harrydirty

I just started assembling the Harbor Freight 40x48 trailer; intend to use it for my track stuff. I wanted to lower the trailer a bit by assembling the axle on the "inside" of the spring, but finding that the locating stud on the spring is apparently longer/wider than the axle locating recess/hole, so it rocks instead of sitting squarely on the spring.

I need guidance from those forum members who have successfully assembled these trailers; what did you do to assemble this trailer in the "lower" position?

Thanks in advance for any help

John Shiels

post a picture if you can for more help.

Han Solo

Sometimes you can get the locating stud out and flip it in the spring but I would just stack a few 1/2" fender washers under the axle or just drill the axle tube so the stud can pass into it.

jaa1992

How "low" do you need it??? the stock tralier wants the tongue 12" from the ground for a level pull. I cheated a little with my C4 and it was 14". I woudn't want it much higher than that, the extra height was one of the reasons it rolled over on an on-ramp.

RDnomorecobra

I assembled it according to the instructions. the way it sits it seems pretty level so never occured to me to try and lower it. why is it you want to do that? I realize I'm not answering your question just trying to understand.

by the way, make sure you lube the bearings and recheck the whole thing periodically. there are horror stories I found on my350z.com about these things falling apart.

harrydirty

Having never owned a trailer before, I just figured it would be easier to load/unload stuff if it sat lower. I never considered what the tongue height needed to be, or if it would be absolutely level.

From the guys that have used these trailers, will trying to lower it be a "no-no", or is it ok? If it's ok, how did you do it?

RX-Ben

It is already low, I don't see a need to change it.
Be sure to constantly check that the lug nuts are tight.

jaa1992

I had no problems loading 4 315x17 tires on it at stock height.
I bought a small truck box and used plywood for a deck.
Sorry, I never took a picture of it.

geerookie

I pulled that same trailer behind my C5 for years. It wasn't lowered and it pulled perfectly level when loaded.
Mount the hitch, pintel and ball, then check the ball height on the Vette before you lower the trailer.
If you have the one with 12" wheels I think you will find it is the perfect height without doing anything.

travisnd

Yeah I too pulled that same trailer for a few years... it was level for me.

EDIT: I had the one with the larger wheels too.

wallyman424

So long ago.

harrydirty

A picture is indeed worth a thousand words.....thanks

c4cruiser

I used the one with the 12" wheels behind my 87 for 3 years and never had a problem with the heights of the trailer.

If you have the 12" wheels, you can always buy the 8" wheels and hub assemblies to drop the trailer frame 2". The bearing are a generic size so it's a good idea to carry a spare set along with races and some wheel bearing grease.

If you really want to help with towing, lengthen the tongue. An additional 24" or so added to the tongue makes backing the trailer much easier and it will tow better. HF also has wheel tongue jacks and that makes it real easy to move the trailer around.

If you upgrade the trailer stop/turn lights to LED units, you won't have to change the car's turn signal flasher. One extra standard bulb will cause the turn signals to flash much quicker and not as bright. The additional resistance from the trailer lightbulb is more than what the factory flasher can handle.

travisnd

Wow.... old pic!

Jason

Those were the days.

travisnd

Funny how we all went through that transition... get addicted, start towing a tire trailer, buy a truck and trailer, buy a bigger truck and a bigger trailer

wallyman424

My street z06 and tire trailer only lasted 1 hpde though

then it got sold in search of the racecar.

travisnd

I remember when you were selling it... I think my dad looked at the add a few times when he as in his early search for his own Z06.

DRUGschnorr

got the trailer 2 HPDE's ago... 12 in wheels did just fine at 70 mph.. be sure to have 60% weight forward.. i flipped the tounge on the rear of car and got ~5 degree of tilt..
all good ... considered 8in wheels but punted...

travisnd

I remember hearing the larger wheels are better for bearing life since they're turning less RPM at speed.