i need a frugal, small scrap trailer to keep in the driveway

**bluemeate** · 08-24-2012, 10:27 PM

hey i need a small trailer, maybe a half ton trailer.

i want something i could haul off a car with cuase theres an old toyota camery and an old toyota minivan parked on the side where is the only place i could keep it. also i have a limited very inconvenient space in my house to store scrap so a trailer to store and hual off scrap with would be very convenient since i use my truck for other stuff. ive seen gutted up cars hauled off on tiny little atv trailers sooo im sure i could figure out something without a bigass trailer. probably gonna need help with that too

I drive a ford ranger and it doesnt have one those big tow hitches, just has a hole in the bumper for me to screw on a ball with. says 500lb limit. how much would i have to spend to get one those tow hitches installed?

I have no idea where to start looking, or what i would want in a trailer. i usually drive through city so small is good, but do i want walls or what. is there a good autotrader type site so i could browse and see what would be idea? as i said, ive never had a trailer so i really have no idea what to look for.

Im also looking to do this as cheaply as possible, but dont have too much in the name of tools to really build something.

**happyscraper** · 08-24-2012, 10:34 PM

I think a 4' by 8' trailer would be good, you could use sheets of plywood to build the sides. If you don't over load it you should be able to use the bumber ball, most 4by8 trailers will use a 1 7/8" ball. Just remember the smaller the trailer the harder it is to back up. Hope this helps a little.

**taterjuice** · 08-24-2012, 10:52 PM

Check this out http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/tools...day-build.html

**Hypoman** · 08-25-2012, 02:33 AM

also check out craigslist........ people are always trying to get rid of trailers on there.

There's no genius behind it. It's persistence and listening to people.
Craig Newmark

**Mechanic688** · 08-25-2012, 03:05 AM

Hypoman;96333]also check out craigslist........ people are always trying to get rid of trailers on there

Yea but up here they want new price for their old junk.

**Russell** · 08-25-2012, 09:00 AM

Harbour freight or blaines farm and fleet. If you have either near you. They both sell an affordable fold up model. They can be constructed with sides. A lil plywood and creativity could go a ling way for little money. A few trips it will pay for itself.

**taterjuice** · 08-25-2012, 12:12 PM

Also try "trailers" in the search box, many posts on cheap trailers and easily built homemade trailers as well including my write up on building a pick up bed trailer

**mrsamsonite** · 08-25-2012, 12:55 PM

I bought a class three hitch receiver from amazon for 250. They are easy to install on your own. I also for an 4x8 trailer with a 1ft. Wall. If you are going to do big stuff dont put walls on the trailer but if you are going to do lots of little things or cardboard put walls up.

**JohnC4X4** · 08-25-2012, 07:09 PM

Originally Posted by Hypoman

also check out craigslist........ people are always trying to get rid of trailers on there.

18' Open Home made trailer Tandem

**KWAL** · 08-25-2012, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by Russell

Harbour freight or blaines farm and fleet. If you have either near you. They both sell an affordable fold up model. They can be constructed with sides. A lil plywood and creativity could go a ling way for little money. A few trips it will pay for itself.

Wow thats a great idea! Amazing how sometimes the simplest things just slip right on by. Well luckily it didnt you. Thaks for sharing.

**ggariepy** · 08-25-2012, 08:10 PM

Originally Posted by Russell

Harbour freight or blaines farm and fleet. If you have either near you. They both sell an affordable fold up model. They can be constructed with sides. A lil plywood and creativity could go a ling way for little money. A few trips it will pay for itself.

From time to time Costco has them as well.

--Geoff

**Gnraxlrose88** · 08-26-2012, 10:49 AM

My brother has a small one from harbor freight that I have sitting by my house right now. Plywood floor, small steel sides. back gate that opens up. Not sure of measurment. It's older. I've seen them on C/L for around $100-$125. Unfortunatly I can't pull it with my truck, it sits too angled and I don't like the thought of not being able to see it in the mirrors. Should work well for a Ranger though.

As for a hitch, try C/L or a junkyard. Should be able to pick one up for $50 or less. if none on c/l post a wanted ad.

When I was younger I had a Bronco II with only a bumper mount. Used to pull a utility trailer with quite a bit of weight in it and I never ripped the bumper off or bent it...and it was in pretty rough shape to begin with.