Which trailer to get ?

[Dmitry]

We bought a house year ago and now we got a wood stove in it. I'm tired of asking my friends who got trucks to loan it to me. But I'm stuck with Mercury Milan 2010. So ,I've decided to get a trailer for it. Going to check TSC today and buy one of these:
First one one is 5 by 8 and on sale now for $499:
http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/sto...Store_Event_AD1415_THANKSGIVING_SALE_Trailers

The other one is 4 by 6 . It's not on sale : $450, but probably fits my car better:

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/sto...l-mesh-floor-trailer-1700-lb-payload-capacity

Im tempted to buy one on sale but worry if itll be overkill for my car. Im planning to use it to score some wood, remove debris from property, transport some things from store etc, nothing major. Couple times a month if any.

Thinking that may be I can use smaller around the property with my garden tractor moving some wood etc.
Any input? Gonna buy it today.Tired of thinking and waiting.

 

[Swedishchef]

Hey Dmitry

Personally, I would get the 5x8. I like the idea of the gate. I don't think it will be overkill for your car whatsoever. But I recommend you look at your towing capacity of your vehicle.

I like the 5x8 better. The ramp will also be great if you need to put something on it with wheels ( lawn tractor, etc). Know what I mean?

Andrew

 

[muncybob]

The biggest your vehicle can handle is what I would do. A gate is a must for me so I can roll larger rounds onto the trailer.

 

[gzecc]

Go for the bigger one.

 

[wahoowad]

The 5x8 has the mesh sides which is going to keep your wood from slipping out the trailer. Logs roll, shoft, etc. so it will happen. Also that tailgate is desirable and it is only 50 more.

 

[seabert]

We bought a house year ago and now we got a wood stove in it. I'm tired of asking my friends who got trucks to loan it to me. But I'm stuck with Mercury Milan 2010. So ,I've decided to get a trailer for it. Going to check TSC today and buy one of these:
First one one is 5 by 8 and on sale now for $499:
http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/carry-on-trailerreg;-5-ft-w-x-8-ft-l-specialty-single-axle-trailer-1500-lb-payload-capacity?cm_sp=20141127-_-DEPT_TOOLS_SEARCH-_-Store_Event_AD1415_THANKSGIVING_SALE_Trailers

The other one is 4 by 6 . It's not on sale : $450, but probably fits my car better:

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/carry-on-trailerreg;-4-ft-w-x-6-ft-l-mesh-floor-trailer-1700-lb-payload-capacity

Im tempted to buy one on sale but worry if itll be overkill for my car. Im planning to use it to score some wood, remove debris from property, transport some things from store etc, nothing major. Couple times a month if any.

Thinking that may be I can use smaller around the property with my garden tractor moving some wood etc.
Any input? Gonna buy it today.Tired of thinking and waiting.

Get the 5x8. The car can handle the trailer just be careful how much weight you put in the trailer. When getting the hitch coupler check to see how the trailer sits when connected. It should be level with the road. If the trailer is tilted forward or back get a hitch receiver that levels the load(some will raise the ball or lower it).

 

[buggyspapa]

How far to the nearest Uhaul? My rules: the location should be less than 10 miles from the house. I need to be able to get started early enough to complete the collection in a day. Load the vehicle like a rented mule.

Each of these loads cost me less than $40, gas included. I had to take the box at the same price as a van because they were out of vans that day, which was good because it would have been two loads in a smaller vehicle. That van load of oak probably weighed 2500 pounds and took me three hours to load for a 20 minute drive home. Some of the rounds were 3' in diameter and had to be split first. I like a van better than a pickup for the lower entry, higher sides, and Uhaul has 1/2 ton pickups and 3/4 ton vans. The box trucks are full ton.

I dislike trailers, especially when trying to maneuver in small areas. For the money you'll spend on a trailer, I can get about 10 rentals, and not have to take up space with an occasionally used item, or increase the wear and tear of my car. I think it is much safer too.

 

[Swedishchef]

How far to the nearest Uhaul? My rules: the location should be less than 10 miles from the house. I need to be able to get started early enough to complete the collection in a day. Load the vehicle like a rented mule.

Each of these loads cost me less than $40, gas included. I had to take the box at the same price as a van because they were out of vans that day, which was good because it would have been two loads in a smaller vehicle. That van load of oak probably weighed 2500 pounds and took me three hours to load for a 20 minute drive home. Some of the rounds were 3' in diameter and had to be split first. I like a van better than a pickup for the lower entry, higher sides, and Uhaul has 1/2 ton pickups and 3/4 ton vans. The box trucks are full ton.

I dislike trailers, especially when trying to maneuver in small areas. For the money you'll spend on a trailer, I can get about 10 rentals, and not have to take up space with an occasionally used item, or increase the wear and tear of my car. I think it is much safer too.

That is not a bad idea whatsoever. I think it depends on your needs.

If you need a trailer on a regular basis (moving equipment, etc) a trailer is useful. BUt if you're gonna buy a trailer for just moving wood, perhaps not. By the time you get a trailer, hitch, trailer plates, etc it may not be a bad idea to rent a van like Buggyspapa suggested.

Did I mention I hate dealing with trailer bearings?

Andrew

 

[Wildo]

That is a great idea Andrew, if I didn't already have the means that is a seriously good way to do it and the wear and tear isn't on your vehicle!

 

[gzecc]

How far to the nearest Uhaul? My rules: the location should be less than 10 miles from the house. I need to be able to get started early enough to complete the collection in a day. Load the vehicle like a rented mule.

Each of these loads cost me less than $40, gas included. I had to take the box at the same price as a van because they were out of vans that day, which was good because it would have been two loads in a smaller vehicle. That van load of oak probably weighed 2500 pounds and took me three hours to load for a 20 minute drive home. Some of the rounds were 3' in diameter and had to be split first. I like a van better than a pickup for the lower entry, higher sides, and Uhaul has 1/2 ton pickups and 3/4 ton vans. The box trucks are full ton.

I dislike trailers, especially when trying to maneuver in small areas. For the money you'll spend on a trailer, I can get about 10 rentals, and not have to take up space with an occasionally used item, or increase the wear and tear of my car. I think it is much safer too.

I would rent if you had no place to keep the trailer. You'll find plenty of uses for it once you have it. They also maintain their value very well.

 

[Thislilfishy]

If you are determined to get a trailer to tow with your car, I'd strongly recommend an aluminum one. I have a 6x12 aluminum trailer with 2' sides and rear ramp. I easily move it around the yard by hand, maybe about 100 lbs tongue weight. I am betting a 5x8 galvanized trailer empty would be more then half of your capacity limit on its own...just guessing.

Of the ones listed I would go with the 4x6. The 5x8 would be more versatile but you'd never be able to fill it with wood and drive safely. The smaller one is much much lighter empty and allows you more weight in cargo.

Here is a full cord cut and split for reference. Well over 3500lbs of hardwood, my trailer was over capacity at this point I bet. BTW Mission trailers are poorly constructed but look great to the casual observer.




Ian

 

[jotul8e2]

Put me down for the 5X8 as well. However...
Your Milan has a tow capacity of 2,000 lbs, so far as I can determine and can handle 200 lbs. on the tongue. The 5X8 weighs 400 lbs. empty. That leaves 1600 lbs. for firewood - about 1/3 cord. Since it has no brakes you need to consider that a full load will increase the load on your brakes by about 60% and increase your stopping distances far greater than you might think. With a 200 lb. limit at the tongue, you will need to keep your load fairly even, but just a bit light at the tail to keep at least some weight on the tongue.

Personally, I much prefer hauling firewood with a low trailer such as this to a pickup as it is much easier to load and unload. I have had a similar 4X8 trailer with the tailgate/ramp for many, many years and it has paid for itself nearly every year I have owned it. I have never found the ramp useful for firewood hauling, and I have hauled many a cord with it; but then if I cannot lift it I am not going to haul it. The tailgate/ramp is a must for Lawn tractors, appliances, and large items of all sorts, though. Some caution is called for in loading as a sudden stop, or worse, a collision can turn your load into a couple score of rather heavy projectiles.

Do consider where you will store it as they are notorious for wandering off.

 

[seabert]

If you are determined to get a trailer to tow with your car, I'd strongly recommend an aluminum one. I have a 6x12 aluminum trailer with 2' sides and rear ramp. I easily move it around the yard by hand, maybe about 100 lbs tongue weight. I am betting a 5x8 galvanized trailer empty would be more then half of your capacity limit on its own...just guessing.

Of the ones listed I would go with the 4x6. The 5x8 would be more versatile but you'd never be able to fill it with wood and drive safely. The smaller one is much much lighter empty and allows you more weight in cargo.

Here is a full cord cut and split for reference. Well over 3500lbs of hardwood, my trailer was over capacity at this point I bet. BTW Mission trailers are poorly constructed but look great to the casual observer.




Ian

Hey that truck looks really loaded and the front wheels look like they are ready to lift off the dirt. Is that a F-150 or F-250

 

[Thislilfishy]

Yeah she's a bit nose high there, but that's because it has a 2" level kit installed. I figure there is close to or maybe over 1000lbs on the tongue and likely another 5-600 pounds in the bed. I posted the pic to give an idea of what people are expecting. The OP is saying he plans to carry 1/3 of the load in that picture, with a vehicle that is rated for almost 1/10th of the cargo capacity(my search said is vehicle has a towing capacity of 1500lbs, my truck is rated for 11000 lbs). That trailer is rated for 2900lbs of cargo.


We just kept loading until everything was full, then when I stepped back I realized we were a bit heavy on the tongue. This is why I was suggesting the smaller trailer.

If you look at my trailer you'll see the axle is well behind the halfway point of the trailer...like I said...looks like a nice trailer but closer inspection shows otherwise. Had about a half inch clearance on the trucks bump stops. I am looking to add a leaf to the rear to handle the heavy loads a little better and lift the rear a bit to match the front. Right now it sits perfectly level when empty. It's an f150 with max tow package btw. Although lately it's spent more time at the dealer then my driveway. They've had it over a week now for a 4x4 failure of some sort. It's turned into a real turd.


Ian

 

[Dmitry]

Thank you , guys, for your input. It was very helpful. Just got from the TSC and paid for 5 by 8 trailer. The idea with rental is very good. But I have place to store it and there is always something that has to be moved to or from property.

 

[BobUrban]

I have the 5x8 and want the 4x6. 5x8 is on sale right now for 200 off list price and is a great little trailer but too wide to tow through the woods behind my quad. I want one that fits between all the places the bike goes.

Note - the 5x8 is nice but you could overload it rather easily with green wood so don't go two layers deep and lay a sheet of plywood or OSB inside it or you will tear up the mesh floor tossing in rounds and splits.

For your application I would jump all over the sale priced 5x8 with the ramp

 

[kennyp2339]

Go with the bigger size, your forgetting one thing, once you get a trailer you get extra friends that always want to borrow it. lol I have a trailer and also hang iron off the front of my truck in the winter, its amazing how many people think of me and call to say hi right before a major snow.