transporting games using Harbor Freight 4'x8' folding trailer

dorkshoei

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transporting games using Harbor Freight 4'x8' folding trailer

I sold my pickup truck and inherited my wife's Nissan Rogue which has a CVT and therefore an advised 1000 lb towing capacity (including trailer).

I bought one of the Harbor Freight folding 4x8' trailers, mostly for transporting my dirt bike. I added the plywood decking and multiple tie down points on the sides, so it now looks pretty similar to this pic I found on the web

I've not made the staked side rails and I'm not really inclined to.

Has anyone moved two games using the same setup? The trailer not wide enough for two full size games to lay on their backs. So I was pondering transporting them upright back to back, one each side of the axle. Lashing them together using two 2" endless ratchet straps, one around the bottom, the other above the control panels. Then looping some soft ties around the upper ratchet strap and securing to the tie down points on the side of the trailer using standard ratchet straps (hook ends).

It just seems like a lot of top heavy weight on a pretty flimsy trailer, can't quite convince myself it's safe.
 
It's not the folding trailer, but my buddy has this flatbed trailer from HF, very similar to what you linked to in the photo. He has the wooden rails for it. He tows it with an '07 forest XT turbo. No problems moving games.

He's had it for 5+ years, earlier in February he had to repack & replace some bearings on it and deal with some rusting issues on the frame since it was kept outdoors.

The folding trailer should be avoided from everything I've heard about it.


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Those trailers are flimsy garbage. I don't recommend them for hauling anything.
I wasn't asking for your recommendation on trailers :)

I'm surprised at how well it's worked so far hauling my KTM so clearly "anything" is total crap. Like most things HF, they definitely benefit from tuning. I've recently TIG'd in corner reinforcements though it was working fine without. I'm not sure I'd want to haul more than 800 pounds (including trailer - it's spec'd at 1200 but like I said, the CVT imposes a 1000 pound limit).

The original question, I guess, was more on tie-down techniques. It would apply equally for carrying a refrigerator, water heater etc standing upright. In a truck, if forced to carry upright, you'd load it against the cab wall. I've no experience of carrying such top heavy loads in a trailer.

I'm not sure if side-rails are a must-have. In the previous pic they don't appear to be adding much. The straps running over the tops of the games good idea. I was looking for some kind of strap that could lash around both games which had built in loops for attaching tie downs onto, couldn't find anything online which is why I figured looping soft-ties around and attaching tie downs to them.

Thanks
 
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The wind is really going to put strain on your tie downs. If the games are a little deeper it might help, more of a base to cling to, but something like a battlezone is going to want to tip right over. I wouldn't recommend hauling upright, stick with one game on its back. You really need a wall to wedge them up against if you are carrying them upright.
 
How about you just rent a 5x8 with ramp from uhaul when you have a run with more than one game? I've fit 5 upright on one of those, and only costs $30 with taxes. Just negotiate $30 less on the price to cover the rental :)
 
How about you just rent a 5x8 with ramp from uhaul

Because empty their 5x8 trailer weighs 900 pounds and my SUV has a 1000lb towing capacity.
There is a reason I got this trailer. Well, it also folds and which is nice because I don't have space to store otherwise.
 
Because empty their 5x8 trailer weighs 900 pounds and my SUV has a 1000lb towing capacity.
There is a reason I got this trailer. Well, it also folds and which is nice because I don't have space to store otherwise.

Any idea why the towing capacity is so low on that SUV? I have towed a 5 x 8 uhaul trailer with two games in my scion xa, and it doesn't even have a towing capacity.

In your case, I would recommend laying one game down on the trailer, and making two trips.
 
Meh, when you strap a game DOWN to the trailer... it prevents it from tipping. The only way it would tip is if the trailer tipped or the strap came loose/broke... don't go around corners fast and you won't tip the trailer. :)

It's physically impossible for the game to tip 'off' the trailer if it's properly strapped down. I would strap the games facing away from each other.. across the top of each cab with two straps each... I would then strap the two together with a strap. Either remove or be absolutely sure the bezel and marquee of each game is VERY secured. I typically use stretch wrap and/or blankets during the strapping process personally...
 
Well, the 1000lb guideline has to do with the transmission as well as braking efficiency, but you could go over that for the times you need it, knowing sudden stops put more strain on the brakes, and your transmission will be working harder. Your car isn't going to just explode on the freeway if it's pulling a little more than its rated for. I drove a uhaul truck once and loaded it with 4k more pounds than the max rating, the thing still drove like a champ over mountain pass.

I'm sure you could fit one game on its side inside the suv with another on its back in the trailer.

If you are frequently doing multi-game runs, then you either:

1) have a very accepting wife, or:
2) live in a place where games are just abundant (and I need to move there)
 
I think a lot depends on how far and what speeds you will be going.

Across town is one thing, but if you meet a semi going 70mph that puts a huge wind effect on what you are pulling.

Your own words, "top heavy weight on a pretty flimsy trailer"
 
Maybe lay one on its side, strap down, then put the other one on top, also on its side, and strap it down. Put a piece of carpet or several moving blankets between them.
 
Any idea why the towing capacity is so low on that SUV?

Hey Paul, how's it going. Yes, the Rogue has a CVT (constantly variable transmission). I generally consider this a good thing but it's not for towing.
 
If you are frequently doing multi-game runs, then you either:

1) have a very accepting wife, or:
2) live in a place where games are just abundant (and I need to move there)
Or 3) why does there have to be a frequently?

Maybe lay one on its side, strap down, then put the other one on top, also on its side, and strap it down. Put a piece of carpet or several moving blankets between them.
Yeah. Not a bad idea. Thanks!
 
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I took a 4x8 folding trailer, laid down some plywood and built up sides. It is my game hauler, among other things.
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Thanks. Maybe I'll reeval making the sides though I'll use ply as the wife sometimes wants to haul mulch etc.
 
My goodness that's an accident waiting to happen.
 
transporting games using Harbor Freight 4'x8' folding trailer

The tires on the folding trailer are rated at 55 MPH, they're only 12 inch and the bearings are prone to failure (plus they are metric so finding replacements will usually involve hunting for them). There are only 4 bolts holding this thing together when you switch from folded to unfolded. I'd recommend sticking to one game and short distances. Building a platform that sounds like it will sit on top of the wheel shrouds is a disaster waiting to happen. A failure with two machines sitting on top of that on a busy highway could end up being fatal to someone behind you.

And to end on a uptick I got this pro welded and titled baby for $1000 and it was worth every penny.

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It's a light duty trailer for sure. The 4 bolts part isn't correct, that's what releases the folding mech but not what holds it together. No question there are much heavier duty small trailers available but a) they need somewhere to store them b) weigh more. I wasn't advocating building a platform that would sit directly on the wheel shrouds. Yes, there are thousands of improper load towing accidents yearly, it's not to be taken lightly.
 
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