Is Karavan the KING 👑 of box store utility trailers? Folding 5x8 review and some heavy testing.

[@FermentationAdventures]

I'd had one of these for almost 5 years. After using it over that time it's been a great tool. Complaints are: Tail Light location could use underside protection as lights are easy to break when backing up, if you're not careful. I've replaced the left light twice now. The plastic inserts to close the rectangle steel are easy to lose. Bought a couple replacements over the years. License plate holder is junk and in a bad location. I've just zip tied the plate to the back of the ramp. But overall it was an awesome purchase for the price. Great versatility as you mentioned and surprisingly well constructed where it matters.

[@dale7416]

I have had mine for 3 years, broke a tail light and zip tied my plate to the gate aswell. Karavan sells replacement lights and they are super easy to replace

[@FermentationAdventures]

@@dale7416 agreed, easy to buy and replce these lights.. but I don't really want to keep buying tail lights.. thus why I which they were relocated

[@flexd1453]

I buy and resell used utility trailer for over 15 years and the 5x8 karavan trailer its the best light duty trailer on the market. Just weight 550 pound that you can pull almost with any car and can be loud up to 1,450 pound. I have one of this and I reinforce the gate with two extra beam to support the center of the gate and add a electric winch and its my perfect goft cart delivery trailer

[@Donald-b8b]

The Karavan are powder coated. I have the 5 1/2 x 9 and I love it

[@williamclark1633]

Bought a 5x8 today. I did a lot of research. This is very well made. A bit bouncy when empty.

[@tcrichens]

Great video. Thanks for the review!

[@wayne558]

For those who don't want to screw/bolt anchors to the wood floor, Karavan sells a Tie Down kit for their 5" frame trailers (incl. D-rings with 1/2 x 6 inch bolts) that fits in those plastic capped holes on both sides of the trailer. Sold at TSC or cheaper if you shop online somewhere else. My 2021 Karavan 5x8 has four predrilled holes on each side with plastic caps on top, but my trailers has 3" frame. So I bought 4-pack of V-ring bolt on anchors and will get some bolts at Lowe's [for the pre-drilled frame holes].

[@Moonless6491]

I've got a 6X10 Karavan. My only complaint is the gate is a bit too short for lawn mowers to get up, but if I need to, I just back up to a hill and it works alright. I would never own another brand after this. The frame is incredibly strong compared to the crappy trailers I usually see. I've had over 2k pounds in it, and the only thing that didn't look good was the tires. If it had a beefier axle and tires, I have no doubt the frame could hold almost 4k. The folding sides are so useful and the folding front has let me put 16 foot boards on it before.

[@PeterDotExe]

Would you be able to load a 50" zero turn with such a short gate? Thanks.

[@Moonless6491]

@@PeterDotExe if the gate was lengthened or placed on a slope.

[@abrahame6470]

Karavan trailers are well made. I was looking at some trailers at my local lowes, complete garbage welds were really bad paints runs, some trailers the paints was still tacky

[@lewizvlogz911]

Just bought one today 03/03/2023 for only 800$ literally new with the jack included

[@danielcarlson8321]

Thank you for sharing your public service announcement about a great trailer!

[@CreativeMechanic]

Thanks for watching ?

[@danielcarlson8321]

I see you put the travel box where the shelves were located and built a drawer for your power tools?

[@CreativeMechanic]

Yup. Everything fit together well

[@teedog2182]

@@CreativeMechanic can you put a motorcycle on here

[@cognac8297]

Really like those latches

[@Bamapartyrentals771]

This trailer would be perfect for our business

[@CreativeMechanic]

I agree. Good luck with your business

[@tommydmot7725]

The fold down rails are pretty top teir im sick of forklifts smashing my fenders

[@CreativeMechanic]

Im just really pleased with the welds

[@tommydmot7725]

They definitely are pretty time will tell if they are done properly mass production trailers are notorious for shoddy welds

[@HexaFox]

I wonder if you could install a string trimmer rack on that tubing that is made to fold down?

[@jeepinintexas6215]

So where are the tie downs? I was hoping to see if there are any points where you can attach ratcheting straps to hold a riding mower in place. I was going to go buy this trailer at Home Depot this week but I haven't seen any points to strap a mower down.

[@CreativeMechanic]

I strapped the box to the spaces underneath the fold down rails. The bottom of the square tubes are open and the hook fits right in

[@jeepinintexas6215]

@@CreativeMechanic oh I see what you mean. Hey have you heard of these things called EZ-Tracks? They have them at etrailer's website. They are slotted metal tracks you attach down to the floor with lag bolts. You use another piece that locks into the slots and has a ring for tying things down or using ratcheting straps. They look like those metal tracks on the interior walls of semi trailers.

[@bryanduncan6255]

Good video, agree the quality of Karavan looks better than others. Can the ramp be folded into the bed of the trailer so it's overall flatter for storage?

[@CreativeMechanic]

Yes

[@Top_g80comp]

Fantastic review well done 💯🤘🏻 thank you

[@CreativeMechanic]

Thanks!

[@tuckerfrd1]

Lame ass review.

[@oleodis6530]

Where did you place your strap hooks in order to archer the toolbox down? Did you loop them around the bar?

[@braaapattack2937]

What size tires did they put on that one? I’ve got the same trailer but it came with the steel 12x4.8 skinny tires (bought mine back in 2019 from Home Depot before they had the “upgraded” version with the nicer/wider wheels and led tail lights

[@duanehensley8835]

Where are the anchor poimnts to strap your cargo down?

[@paulthompson1654]

The Karavan trailer is a good light duty unit eg fold down sides Fold down sides give no structural strength 8 ft is the longest single axle a dual axle tows better A frame coupler is light duty front floor Left to Right frame is small multi piece A frame not connected to front spring hangers A frame should be attached to under side of main frame Ramps have no knee supports . When ramp folded down knee brace sits 1 inch off the ground [prevents trailer bending ] Painted frame . A galvanised frame lasts along time All these items could be up graded but the trailer cost would be 50%more $$

[@jacobbirchall8908]

How much do you think the side rails could hold folded down? Could it hold the back tires of two quads if I loaded them on the side?

[@RJ-qq8kb]

Or stolen.

[@dzeyo651]

pends what your doing with it .. those fancy round tube ones 'look' alot better especially with the aluminum rims, but for a true 'utility' multi purpose work trailor, you cant beat that angle iron for being very accomodating .. lighting, meh, its a trailor, those old lights used to be all we had, they work fine😅 ... yeah, but for hauling your play vehicles etc, the +1000$ one with fancy wheels is nice, of course ... 'both' i would say need to be garage kept if you want them to stay nice, thats the bottom line ..get a fresh one, dont settle for one thats obviously been in the weather for weeks on the lot if youre a garage kinda guy ..

[@joelpeters5904]

Does anyone know how to grease the wheel bearings on these trailers? I have one but can’t figure out how to take the dust caps off without breaking them. Thanks

[@chris22824]

I went to go buy the Carry-On and it was complete JUNK! the build quality was non existent. Go with the Karavan!

[@DodgeSystems]

How much did you end up paying for yours? I saw a video from 2021 saying his 5x10 was 1200, but now it's $2300 and Bass pro sells the same trailer under the name trailstar for $2500 for the 5x10 and 2100 for the 5x8

[@CreativeMechanic]

$1575 in Alabama

[@toddgamble4356]

I paid $1925 2 weeks ago for my 5.5x9 karavan at TSC. I won’t go back to those other cheap trailers

[@TwoAMBlacktop]

My 5X8 was $1200 at Home Depot in Missouri a year ago.

[@DodgeSystems]

I ended up getting one off marketplace for $1000 in great condition.

[@WynoLINY]

Paid $1200 for mine yesterday at Home Depot in Fairburn Georgia.

[@paulgarcia3797]

how long do them latches work? seems like they would wear out after a bit of usage.

[@toddgamble4356]

The latches are awesome they are stiff and great quality. I have the 5.5x9 love it pulls really good and no noise like the cheaper built ones

[@christophersmith5116]

That Toolbox was 2K #'s???

[@CreativeMechanic]

With tools and bucking bars

[@reemer911]

Broke my 3rd set of ramp latches any suggestions on better ones?

[@XCRiders]

Sure-Trac 👍🏼

[@nmollet0127]

Since you moved that tool box does that mean you are putting together another one?

[@CreativeMechanic]

Yeah at my house

[@nmollet0127]

@@CreativeMechanic your adoring public await that video then.. chop chop need content

[@billymasters11]

lol dude i'm sold!

[@HellJumper11117]

Do these 5x8 Karavan trailers have brakes of their own?

[@TwoAMBlacktop]

No.

[@tray8411]

Dont understand why big box stores have same trailer but dif quality workmanship

[@rickie2sticky66]

Will a snowmobile fit?

[@CreativeMechanic]

I live in Alabama… I’ve never seen a snowmobile

[@rickie2sticky66]

@@CreativeMechanic lol fair enough!

[@braaapattack2937]

Yes, I’ve hauled my 2015 skidoo backcountry on it home from the dealer (my enclosed was full with other stuff and it was only a short ride to get it home), back of the track hangs off about a foot, which is expected being it’s an 8’ bed. So I left the ramp home when I did it

[@TriDaddy]

made in Iowa!!

[@walkingconifer]

It’s out of stock everywhere

[@CreativeMechanic]

Prattville Home Depot got em lined up

[@ivan1usa]

much better then carryon garbage

[@johnterpack3940]

Looks like a decent trailer. But it doesn't suit my needs. Too heavy, don't need a ramp.

[@CreativeMechanic]

They have aluminum ones too