Skid Posted August 16, 2008 Share #1 Posted August 16, 2008 I'm getting ready to start my Harbor Freight trailer project. I have one on order. The store didn't have what I needed so I got a rain check for 15% off the sale price. I was wondering how much longer should I make the tongue than it is now? And is it customary to remove any of the leaf springs? I was thinking there were multiple leafs. Also what other flooring options is there besides going with the diamond plate metal? I'm just looking for ideas, and gathering parts now and should be ready to build as soon as the trailer arrives..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eck Posted August 16, 2008 Share #2 Posted August 16, 2008 Skid, I found this article a while back and saved it. This guy has some interesting comments about extending the tonge and building the trailer in general. Hope you find the info helpful. http://www.herberts.org/wayne/valk/trailer.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonRider Posted August 16, 2008 Share #3 Posted August 16, 2008 Even I could follow those directions..........very well written. Way to go Eck, I bet you got a bunch of tech articles like that, dont you.:innocent: . Wouldnt expect anything less from our resident Rocket Sciencetist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yammer Dan Posted August 16, 2008 Share #4 Posted August 16, 2008 That should be in our Tech Library. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROG MAN Posted August 16, 2008 Share #5 Posted August 16, 2008 Skid better leave that leaf spring in. Leslie has plans for the extra space. Shopping Spree's.:rotf: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skid Posted August 16, 2008 Author Share #6 Posted August 16, 2008 Thanks Eck, I'll keep that page. I hope to get started soon if I can get my trailer. I still got to wire the lights and maybe go ahead and get new wheel bearings so I'll have everything ready to go soon. Does anyone know the part number for the replacement wheel bearings? I plan to replace them and add buddy bearings too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flb_78 Posted August 16, 2008 Share #7 Posted August 16, 2008 I built a HF trailer. I used the tongue that came with it. I removed all but the longest leaf and I used just plain old plywood. I bolted down a Sears cargo hauler on it, but if I had to redo it, I would use 2 aluminum pickup truck boxes instead. I also took all the lights off and replaced them with LED's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WV Terry Posted August 16, 2008 Share #8 Posted August 16, 2008 Skid: I used plywood floor for mine, didn't have exterior type so I coated with undercoating. You can extend tongue length by moving the front cross brace forward. Don't know how they pull with standard tongue length but with the extended mounting you can hardly tell it's back there. Hardest part was painting everything black unless red works for you!! Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BigJohnD Posted August 16, 2008 Share #9 Posted August 16, 2008 I met a guy named Bubber...a member in here...that built his own trailer. Might give him a shout to see what he learned from his project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mini-muffin Posted August 16, 2008 Share #10 Posted August 16, 2008 We didn't change the tongue length and it seems fine. Can't wait to see the pics of yours. Jeff used a piece of 90 thousandths aluminum for the bed. Margaret Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juggler Posted August 17, 2008 Share #11 Posted August 17, 2008 I met a guy named Bubber...a member in here...that built his own trailer. Might give him a shout to see what he learned from his project. Bubber is from North Branch, MN and I bet he is bringing his trailer up to Pork in the Pines. Come on up to see how he built it. I'll be looking closely at it since he built a tear dropper style trailer and I think I am going to take the Sears car topper off of my trailer and build a tear dropper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubber Posted August 17, 2008 Share #12 Posted August 17, 2008 I'll be glad to share my experience building my tear drop trailer with anyone. Things I would change....things I like..... things that would be nice to have... what ever. I gotta pay some stuff forward because one of the guys here (Eck) showed me that one good turn gets you to pay it forward and that in itself keeps the whole cycle going and going and going. Just like the energizer bunny! Yes I will be at the Pork in the Pines and I can tell you what ever you want to know about anything.....LOL Mr thinks he knows it all! (and I get proved wrong every other day) Steve AKA Bubber Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eck Posted August 17, 2008 Share #13 Posted August 17, 2008 Skid, Here is another link I saved that you might find interesting for your trailer. http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.gadgetjq.com/rg_bike-trailer.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.gadgetjq.com/trailer.htm&h=732&w=578&sz=205&hl=en&start=38&um=1&tbnid=Q0r3cWXzSgeazM:&tbnh=141&tbnw=111&prev= And here are some Harbor Freight part numbers that might help you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_wells Posted August 17, 2008 Share #14 Posted August 17, 2008 I bought one here in Columbus I put a 1/2 inch piece of ply wood on it and a plastic 18 qf car top carrier Total cost just under $300.00 I have pulled it almost 4000 miles this year no problems I am using a hitch from venturedad The only change I would make for next year is I don't have enough cargo space. I may mount the cooler to the tongue or go with a larger cargo box. I have attached a couple of photos Ride Safe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsigwing Posted August 17, 2008 Share #15 Posted August 17, 2008 I'm getting ready to start my Harbor Freight trailer project. I have one on order. The store didn't have what I needed so I got a rain check for 15% off the sale price. I was wondering how much longer should I make the tongue than it is now? And is it customary to remove any of the leaf springs? I was thinking there were multiple leafs. Also what other flooring options is there besides going with the diamond plate metal? I'm just looking for ideas, and gathering parts now and should be ready to build as soon as the trailer arrives..... Used mine as it came, but did remove the shortest leaf. Put a piece of plywood and coated the entire thing with truck bed liner. Pulls no problem. Also welded on a cooler rack from some spare bits laying around, nothing fancy but gets the job done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GigaWhiskey Posted August 17, 2008 Share #16 Posted August 17, 2008 You guys realize you have me looking at this now. Shame on y'all. JK I went to Harbor Freight's site but saw no price. What does one of these trailers cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBoyinMS Posted August 17, 2008 Share #17 Posted August 17, 2008 Has anyone built (or bought) a single wheel trailer? The type that tilts with the bike? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1BigDog Posted August 18, 2008 Share #18 Posted August 18, 2008 Heres a good site too, Skid. My last H/F trailer kit was built stock width with a 20 cf Sears box on it, followinf Gadgets plans. My new one will follow the plans listed in the link for EurekaBoy. I already have the H/F trailer and the Explorer box. Good luck...... http://nomad.eurekaboy.com/mctrailer.htm Try here too: http://forums.delphiforums.com/n/main.asp?webtag=MCTrailertowing&nav=start&prettyurl=%2FMCTrailertowing%2Fstart One more for ya... http://www.gadgetjq.com/trailer.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kkontor Posted August 18, 2008 Share #19 Posted August 18, 2008 I narrowed mine down but left the spings alone. I put a new tounge on it that was 2 ft longer. Pulls great. Here are some pictures. I also added a cooler rack on the front. [ATTACH]20667[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]20668[/ATTACH] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eck Posted August 18, 2008 Share #20 Posted August 18, 2008 You guys realize you have me looking at this now. Shame on y'all. JK I went to Harbor Freight's site but saw no price. What does one of these trailers cost? I was at HF saturday in Huntsville, and they had one for $239.00 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squidley Posted August 18, 2008 Share #21 Posted August 18, 2008 You guys realize you have me looking at this now. Shame on y'all. JK I went to Harbor Freight's site but saw no price. What does one of these trailers cost. GW, They go onsale regularly for $179, if I see one in one of my sale papers I'll let you know that they are on sale. I believe that the sale papers are nationwide when they put them on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GigaWhiskey Posted August 18, 2008 Share #22 Posted August 18, 2008 You guys realize you have me looking at this now. Shame on y'all. JK I went to Harbor Freight's site but saw no price. What does one of these trailers cost? I was at HF saturday in Huntsville, and they had one for $239.00 GW, They go onsale regularly for $179, if I see one in one of my sale papers I'll let you know that they are on sale. I believe that the sale papers are nationwide when they put them on Thanks y'all! Looks like I may have new project! I'll need it for the '09 Rally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgtglenn Posted August 18, 2008 Share #23 Posted August 18, 2008 I narrowed mine so it is no wider than the saddle bags. Adding 12 inches to the tongue eliminated the sway I experienced at 65 mph. Can now do 90+ without feeling the trailer behind me ( good for passing truckers) Running with only one (long) leaf spring installed on each side of axle, 5.30x12" tires inflated to 30 psi. Towed 4000 miles last summer without any wheel bearing problems at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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