Harbor Freight trailer failure

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Harbor Freight trailer failure

Postby jamesm113 » Sun Feb 11, 2018 1:50 pm

I heard you guys know quite a bit about these trailers. I purchased the 1195-lb trailer about 18 months ago to haul 2-3 dirt bikes around, and occasionally some extra gear (gas cans, camping gear, etc). I never really modified the frame - I don't own a welder, and I don't have any close friends who weld. While most of the use is on-road, I do regularly take it off-road. Most places I ride my dirt bike often have a fireroad for the last few miles. TV was a Subaru Legacy for the first 12 months and a Subaru Outback for the last 6 months.

The last trip, I noticed that the U piece where the tongue pivots on the trailer frame is cracked. In fact, the whole U piece fell off when I pulled the bolt out to inspect it closer. :thumbdown:

Is this a common failure? Anything I should know?

I have ordered replacement frame rails for both sides from Harbor Freight at $23 a pop, but it will take 8-10 weeks to arrive by boat.
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Last edited by jamesm113 on Wed Feb 14, 2018 3:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
jamesm113
Teardrop Inspector
 
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Feb 11, 2018 3:49 am

Re: Harbir Freight trailer failure

Postby Lucky J » Sun Feb 11, 2018 3:08 pm

We do not have them around here (canada), but from what I can see, is as been crack for a long while, seeing all the rust along the fault line.

And metal look thin from the start, so the load you have on it might be a little to much, specialy with gas thank and camping gear for dirt road cruising.
Luc Levesque
TD : 2017 Silver T@G Max Outback with upgrade project
TV 1 2005 Unlimited 2005 TJL
TV2 2005 Nissan X-Trail
Lucky J
Teardrop Inspector
 
Posts: 18
Joined: Tue Feb 06, 2018 5:47 pm

Re: Harbir Freight trailer failure

Postby Lucky J » Sun Feb 11, 2018 4:46 pm

I should have had in my prior post, that a trailer is like a car.

Cars ware out, we repaire them and or change them, a trailer is also like that. They can last a lifetime, but they need to be maintain, to be repair and fixe, cause some parts will brake and will need to be replace. What is nice with a trailer, it is often easy to upgrade or reinforce them.

But I am not surpired to see something like that.
Luc Levesque
TD : 2017 Silver T@G Max Outback with upgrade project
TV 1 2005 Unlimited 2005 TJL
TV2 2005 Nissan X-Trail
Lucky J
Teardrop Inspector
 
Posts: 18
Joined: Tue Feb 06, 2018 5:47 pm
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