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I have an SUV, wish I also had a truck (maybe someday). There are things I want to transport that won't fit in the back so I have to rent a trailer. I'm wondering if a storage / transport like this would safely serve my needs: https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch...Reese/PS1040100.html Another option: https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch...ier/CURT/C18112.html For example, I want to donate an old dining table to the thrift store. It's heavy (200lbs?) with a solid wood top, wood base and cast iron framing / supports. I think I could fit the table onto the cargo carrier. But I'm worried about weight. My 2" hitch is rated for 500lbs I think; let's say 400lbs to be on the safe side. 1. would a 200lb load be okay - safe to transport on this? Even if I go over bumps and railroad tracks and such? Dynamic weight, etc? 2. the main support bar seems like it might be okay. But what about lateral supports? If the weight is unevenly distributed, for example, with the left edge bearing 80% of the weight and the right side only 20%, is this okay? Or does this carrier only work if the weight is evenly distributed? If this carrier doesn't work, any suggestions for a flat carrier (say 30x50"), perhaps with more robust horizontal support, that would work better (more safely)? Or should I really just be renting trailers each time? "Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it." L.Tolstoy "A government is just a body of people, usually, notably, ungoverned." Shepherd Book | ||
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If you are under your hitch rating of 500 pounds you should be good. I have seen several people hauling smaller but still heavy under 500 pounds motorbikes on their hitch with proper carriers. God Bless !!!  "Always legally conceal carry. At the right place and time, one person can make a positive difference." | |||
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| Staring back from the abyss  |
Is your hitch attached to the bumper or the frame? If it's a framer, I'd suggest just getting a cheap single axle trailer, provided you have a place to put it when not in use. Lowes sells them for under $1000. ________________________________________________________ "Great danger lies in the notion that we can reason with evil." Doug Patton. | |||
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Nullus Anxietas |
What Gustofer wrote. I'd have a small trailer, myself, by now, if I had an out-of-the-way place to put it when not in use. Instead I rent one from U-Haul when I need it. "America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system,,,, but too early to shoot the bastards." -- Claire Wolfe "If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living." -- Seneca the Younger, Roman Stoic philosopher | |||
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So, perhaps I'm good to go for my purpose? I'm not sure where the hitch is attached. I'll have to check. I think it's attached to the frame (it's a 2008 Land Cruiser). I don't really have place to store a trailer; I wish I did so I could just buy one. It's a bit of a hassle to rent a trailer - not always in available close by, need to go get it, return it, etc. Too many trips. "Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it." L.Tolstoy "A government is just a body of people, usually, notably, ungoverned." Shepherd Book | |||
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| I can't tell if I'm tired, or just lazy  |
I'm with Gustofer on this. If you have a place to put it a trailer is a much more useful choice. _____________________________ "The problems we face today exist because the people who work for a living are outnumbered by those who vote for a living." "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety" Benjamin Franklin | |||
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Member |
For storage, do a search for outdoor storage in your area because a trailer is going to be much safer than what you're talking about. I had to upgrade from a 12' to a 16' trailer a while back and the 16' doesn't realistically fit in the garage once the coupler is factored in. I got lucky and found a retired man that stores on his personal property. His place is at the end of a dead end road and other family members live there, so there's almost always someone around. I couldn't pass it up at $55/month and it seemingly being more secure than a commercial open air facility. ___________________________ Not giving a damn since...whenever... | |||
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Looks like the hitch may be attached to the bumper but not 100% sure. What's the difference between attaching to frame or bumper? "Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it." L.Tolstoy "A government is just a body of people, usually, notably, ungoverned." Shepherd Book | |||
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As long as you stay under your vehicle's max tongue weight (weight of cargo + weight of the carrier itself) and the payload rating of the carrier you should be fine. That said, I would be worried about how you're going to secure the load. Those things do bounce around a bit, I would take that into consideration when loading bulky/ oddly shaped items like a table so it doesn't move around and damage your vehicle. Uneven distribution of weight shouldn't be an issue as long as you're mindful of it. Strap 400lbs of weight to one edge and go jump speed bumps and you might damage something. I can't imagine you would manage to load it so poorly in regular use that it would be an issue. I find those hitch carriers are great when you need a little extra space to strap on a cooler or two for a road trip, but if you see yourself using it to move bulky items frequently the trailer would be more versatile. You can BUY a small utility trailer for about the same price as those cargo carriers. Harbor Freight sells one that folds up for storage, and it wouldn't surprise me if there are other folding trailers out there as well. "The people hate the lizards and the lizards rule the people." "Odd," said Arthur, "I thought you said it was a democracy." "I did," said Ford, "it is." "So," said Arthur, hoping he wasn't sounding ridiculously obtuse, "why don't the people get rid of the lizards?" "It honestly doesn't occur to them. They've all got the vote, so they all pretty much assume that the government they've voted in more or less approximates the government they want." "You mean they actually vote for the lizards." "Oh yes," said Ford with a shrug, "of course." "But," said Arthur, going for the big one again, "why?" "Because if they didn't vote for a lizard, then the wrong lizard might get in." | |||
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Drill Here, Drill Now |
Along that line, I suggest one of the trailers that folds in half and stores vertically against the wall of your garage. When my Dad switched from a truck to SUV this is what he did and works great. Lots of options in this genre, but HarborFreight has two 4'x8' trailers: Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer. | |||
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Is there a ball going through the bumper from the top side, or is there a square shaped port underneath the bumper? edit- Don't know what I was thinking, but it's easy to tell. Look at the square port. If it's frame mounted, there should be metal running from the back of it to the passenger and driver sides of the vehicle, stopping at the inside of the frame. From there, there will be a bracket extending forward and bolted to the inside of the frame on both sides. ___________________________ Not giving a damn since...whenever... | |||
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Yes, I'm worried about the same. Was trying to figure that out in parallel. Tatortodd - thanks for the suggestions. Foldable storing trailer may be an option - I'll look into it. "Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it." L.Tolstoy "A government is just a body of people, usually, notably, ungoverned." Shepherd Book | |||
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| Savor the limelight |
Down here, the thrift people pickup furniture right from the house. At $300-$500 plus the storage issue, I think rent a trailer. I don't know how much it costs to rent one these days though. | |||
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Member |
Find a friend (or friends or family members) who also need a trailer on occasion. I did that and split a 6x10 landscape trailer I bought off Craigslist for something like $800 three ways. And not coincidentally, the trailer stayed at my house the majority of the time when not in use. A trailer will be way more useful when you need to haul something than a rack on the back of your SUV.----------------------------- Guns are awesome because they shoot solid lead freedom. Every man should have several guns. And several dogs, because a man with a cat is a woman. Kurt Schlichter | |||
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We've had these in the past & never had a problem with them. Only, possible, downside it having the extra annual registration for it. Vs a hitch rack would be 'free' in that sense. Now that I have something that can town again, I may look into one of the folding trailers, would be convenient & easy to store. The Enemy's gate is down. | |||
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Member |
I wouldn't hesitate to do what you're describing as far as the hitch goes. Unless the carrier is really flimsy it ought to be good for 2-300 pounds too I would think. _____________________ Be careful what you tolerate. You are teaching people how to treat you. | |||
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Honestly, I'm a bit apprehensive with harbor freight made in prc stuff for multiple reasons. But if you guys are saying, based on personal experience, these are good to go, I'll consider them. I'll see if I can find something not made in prc but if not, I'll go take a peek. Aside from prc (or maybe because of), I'm just worried that it'll just come apart suddenly on the road. But I have more confidence now since you guys have experience with them. "Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it." L.Tolstoy "A government is just a body of people, usually, notably, ungoverned." Shepherd Book | |||
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| Staring back from the abyss |
We have a "Permanent" registration for trailers up here. One time fee for plates and that's it. ________________________________________________________ "Great danger lies in the notion that we can reason with evil." Doug Patton. | |||
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| Member |
I think I found a used one of these: https://www.harborfreight.com/...g-trailer-62648.html What should I look for if I drive over and check it out? How should I determine if it's good to go or if I should just go buy a new one? "Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it." L.Tolstoy "A government is just a body of people, usually, notably, ungoverned." Shepherd Book | |||
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Oh wait - I have a 2" ball hitch; the trailer spec requires a 1 7/8" ball. Will this work with a 2" ball or do I need to get another ball hitch? "Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it." L.Tolstoy "A government is just a body of people, usually, notably, ungoverned." Shepherd Book | |||
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