Harbor Freight Folding Trailer Assembly

Harbor Freight Folding Trailer Assembly Video. This is a a complete “how to assemble a harbor freight folding trailer” guide. In this video we show you how bolt the frame together, put together the trailer hitch, axle and the wheels. These Harbor Freight folding trailers are easy to assemble if you follow the instructions.
We started with laying out all of the trailer parts on the floor and taking a quick inventory. Next we bolted the two main frame sections together followed by the trailer tongue assembly. The axles, leaf springs and wheels were next to go on.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to ask or let me know!

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[@MrFredsDIY]

Are you planning to buy one of these trailers? Do you already own a Harbor Freight trailer? Tell us about your experience!

[@jennyshoning-cargill461]

We bought the 1195 LB trailer. assembly was a nightmare. there were parts not listed and listed parts not included. so many instructions are not clear. and as you said very confusing assembling it upside down. Thanks for the video. we didn't know about the 4 longer bolts. I wish they packaged them separately.

[@adamwren8075]

Wish I watched this before I assembled mine. Planning on using it a little landscaping/pressure washing work.

[@Bewefau]

Hey I thought about getting one of those :)

[@ghostdog0424]

I’d put the chains on the underside of the top flange to help simplify the forces involved, but this should be super strong enough.

[@MrFredsDIY]

That is not a bad idea! Thanks for commenting.

[@RealBLAlley]

We bought one a little over a year ago. We intended to get the 1195 lb trailer but they were out. The 1720 is only $30 more and has box channel cross-members and tow bars instead of C channel, has a stronger axle, and 5.20-12 5-lug wheels instead of 4.80-12 4 lug wheels. The tow bar brackets are also stronger. I recommend always getting the 1720 trailer. There were two minor errors in the assembly manual, but easy to figure out. I assembled it by myself in about three hours even though I suffer from fatigue and spinal cord issues. I wired it another day in about an hour, even with some custom routing and wire management. I assembled it upside down from the start and didn't flip it until I had all the main parts attached, minus the fenders to prevent damaging them during the flip. If you pay attention it's not difficult to build it that way. Hold each part in the normal orientation and then flip it over. The safety chains did not have a center link. I identified the two links at the middle, hooked a wired onto them, and pulled the chain through the coupler mount. I then ran the Coupler bolt through the two links _adjacent_ to the two middle bolts. It's more than strong enough for a trailer of this weight and load capacity. I placed two large nylon washers between the tow bars and the brackets to protect the paint from being rubbed off. If you leave out the rear leaf spring bolts, after hand tightening the U-Bolts you can rotate the entire axle and spring assembly forward to access to the U-Bolt nuts for easy torquing. Thank you for not buying into the "shipping grease" nonsense. If packing the bearings was required during assembly the factory would not have assembled the hubs, instead shipping the bearings in a box or wax paper wrapper with a light coat of oil. I recommend changing the grease only if the trailer will be used for long trips on the highway, or if it will be submerged as a boat trailer. In that case the lights also need to be upgraded. A 5/8" / 16mm power tool blade/bit wrench is perfect for holding the casters while tightening the stud nuts. I also painted the trailer before assembly since it's much easier. I only painted the parts that show with a deck in place. I used Ace Rust Stop International Gloss Red. It comes in a larger can for less money then other brands, and is a richer red than the factory paint (it will also not turn magenta over time). Because the rack components I added are painted black, I also painted the tow bard brackets, leaf spring saddles, and taillight brackets black for a nice contrast.

[@lieutenant7676]

would it be advantageous to apply Lock-Tight to the bolts when assembling?

[@aam3080]

Break it down Fred👍🏼

[@billypirtle1443]

There is two trailers thy do not sell anymore the 5 x 10 and the boat trailer have not seen any of these in 20 years now I have the boat trailer and two 5 x 10. Bought them back in 1982 still use all 3. Boat trailer has a 16 ft extra wide john boat on it.

[@christhibeaux1]

Excellent video…thanks

[@LW-io4sw]

A really great video!!! When levered, what is the hight from the ground to the top of the surface of channel where the floor would be installed? Thank you!

[@MrFredsDIY]

Thanks for commenting! with the 12 inch tires, the top of the frame sits at 20 1/2 inches. I also measured my old trailer with the 13 inch wheels and upgraded tires. That measurement is 22 inches.

[@LW-io4sw]

@@MrFredsDIYThank you!

[@channelofchannels7845]

I got one used for free and it came with 8inch wheels lol

[@MrFredsDIY]

8” ! Holy cow. That seems woefully inadequate. Lol

[@channelofchannels7845]

@@MrFredsDIY it has 3ft sides and the guy was filling it to the top with scrap

[@MrFredsDIY]

Oh boy lol

[@ericmoon3167]

Great video! The leaf springs have some play after i tighten the bolts. I know im not supposed to tighten em so hard that the metal rail bends. Hahaha. Did yours have some play as well? Thanks!

[@MrFredsDIY]

Yes, mine were the same

[@ericmoon3167]

@@MrFredsDIY thanks bud! Sounds good!

[@freedomfan3277]

@@ericmoon3167 Chinese precision.

[@RealBLAlley]

@@freedomfan3277 The assembly is fixed, and the front eyes are snug over the bolts, so the bit of play has no effect on the function of the trailer. The US and every other country make junk also, just like every country produces quality when the seller wants it.

[@freedomfan3277]

@RealBLAlley "Play" equals friction and wear. Things that you don't want in a trailer. I have an American made trailer that's over 27 years is still tight. Chinese quality is an oxymoron , you get what you pay for or not.

[@michaelmiles4141]

Your video is really helping me with my HF 1720 trailer build. I'm having fits getting the wheels on the axle spindle at the moment. It seemed you left the shipping grease in the hub - did you add any more grease after installing the wheels? If you did (or if you just know), what grease can I just add to the hub with the shipping grease without having to clean out all the old grease and removing the back seal too?

[@MrFredsDIY]

Harbor freight says that this grease in trailers they currently sell is not shipping grease and is appropriate for use. I used marine grease with my grease gun to add several pumos at each zerk fitting.

[@michaelmiles4141]

@@MrFredsDIY Thanks! The internets say it's not cool to mix grease, but if you just added marine grease that's great since it's what I prefer to use. I've also got some Bearing Buddies coming, but not quite sure on the size. Again, the interneters claim the 2047ss is a fit. I think I'll remove the tire from the hub to give it another shot at installation and I'll measure the dust cap&Hub ID to verify the 2047ss.

[@MrFredsDIY]

@michaelmiles4141 bearing buddies are on my list. I’m going to try the 2047ss first as well. Fred Jr and I put bearing buddies on his boat trailer, and I have to say it was not as easy as I thought it would be.

[@michaelmiles4141]

@@MrFredsDIY I finally got the wheel on. Turns out the spindle was just a smidge rough behind the threads and the outer bearing wasn’t sliding on. Some twisting and gerfiddling got it on there. I also measured the dust cap and 2047 is the correct size.

[@RealBLAlley]

The grease is perfectly fine if you're not submerging the hubs or towing the trailer for long periods on the highway. The "shipping grease" myth probably came from people who are already biased against Harbor Freight or are self-proclaimed experts who never bothered to learn anything. If it wasn't adequate for use and only for shipping they would not have assembled the hubs. They would have had the bearings packaged separately with a light coat of oil so the customers knows to pack them with proper grease before assembly. Imagine the liability nightmare if that grease was just for shipping, knowing most people would simply assemble the trailer and use it as-is.

[@jennyshoning-cargill461]

Any idea on where to get a better tire rated for a decent speed?

[@MrFredsDIY]

Carlise makes trailer tires with a higher speed rating.

[@jennyshoning-cargill461]

@@MrFredsDIY Thanks. We also need a 4 lug tire. seem pretty limited in options.

[@RealBLAlley]

Check local trailer dealers or eTrailer.

[@FisherOMen]

So do you need to remove the carriage bolts from the spring mount every time you want to fold the trailer?

[@MrFredsDIY]

Yes. It’s really not too inconvenient.

[@RealBLAlley]

That's why they are carriage bolts and not hex bolts. It requires one wrench instead of two.

[@annetttt]

Dude Mines straight up missing holes hahah

[@edmpropertymanagementltd803]

could you install a deck that hung off the front of the frame on the hitch side with out impeding the function of the trailer? if so how far up could you go do you think?

[@MrFredsDIY]

If you follow the shape of the tongue, you could probably go 24 inches or so. If not, then you could probably only go 12 inches is my guess.

[@RealBLAlley]

@@MrFredsDIY About the same as a tongue box.

[@chrisbarton8499]

how do you get a license plate for it?

[@MrFredsDIY]

After I finish filming the lighting installation video, I will take it to the DMV for an inspection. They will match my purchase receipt & title to the vin stamped on the frame. Once it passes the inspection I can get a registration and license plate.

[@watvannou]

The same way you get one for any other vehicle? The trailer comes with a certificate when you buy it and you present that to clear roadworthiness requirements and then pay for a plate. (at least that's how it went for me in Canada)

[@chrisbarton8499]

@@MrFredsDIY thanks, i have never bought a trailer before, did not know the process

[@RealBLAlley]

@@chrisbarton8499 Every state has different requirements and fees, and renewal rules. Check with yours.

[@tiffanybramlette6998]

If you do one of these in the future please go a lot slower. And say what each peice looks like. Hopefully I'll find a video that's helpful 😢

[@RealBLAlley]

One more thing. DO NOT WELD THESE TRAILERS. The people pushing the idea that these aren't strong enough with bolts have zero understanding of structural engineering, or welding.

[@AdorableDeplorable1]

Any idea what the torque spec is for the M10 bolts?

[@RealBLAlley]

Only the nuts for the axle U-Bolts and the lug nuts have torque specs. 15 ft.-lb. for the U-bolts. The rest are hand tight. I recommend a 17mm wrench and ratchet with 17mm socket to avoid over tightening.