Dusting off this sub forum with a new thread. This spring I'm going to be building a backyard art studio for my wife, so I'll need to be able to haul some materials like plywood, sheathing and lumber. I've got a fairly flimsy >15 year old HF trailer that I used to haul some plywood and siding when I built a basic 8x12 backyard storage shed years ago, but that thing's been sitting unused for years and it wasn't too robust when it was new. This new outbuilding will be 12x16 and require a fair bit more materials than the old shed, so I'm considering buying a better utility trailer.
An alternative would be to just periodically rent something from Uhaul, so I'm weighing the pros and cons of that option. The low cost and no need for long term storage is appealing, but so is having a trailer on hand when and where you need it.
I am thinking that something around 5 x 10 would be the way to go. If I can keep the trailer weight <750 lbs I won't have to bother with registration, which would be a plus. Not sure about the decking (wood planks, steel mesh, ???) and I'm not convinced I need a rear ramp, although most come with one. I like the idea of fairly low sturdy sides that I could strap down longer pieces of lumber to. For the 2x materials I'll need mostly 12' length, but also a few 16' pieces. Plywood and sheathing will be standard 4x8 size.
I'm not sure if I'd even keep the trailer after the project is done, or turn around and sell. Occasionally we need things like bags of mulch or soil, but honestly the Xterra has been just fine for getting the amounts of those we need. I have no need for or plans to get a lawn tractor, ATV, side by side or snowmobiles. Buying something used is appealing if it's in good condition, then if I were to sell there's less of a depreciation hit.
What have y'all found useful, and what might I want to avoid, in a utility trailer? Any advice or things I'm forgetting to consider would be much appreciated!
An alternative would be to just periodically rent something from Uhaul, so I'm weighing the pros and cons of that option. The low cost and no need for long term storage is appealing, but so is having a trailer on hand when and where you need it.
I am thinking that something around 5 x 10 would be the way to go. If I can keep the trailer weight <750 lbs I won't have to bother with registration, which would be a plus. Not sure about the decking (wood planks, steel mesh, ???) and I'm not convinced I need a rear ramp, although most come with one. I like the idea of fairly low sturdy sides that I could strap down longer pieces of lumber to. For the 2x materials I'll need mostly 12' length, but also a few 16' pieces. Plywood and sheathing will be standard 4x8 size.
I'm not sure if I'd even keep the trailer after the project is done, or turn around and sell. Occasionally we need things like bags of mulch or soil, but honestly the Xterra has been just fine for getting the amounts of those we need. I have no need for or plans to get a lawn tractor, ATV, side by side or snowmobiles. Buying something used is appealing if it's in good condition, then if I were to sell there's less of a depreciation hit.
What have y'all found useful, and what might I want to avoid, in a utility trailer? Any advice or things I'm forgetting to consider would be much appreciated!
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