Seeking utility trailer advice

[outback97]

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!

 

[IM1RU]

Honestly it's really about the axle. Anything that is sporting a properly welded steel frame that has an axle and wheels rated for what you need is probably fine. Cheap trailers that come in a boxed kit that bolt together terrify me, and are usually the ones you see being totally overloaded. Renting is probably a better option considering the real necessity you have for a trailer of that type and the cost of same.

 

[outback97]

Honestly it's really about the axle. Anything that is sporting a properly welded steel frame that has an axle and wheels rated for what you need is probably fine. Cheap trailers that come in a boxed kit that bolt together terrify me, and are usually the ones you see being totally overloaded. Renting is probably a better option considering the real necessity you have for a trailer of that type and the cost of same.

Thanks Rob. I hear you on the axle quality being important. The cheap bolt together kit is exactly what I have now. It worked OK for towing a few miles from the store with our old Subaru, at <40 MPH loaded with a few sheets of plywood... but didn't exactly inspire confidence.

Renting is definitely something I'm considering.

 

[IM1RU]

Renting is definitely something I'm considering

From what I just googled around with it seems to me that you could likely save a minimum of $500 by renting..... obviously depending on the number of times you rent one.... I didn't check the KSL classified ads though.

I'm curious to see what you come up with.

 

[TerryD]

I couldn't imagine not having a utility trailer.

Mine is a hand-me-down no-name my Dad found somewhere in the 90s. It's a 5.5' X 11' with a 2k Carry-On axle, expanded metal floor and drop gate. The gate is easily removed though.

We flipped the axle a long time ago for more ground clearance and I added a removable jack to it as well.

Brand is pretty irrelevant. They all use pretty much use the same axle parts which is nice for maintenance/repair.

I would pick a 6' x 12' before I got a 5' x 10'. We've had lots of trailers over the years for different reasons and a 4x6 is ok if you mount a small fuel tank to it or pull it only with an ATV and a 5x10 will always have stuff hanging off the sides when you're using it because it'll always be just a little too small. Plus the 6x12 will be easier to back.

Flooring is dealers choice. I prefer the expanded metal because it doesn't rot, drains, and isn't slick in the rain.

DO NOT GET THE BEARING BUDDIES. If you do, pull them and properly grease the bearings. The number of trailers on the side if the road with burned up hubs and missing wheels because of those is embarrassing. They just cook the bearings. Especially if you have small tires on the trailer.

 

[outback97]

From what I just googled around with it seems to me that you could likely save a minimum of $500 by renting..... obviously depending on the number of times you rent one.... I didn't check the KSL classified ads though.

I'm curious to see what you come up with.

I could absolutely save money by renting, although it depends on how much I could resell a trailer for if I decided to buy, and if I wanted to have one on hand for future needs. What I'm seeing locally is that for a basic 5x8 / 5x10 trailer, a new one is around $1500, and a used one is $900 to $1300. So they hold their value pretty well and the cheaper ones in good condition probably sell quickly on KSL.

There's two Uhaul locations exactly a mile from my house, in either direction. Their 5x8 utility trailer is $19 a day and the 6x12 utility is $30... that's pretty inexpensive.

What has me considering buying is the convenience, and not having to deal with the rental hassle since I might be gathering materials over several trips as the project progresses. The few times I have rented a truck, and one time renting a trailer to move a piano, inevitably I've needed them at busy times, and the customer service has tried my patience. Not having to deal with that is a big part of my motivation.

 

[outback97]

I couldn't imagine not having a utility trailer.

Mine is a hand-me-down no-name my Dad found somewhere in the 90s. It's a 5.5' X 11' with a 2k Carry-On axle, expanded metal floor and drop gate. The gate is easily removed though.

We flipped the axle a long time ago for more ground clearance and I added a removable jack to it as well.

Brand is pretty irrelevant. They all use pretty much use the same axle parts which is nice for maintenance/repair.

I would pick a 6' x 12' before I got a 5' x 10'. We've had lots of trailers over the years for different reasons and a 4x6 is ok if you mount a small fuel tank to it or pull it only with an ATV and a 5x10 will always have stuff hanging off the sides when you're using it because it'll always be just a little too small. Plus the 6x12 will be easier to back.

Flooring is dealers choice. I prefer the expanded metal because it doesn't rot, drains, and isn't slick in the rain.

DO NOT GET THE BEARING BUDDIES. If you do, pull them and properly grease the bearings. The number of trailers on the side if the road with burned up hubs and missing wheels because of those is embarrassing. They just cook the bearings. Especially if you have small tires on the trailer.

Thanks Terry. I can totally understand how handy owning one would be, I just personally haven't needed to haul much stuff that I couldn't cram into the Xterra. Maybe it's a chicken / egg thing where if I had one I'd come up with things to use it for.

That all sounds like good advice, I appreciate it.