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DriverOne's custom Harbor Freight 40x48 Trailer

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  • DriverOne's custom Harbor Freight 40x48 Trailer

    So, here it is, the HaulMaster 42708 40x48" trailer. This is what it looked like when I got it. The cargo carrier was a gift from my dad. Some of you may remember having seen this before.


    This is what it looked like today, on its first trip out, sans the freshly fitted and coated new decking.




    According to the website, it has a maximum weight capacity of 870 lbs, and that's all I need. I purchased the trailer used for the cost of a new one, but it had a spare and a tongue jack attached. Currently, as you can see in the picture, I have an issue. The car, loaded down, sits level. That's fine when there're four people in the car, or the car's loaded down with stuff, but most of the time, the car won't sit level. I'll probably switch the wheels over to 12" to get the trailer to ride ever so slightly higher than the car. That way, loading the trailer will put it level with the car.

    I have plans to add a spare tire carrier, and swap the C-channel steel tongue out for a 2" square steel tube that goes all the way to the back of the trailer, with a slight extension to the rear (about half an inch) to mount hitch accessories like a grill mount or bike rack. I'll have the original frame sandblasted and then welded together, possibly adding some tread-plate to the top. Then, I'll respray the trailer to match my car's new color (whenever THAT happens...). A pair of polyethylene fenders will cover the 12's, and probably get wrapped in the same checkerboard tape that currently covers the upper half of my plastic stripping (see above) on the side of the car.

    I love my gold rims! I've thought about selling them on and off, but I like 'em, so whatever. I just need one center cap and ring, and I'll be able to cover the ugly midsection of the rims and finish my look! I think I'll also take the gold theme to my trailer, and pick up a set of 12" galvanized trailer wheels, painting the middle gold along with the center section of the hub, adding a couple nice dust-caps on the ends. At speed, they'll match the car, especially if I can get the steel polished up well enough to come close to the aluminum section on my rims.

    The gaudy, bulky trailer lights that I bought for this trailer just irked me from day one, even though I mounted them as soon as I had a chance. I just couldn't stand the look, and the block lights kept bruising my shins. In my time over the road, I've seen a whole bunch of cool lighting systems and mods, and I remembered the strip lighting that has become popular with the cargo trailer companies.


    This trailer needs some linear lighting to accentuate its size and remove the cheap image it carries. This CAN BE a cool platform, and when I'm finished, it will be. I'm considering mounting the tail lights in a bumper, recessed to protect them.

    I'm taking a page from my own book concerning the cargo carrier. The stick-on LED markers that I privied you to in the $3 side marker thread have been used on Sparky's Bomb (reveal at Spring FestivaL) to better illuminate the cargo carrier section of the trailer, and this is because of their proven durability. They're going on my cargo carrier as well, to be connected to the main trailer lighting system via a Mitsubishi microconnector.

    More to come.
    In love with a MadScientist!:thumbright:
    There's a fine line between breathtaking ingenuity and "That's the stupidest thing I've ever seen!"


  • #2
    Looks great.

    This is the first pic of your Festiva that I've seen, too. I like the rims 100%. It you run across another pair, snag them for the trailer. All you'd need are rear spindles and drums.
    '88 Festiva L, stock carby engine (with exhaust upgrade), 4 speed tranny. Aspire Struts and Springs, Capri 14" wheels, interior gutted, battery in back

    '92 Geo Metro XFi

    '87 Suzuki Samurai

    '85 F150, modded 300cid

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    • #3
      Re: DriverOne's custom Harbor Freight 40x48 Trailer

      Thanks for the compliment! I had actually considered doing that at one point. I know I could extend the axle to accommodate for the width and offset, but I would have to find a 4x100 hub, 2 rims (or repair my 5th and find a 6th wheel, AND caps and rings), and custom fit 8" wide fenders. I would then be restricted to high performance, low profile tires, which often cost more than the trailer tires for the 12" rim. That could be almost $1,000 compared to maybe $200, and that's without a spare. If I could find some 12" meshes on 4"x4 lug pattern, you bet I'd do it!
      In love with a MadScientist!:thumbright:
      There's a fine line between breathtaking ingenuity and "That's the stupidest thing I've ever seen!"

      Comment


      • #4
        Look at ATV or Golf Cart wheels. 4 on 4 is pretty common for them.
        Owner of:
        1991 Red Festiva L, 5 speed (Swagger Wagon)
        In progress:
        BP+G25MR swap, Kia rio axles hopefully.

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        • #5
          Nissse ! I was looking at some of my pics for reference and the same axle and springs under the 4X8 trailer did not go down much, The trailer with the original tires lost an inch at the tire and an inch of spring, they are pretty stiff. I think your idea of the 12 inchers will work sweet! Maybe give the fenders a little lift and more solid, they flex down easy!
          Reflex paint by Langeman...Lifted...Tow Rig

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          • #6
            Re: DriverOne's custom Harbor Freight 40x48 Trailer

            Thanks, Movin! Kellen, these are the options available to me:

            $69+shipping


            $69+shipping


            $58+shipping


            $59+shipping

            All prices are per wheel.
            In love with a MadScientist!:thumbright:
            There's a fine line between breathtaking ingenuity and "That's the stupidest thing I've ever seen!"

            Comment


            • #7
              Aren't the hubs on that trailer 4x100? I know the 4x8 with 8 inch wheels is supposed to be. Should be all kinds of 13" rims you could use, and 155R13s are $41 at wally world.
              No festiva for me ATM...

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: DriverOne's custom Harbor Freight 40x48 Trailer

                The hub is 4 on 4". Otherwise I wouldn't be able to get a standard trailer wheel on the hub. A 4x100 does fit, but that's due to the 4" pattern being so close to the 4x100 (3.937 inches) at 4x101.6.
                Last edited by DriverOne; 03-01-2013, 08:40 AM.
                In love with a MadScientist!:thumbright:
                There's a fine line between breathtaking ingenuity and "That's the stupidest thing I've ever seen!"

                Comment


                • #9
                  I know plenty of folks who have run Escort and Honda wheels on a trailer to match their cars, never heard of them having issues, most of them used hub centering rings but some didn't.
                  No festiva for me ATM...

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                  • #10
                    Re: DriverOne's custom Harbor Freight 40x48 Trailer

                    Yes, but again I would have to modify the axles, custom build fenders, and run low-pro tires, and I still don't know if my centers would clear the trailer hub, not to mention that I couldn't use the caps & rings, so unless I use one of the wheels above, I figure I'll have the anodised rims and caps on there in the next few months.

                    I'm actually leaning towards Wheel 1, since it's closest in design to what I have already.
                    Last edited by DriverOne; 03-01-2013, 11:01 AM.
                    In love with a MadScientist!:thumbright:
                    There's a fine line between breathtaking ingenuity and "That's the stupidest thing I've ever seen!"

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: DriverOne's custom Harbor Freight 40x48 Trailer



                      The floor is on temporarily so I can use it to pick up my bro's new engine on Wednesday. I covered the fenders in more 'racing tape' and it looks ridiculous. Those fenders have GOT to go!
                      In love with a MadScientist!:thumbright:
                      There's a fine line between breathtaking ingenuity and "That's the stupidest thing I've ever seen!"

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Turned out nice! I like the "racing" tape it will match your moldings well
                        Barbie Car - '90 L-plus_2nd Gen SOHC B6+rear turbo @ 8 psi
                        Festycul - '9? 5spd_full roll cage, completely gutted, hydro g-series, B6T @ 15psi, rocketchip ecu,Willwood master cylinder, Mit. Galant VR-4 rotors, Hawk racing pads, capri knuckles, 323 LCA's, BrideLow Max seats, 5pt. harness, lexan windows, fuel cell, aluminum radiator, 323 coilovers
                        Elvis - '93 L 5spd_B3+T build in progress
                        WhiteGirl - '93 GL Immaculate shape, deciding what to build with it?

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                        • #13
                          Re: DriverOne's custom Harbor Freight 40x48 Trailer

                          I picked up an amber marker yesterday while I was on the road. I love perk points! I buy Love's fuel, and so I get free merchandise!
                          Last edited by DriverOne; 03-31-2013, 03:13 PM.
                          In love with a MadScientist!:thumbright:
                          There's a fine line between breathtaking ingenuity and "That's the stupidest thing I've ever seen!"

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Lets some trailer loaded pics when it happens!
                            Last edited by Movin; 04-01-2013, 01:04 AM.
                            Reflex paint by Langeman...Lifted...Tow Rig

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                            • #15
                              Re: DriverOne's custom Harbor Freight 40x48 Trailer

                              Originally posted by Movin View Post
                              Lets some trailer loaded pics when it happens!
                              No problem! The next load on there should be a pair of dressers. I'll get pics asap. It tows well already. I got a chance to pull it a couple weeks ago, and it handles well. I would recommend these trailers to anybody.
                              In love with a MadScientist!:thumbright:
                              There's a fine line between breathtaking ingenuity and "That's the stupidest thing I've ever seen!"

                              Comment

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