I am in need of a small utility trailer for my ATV and general purpose moving. I have been searching high and low and have not found one I am willing to buy. Looking every day on Craigs List has lead to much frustration. Either too expensive, $900 on up, or absolute junk for $500 and higher. I can't believe what some people are asking for a true junk-looking trailer. All I am after is about a 5x8, maybe 6x10, no bigger. I think I have the skills needed to build a pretty decent utility trailer. I have found a couple different places that sell the axle, wheel, springs, and hardware kits. Then I supply the steel and labor to put it together. Is this normally the best route to take? Or should I also go after a set of plans also? Can I put together this size of trailer for quite a bit less than the new price? I am hoping I could pull it together for less than $600. I know the price of steel is out of sight, but what do you all feel this should cost if I am using mostly new steel for this project?Thanks,BrentLincoln 3200HD MIGLincoln AC/DC 225 Stick
Reply:I have built a few trailers, and in the end, they ended up costing me the same or more to build than to just buy a new one. If you can source a used axle and tires, you might meet your price goal. But if you have to buy new wheels with tires, axle, springs, hardware, lights, tongue, fenders, and jack, and you are looking at quite a bit of money even before you buy the steel. Not to mention if you go with hardwood slats for the floor, that will cost you as well. Cruise craigslist for a trailer, I see great deals on them all the time.QMiller Syncrowave 200Hobart Handler 140Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38E-Z Tube BenderPlasma Cam DHC2
Reply:Brent, I bought a Sno-Bear 5x8 tilt trailer at Home Depot a couple of years ago. It has a 2000 lb maximum and the ends "reverse" 90 degrees to become bed extensions. The tongue length is adjustable as well. I have been very happy with it. I think they sell for about $700 now. Doubt if you can build one much cheaper, especially if you count your time as worth anything.
Reply:Keep an eye out for an old tent camper w/ ruined canvas/top. Strip the body off,plywood deck it ,install lites and your ready to go. MikeOl' Stonebreaker "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:I tried out Redneck Trailer Supply in Fredrick (north of Denver) yesterday. And while they aren't really what I would call redneck, they do stock all the parts to build a trailer except the steel - and are within driving distance of Co Springs. I started with a trailer house frame and am selling off the old axles. I'll likely be in for around $900 for a 7000lb tandem axle trailer, but it will be new axles with electric brakes, new deck, and new wheels. If it was just for around town I would be OK with the wore out tires and unbalanced rims, but I'm pulling this cross country loaded with tools and need it to run tight.
Reply:utilitytrailerkit.com sells kits minus the steel. They are the cheapest in the country and I have bought and built many with their kits. You can build whatever size you need for under a grand.The kits with lights, chains, coupler, fenders, tires, axles and all hardware are about 300 for a 3500# axle.Good luckBill
Reply:diluded000,Why are you changing the axles? No brakes on the old axles? Were they trailer house or camp trailer axles?I ask because my son's building a trailer in school shop this year and we're starting with a camp trailer frame and tandem axles.Thanks,Roger
Reply:Roger,These were axles like you would find on a mobile home, not so much like on a travel trailer. They were missing parts, and the tires were cracked, so I just got rid of them. I couldn't see putting new rubber on these rusted out dented up things. They were just in too bad of shape for me to work with, and didn't have brakes.- James B
Reply:Along the same lines as WHughes, take a look at one of the many kits with free plans, do you own cost estimate for the iron plus kit and make a decision from there. Some generic plans.http://www.championtrailers.com/UTIL...AILER_KITS.HTM
Reply:I agree with Qucifer. I've built a few and, unless it's to be a specialty trailer for a particular piece of equipment or purpose, you'll do better to check out someone like Northern Tool or Tractor Supply. You can buy a trailer from those guys cheaper than you can buy the running gear and material to build your own.
Reply:I've had good luck with Harbor Freight, have you priced them out yet?
Reply:I wussed out and bought a trailer at Gov Liquidation. Frankly, I love this thing. Had to replace the tires, but the trailer is an absolute tank and pulls very well. Can't even tell it is back there.....Lincoln 3200HD MIGLincoln AC/DC 225 Stick
Reply:Originally Posted by Brent13I wussed out and bought a trailer at Gov Liquidation. Frankly, I love this thing. Had to replace the tires, but the trailer is an absolute tank and pulls very well. Can't even tell it is back there.....
Reply:Hey Brent, nice trailer!!! I doubt you could have built a better quality vehicle!! http://www.steelsoldiers.com/index.p...wtopic&p=61470City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply
o you mind me asking what that went for? If you don't want to give specifics, a general price range is fine. Thanks!
Reply:My winning bid was $432. I thought I could get it closer to $300, but the bidding got pretty crazy in the final minutes. I have learned that these trailers, M101's, are pretty popular. You can score a M105 for $200 or less, but that thing is a serious beast. Far too tall and heavy for a civilian truck. With taxes and fees, the final cost was $499. Bargain trailer I thought, but about two weeks after I got it one of the tires started coming apart. Not flat, but a large piece of rubber came off. So another $500 for replacement tires. Now it should serve me well, love the thing. BrentLincoln 3200HD MIGLincoln AC/DC 225 Stick
