Utility Trailer for Shooting Gear?

[Dimner]

So my shooting equipment, when I goto state land to shoot, has expanded to the point where if I take a couple friends, I can no longer fit all the equipment, steel, table, etc in my jeep. So I'm looking for a utility trailer. Problem is, I know nothing about them or than I see the super cheapo versions at home depot and tractor supply co and the super expensive ones at the dedicated trailer dealerships.

I'm looking for an used one under $1k. How does one determine if the used trailer is just a used el-cheapo Home depot version vs a used quality trailer?

For example, this one:


And this one (which i feel like is a Home depot version)?

 

[Walt Krafft]

First look at what size wheels and tires it has. Bigger is better. Then look at what size and thickness the steel is. Comercial angle and channel is better than formed sheetmetal.

 

[OmegaRed]

How far are you driving it? Freeway speeds?

Walt has it right, I'd steer clear of small wheels (8") and look for an axle that has 15" tires. The axles are not made by the trailer manufacturer, so it's build quality will be related to the original manufacturer. The majority are "Dexter".

If you aren't going to haul anything else in it besides shooting gear, I honestly wouldn't be worried too much about much of anything else. If you are looking to use it for other stuff, hauling around a mower, loading it with mulch, then you can start to look at frame construction and quality.

That said, depending on your area, you'd be hard pressed to find one that isn't a big box store version for $1k. $2k used is probably more realistic.

For configuration at that price, you're either getting wood floor or expanded metal. Both has pros and cons. Think about whether you need sides or if you want to try and make up sides from wood and using trailer stake pockets.

Last is gate configuration - no gate, folding, bi fold, split.

 

[Retired shooter]

Stay away from the big box stores. Those are the cheapest built, light weight material used .
If you are looking for used, make sure you inspect it carefully, just like looking at used cars. you can tell a lot by talking with the owner

Find a trailer dealership in your area , people will trade in their used trailers to purchase larger ones. Again just like used cars beware ,lots of good people, and equipment out there, however there's always the 5%.
Buy something slightly larger than what you think you will need.

Buy once Cry once ,

 

[brokeasajoke]

As others, tire wheel size. I'd rather take the top before the bottom. Better tongue too. See how far underneath the tongue goes back as well. You don't want it just welded to the very front from a homemade job.

 

[Dimner]

The two photos are actual trailers available to me. I'll see what I can find out about the axles.

Yes, I will be doing highway speeds with them. Mulch? Nothing more than 1000 pounds at a time, but I have no plans right now to use it for mulch. My jeep only has a 3500 tow rating, so I'm never going to be hauling crazy loads with it.

I don't have a riding mower, so no need for that, unless I buy one to pick it up. I don't own quads or sleds. I think the other things I would use it for would be moving tree stands, backwoods camping, lumber very occasionally, 400-500 lbs of softener salt, firewood a time or two. Other than for shooting gear, hunting gear, and backwoods camping, I bet the trailer sees maybe 3-4 other uses a year.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Yep, full sized tires lower bearing speed/wear tremendously. Go with big tires. As for build, it's not gonna matter much just for hauling shooting gear. If you'll be pulling very far and could ever use the extra size and capacity, get a small tandem. Even if you lose a tire or whatever, you can limp it to a shop on 3. They typically will have some suspension under them as well, which is a lot bigger deal than you might think. If you have a place to keep it, buy more trailer than you think you could ever need. It'll come in handy sooner or later. Width is where it's at too. I'd rather have a short, wide tandem than a narrow single axle, by a lot.

 

[Retired shooter]

Depending on where you live there could be a weight requirement for licensing. Ks. Is under 2000 lbs no tag required. Over 2000 lb means tags & taxes.

 

[hogpatrol]

This one has 15" tires and I've hauled loads of heavy, green wood like osage orange and locust at highway speeds. Except for a little rewiring, it's been a sturdy trailer. Welded a mounting block for the jack that was initially in the middle, a bracket for a spare and mounted the tool box where the spare tire was. The bed is made up of 2x8s and after eleven years in the weather, some of which are in need of replacement. The brand is Belmont.

 

[Dimner]

Depending on where you live there could be a weight requirement for licensing. Ks. Is under 2000 lbs no tag required. Over 2000 lb means tags & taxes.

Here in Michigan we have a one time trailer tag. Non-transferrable. But you buy once and it's all you need for the life of your ownership of the trailer.

 

[J.D.Erwin]

So my shooting equipment, when I goto state land to shoot, has expanded to the point where if I take a couple friends, I can no longer fit all the equipment, steel, table, etc in my jeep. So I'm looking for a utility trailer. Problem is, I know nothing about them or than I see the super cheapo versions at home depot and tractor supply co and the super expensive ones at the dedicated trailer dealerships.

I'm looking for an used one under $1k. How does one determine if the used trailer is just a used el-cheapo Home depot version vs a used quality trailer?

For example, this one:
View attachment 1549428

And this one (which i feel like is a Home depot version)?
View attachment 1549429

Dimmer
I contacted U-Haul on buying a used enclose trailer went to one of u-hauls auction and got a 10 ft enclose trailer with brakes. fresh paint new tires, wheel bearings it hauls all the gear for hunting trips for three guys. Good Luck
good shooting
Jerry

 

[Flouncer]

My experience, plan on getting new tires for it. Trust me.

 

[Knotwild]

Dimmer
I contacted U-Haul on buying a used enclose trailer went to one of u-hauls auction and got a 10 ft enclose trailer with brakes. fresh paint new tires, wheel bearings it hauls all the gear for hunting trips for three guys. Good Luck
good shooting
Jerry

Plus, they are close to the ground making getting in and out easy.

 

[jepp2]

Some things to consider. I've owned a couple of tent camper, couple of 5x8 expanded metal trailers with drop tailgate, and a 5x8 enclosed trailer. Also several boat with trailers.

- I used the 5x8 open drop tail gate trailers for hauling a 4 wheeler and Gravely around. Nice as you can wash off the 4 wheeler at the car wash and all the mud drops through. Very easy to back up, and you can roll them around to store them (they do have to be stored). You will absolutely want a full size spare. But things can bounce out (lost a 2x4 when hauling lumber) and things get wet when it rains.
- 5x8 enclosed trailer is much heavier and more difficult to back up. Also much more wind resistance when towing and way to heavy to move around by hand. Head room inside might be an issue. But what you store and tow is nobody else's business as they can't see it. You could store your stuff in it when you aren't using.

I've towed many different U-Haul trailers (5x8 enclosed, 6x12 open and enclosed). These are heavy duty commercial trailers. Everything is much more stout and they weigh a ton more. The 6x12 have a tongue mounted master cylinder to self actuate trailer brakes. (under 3500 GVW) trailer brakes are not required. I had electronic trailer brakes on my tent camper (around 2800 pounds loaded) and they were pretty nice. The camper trailer axles, spindles, and wheel bearings were high quality and a nice lubrication system to renew wheel bearing grease.

If buying used, expect you might have to replace the tires (not due to tread wear but age and sidewall cracks). Buy new and it is how you load and maintain it. I've never lost money on a trailer, always sold it for more than I paid for it except the the new tent camper.

 

[LVLAaron]

I would look for a small enclosed trailer.

If you want a flat trailer, Harbor Freight has a 4x8 trailer for a couple hundred bucks that is excellent. It's made to fold in half and stow away... I bolted a sheet of plywood to it, and welded all the joints. People build campers on top of them, so they're good for the long haul.

 

[brokeasajoke]

This one has 15" tires and I've hauled loads of heavy, green wood like osage orange and locust at highway speeds. Except for a little rewiring, it's been a sturdy trailer. Welded a mounting block for the jack that was initially in the middle, a bracket for a spare and mounted the tool box where the spare tire was. The bed is made up of 2x8s and after eleven years in the weather, some of which are in need of replacement. The brand is Belmont.

View attachment 1549457

Big tires, greaseable bearings you don't have to pack, and probably a 3000lb axle.

 

[6BRA]

Tandem axles will allow you to limp it for repair. Oil bath hubs would be nice as well. Things for comparing. But not budget friendly.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I like the enclosed trailer idea if it's dedicated solely to hauling shooting gear and not much else. And yeah, a used U-haul would be a good trailer if you can find one at a reasonable price. Even a new trailer will have cheap, junk tires on it, most likely. So buying used, needing tires and some work wouldn't bother me at all. Upgrading tires is worth it IMO.

 

[J.d. Popkes]

Or buy a pickup ?

 

[Larry Klutts]

Box trailer and finished it like I wanted.d.