I Risked $199 On a Harbor Freight Trailer So You Don't Have To – Here's My Review.



I’ve been towing this Harbor Freight trailer around for 50,000 miles. In this video I reflect on the utility of the trailer, the value that it can offer, and some of the bad/low-quality aspects of it. Check out https://torturetestmagazine.com/yotahome to see the most up-to-date info on my mobile living arrangement, because I improve it often!

You can still get this trailer, but not for $199. It is available here from Ironton, which is basically just a different trim level: https://amzn.to/3DxuBgT (affiliate link) Whether or not the trailer will be considered street legal depends on your state of registration.

PRODUCTS IN THIS VIDEO:

POWOXI 100W & 60W Folding Solar Panels – Used in parallel to charge my Jackery 500: https://amzn.to/3J2vxLj (affiliate link)

8mm Parallel Cable – Used to parallel the two panels: https://amzn.to/3wZ3nyl (affiliate link)

8mm Extension Cable – Used to move the panels into an advantageous position: https://amzn.to/3J2vOOl (affiliate link)

Bearing Buddy grease caps for mini Harbor Freight Trailer – These keep the bearings fed with grease: https://amzn.to/2WdcNq5 (affiliate link)

DeWALT Jobsite Boxes – I have these bolted to the trailer to enable several hundred pounds of cargo carrying capacity: https://amzn.to/3qcqwJt (affiliate link)

TUSK Camp Chair (medium) – Very portable little chair that is actually a lot more comfortable than those standard camp chairs you find at the store: https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/tusk-compact-camp-chair-p?ref=1046&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=torturetestmag&utm_campaign=influencer (affiliate link)

BIG RED Jack Stand (2 ton) – Used for changing tires on the mini trailer, and occasionally finds some use with the 4runner: https://amzn.to/3u4bkAC (affiliate link)

Yamaha EF2000isV2 inverter generator – Quiet, efficient little generator that I use when the Jackery and solar panels alone aren’t going to cut it: https://amzn.to/3kCfpHj (affiliate link)

MSR Riding Gear Bag – Keeps every single piece of my riding gear readily accessible and organized: https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/riding-gear/msr-navigator-roller-gear-bag-p?ref=1046&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=torturetestmag&utm_campaign=influencer (affiliate link)

Check out my website for dirt bike related merch, premium content, and sponsor spots: https://torturetestmagazine.com/

Check out this page that has up-to-date info on my current bike setups! https://torturetestmagazine.com/pages/bikes

Check out the page that has an up-to-date list of my current riding gear!
https://torturetestmagazine.com/pages/current-gear

Start shopping at Rocky Mountain ATV/MC by bookmarking my affiliate link! https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/?ref=1046&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=torturetestmag&utm_campaign=influencer

See my Amazon favorites like the supplements I take to stay healthy and athletic! https://www.amazon.com/shop/torturetestmagazine

Buy whatever you would normally buy on Amazon, but get there by bookmarking this link so I get a kickback! https://amzn.to/3vVlH8p

Get a ton of teaser content by following my Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/torturetestmagazine/

Don’t forget to subscribe with notifications turned on, hit thumbs up, leave a comment (even if it’s just “leaving a comment to turbo charge the algorithm”), and share this content!

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27 thoughts on “I Risked $199 On a Harbor Freight Trailer So You Don't Have To – Here's My Review.”

  1. Hope you enjoyed this little video. I'm always kicking around ideas on how to improve the yotahome/trailer setup. Right now it's pretty sweet, especially the trailer setup. How would you go about improving this setup? Thanks!

    Check out https://torturetestmagazine.com/yotahome to see the most up-to-date info on my mobile living arrangement, because I change it often!

    You can still get this trailer, but not for $199. It is available here from Ironton, which is basically just a different trim level: https://amzn.to/3DxuBgT (affiliate link) Whether or not the trailer will be considered street legal depends on your state of registration.

    PRODUCTS IN THIS VIDEO:

    POWOXI 100W & 60W Folding Solar Panels – Used in parallel to charge my Jackery 500: https://amzn.to/3J2vxLj (affiliate link)

    8mm Parallel Cable – Used to parallel the two panels: https://amzn.to/3wZ3nyl (affiliate link)

    8mm Extension Cable – Used to move the panels into an advantageous position: https://amzn.to/3J2vOOl (affiliate link)

    Bearing Buddy grease caps for mini Harbor Freight Trailer – These keep the bearings fed with grease: https://amzn.to/2WdcNq5 (affiliate link)

    DeWALT Jobsite Boxes – I have these bolted to the trailer to enable several hundred pounds of cargo carrying capacity: https://amzn.to/3qcqwJt (affiliate link)

    TUSK Camp Chair (medium) – Very portable little chair that is actually a lot more comfortable than those standard camp chairs you find at the store: https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/pa... (affiliate link)

    BIG RED Jack Stand (2 ton) – Used for changing tires on the mini trailer, and occasionally finds some use with the 4runner: https://amzn.to/3u4bkAC (affiliate link)

    Yamaha EF2000isV2 inverter generator – Quiet, efficient little generator that I use when the Jackery and solar panels alone aren't going to cut it: https://amzn.to/3kCfpHj (affiliate link)

    MSR Riding Gear Bag – Keeps every single piece of my riding gear readily accessible and organized: https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/ri... (affiliate link)

    Check out my website for dirt bike related merch, premium content, and sponsor spots: https://torturetestmagazine.com/

    Check out this page that has up-to-date info on my current bike setups! https://torturetestmagazine.com/pages/bikes

    Check out the page that has an up-to-date list of my current riding gear!

    https://torturetestmagazine.com/pages/current-gear

    Start shopping at Rocky Mountain ATV/MC by bookmarking my affiliate link! https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/?ref=1046&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=torturetestmag&utm_campaign=influencer

    See my Amazon favorites like the supplements I take to stay healthy and athletic! https://www.amazon.com/shop/torturetestmagazine

    Buy whatever you would normally buy on Amazon, but get there by bookmarking this link so I get a kickback! https://amzn.to/3vVlH8p

    Get a ton of teaser content by following my Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/torturetestmagazine/

    Don't forget to subscribe with notifications turned on, hit thumbs up, leave a comment (even if it's just "leaving a comment to turbo charge the algorithm"), and share this content!

    Reply
  2. Why not a hitch mount rack? I had an HF folding trailer for my dirtbike 20 years ago. If you use the hitch rack, you don’t have another axle on the ground. btw, nobody wants your trailer, but bike yes.

    Reply
  3. After watching this video, it had me reminiscing about my own experiences with Harbor Freight trailers over the years.

    32 years ago I had the 4×4 with a Sears Turtle car top carrier mounted on a plywood deck for extra luggage space to tow behind my Trans Am, and got a lot of compliments on it. Then added a 4×4 deck above it for mountain bikes and other things. I needed more room for my growing family, so I sold the Trans Am, bought a Ford Bronco (which I still have that looks great), sold the 4×4 trailer, and upgraded to the 4×8 model. Had it for 20 years and used it to haul all sorts of things (camping gear, mountain bikes, green waste to the dump, lumber from Home Depot, moving furniture, etc.), and even used it once to tow my BMW K1200GT behind my RV on a trip to Death Valley last year. However, it was getting a little tired, and last year a neighbor offered to buy it to use at his cabin in the mountains in So. CA, so I sold it. I was a little saddened because of the fond memories, and the utility it provided, but knew in my mind it was time let it go.

    My intention was to build another trailer one day, mainly for towing the motorcycle behind the RV and Bronco, so yesterday I purchased the Super-Duty (1720 lbs) 4×8 trailer. The plan is to build gates (fencing) like the other 4×8 trailer, but shorter and studier, paint them red, put pressure treated plywood (painted) down for decking with 1/8" aluminum diamond plate over it. I will install a wheel chock in the center (make it removable), buy the 30"x72" aluminum loading ramps, and mount a spare tire and jack stand on the tongue. I will also install drop-down jacks underneath at the corners to stabilize the trailer when loading (saw on YouTube). I had eye hooks at strategic places (corners) on the previous trailers, and will do the same to this one, but add some flush-mounted hooks on the deck. One important suggestion I saw on the internet is to remove all the wheel bearing grease and re-apply good quality, high-temp grease, since the stuff HF uses is garbage. I'll also add 'bearing-buddies' on both wheels too.

    Since this trailer has the ability to fold-up like a ping-pong table, I'll make sure it is capable of doing that so I can store it upright in my garage, which means I'll cut the plywood in half (4×4), buy 4×4 diamond plate, and will put better (slightly bigger) castors on it so it rolls easier.

    From the looks of things, it seems you have outgrown the little 4×4 and need a 4×8. However, the bigger the trailer, the more 'stuff' you'll accumulate. Plus, it might be a 'stretch' for your vehicle to tow more weight. Either way, the logical choice is a 4×8 to make things easier and not so difficult to squeeze all your motorcycle stuff on such a small trailer. Still a great story and thanks for sharing your journey with the Harbor Freight trailer..!!!

    Reply
  4. I'm glad you came to the conclusion that this trailer is by far its money worth. I have the bigger 4×8 trailer which is only a little more expensive. its more stable, and has a load capacity of 1700lbs by just a little extra weight. By mistake or ignorance, i had it loaded for a job several times to over 5000lbs, and nothing broke, nothing bent! I think you should change the title of your video, because it does not do justice to this great little trailer!

    Reply
  5. I have one of these trailers too. Mine is a 1989 model my dad got not from HF. It has gone down the highway at 70mph no problem. I have it now and after all these years I have replaced the axle and springs and put the 4.80×12 tires on it. the axle is a 2000lb rating springs 1500lb rating so I could haul a little more weight but that was not my goal. My goal was just to have a safe trailer, I couldn't find replacement parts for it and didn't want to go through registering a new trailer. My upgrades made it a great trailer.

    Reply
  6. Great story. These mini-trailers are the answer for so many people that don't really need or want a truck. I can't believe you're still running the original bearings. Those bearing buddy grease caps are gold. I'm also a little surprised that you never upgraded to 12" wheels, but then again "if it ain't broke…".
    What year is that old bike? You really know how to squeeze the most value and the most fun out of your stuff.
    👍👍

    Reply

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