What kind of car do you have?
For a car that can pull 1700lb you better have something like a crown vic. Not many cars are up to pulling that much trailer long distance. Mid size and full size typically top out at 1,000lb. Econo boxes top out any where from a bike rack to 500lb typically.
A car is going to have a class 1 hitch, up to 2,000lb and tongue weight up to 200lb. That is maximum. The real limit is decided by the vehicle manufacturer and is a lot less.
This is my post about buying a trailer instead of a pickup but is not to the scope of your intended use.
Buy a trailer (instead of a pickup truck) - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com
Then I build some trailers out of junk I had laying around.
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...tml#post515107
Kind of like what you might be thinking maybe?
One of them was a 5x10.
Here is a new one I must have missed.
Project: Aero Trailer for TDi - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com
This trailer, how are you going to build it?
Can you weld?
If welds don't kind of look like this leave the trailer building to the professionals.
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ild-33370.html
I find the bolt together trailers to be seriously lacking structurally.
Do you know how to service wheel bearings?
If you buy any kind of used trailer its likely going to beat beyond being road worthy and I always find the bearings and spindles to be shot on old neglected trailers.
This is what can go wrong:
Trailer fail pics - Page 7