I'm wanting to get a trailer for my atv. I'm not real crazy about the plastic tub on the trailers that AC makes. Does anybody have any suggestions/experience they want to share? Thanks.

toe

 

I frequently use the plastic tilt-trailer from Lowes/Home Depot and it's never failed me. I've far exceeded the weight limit (trees, rocks, 400 lbs of soil last week) on multiple occasions and it's lasted 2 years. Plus, at a little over $100 (I think), it can be replaced when/if it finally breaks. Can't see spending more for the AC version that's probably the same. John Deere also jacks up their price b/c it says John Deere, but it's the same as Lowes.

 

I bought one from Cabelas just over 3 years ago for around $400. I have pounded it the heck out of it and worked it pretty hard. I am now inthe process of building my own with a plywood box instead of a steel box lke the cabelas one. The steel can only be bent and fixed a few times before it breaks. I am sure I would have the same problem with a plastic tub one. So I am going with a metal frame and a plywood box that can be replaced easily. Plus I only have about $150 into it. It is an ongoing project.

ATV trailers are all over the place. You can spen $200 or you can spend $1000 or more. You have to look at how you will be using it and go from there. I prefer a tandem axle as you can carry more weight and just pull it with the ATV. I know some people who have bought a trailer from Frd Myers or Harbor freight and such for around $300 and have been very happy with it.

I can tell you not to get one that is more than about 8 inches wider outside of tire to outside of tire than your ATV. It makes getting through tight spots intrees too difficult.

You also need one with a ground clearance similar to your ATV. 8inches at least. Otherwise, your trailer will smash into things your ATV can drive over. It is not too much fun to come to a sudden halt because a stund cleared the ATV fram but not the leading edge of the trailer. I Think those plastic tubs with a sloped front might help here.

Some trailers have a spring suspension but a solid axle and larger knobby tires have worked fine for me. Make sure to get one that attached to a trailer ball hitch not a pinned coupler. The pinned coupler in my opinion, does not move enough in every direction when on uneven ground.

Hope this helps
SJ

 

check out www.summitatv.com
their pack mules are pretty rugged.

 

The Summit Pak Mule does have an interesting, yet limiting, suspension design. I also see a problem with the turf tires. They look like they would sink into any kind of soft ground you tried to cross. Probably would work great around a farm on semi-maintained roads but I think it could be improved if they had some sort of 25inch floatation tire similar to an ATV. I did not see that listed as one of their options.

There are many different types of trailers out there for use behind your ATV. THe only two things I wold suggest you look at are axles, and tire type.

I would avoid the pin type axles. Like the old radio flyer wagon. IT is a solid pin axles and once bent from a heavy load it causes problems. Spindle type with replaceable bearings are better.

Also, I prefer a 25inch floatation knobby tire like you would use on an ATV over a turf tire. Better traction and it helps lift the load by spreading the weight out on soft ground.

What would you be using this trailer for and how often would you be using it?

 

built my own ,has a walking beam axle system, about 14" of clearance no solid axel to catch on some thing .

 

Think Snowmobile Trailer. They are versitle and misnamed since more are used to carry ATV's than snowmobiles. :-) I have a Caravan brand and it carries 4 ATV's perfectly.

 

Swampy,

I'll mainly just be using it for chores around the house. Occassionally, I plan on using it for some trail riding and camping. I found an interesting trailer kit at harbor freight, but the downside is that it has these little 12" skinny tires. If I could figure out how to put some knobby tires on it, I think it would be perfect.

toe

 

Check out Mountain Goat trailers. They sure appear to be the most ruggedly built trailer out there. You pay for that durability and toughness, but if yer cheap like me you just take their idea and built a copy for yourself for half the price :-) Check out their site, the videos are awesome to say the least. http://www.mountaingoattrailers.com/options.php

 

the video of the Mountain goat traileeris nice ,I made a trailer like that about 15 years ago ,don't know how many cord of wood i have hauled with it . but you hardly know you have it behind you ,