HF vs NT..

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HF vs NT..

Postby Hog Wild » Mon Feb 06, 2017 10:58 am

After seeing a post where metal fatigue happened in a HF trailer, I'm reconsidering my choice. A little input is needed. I understand fatigue can happen in any trailer. But I also question the folding trailer anyways. I'm now looking at the 5x8 NT trailer over the HF folding. Any suggestions? :? Thinking of building the Simple by the way.
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Re: HF vs NT..

Postby les45 » Mon Feb 06, 2017 11:40 am

I've owned both and the quality is practically the same. I'm sure the materials all come from the same steel and rubber plants in China and the manufacturers just have different names. If you look it up you'll find that the names of the manufacturers change from time to time. I have used my old HF tilt trailer for hauling stuff for 15 years or more with no problems other than the fading of the red paint. My teardrop was built on an NT 5X8 and it too has held up well. To me it simply boils down to who has the best sale price and whether you want to go 4' wide or 5' wide.
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Re: HF vs NT..

Postby booyah » Mon Feb 06, 2017 1:25 pm

I agree with les45 here.

In my case I wanted 5x8 and wanted the best price I could get. I snagged a NT 5x8 for 450 on sale. No regrets so far
My build, 5x8 modified benroy "Smiles to go". Started April 2nd 2015, first trip August 2nd 2015.

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Re: HF vs NT..

Postby dmdc411 » Mon Feb 06, 2017 10:48 pm

I used the NT 5x8 landscape trailer. It's made of extruded angle iron. These red HF trailers are made from formed sheet material. Low quality to! Extruded is stronger than sheet stock any day! Need to do the tongue mod on the NT trailer too.
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Re: HF vs NT..

Postby QueticoBill » Tue Feb 07, 2017 9:29 am

IIRC the fatigue failure was in the tongue, and that does seem to be a point of higher stress.

I chose the NT 5*8 and plan to lengthen tongue along with moving axle back - both of which add to loads on tongue. The chart in design resources here says I'd be good with 2*2*1/8 but I'll use 3/16 or 1/4.

Otherwise, I don't sense an epidemic of frame failures based on reports here using either HF or NT. I believe they are more than strong enough for most teardrops. You're always better off keeping it lighter, something I keep evolving in my plans (though still too cowardly to go all foam!)

I make a living in design and construction and I know the sentiment of stronger is better but really, it only needs to be strong enough, and much stronger than that wastes resources and money.
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Re: HF vs NT..

Postby Mary C » Wed Feb 08, 2017 9:15 am

although my HF trailer red has faded I have a foam upper and have had no trouble. I have been to Texas (from GA.) eight times. I have been to Florida and Indiana and Tenn several times and have had no problem. I am so confidant that I am taking it to Alaska this summer!

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Re: HF vs NT..

Postby TimC » Thu Feb 09, 2017 9:54 am

I went NT. My second TD will be on a NT Ironton 5x8. I am pleased with the base product. I upgraded to 13" wheels/tires (w/ better quality tires from Kenda) from pepboys online and then sold the "new" NT 12" tires locally. The 13" tires were $154 shipped and I got $80 for the 12"ers. That was a cheap upgrade. Of course I will "need" to upgrade the fenders (etrailer steel cheapies at $17 a fender). I also am going to add a new y-frame coupler, a post jack to fit and a wheel for jack.

First TD is on a locally made custom 5x8. Cost me double $ of the NT trailer. Won't do that again.
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