Learn me utility trailers

Bought a new house with no HOA, and enough space that I can store a utility trailer, and now I want one. No more hauling mulch in the back of the van, no more paying for delivery on appliances, ability to haul bikes, mowers, or anything anywhere. But I have no idea what I should look for in a decent utility trailer. Learn me?

Greater Charlotte NC area if that matters (Waxhaw), would love a little aluminum trailer, but they look real spendy for how often I'll likely use it. High side/low side/removable side? Wood or metal deck?

Mutliple options depending on size and need.  From the cheap little HF 4x4 trailers (tack weld them up and add 10" tires for stability) to full size car haulers.  I agree aluminum is pricey compared to steel, but if weight is a concern, it's the lighter option.  I'm assuming you're thinking open trailers as opposed to inclosed? 

Start looking at craigs for trailers in your range and make sure to include dealers.  Sometimes, you'll find used trailers aren't that much cheaper than new. 

If it's just mulch and smallish items, I'd look for a 4x6 or 5x7 open trailer.  Check out your local big box home improvement place for some ideas and options and then go shopping from there.

Examples:

Harbor Freight $399

Home Depot $727

Tractor Supply $699

Used in Charlotte for $200

-Rob

I have a HF 4 x 8 that folds up for more compact storage.  It came as a kit to which you add wood decking and sides if you want.  I also upgraded to better hubs.  You have to register it as a new vehicle (in PA at least) which involves some paperwork and time.  In the end, I doubt I saved anything over monitoring Craigslist for a good deal.  If I had to do it over again, I would probably wait for a flatbed with a fold-down rear ramp like the lawn-maintenance guys use.  The folding idea seemed nice, but I never really use it because I have a place to store it flat.  

 That said, I love having a trailer. I can tow about 1500 pounds with the Kia, which covers my ATV.  I have room to haul sheets of plywood or drywall, and by adding sides and a tarp, I can haul piles of mulch.  I have loaded it with bikes, chairs and everything else needed for a family trip to the beach, hauled firewood to the cabin, brought home appliances, helped people move.  I just bought a new riding more last week and brought it home on the trailer.  (oh, it tilts to make loading easier.  No need for ramps)  

I bought a Harbor Freight 4x8 used and it works way better than it has any right to. It pulls easily behind my Mazda 6 wagon. It has a plywood deck and I built sides out of pressure treated 1x8s to use it for hauling brush as well. I just leave the sides on most of the time. I also put a hitch on my zero turn mower and it's awesome for hauling things around the yard. It's stable on the freeway and I've used it to haul everything from a toolbox to mulch to a motorcycle.

I have a little Aluma 4 x 6 with a ramp & 3' removable stake sides. All aluminum construction, ~240 Lbs, torsion spring axle, 1/2 ton capacity. I paid ~$1200 a decade or so ago. It's been used for the usual homeowner duties plus track tire/tool service and many interstate trips.

https://www.alumaklm.com/utility/single-axle

Yeah it was much more expensive than steel, but it's needed zero maintenance over that time. I'd go up to a 5 x 8' if I had it to do over again, just for ease of plywood/sheetrock type hauls. 

I forgot to mention that I paid $150 for the used HF 4x8 folding trailer in good shape and spent about that putting the sides together.

For buying used, anything I need to look out for specifically? Obviously don't want dry-rotted tires or rust holes, but what am I forgetting?

I love my HF 4x8. I added better grease to the hubs and a sheet of PT 4x8 plywood for the deck. I didn't bother with the casters. Tows great behind the Protege. I've hauled a riding mower, plenty of furniture, and some building materials. The C channel frame means you can attach a ratchet strap just about anywhere. My only nit with it is when it's unloaded I can barely see it because it's so narrow.

I was set to buy a HF 4x8 when I found a used Haulin' 6x8 for the same price.  It does what I'd expect from a small trailer and tows great behind a minivan.  I've only had a few hundred pounds on it though.  I redid the decking this past spring and had to redo the wiring and lights when I bought it.  I've never touched the bearings but they seem fine after several hundred miles of use.  Basically it serves the use of a pickup truck, but costs virtually nothing to maintain.    

the_machina said:

For buying used, anything I need to look out for specifically? Obviously don't want dry-rotted tires or rust holes, but what am I forgetting?

Since trailers are so simple, there's not a lot to look at to check it.  Obviously tires (although might be a bargaining point), rusted frames, bent axles, wiring ok and not hacked, etc.  I'd stay with factory built vs. homebuilt only because you never know the skill of a home builder.  Looks for repairs that would indicate abuse.  Used trailers are harder to figure out it's weight and it's capacity.  There should be a sticker or plate noting that, but chances are it's long gone.  Chances are whatever you get you'll be customizing a bit to what you need. 

-Rob

For the uses you describe most any cheap 4 x 8 trailer would work (you want it big enough to carry 4 x 8 sheets of plywood or drywall.)  I like the idea of a folding version.   Even if you have room to store one that doesn't fold, unless you're using it every day it takes up space that could be used for something else. 

That said I have a home made one that doesn't fold, but I can stand it up on end against the garage wall so it's out of the way.  Mine has a tilt bed, which is nice for loading motorcycles or lawnmowers, just drive them on up and then the bed falls down flat again once you're on.

My only advice beyond what is already posted is get one with full size tires. The trailer weight will vary ALOT! Springs that are good enough to carry a yard of gravel won't move at all with an empty trailer. That means it will bounce all over the place. Full size tires can vary the air pressure considerably to make up for that and not blow out. The little wheels don't have that much range of pressure and loading can become an issue when aired down.