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Posted by: Dragginbutt
'dog, I think the problem with the jump in steel prices was a one time catch up in the market. I know you think you can't afford a slightly higher priced trailer.. but if you have to, save the extra $ and buy up. There is nothing in the world worse then spending a lot of money for something that either will not do what you want it to do, or is underbuilt quality wise, and you find out months later that you have to buy something else because it just will not do the job.
My local trailer dealer has several models that will haul a single quad for around $700. And they have 14 inch tires etc. These are national brand trailers.. you can get mesh models too. You might also look at Nichols trailers who advertize on this web site.
The point is, if the difference between a cheap trailer, and a better quality one is only a couple months of saving some bucks away.. I'd be waiting for the upgrade if I were you.
Posted by: BlackandRedWarrior
The Snow Bears (what's sold at Lowes, Home Depot and Costco) are not the same as the Harbor Freight ones that get a lot of mentioning here. I don't see the big deal with it being a "T" front trailer. You're still transferring all that weight to a "T" anyways, namely the receiver which is only going to be a 2" square tubing with a single bolt /pin holding it. I know one person mentioned getting 3 sport quads on his (sideways). I'd buy/make another ramp unless you like hitting a 60 deg jump every time you load up. (He actually went airborn and nailed the front of the trailer.)
Posted by: watzupdog
Went to go get a trailer yesterday and the 5x10 that I was looking at went up $90 since I last looked. Something about steel prices going up. Well that took it out of my price range. I still need a trailer, but the only one that I can find cheap enough is a cheaply made one. Found a 4x6 at lowes. And did a search on here and it's 50/50 about people liking them. Where I ride is about 40 mins away. I have a TB250 and this trailer will be wall to wall with my 250. I think that it might work if I frame it in with a couple of 1x10's down the side and front/back in order for the tires to sit on and keep it from twisting going down the highway. I've needed a trailer for a long time. And I just want ever get the extra funds to get the one that I want. So how bad is the 12 inch tire cruzing down the highway. Keep in mind that even though I dont want to, I'll keep it around 55mph. And my main concern is it has a T front instead of a V. You know the part that comes off of the trailer and hooks to the truck. Oh and once I figure out how. I'll keep the bearings greased. I've called all around and just cant find nothing thats not way out of my price range. This one from lowes comes with a ramp also. For I think $498. A friend of mine says that he has a 10% off coupon that I can use. So were looking at $450 plus tax. Thanks for input.
Posted by: watzupdog
Around here a Lowes 4x6 mesh bottom (T) tongue runs $498. The local trailer builder 5x10 (A) tongue runs $740 with full size used tires. This morning on my way to the city, I tried driving 55mph on the interstate as if I was using one of those lowes trailers with the smaller 12inch wheels. Man it stressed me out. There is just no way that I could use that lowes trailer with the smaller wheel and have to keep it at 55mph max speed. Traffic runs around 75-85mph. Oh and this would be the same route that I would take to where I ride. So I guess I'll have to go with a full size trailer, and just pay the extra money some how. I'll need to do it soon because of the steel prices going up so fast.
Posted by: Doctorturbo
wastzupdog; sorry, just had to say it!!!
Here is my take on cheap trailers. They are aaaaaaaaaa cheap. Being so, you can't do things like you can do with a well made trailer. Like over loading it, driving like a mad man down a dirt road, ect, ect. You have to keep an eye on things and check it a lot. Look for cracks in the frame, look at the wheel bearings BEFORE you load your 8 grand quad on it. Kind of like a check list for the trailer.
I did not want to buy another trailer because I already have a race car trailer and a boat trailer. I took the supports off of the boat trailer and bolted some 1" plywood on. Bingo!!! instant quad trailer for about 75 bucks!!! I liked it so much that I made a small frame around the A part of it and bolted another 1/2 sheet of plywood on. Now I can haul 2 quads.
It works great, even with 12" tires. They might even be 10" tires? I, like you, didn't like the idea of small tires. Now I don't worry at all about them. When I went to pick up my V I got pulled over by a motorcycle cop doing a........well, aaaaaaaa, lets just say over 70. Must have been a kawasaki lover cop, he let me go.
I have seen boat trailers go real cheap around here. Maybe you can do what I did? If you don't have the tools, knowledge or whatever I think you will be fine with the Lowes trailer. Just keep an eye on things.
By the way, my Traxter and V weigh a "few" more lbs than your TB!!!!
Posted by: tta583
The Lowes stores around here have trailers but they don't look like the HF trailers. In other words they are not kits, unless there is a larder HF trailer I have not noticed. Check local listings for trailers near you!!! Anyway, the Lowes trailers look like the the Sam's club trailers. Wood deck, save for like the front 18 inches which is metal. The fence around the deck is made or like round tube. The leading edge of the trailer is rounded. The price is like to the moon.
Same here in terms of builders. I have several local builders as well as at least 3 resellers that all offer much nicer trailers at much lower costs. 15' tires, heavier frames, both straight ("T") and "A" tongues, mesh or wood floors. Can you tell I have been shopping the same as of late? The going rate around here for a 5x10, "A" tongue, 15' used tire with Ford pattern truck rims, 3000lb axle, wood or mesh deck, no rear drop gate, tilt, and lights is $569. Of course there are a ton of other places wanting upwards of $600 for flimsy 5x8's. You just have to shop around.
Posted by: bberck
Might not be the same where you live put i would look around. We have alot of trailer builders in my area that sell better built trailers for a cheaper price. I remember looking at a trailer at lowes when they first got them thinking they arent going to sell any at those prices lol. but like i said this could just be from having alot of builders in this area.
