Harbor Freight Folding Trailer

Harbor Freight Folding Trailer. This is my Harbor Freight folding trailer model number1720 heavy duty. This trailer is item # 62647 and has a 1,720LB rating. In this video I show you you my 10 trailer mods, (really 11), that I have made to my folding trailer over the past 4 years.

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Wheels & Tires
(I used spacers to keep tires away from my fender brackets)

1️⃣🟢The first trailer modification that I made was the flooring. I used 5/8" OSB plywood for the floor. I put three coats of polyurethane on both sides for protection. I used 3/8' carriage bolts to attach my flooring.
2️⃣🟢My number 2 mod was to add waterproof trailer lights. I use my folding trailer for my boat so these were a must have!
3️⃣🟢Number 3 was to upgrade to a 7 blade trailer connector. The 5 pin connector that came with my trailer was not compatible with my 2015 F-150.
4️⃣🟢Number 4 is the custom side rail system that I made. Every utility trailer needs to have a side rail system to strap down various cargo. These rails are made from 2x3's and I used 3/8' bolts with neoprene nuts to build the rails
5️⃣🟢Number 5 was to add a 1,000LB swivel jack. Every trailer needs a trailer jack with a wheel to move it around when its not connected to a vehicle. These trailer jacks are not expensive.
6️⃣🟢My number 6 mod was to ditch the 12" wheels and tires and convert to 13" Carlisle Radial Trail HD trailer tires. 13" rims are easy to find and very inexpensive. Having taller 13" wheels that are rated for 80 MPH instead of 55 is pretty awesome! I used 5mm spacers behind my wheels to keep the tires away from the trailer.
7️⃣🟢My spare tire mounting system allows me to store my spare tire for my folding trailer underneath the trailer tongue. This is convenient both on the road and while the trailer is folded up in storage. I also mounted a four-way lug wrench and bottle jack underneath the trailer floor so that I am always prepared!
8️⃣🟢This modification is arguably the best and most important of all of my mods. The Harbor Freight Folding Trailers FOLDS!!!! Once these trailers fold in half there is no built in mechanism to hold them together. No latch... I made an awesome latching system that safely holds the two halves of the trailer together while in storage and cleverly stows out of the way when the trailer is in use.
9️⃣🟢This simple little mod keeps my license plate out of the way when the trailer is folded up so that I can push it against the wall and the hinge lets the license plate drop back into position when the trailer is on the road. The first time my license place cut my arm is when I took a grinder to the bracket and made this mod!
9️⃣1/2🟢The cheesy plastic caster wheels that came with this trailer fell apart a few weeks after I stored my trailer for the first time. I fought with them for two seasons before I upgraded to the cast iron wheels that are on it now. So worth it!
🔟🟢Upgrading the wheel bearings on this trailer should be a priority for anyone who owns one. I removed and re-packed my bearings on a regular basis because I use my trailer for my boat. Even though I used quality marine grease and re-packed at the end of each season, after four years my OEM bearings were worn out. They are not a quality bearing to begin with.

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For Businesses Inquiries please Email:

Mr Fred
505 E Windmill Lane
STE 1C -217
Las Vegas NV
89123
#mrfredsdiy #harborfrieght

[cndjonno]

This man is singlehandedly more innovative than any utility trailer company I have seen.

[michaelosmon]

The strap to hold the folding side at 90 for counterweight is genius.

[cali-electro-dad]

You got a cheesy grin and radio announcer voice and by gum, I'm lovin' it. 😁 Thanks for all the great tips. I just bought this trailer and I greatly appreciate your words of wisdom. 🙏

[kctyphoon]

Every idea is so well thought out and executed.. unreal..

[wurly]

I had the HF trailer as well. I used 3/4 plywood. I primed it and painted it with oil based primer and paint on all sides before bolting it down, with relief cuts near the hinges. I installed the jack as well. My sides were like yours but I used deck screws and a washer to bolt them to the metal flanges. I used a bungee cord to hold the two sides together.
I opted to leave the license plate fixed, so I would cut myself every time I walked by it. Good video

[ceemihail]

Glad I found your video. I just bought the foldable trailer myself, and love the upgrades/mods you made. Lastly yes, the latch system should be straight from the factory to hold the trailer together in the folded position. Thanks for the video.

[seansoutdoors]

Thanks for sharing. I am thinking of getting one of these trailers and will stop back to watch this again when I start looking at doing some modifications. God bless you.

[jackdumas]

I bought one back in 2010 and a friend helped me put it together- I installed Aluminum with some old bed frames as extra bracing underneath- I pushed the wires thru 3/8 clear tubing to help from rubbing on sharp edges, I kept it til 2017 then I ended up buying a used Nu-Way same trailer but from 1992 - only thing I don’t like is the Tongue is a straight to the trailer, I’m wanting to make it a A frame to the trailer to give it some stability- but anyway I always try to make it better, I completely redid the trailer- the floor was rotted, the tires were dry rotted, and the wires were fraying so I just stripped it and gave it new paint tires wiring and yes I had the bearings greased. My Nabor did the work and I supplied the beer, lol and $$ too. He did a nice job, he also installed the trailer hitch on my Kia soul, had to Flip the trailer hitch to bring it up higher, I bought the trailer to haul the large propane tanks and sometimes wood from the store after Selling my truck- anyway, I enjoyed the video- I’m Never to old to learn something New. 🤠♥️✝️🇺🇸🌲-🍀

[rosswitte]

Great video. I did several of the things you did nearly exactly how you did them. That said you have some special ideas all you own and I will be borrowing them (like tool storage, the folding latch, and spare tire bracket). Excellent thinking!

[jaydee]

Really like your side rails. They keep the bed at a true 4 x 8 size so one can haul 4 x 8 panels. Someone somewhere used Mdf for side panels cut to fit in the stake pockets and added ripped 2 x 4's for reinforcement for the Mdf.

[hotwarm]

Really great mods on the trailer, especially the latch.

[robb]

Thanks the video was great the the tip on how to fold the trailer was great was struggling to do it by myself.

[ROgletree]

Thanks for the video. I’ve been looking at this trailer as a budget friendly convenient way to haul my fishing kayak. The 12” tires have kept me from purchasing this trailer already. It’s good to see that a 13” wheel and upgraded tire will fit.

[DevSwe]

Great looking mods. I wish I could buy one all set up like that already.

[mrlt]

I used hinges in the corner of my rails, and padlock latches and pins in back. Pulling the hinge pins makes storage a breeze. I also put 6 light duty d-rings around the trailer rails. I used rivnuts. Makes securing loads a breeze. I use one of the ratchet straps to secure the trailer when folded.

[plink]

Love yours Mods! Especially the latch system you created and the quick release fence bolts! I'm totally doing both of those!

[acebk]

Awesomeness 1-10. Your voice is perfect for voiceovers!

[dwigts]

Good to know ST175/80R13 fits without needing to move fender higher. But I would still do that if it's not too difficult to maximize load capacity of the trailer.

[jasondutter]

I use balancing beads in the tires. Smooth ride always.

[gmweirdo]

Great mods, and I've done a bunch myself on my 1750 lb version, including putting in a recessed wheel chock in the front half for my motorcycle. I also put 4" x 4" E-Track mounts on the deck (3 down each side for a total of 6).

And speaking of the deck, that's the one weakness I saw on this build. I would avoid the 'engineered' particle plywood and go with ACX roofing plywood, and treat that with Copper Green, primer, then paint with a high-grade exterior paint and mix-in some non-slip paint additive.

The side rails seem to be a little on the weak side for most trailer applications, especially if hauling heavier loads. I'm designing some for my trailer and will be using 2x6" redwood, with steel locking brackets on the front, and steel gate latches in the rear. I didn't bother cutting bolts to secure the side rails, and purchased two packages (5 ea. for a total of 10) pre-drilled 3/8" pins for the stake-bed rails and will use the cotter-pins and washers too (and secure those with small wire cables so they don't get lost/stolen).

I will mount the spare to the front rail using the spare tire mount from HF, and am designing something to secure the ramp I purchased. Adding a 1"x1"x 4' 90deg aluminum edge to the rear will keep the plywood from being damaged when loading/unloading.

Instead of welding a latch to hold the trailer folded, I put eye-hooks on the corners and use d-rings or carabiners to hold it together while folded upright for storage.

I put grounds on at all the side-marker lights and other places since that seems to be one of the weak links on these trailers. Using wire looms on all the wiring, then securing them to various parts of the undercarriage secures everything neatly and protects the wiring from the elements.

As for the bearings, I've had good luck with them in past, but this time I took out the old (blue) grease they come with, and re-packed with high-grade wheel bearing grease. Of course I added the trailer jack and upgraded the 'cheapy' casters to slightly bigger ones to make it easier to roll around over rough surfaces. I gave it some thought about the bigger tires, but will look at that for a future upgrade.


Anyways, well done.