Towing a Haul Master trailer?

I bought a little 40x48 Haul Master trailer from Harbor Freight.
Only problem with it is that it states that max speed is 45 MPH.
Really? I wanted a trailer that I could use on the highways, at
highway speed. Does anyone know if this is overly cautious? I mean
what is going to happen if you go 65 mph with it? The tires are going
to fly to pieces from the high RPMs?

 

Almost any utility trailer is rated 45-55 mph, I think most people pull them
faster from time to time, but use caution.

 

" what is going to happen if you go 65 mph with it? "

your 1st indications of "issues" will be a swaying back and fourth
of the trailer...take your foot off the gas and slow down...you have
just
"hit" the max speed indicator......don't use brakes...unless you are
GENTAL....slow down by foot off the gas, or dropping the tranny from
drive to the next lower gear.....good luck!! don't put too much
weight
on it, or it will get "jiggy" on you as well........

 

Oh, the bearings could overheat and seize, or catch fire.

That sounds like one of ones with the smaller wheels (9"?), so yes,
the tires could come apart from the speed or overheat and blow.

Keep in mind that things at Harbor Freight are made with the cheapest
materials and very little QA. If you want a trailer to pull on the
highway, go buy a real one. Expect that any trailer you pull will
decrease your gas mileage; the faster you're driving, the more the
impact will be.


Gary

 

Small wheels, short bouncy little trailer...yup 45mph sounds about
right to me. Much faster and you are risking damage to cars and
people around you.

Sounds like you were enticed by the price and forgot everything else.

 

What do you mean cheap, very little QA? I'll have you know that
Harbor freight only sells the best of cheap chinese imports! ;-)

Well it does have the largest (12") wheels. thanks!

 

If you use the trailer as intended it will carry loads it was
designed to. A friend bought a 4x8 trailer base from Harbor
Freight. He had to build the sides and completely rewire it before
the lights would work, but once complete it hauled household stuff
for about 5 years. Ultimately the low price became apparent when the
frame started rusting out.

 

12" is pretty tiny. You're probably fine a bit over 45, but I don't think
I'd exceed 55 or so with it, and even then it would be wise to pull over and
check the hub temperature occasionally.