I'm in need of a trailer for my atv. I don't have much space to store it, and the budget is a little tight so I thought one of those folding trailers would be perfect. I'm wondering if anyone has one or knows somebody that has one and what their experience is with it - assembly, quality, etc. I was checking them out at harborfreight.com. They have a 'heavy duty' tilt model 4x8 for $199. They actually have the owners manual available online and I noticed it recommended not exceeding 45 mph, even though it has 12" highway tires. Is that a standard warning for trailers in general, or are these really not highway usable?

Thanks for any feedback.

 

Keefer, I saw that one at Harbor Freight about 2 or 3 months ago. It was light looking but I thought to myself if I did not have my trailer I would consider it. I can't answer your tire question. If I had to guess, I think it is like your owners manual saying that you should not wheelie and jump your sport quad!!! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I just went through this. I needed it to be able to go on high speed 3-4 hour trips, so I bought a Big Tex 6 X 10. 15 inch wheels, 3500lb axle, real heavy duty for $800. I figure I'll use it for all kinds of stuff. I hear you about space though. I seriously considered that $199 job. But I need to be able to go fast for long times with it. If you're just going local, you'll probably be OK, and the price sure is right.

REV

 

I know someone that has very limited space so he built a stand for the front of his trailor and put a ball on the stand. He fastens the trailor to the ball in his garage and parks his ATV on the trailor.

 

My 4x8 folding trailer had the same rating and I think it is just a cover our butt statement. Mine was rated to 900 pounds and I used it to carry my King Quad and meat trailer on it loaded and had no problems with it, I traveled 100 miles each way to where I rode and at speeds of 65 to 70 mph.AlaskaBoy.

 

I have one of those folding trailers; I probable have 100,000 miles on mine. I have gotten tons of use out of it. Don’t let those low weight limits fool you, I had 3000 lbs on mine once (way too much) and I have towed 2000 many times. But the little tires that come with it stock are way too small and destroy the axle bearings, I would definitely upgrade to bigger tires.

And after all the 1000’s of miles I put on mine it started to get real loose so I flipped it over and took off all of the stupid folding stuff because I never needed to fold it, then I welded it everyplace so it was one solid thing. I also welded a really nice tailgate/ramp on the back of it which makes loading my quad very easy. I only paid 75 for my trailer used and I have gotten a tremendous amount of use out of it. They work good.

Here is a very old picture of it without the ramp http://www.myatvs.homestead.com/files/cars.jpg

 

I had the harbor freight (900lb) foldable 4'x8' trailer. The bed would flex a little too much for my liking. It being very compact (short) didn't allow it to "trailer" very well. God forbid you have to do a quick correction on the highway. I sold it after one use and waited till I could afford something more durable.

 

Hi I have a folding trailer and it works fine fore camping and hauling my foreman 450 ES. If you do not plan on any really heavy pulling then it should be fine.

 

I just got my Harbor Freight foldable a couple days ago. Got it all toghether bought 3/4 treated plywood and found trailer front and rear beds out of square. Now I have to loosen all the bolts, attach the plywood for square, then retighen. I tell you this in case you get one. Do it this way. Anyhow the tires are marked to go 55 mph. You can tell from the holes in the frame. That the trailer is exactly the same as the 1800 lb one. The bed is just upside down. If turned over the holes are pre-drilled for the planking, instead of the plywood, And of course is not foldable. The only other diference between the two is a third spring, and a 5 bolt wheel. And just a little wider tire(4.80 to a 5.20) Just some info, you can buy an additional 3rd spring from J.C. Whitney for $18 a pair.
That said there are 2- 990 lb trailers, if it says 1200lb trailer. That is the 990 lb max load plus the 210 lbs that trailer it self weighs. Again the same. The 2- 990 are one with 8 in wheels and the other with 12 in wheels. I bought the 12 in wheeled trailer. The bearings look as good as anything I've seen on other trailers or even cars. With inside and outside races (bearings) all pregreased. And also include aset of bearing buddys. Franlkly, at 12 inch wheels and bigger tires than the 8 inch wheels, this trailer should easisly do 65 to 70 mph which is fine with me. A soon as I get it done and take my Bomb for a ride. I'll put another post up here and let everyone know how it does.

 

I would never put my 5000 dollar machine on a 199 dollar harbor freight trailer and go down the highway. I couldnt live with myself if it flew off and killed an innocent bystander or driver of another vehicle. I sure wouldnt go fast on those dinky tires either. I bought a very nice 5x10 Expanded metal floor, dovetailed with built in tailgate ramp for 599 brand new. Has a 3500 pound axle and 15 inch car tires. No worries now.