Making due without a pickup truck

[Mark42]

Not having a pickup truck, a utility trailer is my solution to the occasional need to haul stuff. Boy, you would think a simple 4x6 or 4x8 utility trailer would be easy to find. Well, they are online, and then the shipping adds $100 or more to the price. Plus there is still the cost of adding floor and sides so it can haul mulch.

Most util trailers around my area are nice with mesh floors, tail gate/ramp, and generally are much bigger than I need.

I was seriously thinking about ordering one of those folding trailers from Northerntool.com but still have to add floor, sides, etc. Plus its going to sit outside and I have doubts about the quality of those folding trailers.

I was surprised to find that the local Tractor Supply store has a 4x6 trailer for $399 that has side rails, mesh floor, 12" rims and a 2000 GVW rating. So yesterday I went and looked, and its the same "Carry-on" brand trailer sold by most home centers and trailer/RV stores around here. So a quick tour of the retailers in the area showed the Tractor Supply trailer was the best deal for my needs. Reviews I could find online were fairly good, big complaint being the paint quality. Will end up spraying a coat of Rustolium on it next weekend because I can see a few rust spots on the trailers at the store already. Mostly from the sloppy wire feed welds that leave an inch of wire sticking up off the mesh floor. (what did you expect for $399???)

Going to pick one up in a few minutes before leaving to Mom's house. This is the trailer:

http://media.tractorsupply.com/is-viewers-4.1/flash/genericzoom.swf?&serverUrl=http://media.tractorsupply.com/is/image/&contentRoot=/skins/&config=TractorSupplyCompany/TSCConfig4ℑ=TractorSupplyCompany/1011070_set&initialFrame=0


Plan is to add 2.5' high sides to give a 2 yard capacity for hauling mulch, topsoil, etc. The savings on delivery charges for mulch and dirt alone will pay for this trailer in 2 seasons!!! Add savings on delivery of appliances, lumber, firewood, etc could recoup the expense in 1 year!

Wish I could afford a pickup truck, but its just not going to happen in this economy.

Let me know if you have one of these trailers and what you think of it.

Thanks!

Mark.

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: Making due without a pickup truck

Yes I do mines going on 3yrs with no problems.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Making due without a pickup truck

Be advised..... 1 cubic yard of top soil will more than likely overload that trailer. So just be careful of how much you get loaded.

 

[204 Escape]

Re: Making due without a pickup truck

2 months ago, I bought a 5 X 10' utility trailer. Wood floor, wiring in conduit, lights, 2" ball hitch, re-moveable ramp, rails around unit, and a jack on the front, cheap "trailer rated tires". It was a MAXEY brand, they are made in Texas. Mine was called the "Ecconomy" trailer. It sold for $995.00 I've done business with the shop where I bought it, and they have always been real good for me to deal/work with.

There is a trailer lot here that sells utility trailers, that the wires are stapled to the wood deck, and they come with used tires. (Whatever they can find). These are new units !!! A 5' X 10' there sold for $875.00. It had no gate/ramp !!!

I may have gotten taken, but it's paid for.

 

[mommicked]

Re: Making due without a pickup truck

I dont know what i'd do w/o a pickupive had one since I was 16(now own 2) and may never own a car again,unless I improve my cash flow.Then I"d like to build a 60s Ford or Merc. w an old hotrod drivetrain I have stored since the 80s.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Making due without a pickup truck

I bought one of those kits at Northern several years back for $199 and put it together. It has served me well as I have hauled a whole bunch of stuff with it. It is not as sturdy as a welded one, but it is failry light and it does what I need.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Making due without a pickup truck

Be advised..... 1 cubic yard of top soil will more than likely overload that trailer. So just be careful of how much you get loaded.

Yes, you are correct! I did a quick check online and top soil is listed as about 2000-2500 lbs per yard, so one yard will overload that trailer. But mulch is only about 600-800 lbs (depending on how wet it is) so the trailer can easily handle two yards of mulch.

Guess I will pay for any dirt deliveries. Luck for me, I don't buy dirt every year.

 

[Cofe]

Re: Making due without a pickup truck

Yea Mark those trailers like that are nice. Some of them are tilt bed and are real handy. Older Ford Ranger 5 bolt wheels will bolt right on the five bolt spindles. You can also cut plywood boards the size of the angle iron rails and bolt them on to haul loose stuff. I cannot build a trailer like that for the price.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Making due without a pickup truck

Not sure if you have any choice but to me an 8' bed is very important. When carrying building supplies, being able to lay down 8' foot studs or sheets of plywood etc is very convenient.. With 6', you will always be having overhang.

You can get this at your local harbor freight. It is the same as offered by Northern and has a full 8' bed.. I made mine as not foldable..

http://www.harborfreight.com/1195-l...tility-trailer-with-12-inch-wheels-90154.html

 

[rbh]

Re: Making due without a pickup truck

Be advised..... 1 cubic yard of top soil will more than likely overload that trailer. So just be careful of how much you get loaded.

Yup, we always say a yard of gravel is 2200 pounds (dry or wet)

 

[sschefer]

Re: Making due without a pickup truck

I had considered building a trailer when I had my Chevy Tahoe. My problem was what to do with it when I wasn't using it. I have a 3 car garage. One car is in the garage, the boat takes up the other stall and the third is my shop. If I park the trailer in front of the shop then I had to park the Tahoe in front of the boat and I had to jockey the boat and trailer around just to get hooked up. It's hard to explain but it wasn't what I wanted.

I sold the Tahoe and bought my F350 and everything works out perfectly. So, although a trailer might be a solution for those that have room to store it, it didn't work out for me.

 

[BlkY2k]

Re: Making due without a pickup truck

Do yourself a favor and ditch the rustoleum and use por-15 and you`ll never have to paint it again.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Making due without a pickup truck

I had the same situation as you, I need the use a pick-up at least once a week but got tired of the expense of keeping up another vehicle. IMO the harbor freight is the best way to go....it is cheap,lightweight and easy to handle and fun to assemble. With a 20% coupon you can get this 4x8 trailer for about $250. You have to add the floor and sides which will add another $100. This thing tilts to,so it is ideal for lawn tractors and 4-wheelers. I have built several of these for friends and they are tickled to death.
Unlike most utility trailers which are a PIA to hitch up this one is easy because it is not difficult to pick the tongue up and move it into position. I think the folding feature is impractical so I built mine so it does not fold up.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Making due without a pickup truck

you guys know you can rent a 1 ton pickup at Home depot right?

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Making due without a pickup truck

Renting isn't a bad way to go if your hauling needs aren't too constant. Or just pay for delivery. That way no need to buy anything, store it, etc...
Depending on how often you actually use the rig, you may be ahead by renting.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Making due without a pickup truck

Uhh yeah with some of the dirt weight calculations being thrown around a rental would be a very good idea for most! Waaaay low in most cases.

 

[mommicked]

Re: Making due without a pickup truck

I was on my way to work a few weeks ago and came upon a traffic jam on the freeway.As I got to the point traffic picked up I saw a Home Depot rental truck on the side of the road and behind it a ways a rollback was winching the aluminum dump insert onto the flatbedbed.I assume that someone did not bolt or fasten it in after it was removed and reinstalled!there was no dirt or anything in the road.All I could think was I was glad I wasnt behind it when it fell out!

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Making due without a pickup truck

I ditched the pickup and got the 4x8 folding from Northern. I needed the folding feature to store it inside, as I have no place to store it outside. I am extremely happy with the trailer. I looked at the HF one, but liked the Northern one better because of the frame design.

 

[98Shabah]

Re: Making due without a pickup truck

Not being a fan of pickup trucks, I got a 4x8 trailer from tractor supply, mesh floor, mesh ramp/gate, side and front rails.. It was about $500 5 years ago.. I put a treated plywood floor in it and made some sides with 2x4s and treated plywood, it has served it's purpose well.