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Craig D Peltier
05-12-2008, 6:55 PM
Hi, Im looking for a folding trailer with a bed big enough to hold sheets.
I have the harbor freight style fold up red trailer with 8 inch tires. I have had 3 people ride right up the back of the trailer so far and I blew a bearing the other day while carrying my 650lb planer on the back. It wasnt fun skipping along the road.
Its works fine but its pretty beat and I want something a little more substantial but it needs to fold.I cant keep a trailer in driveway here due to HOA rules. My garage is full with WW tools an 1 car.
I did a quick search an came up with Red Trailers they look identical to harbor freights or northern tools.
One option is you can get the 12 inch tires and they give you an extra 100lbs of payload.Thats what one sheet of ply?
Ive come to the limit with this trailer many times and I dont trust a trailer that comes in a box. I think max payload is 980 lbs.

Im in need of about 11 3/4 sheets and 4 1/4 sheets and 100bd ft of mahogany.My trailer will die. Its going to have to be two trips.

Jim Becker
05-12-2008, 7:27 PM
It's usually best not to get too close to the weight limit of what I'll term "value priced" trailers, folding or not. Take more trips if you must...it's safer that way. I think I came across Red Trailers first when I was considering my own needs. I agree that what they have seems to be very similar to the Northern Tool product. I like that Red has the 5' x 8' folding option with almost 1200 lbs of payload capacity (My non-folding trailer is sized that way and it's made strapping stuff down more convenient and more working room when loading and unloading) I also like Red's frame design.

Craig D Peltier
05-12-2008, 9:55 PM
It's usually best not to get too close to the weight limit of what I'll term "value priced" trailers, folding or not. Take more trips if you must...it's safer that way. I think I came across Red Trailers first when I was considering my own needs. I agree that what they have seems to be very similar to the Northern Tool product. I like that Red has the 5' x 8' folding option with almost 1200 lbs of payload capacity (My non-folding trailer is sized that way and it's made strapping stuff down more convenient and more working room when loading and unloading) I also like Red's frame design.

Id have to move my lumber rack over for the 5x10, sounds like fun, want to help:D Red Trailer and northern tool and harbor freight all have the same tongue design. I bought mine at a Fred Meyers out here for under 200 w/o wood.

Don Abele
05-12-2008, 10:46 PM
How often do you really use the trailer? If it's infrequently, with the storage hassle you mention, why not rent.

A quick check of U-haul:

http://reservations.uhaul.com/ReservationsWeb/Images/Trailer_5x8Open.gif http://reservations.uhaul.com/ReservationsWeb/Images/Trailer_5x8ApartmentVan.gif
5x8 trailer (580 pound capacity), both open or closed: $18.95 for 4 hours

http://reservations.uhaul.com/ReservationsWeb/Images/Trailer_6x12Open.gifhttp://reservations.uhaul.com/ReservationsWeb/Images/Trailer_6x12RoadVan.gif
6x12 trailer (2640 pound capacity), both open or closed: $29.95 for 4 hours

For infrequent use, you can't beat those prices. The closed would be nice for those inclement days. And you'd be hard pressed to load a ton of wood into that 6x12 (unless you are REALLY stocking up for a BIG project).

Be well,

Doc

Craig D Peltier
05-13-2008, 1:13 AM
How often do you really use the trailer? If it's infrequently, with the storage hassle you mention, why not rent.

A quick check of U-haul:

http://reservations.uhaul.com/ReservationsWeb/Images/Trailer_5x8Open.gif http://reservations.uhaul.com/ReservationsWeb/Images/Trailer_5x8ApartmentVan.gif
5x8 trailer (580 pound capacity), both open or closed: $18.95 for 4 hours

http://reservations.uhaul.com/ReservationsWeb/Images/Trailer_6x12Open.gifhttp://reservations.uhaul.com/ReservationsWeb/Images/Trailer_6x12RoadVan.gif
6x12 trailer (2640 pound capacity), both open or closed: $29.95 for 4 hours

For infrequent use, you can't beat those prices. The closed would be nice for those inclement days. And you'd be hard pressed to load a ton of wood into that 6x12 (unless you are REALLY stocking up for a BIG project).

Be well,

Doc

I use it weekly. Tommorrow delivering two cabinets. Wednesday picking up wood. Thursday delivering other half of cabinets. Monday picking up more wood etc. Im in a small town. I think the closest u haul would be 410 in gas these days plus time. Thanks for checking. Its a good idea about renting the enclosed truck. Maybe I can find a place to keep a larger trailer at friends.

Craig Summers
05-14-2008, 12:20 AM
I just googled "Compact utility Trailer" and found this

http://www.musttech.com/products.htm

seems to be a Canadian made (Toronto) with a 2,000k (lbs) GVW
Cost is 2,500-3,000 Canadian dollars (but about a one for one exchange rate today 2500Can=2491US)
Take a look

http://www.musttech.com/mustflatbed.jpg

Caveat: I have no connection with the company and have never used this product.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thinking from a completely different angle, have you considered getting a trailer and disguising it as a car? A lightweight "body" that is covered by a fitted tarp, 4 drop down "wheels" and folding hitch bar. Might seem far fetched, but you might be surprised what people do to avoid the 'HOA police'. I dont live in a development , but we sure have enough HOAs here in VA.

Might just be more work than its worth ...

Jim Becker
05-14-2008, 9:51 AM
Craig S, my LoadRite 5'x8' tilt bed with a 2100 lb load capacity was about a grand US. Made in Fairless Hills PA. Completely galvanized finish.

Interesting idea on thwarting the HOA police, but my solution to that is to never live in a place that there is one! Craig P's idea about perhaps finding alternative parking arrangements might ultimately be a better choice so he can get something with more capacty than any of the folding units can muster.

Travis Gauger
05-14-2008, 10:07 AM
I agree with Jim. I just bought a cargo mate 5X8 with ramp for $600 at tractor supply. They got their new spring models in and I got a good deal on this one from last year. I got them to throw in a few things like a can of paint to touch up a few spots, trailer ack, receiver for my truck, etc. It has a 3500 lb axle but is rated for 2000 lbs so that it doesn't need to be registered.

Another thought is to look around for a storage unit or rentable space to store the trailer. Sounds like you use it enough to perhaps justify the added expense.

Mark Springer
05-14-2008, 10:20 AM
Would it be within HOA rules to build a storage shed that could hold a better trailer and some supplies?

Craig D Peltier
05-14-2008, 10:22 AM
Craig S, my LoadRite 5'x8' tilt bed with a 2100 lb load capacity was about a grand US. Made in Fairless Hills PA. Completely galvanized finish.

Interesting idea on thwarting the HOA police, but my solution to that is to never live in a place that there is one! Craig P's idea about perhaps finding alternative parking arrangements might ultimately be a better choice so he can get something with more capacty than any of the folding units can muster.\\

Stinks no load rite even within 100 miles of here.

As far as that canadian model, wow pricey, I can get an 5x8 enclosed cheaper than that.Thanks for the link. Interesting design. Looks like you can use it as a stage to show off your festools...