How to Fold a Harbor Freight Trailer

The last video in the "Harbor Freight Utility Trailer Assembly" series.
Full Trailer Assembly Playlist: • Playlist
For materials and written post visit: bit.ly/mdpfold
This video is professionally closed captioned.
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FYI: We are not professionals, and we don’t claim to be. This is what we found worked for our project. Yours may need a little different approach. Safety first!

[@AmanStumpGrinding]

This video is better than the rest because it shows removing the bolts from the cross bars. I thought I was doing something wrong until I saw this video. I ended up building an access panel in the bed of the trailer, so I don't have to crawl around on the floor. I still have the step of removing the access panel in order to get access to the cross bar bolts.

[@charliesullivan9031]

I just wanted to say thank you for putting this video on here and the video on assembling the trailer. They were both a BIG help!!

[@brianraynor5559]

If you fold the back half over first, and then pull the pins for the tongue BEFORE trying to lift on the casters, it's MUCH easier and I can do it by myself that way. As you're folding it up onto the casters the tongue of course will drag the ground so suggest putting something under it (I use a foam exercise pad). Also it is a bit awkward doing this, but totally possible with one person and again MUCH MUCH lighter.

[@FuzzballToday]

Brian Raynor Great idea!

[@RoadieWingZZ]

Exactly.

[@tomcorbett7027]

Thank you for providing help

[@EdwardHart]

I have the same trailer, bought back in 2017 for about $300. Best $300 I ever spent! It has been from NY to CA to AZ to OH, and still in really good shape. I just replaced the floor on it, since when I originally built it I used 1/2 plywood, this time I went with 3/4. when I store mine, I fold it, and put it against the wall in my garage. I installed larger rubber casters so it rolls around a bit easier. Now I have to redo the sides, they took some damage, and leaving them outside over the winter didn't help. Overall it's a pretty rugged little trailer, would buy again, though now they're about $500 :(

[@motarted1735]

Your how to videos are very detailed and descriptive, awesome job 👍

[@HaniJIsmail]

Lol WTF. So I bought this HF trailer from a kid on craigslist (I paid quite a bit for it since he had built it up with wood but I didn't mind since I didn't have time to build one) I've been using it for years. NEVER folded it. I always wondered how to do but but I never realized you had to unbolt different parts on the trailer. I guess I'll have to store mine unfolded for now lol since I use my trailer from time to time. I like having it ready to go

[@troyc333]

I'm starting to really love this channel. Knowledge is power!

[@nickaprea4632]

I like to use a purchase or pulley system to lift heavy objects by myself, also great to use to lift heavy objects on to the trailer. Attach to the pulley to the roof/beam/ above where you store the trailer.

[@dottyjyoung]

Yes! I could install a winch to several places outside to handle this part.

[@jpgale]

You may want to chock the wheels while tipping up the extra movement needs you to counter it and will take more force. Also install a pulley system in the alcove to lift up, you will need to control it when it start to get on to the casters.

[@LaurieNunez-nn9qj]

Buy large casters. 4 inches casters are good, 6 are best. Once you have big casters wheels, you will be able to rolel it easier. The trick is is to release the pins thehold the riangle hitch, fold the back, set upright on the casters while allowing the hitch triagle to come down. Then just roll the hitch to your desired place.

[@matthartley6483]

I have a similar trailer. I use the method described by others of leaving the rear section down when lifting it to the upright position. What I have done is add 2 little caster wheels to the rear most edge so the section does not drag on the ground while lifting and lowering it. The casters also lift the section up a little so the license plate does not drag as much. It still touches the ground, but not as badly as without the casters. Since I am usually using the trailer by myself there is no way I could lift it if the rear section is folded first.

[@tomcorbett7027]

Thank you for sharing. Other videos show that you lift up one end first tovvertical, then the other side. That way you are not lifting both sides at once. Nice back piece!

[@julianv2197]

First, leave it flat. Lift the front end up onto the rolling wheels (caster wheels). Once up lift the back end up and secure it with bungees or install a latch system..then move it to desired location by rolling it on small caster wheels. Too heavy if you sandwich it first then try to left it all at once..

[@GroundHamster]

Great series! One thing I want to mention is that it is easier to get upright if you lift the front two parts first to get it on the casters. Then, you'll want to raise the back piece up too. You have less weight to manage at one time during the lifting process. The downside to this is it can be rough on the license plate. I'm not sure how to mitigate that part without removing it completely.

[@karenhawkins6311]

Great idea!!!!

[@jasondemarco3159]

I used rivets to attach my license plate to piano hinge so it folds up out of the way.

[@moulin680]

I feel for myself and I change the cast wheels. improve it so much better

[@dingosgarage9456]

I built one of these a couple years ago to pull behind my Polaris ranger 900. I went about my build different seeing how I did not care about folding it. I bolted 8’ treated 2x6s to the frame for the floor. I then used treated decking to make a rail around it. And I built a removable treated tail gate as well then I bolted a slow vehicle triangle to the tailgate since I pull it only with my Polaris ranger. I also did not put lights on mine seeing how I use it for non highway use. It’s become a very handy tool and I just used it today. There are pictures of mine on harbor freights website.

[@karenhawkins6311]

Very helpful. Now I know there's no way I can fold this by myself, but I do like the idea of using a piece of 2x4 to keep the two sides together. Thanks!

[@g7003041]

Great videos on how to setup the trailer from start to finish. Btw. Don't forget to put on a safely glasses when you craw under the trailer. Sometimes debris or dust might fall into your eyes.

[@wolfy1]

Great video. The instructions for putting this thing together really leave a lot to be desired don't they? I'm not sure if they even tell you how to fold it? I haven't got that far, but I guess it makes more sense if you have to remove bolts to do it. To fold it without a helper you could use a come along or make one with some wood, screw hooks and those tie down ratchet straps.

[@Heyjaybird]

To store trailer I would use a small winch from.harbor freight..mount on side where u store it. Attach lead use winch will pull it in place..I'm disabled is what I would do

[@H3avyHaul3r]

if you chock both wheels when you are trying to lift it up…it stops roll back as you are trying to get it onto its dolly wheels….there also a video on youtube of a guy using two dollys that help him fold/unfold by himself

[@AREA-51moto]

Thank you

[@cussomauto3143]

You might want to look at a guy named Charles builds crap. He has a video about how he puts his trailer up it might not have as much tongue weight doing it his way so you and your mother could do it. Great videos keep up the good work!

[@MotherDaughterProjectsDIY]

Thanks!

[@johnjacobjinglehimerschmid3555]

I'm building mine right now. I'm confused by the videos I've watched on folding / unfolding the trailer. Your, this video, is the first to show removing the bolts from the center cross bars. One other video shows the person adding the rear bold on the side of the spring bracket ... but not the one that I believe will be under the leaf springs. I'm going to have to stop building so that I can understand what has to happen to fold and unfold the trailer.... And what happens if I don't have all the bolts in. For instance ... not sure what the consequences are of not bolting the center bars of the bed. or ... the carriage bolt that's located, I believe, beneath the leaf springs what will happen if that's left out. Have not seen one video on this trailer that appears to put all hardware back after having been folded.

[@thuduong9759]

Can you use the trailer while folding?

[@joemartz7512]

Great video! Quick question , How tall is the folding trailer in its folded position.

[@kurtessy4132]

How fast do you drive with it attatched? Ive read not to go faster then 45 mph and also have read it can go 65-70 mph. Building one! Your videos helped me decide on purchasing one. Although I have ran into so many issues you did not seem to run into.

[@MotherDaughterProjectsDIY]

The wheels are rate for 45 mph I believe. You can switch out the wheels if you'll be doing highway driving. -Steph

[@benzini3144]

It weighs 255 lbs.

[@sitdown7232]

Yeah putting this thing together it is absurd how many bolts interfere with each other and stuff

[@sitdown7232]

But I would reverse the direction you installed the carriage bolts so they would be easier to remove

[@GHE2005]

Us female does not hv the upper body strength. Especially harder if u r pattie, & I'm one plus a senior. lol Did u do a video in registering ur trailer? I did find that 1.

[@kurtessy4132]

Could you put full size tires on it if you wanted or is it said to be not advised?

[@justin71069]

Anyone tried adding a Tongue Box to this trailer and then still folding it? I have the 1720lb model and the box would be useful; I just don't want to go through the hassle of removing it between uses. I'm wondering if the addition of 50 lbs (empty box) box to 100 lbs (filled box) would cause the trailer to topple over when it's in the vertical position. Anyone been brave enough / crazy enough to test this? It's a given that the casters would need to be upgraded to something stronger and I imagine folding down the tongue would be an adventure.

[@brucebelvin2058]

Conclusion: Folding trailers are a PIA. Just get a nonfolder and make room for it.

[@troyc333]

Where can we find a list of tools you used for a particular video?

[@MotherDaughterProjectsDIY]

bit.ly/mdpfold

[@foxmulder7616]

Why do you have to remove 6 bolts????

[@robertd6576]

Nice videos! How long did you have to wait to get the trailer after you bought it?

[@MotherDaughterProjectsDIY]

They brought it right out after we bought it.

[@robertd6576]

@@MotherDaughterProjectsDIY thank you! The reason I asked was when I bought mine they said it had to be shipped up from California, that was over 2 weeks ago. I called them back yesterday to check on it and I was told it would be another 3 months! Anyway thanks again for your videos.

[@cna5018]

Could you tell me the height of the Trailer when it is folded in the upright position? I have a shed with a 72" door. Looking to see if it would fit through the door.

[@wolfy1]

Would probably be a close call

[@brianraynor5559]

74" of you count the brackets for the sides. If you remove those, it is right at 72"

[@brandonmoscato8453]

How high does the trailer stand up when folded

[@MotherDaughterProjectsDIY]

76"

[@rkooscar6866]

What the the total height. I want to stand it up in my garage. A long the wall. Not sure if it will hit my ceiling flush along the wall

[@brianraynor5559]

Folded approx 74 " tall.