Buy a trailer (instead of a pickup truck)

[oil pan 4]

I am sure you can get around 25mpg with out all the exhaust scrubber attachments.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

As long as you don't get caught rolling coal, a straight exhaust is not a bad option.

[redpoint5]

I finally assembled the folding HF trailer. It came with everything needed except for decking and the sides.

For the decking, I used cheap 19/32" CDX plywood and stained it with leftover semi-transparent deck stain.

Although it's hard to see in the photo, I decided to cut notches in the side boards and fit them in the stake pockets along with the 1"x4" lumber supports. I did this so I can fit full 4' x 8' material flat on the deck. If I had simply used 2x4 lumber and screwed the plywood sides onto it, 4x8 sheets wouldn't fit on the deck due to the thickness of the sides protruding into the area. In other words, the frame of the trailer is exactly 4' x 8', with no margin left for the sides.

Just looking at the simplicity of the trailer, I figured it would go together very quickly, but it probably took me 5 hours just to get the frame, wheels and lights on it. Then another 7 hours to get the building materials, stain and install the decking, wire the electrical harness into the Prius, and build the rails. It probably has 80 bolts holding it together!

My dad gave me an LED light kit that had a broken lens from my sister backing into it. The housing and lens that came with my trailer kit was slightly different in design, but the round LED board fit perfectly within the lens. I retrofitted them in with some hot glue and soldering. The low power draw from the lights allowed me to tap straight into my vehicle wiring without the need for a controller box. The only issue with this is I had to choose between having brake lights, or turn signals on the trailer. I choose brake lights as I think that is more important, and people can still see the turn from my car.

If I had to do it over again, I would probably just buy a used trailer on CL to save some time, although it might be difficult to find a folding one that was put together just as I would like.





19/32" CDX plywood cut in half. Went thin to reduce weight and allow folding.


Deck stained on both sides and the edges.


All done except for the corner brackets to hold the sides together.


Tested it on the Prius with a yard of soil.


The cashier at the yard made me sign a waiver before I could get the 1,800 lbs of soil loaded into my 1,000 lb capacity trailer.

[ByDesign]

Hey great job with the folding trailer. I love seeing when folks take a little extra time to do the job right. Thinking through the material choices and making things fit. Great job with it !!

Oh, and thanks for the photos. Love to see it all in action!

My friend had one of these trailers. Loved the way it folded up and could be put out of the way. However, was not happy about durability and after having it a while asked me to weld it all up solid (eliminating the folding) to make it road worthy. Hopefully they've changed the design now so they do better.

My one suggestion, if my friend had used some fine thread bolts with nylock nuts and flat washers on both sides to be sure the connections were really tight and didn't vibrate at all, it probably would have been better. I remember part of the issue with his was the holes rounded and flared out, cracked, etc. associated with poor connection. I think spending a little more time in the "set it up right" category will go a long way to making it a good tool for you for a long time.

Use fine threads so you can get more clamp force. Use flat washers (prefer SAE for better fit) so that the parent material is not damaged as you tighten. Use nylock so they don't vibrate loose (and the nylon does not damage the threads like other anti-vibration nuts, and they don't damage the other materials like split washers.) Replace the nylocks after they've been taken on and off a few times so they always resist vibration. IMHO.

Enjoy it! I have had tons of trailers, and I think they are definitely the way expand capacity as needed.

[ByDesign]

Originally Posted by Xist

https://www.pinterest.com/hstrang111...-old-apple-be/

I love the boat on top. I've always thought that was a cool way to get some good aerodynamics on top of a trailer -- and make awesome dual function. Thanks for posting the photos!

[freebeard]

My current favorite trailer, the Hovercart:


http://www.boatstogo.com/HoverCart.asp

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by freebeard

My current favorite trailer, the Hovercart:


http://www.boatstogo.com/HoverCart.asp

Do you think the local mulch yard would make me sign a waver for loading a yard onto your trailer?

[talonts]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I finally assembled the folding HF trailer. It came with everything needed except for decking and the sides.

For the decking, I used cheap 19/32" CDX plywood and stained it with leftover semi-transparent deck stain.

Although it's hard to see in the photo, I decided to cut notches in the side boards and fit them in the stake pockets along with the 1"x4" lumber supports. I did this so I can fit full 4' x 8' material flat on the deck. If I had simply used 2x4 lumber and screwed the plywood sides onto it, 4x8 sheets wouldn't fit on the deck due to the thickness of the sides protruding into the area. In other words, the frame of the trailer is exactly 4' x 8', with no margin left for the sides.

When I built my HF folder 11 years ago, I used diamond plate aluminum for the floor. Expensive, but it has been SO worth it, the other HF trailer I bought 5 years later had a wood floor and it rotted away long ago. Getting ready to use Al on that too.

I used 2x4s for the stakes, but rabbeted them to inset the plywood into them. It makes for a very strong connection to the trailer.

I also used 2 hinges at each corner of the sides, removed the hinge pins, and spread out the bores of the hinges a bit, then slid rods down through them. It makes it easier for set up and take down, one rod per corner, and it stiffens the sides up a lot.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by talonts

When I built my HF folder 11 years ago, I used diamond plate aluminum for the floor.

I was heavily leaning towards diamond plate due to the lightweight and durability, but I finally decided against it mostly due to cost, but also due to how noisy it is to throw logs or metal objects onto it.

The trailer is stored in my garage out of the weather, so I expect it to hold up well.

I'll be replacing the crappy casters they included with the trailer. For some reason, the casters have random amounts of ball bearings. Some casters work better than others, but none have enough ball bearings to reliably turn.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by freebeard

My current favorite trailer, the Hovercart:


http://www.boatstogo.com/HoverCart.asp

It could serve me to haul my dog to and from the park