hello
i was wondering who uses a hitch and (40-1/2" x 48"size may differ) MINI UTILITY TRAILER on there cars when they travel?

my story is that im getting pretty maxed on touting room for all my junk,set of r-compounds,tents,chairs,tools,jacks,stands,compress or,ect that i feel that everytime i go, that i keep adding to my obsession and now i need to expand how i move all this stuff. now i have a 98 f250 i use on a daily basis, and was looking around my local classifieds on trailers, i found a few good deals,but crapy conditioned trailers, or more then what it was worth type of trailers. the idea was great. ill just tow the car and all my equipment goes in the enclosed bed. well now i just dont think this would be a wise option in a sence to the distance i travel to and from autocross(25min-1.5hrs depending on location) that i really need a 18' car trailer. nor do i have the room at my house to let it linger since im on a hill and the driveway only fits the wifes and my truck, while the hatch sits in the garage.

so ive been looking at these 40-1/2" x 48" MINI UTILITY TRAILER WITH 12" FOUR-LUG WHEELS AND TIRES from harbor freight.
for $200.00
and was thinking this is a logical thing for me to do, i can still drive my car,and i can tow wheels and tires and tools ect and save space this way in the hatch and lessen up the load.add a diamond plated floor and cargo box,ect.
so these are what i was looking at and wonder if this is a decent choice of trailer for light duty loads. and if people think and do the same as what im doing. any imput is valuable to me making the best deciesion. since im on the fence and falling towards the mini trailer

thanks
joe

 

Lots of guys use mini trailers behind their cars for tools and tires, etc.

The only problem is that you have to be pretty sure that you're going to have a working car when you're done, so is best for autocrosses or near-stock vehicles doing track days.

 

yes that has been one of the main questions ive been asking myself as to reliability and malfunction mishaps. but ive had a high level of confidence thus far with the cars performance. and if a mishap happens where i need to be towed out then thats a risk i have to accept. if in fact i go with using a mini trailer. but ill keep your opinion into concideration thoe as i come near a decision.

is there any other guys in here using mini trailers, do you like this choice of transporting or would you have gone with something else?

thanks
joe

 

Almost all of the serious autocrossers near me use some sort of mini trailer, much like the one you have pictured. For reference, we have 21 members going to nationals this year. Most of those people, if not being trailered, are using their little harbor freight trailers for the long trip to Topeka. No one seems to be worried about the durability..

I've seen several different models in question, and they all look really sturdy. Obviously they come bare-bones, so you need to be a little creative to customize the trailer to your needs.

The people that use the $200 one mostly just have one toolbox and 4 wheels/tires. That's about the most they can comfortably fit. If you want to add tents, chairs, heavy jacks, etc.. I would recommend you spend a little more upfront for the $400 one: http://www.harborfreight.com/c...94564

A 140hp Civic can tow it no problem, fully loaded with all of the things you've described and more.

In my opinion, unless you're regularly making 500 mile trips for track days.. a small little autocross trailer is a much better utility for what you're trying to do.

 

thanks much for the info. it was very helpful. i went to harbor freight to check out some of the trailers, and the only thing i didnt like about the ones i saw where max speed was 55mph. i didnt know if thats just a cautionary thing or whatnot. but did some thinking about it, did some more serching on the net for identical trailers. and norther tool has a high speed version for 15-20.00 more.i just dont wanna see the hubs and bearings burn out in a couple of months. ide rather have it last and be easy to maintain for parts. but i went to home depot and found a nice 4x6' with sides,metal grate flooring,and high speed rating for 400.00, has a bit more room if i need to add later on. so im going with the depot one. i think i will regret it later if i stayed with the 4x4'. i found my tow hitch and put it back on the car,and in a few hours going to pick up the new trailer. and get it registered ect. and start making it work to fit my needs.

thanks for the few responses to my questions, i feel i found some clarity as to less and practical is better, then more and expensive(18' trailer).

thanks again

joe