Bought my first trailer today

Time for my second post. Wasn't too sure which thread to post this in.


http://imgur.com/9gP6Z73




http://imgur.com/i9TzG6O

Obviously I won't be making any exceptionally large hauls with this. But the more room I have, the more scrap I can haul. It was only $300, the guy I bought it from said he put over $500 into it. It came with a title and lights already wired up. Not sure how much weight it can haul, any guesses just from looking at it? Previous owner said he thought at least 1200 lbs.

Would give you an estimate weight load if the images worked But trailers are always nice regardless on size, they are great for heavy items because they are much lower than a truck bed, making washers and dryers and hot water tanks much easier to load with a dolly

Depends on your axle (as mentioned) 3,500 lb axles are very common on cargo type trailers. Sometimes, it's not how much you can tow, but how much can you stop? I don't see any brakes on it.

Keep in mind, its a single axle, so if you have a blowout, there's not another axle keeping it from whirling out on you. Don't overload it-tempting as it may be; its a 5x8 depending on how you disperse the weight maybe a thousand maybe if the weight is lower to the ground.

Congrats RoadWarrior! Is that a 5x8? Your tires look larger than mine and my trailer is 1600 lbs carry weight. I think 3500 is a bit high.

Weight rating ?!!! You all crack me up ! As small it is, less your loading 1" thick 4x4' chunks of plate armor, I think it'd be rather difficult to overload it. Even with prep cut iron, it'd be pretty hard to overload it. But then again, this is coming from a guy who puts 7400# on a 3/4 ton pickup bed trailer.

Idk if anyone mentioned this, but being your first trailer I will. Load it evenly. You put too much weight in the back, and do 65 mph down the highway, the thing will start to stay back and fourth, and after you get it stopped you will need new underwear. Or you scrap will be all over the road, and you will still need new underwear. It's one of those things you only do once, and you never forget. I did it my first trailering experience with a load of lumber. Jackknife city!

Edit:
<<< check out my avatar... I err on the side of caution!

I, beg to differ. When loading a single axle trailer, my main goal is to get as much weight forward as possible. Also, you want your trailer running downhill to the front, many ways to achieve this, bigger tires on the trailer, drop hitch to get your ball lower. This is why I run slightly taller tires on my pickup bed trailers and tilt the tongue so that the trailer is 4-5 inches lower in the front, upon loading it sets level almost. A back heavy trailer, especially a single axle, is a accident waitin to happen.

Tater, I respectfully agree and disagree. the tongue weight should be 10-15% of the total weight. In the real world tho who Is gonna know the exact tongue weight? the op is driving a 1/2 ton pickup, and let's face it, we all try to "maximize" our loads. So say he has the box of his pickup "maximized" and puts as much weight forward on the trailer as possible, the op is gonna be doing wheelies. not to mention, if you are driving after dark, you are blinding oncoming traffic. I do like your other suggestions tho. Makes a lot of sense. Anyhow, we both agree DONT BE HEAVY ON THE BACK!!!

Edit: Roadwarrior, you got a great deal on a nice trailer!

You guys are awesome. I'm surprised (and happy) to keep seeing new comments in this post. Thank you pjost and tater for the valuable information. That'll help me a ton. The trailer already sits downhill to the front because of the low ball hitch I have hooked to my truck. I thought that was bad and considered buying a level ball hitch to even it out. Glad I read your info first tater. And thanks pjost. I didn't realize how good of a deal I got til I posted this thread, ha.

Hopefully I can keep my underwear clean. But I always keep a fresh pair handy just in case.

Hopefully I can keep my underwear clean. But I always keep a fresh pair handy just in case.

Or just go commando,,,

Originally Posted by taterjuice

Weight rating ?!!! You all crack me up ! As small it is, less your loading 1" thick 4x4' chunks of plate armor, I think it'd be rather difficult to overload it. Even with prep cut iron, it'd be pretty hard to overload it. But then again, this is coming from a guy who puts 7400# on a 3/4 ton pickup bed trailer.

Is there a reason for the snark? The OP asked some serious questions, we don't want to give him bad advice. I just bent my bumper using my 5x8 utility trailer hauling 1000 lbs of copiers so, never say you can't overload a trailer because you can. You CAN distribute weight incorrectly and cause sway.

Considering the 3/4 ton / 7400 lbs remark I'm not surprised you gave incorrect and possibly dangerous advice.