep with about that many at a time. |
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I agree with the CL recommendation. There isn't much to go wrong with on a trailer other than the bearings, and you can spin them and get a good idea how much life is left. Look for grease fittings in the hub, and ideally a plastic cover over the fittings.
I have a number of trailers. The first one was a Harbor Freight foldup trailer I bought 40 years ago, when they were mail order only. It worked surprisingly well, and I overloaded the hell out of it. I got a load of topsoil, and the joker decided to drop the load from about 6' just to watch the trailer bounce. Of course, that sprung the axle. The fix? Take the axle off and flip it upside down. Now the bow is working in my favor. The most recent was a CAM Superline tilt bed. There is a hydraulic valve which lets to control how quickly the bed tilts down for loading and unloading equipment. I use it to move a Case 1816 skid steer. The only regret is that I wish I had found the double axle model. I think mine is limited to 3500#. It is beautifully built, and very rugged. I drove an hour to so to get it off eBay, I think. CL has them all the time, and unless it's a business, I don't think a new one is worth the money. You can find a cheap, good looking trailer in my area pretty easily. The CAM looked new. |
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Yup--too small to be useful and the sides make it worse than worthless. Removable sides are a good thing, at least on rare occasion, but permanent ones are as useful as tits on a boar pig. Damn OP, if you are going to ask for advice, wait ten minutes in order to GET good advice. Quoted:
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You will hopefully live long enough to hate that trailer. It won't take long either. The ramp is too steep and I don't see you laying a sheet of 4x8 anything flat in it. What you got there is a road legal lawn cart. Yup--too small to be useful and the sides make it worse than worthless. Removable sides are a good thing, at least on rare occasion, but permanent ones are as useful as tits on a boar pig. Damn OP, if you are going to ask for advice, wait ten minutes in order to GET good advice. 11000 posts a year, ain't got time for waiting like that. Txl |
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Shit. Thank you for the explanation. That means 16 - 17 normal (1 cu ft) bags of top soil (based on Google's 2,200 lbs per yard) is the maximum load. Hell, my wife has loaded up our old Jeep with about that many at a time. Quoted:
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Aren't sheets of wood and/or drywall usually 4x8? The dimensions for the trailer seem like it would fit, and some of the reviews claim it works. Foxtrot08 - Why would dirt kill the trailer? http://www.northstartrailer.com/images/Multistar-2L.jpg From its specs: Gvw - 2000lbs Trailer weight - 570lbs. Which means its rated to hold give or take 1400lbs of whatever. 1 yard of dirt is going to weight between 2000lbs and 3000lbs. A yard of dirt isn't that much at all. That trailer will be over loaded nearly all the time if you use it to haul dirt around or anything such as that. (Sand / stone / etc.) Shit. Thank you for the explanation. That means 16 - 17 normal (1 cu ft) bags of top soil (based on Google's 2,200 lbs per yard) is the maximum load. Hell, my wife has loaded up our old Jeep with about that many at a time. Its going to sound like over kill, but hear me out. Buy a tandem axle trailer. Even a light duty one with 3000 or 4000lb axles. Why? 1. Way more capacity then you need. 2. If you blow a tire, you're not DOA or rolling it over 3. It will be a life time trailer. 4. Will be way more stable going down the road. 5. You might be able to get a torison axle. Also as I said before, I'd buy a residential grade dump trailer. Makes hauling mulch and dirt easy. Plus you can still have tie down points on the inside. Its pretty much a do all trailer. Myself? I have a 14k gvw corn pro gooseneck, a 28ft enclosed, goose neck cattle trailer and a bumper pull landscaping trailer. I'm replacing the landscaping trailer with a 15k gvw Moritz or Kaufman dump trailer, depending on who's suspension I like more. |
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OP:
What you want is something with a dump bed, removable sides and fenders flush with the bed surface. Tilt bed is easy to dump. removable sides and flush fenders to carry large flat things. Find something used, build wooden sides how you want them and bolt an ammo can to the front for straps, gloves and a cheap multitool. You may be happy with what you ordered, but it's not what you asked for. |
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Don't get that trailer. You can find a single axle trailer with a 3500lb axle and suspension for less money that will be better built.
This Big Tex is a good one http://towlikeapro.com/new-used-trailers/ It's the first single axle utility trailer on that page |
I paid about 1200$ for this one. Almost new... But guy bought a bigger one so didnt need it.
Id say a 6x12 is the perfect size for anything most people need Get this one. Add sides when needed. It will be easier to backup since you can see it better. |
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I would hurry and cancel that order. You are going to end up hating that purchase. I would keep searching craigslist. I got a 5x10 for $650. Price was great, but I will probably sell it sooner or later. It's still too small for me.
ETA: I agree 6x12 is probably the perfect size and is what I'll be buying next. |
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One more for your consideration:
http://sleequipment.com/5x8-dump-trailer-with-brakes.html Also - going big is not really an option. I'm going to have to store this in the garage and every extra foot takes away from my work bench and reloading space. Yes, HOA's suck, and that is why we bought land we plan to build on that has no HOA. |
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OP, it sounds like you are in my area. I would recommend these guys: http://www.bjtrailers.com/. The TLC B trailer looks like it would suit your needs.
I suggest you get a tandem axle trailer as another poster stated. It will save your ass if a tires blows with a load on the trailer. Also go with a heavier weight rating than you think you need. Make sure the frame is square not angle iron. The angle iron trailers seem to fail quickly. |
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One more for your consideration: http://sleequipment.com/5x8-dump-trailer-with-brakes.html Also - going big is not really an option. I'm going to have to store this in the garage and every extra foot takes away from my work bench and reloading space. Yes, HOA's suck, and that is why we bought land we plan to build on that has no HOA. Then you might consider the HF trailer, which is cheap. You can fold it in half and stand it upright in the garage. Check it out. |
| I just bought a 5x10 MAXXI with low sides and loading ramp for 1300 before taxes and other licensing b/s. the trailer i saw at home depot and lowes looked like a 5 year old welded it up. i would recommend you take a look at it before you take possession. The trailers i saw on craigslist ran about 2-300 less than a brand new one. what size tires and axle weight are some other things you should look at. |
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One more for your consideration: http://sleequipment.com/5x8-dump-trailer-with-brakes.html Also - going big is not really an option. I'm going to have to store this in the garage and every extra foot takes away from my work bench and reloading space. Yes, HOA's suck, and that is why we bought land we plan to build on that has no HOA. Wouldn't be bad. Would fit your uses better. Does it come with ramps? |
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Then you might consider the HF trailer, which is cheap. You can fold it in half and stand it upright in the garage. Check it out. Quoted:
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One more for your consideration: http://sleequipment.com/5x8-dump-trailer-with-brakes.html Also - going big is not really an option. I'm going to have to store this in the garage and every extra foot takes away from my work bench and reloading space. Yes, HOA's suck, and that is why we bought land we plan to build on that has no HOA. Then you might consider the HF trailer, which is cheap. You can fold it in half and stand it upright in the garage. Check it out. First thing I thought of too. Personally, I like the fenders to be flat to make it a flat bed when needed, but if that doesn't matter to him it would work just fine. My dad can't fit a 4x8 sheet in his. |
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Hey OP -
I didn't read all the responses, but can you have the MFR make that trailer a tilting model ? I had a 4 X 8 tilting utility trailer with expanded metal floor and a tilting feature, and loved it. Be aware that you may get hit with the same affliction as boat owners. It's called two-foot-eyetis. If only it was two foot longer... I have two trailers now. One is a 5' x 8' enclosed that I bought for a song. ( wish it was 6' X 10' ). The other is a 28' Toy Hauler. ( it's plenty big with three queen sized beds.  )
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Big Tex, Bri-mar and Cam superline make nice trailers. You may be able to find a local builder too. This is an instance of buy once cry once. Personally I'd buy one that can at least haul 2 quads if you have land. I had a trailer like LousianaRebels I bought used for like $1800 double axle l, brakes and it was nice about 14 ft big tex model. |
