NOTE: The trailer in this video may not be available in the 8″ wheel version. Go ahead and get the 12″ wheel version, it will work just as well. In fact, it will tow a bit better at highway speeds.
Harbor Freight and Northern Tool may be temporarily out of stock right now. Something to do with getting the tires DOT certified.
No worries, you can build the E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart on any trailer frame, new or used. As you will see in the videos, we take the dimensions for the cart body from what ever trailer frame you start with. This allows you to make any size cart that you want to.
Steve,
I just found a 4 x 8 utility trailer on the way to work for $100. Do you think I should go for it? I would have to replace the lights in the back and I wonder if I could take it apart as it has sides built on it. In other words it looks like I would have to take the sides off and those are metal. I’m just wondering if it would be worth it. I’d certainly like to save money wherever I can.
Hey Cathy,
Replacing the lights and modifying it, combined with the $100 purchase price would probably cost near as much as the Harbor Freight trailer kit I recommend in the plans.
The only reason I would buy that used trailer is if I were sure I wanted a large hot dog cart. 4 x 8 is a really BIG cart.
Hi Steve. First Thanks for making this available in this affordable format.
I have one concern about the trailer. I will be transporting my cart with a F-150, and hope to be towing it as much as 35 miles. Would it be better to go with a trailer with the 12 inch wheels, or would the 8 inch be large enough? Harbor Freight has one with 12 inch wheels that is close, but a little different in the size of the trailer, but it costs more. Would the added cost versus the larger wheels be worth it?
Thank You
Hey Mike,
Unless you plan to be traveling several hours at highway speeds on a regular basis the eight inch wheels are perfectly adequate. Save your money.
Steve, I bought the exact trailer you recommended but the bolts are not the kind that tighten all the way like yours. I am sure there’s a name for them but I have no idea what they are called. How about we just go with “a couple of loose screws?” I have searched the box and these are the only ones I have to work with so the trailer jiggles a little. Should I get rid of these and buy ones that truly tighten or just assume they are correct? Also I could not find any forward arrows. I figured out the direction of the trailer parts ok but I don’t think they are adding the arrows anymore. Thanks.
The bolts must be tightened all the way. I’m not sure what you mean by bolts that don’t tighten all the way…
Thanks Steve, I don’t know what it is called exactly but it’s like there is a greyish rubber material inside the nut that serves to stop the screw from tightening 100%. It stops it from tightening past that rubber ring. I am sure if you saw it you would understand. I’ll e-mail you a picture.
Those are safety nuts. You screw then on past the grey plastic part. The plastic part keeps the nut from loosening on its own.
Sounds like a self-locking nut…if so, they are designed to tighten before the nut bottoms out…probably to allow rotation. I intend to stop by Harbor Freight today.
Ok..let’s just say I had a very blond moment…senior moment..or whatever you want to call it. I’ll proof my worth with a fantastic cart and will send the photos as evidence…(If I can just get through tightening the screws.) Any husbands for rent out there?
LOL!
I did it! It was actually easy!
i know im probably late but…..good job Cathy!
Steve, I am in California and (based on the .pdf for the California 4-Sink am considering purchasing the Harbor Freight 4X8 Utility Trailer.
I haven’t found the User Forums on the site (presuming that there are forums) so I wanted to ask you are there any members here that have had success with the California plan? I ask because (as I am sure you are aware) California is one of the most difficult states in which to do business.
Any comments or suggests are MORE than welcome.
Yes Jeremy,
We have members in California who have had success with the CA plans. The key is to meet with your inspector BEFORE you buy any parts. Show him the CA schematic and ask him what equipment he want to see on your cart so it will pass inspection.
The 4×8 harbor freight trailer is great. You will have plenty of room to add any equipment your inspector want.
Good luck!
Did you know harbor freight only sells 4×8 trailers ? They no longer sell the smaller one that you include in the plans to build yourself one
Yes, but you can build this cart on any trailer frame you can find. The size doesn’t matter. You’ll see in the videos that we take the measurements for the cart body from whatever trailer frame you want to start with. You can still get the smaller trailer kits from NorthernTool.com
Hey Steve
The Harbor Freight trailers are back in stock now.
there was a supply shortage from China. I bought one last month.
Hope this helps the members from here on.
Awesome. Thanks Larry!
Hi trying to found out if anyone here knows other people in Australia have used for the utility trailer as I am unable to find this product in Australia, I have found it on Amazon for $169 but they will not post it out to Australia. I did not to use a 6×4 trailer as it will be too large for what I what to do (a basic cart).
If anyone knows of a place that sells in Australia or sends to Australia it would be a great help.
Thanks,
Adam
Hi Adam,
As you will see in the construction videos, we take measurements for the cart body from the frame. This means that you can start with any frame you want, any size you want. I dont’ know of any Aussie trailer manufacturers but you could certainly look around for a used trailer that is the size you need and start from there. Let us know what you decide to do.
Aloha Steve, any in Hawaii? …the island of Oahu, and city of Honolulu in particular? (that has built this?
I know we have some E-Z Builts in Hawaaii, not sure which island though. Anyone?…
Howdy, I’m in Ohio and our regulations require that a cart be no more that 4′ in total width INCLUDING WHEELS! I’m not having much luck finding a trailer that is less than 52″ total. I was thinking about getting a custom axle made and cutting down the frame of one of the HF trailers. It’d be a lot of work for 4″s but rules are rules. Any advice?
What if you made it as a push cart instead of a towable cart. Stay with me on this…
Make the cart body to fit the HF trailer frame but instead of mounting it on the frame, put caster wheels under it. Then fasten a plywood floor to the HF trailer frame.
To transport the cart just put it on the HF “flat bed” and strap it down. When you get where you are going, take it off the trailer and wheel it around.
The cart body without the trailer frame is really light so this is feasible with only one person if the cooler and water tanks are empty.
And if someday after inspection the cart body finds its way back on the trailer frame I’ll bet no one will ever notice or care. And if they do, all they will tell you is “Fix it” and you can take it back off again no problem.
I am without a vehicle and I live in a small community. I live in walking distance to the main road. the High School is really close. I was wanting to make a Cart that I can pull or push. For a base for the pull trailer I was thinking of using this I found on walmart website https://www.walmart.com/ip/263XN76BAUVX . I would rather build one by scratch. any ideas?
It has to fit thru a doorway
You don’t need to buy that. The cart body is strong enough that it doesn’t need a frame. If you just want to push it, you can simply bolt heavy duty caster wheels to the bottom of the wooden cart body. I would put two rigid ones in the back and two steerable ones in the front.
If I were able to rent a storage shed close by I could do what you say here steve, except it would not be transported on a flatbed HF trailer . I live in a second floor apartment. I am thinking of doing lemonade until I make enough to buy a tow vehicle.
That’s a good plan. Lemonade has a great profit margin.
Hi Steve. I am getting all the bits together for a build in the UK. I wad wondering if anyone could give advice on where to get a trailer in the UK with the correct dimensions. I have a second hand one to use if all else fails. Thanks marco
Hi Marco,
No worries. You can use any trailer that you want. As you will see in the videos, we take the cart body on the dimensions from what ever trailer you start with.
Hi Steve:
I finally convinced my wife that I had enough sense to screw two boards together and got a green light to buy the trailer from Harbor Freight. What happens? Harbor Freight in Biloxi Ms. tells me they don’t carry a 48″x49″ kit. They do have a 40 and 1/2″x48″ and a 40″x49″. I want to keep this as close to your specs as possible. I read comments from another slinger and he said it was the haul master 40″x49″ item #42708. Please help me if you can. I don’t like sleeping on the couch
LOL. Hi Don. Here is the trailer that I recommend:
https://www.harborfreight.com/1090-lb-capacity-40-12-in-x-48-in-utility-trailer-62645.htmlHowever you can start with any size trailer that you want to. As you will see in the videos, the dimensions for the cart body are based on whatever trailer you start with.
Hi Steve…question re: 8″ tires vs. 12″ tires…I had a manufactured cart with 8 in tires on what appeared to be the Harbor Frght trlr…pulling it over 35 mph the thing tracked behind my Toyota truck back and forth like a snake! I would like to make a stand in cart with 2 umbrellas (shade(…would the 4 x 8 cart with the 12 in tires work better???
Thanks!
Larry
Hi Larry, I have the 8″ tires and my cart tracks straight as an arrow. I don’t think it is the tire size that is causing the snaking. It’s more likely a matter of balance. You should have about 40 to 50 pounds of down force on the tongue.
If you are building a stand in cart I would go with the 12″ tires for more weight capacity. Send pics!
Hello Larry. Did you build the stand in cart? Pics?
Hi Steve harbor freight in Albany NY discontinued the 8 inch version trailer not sure if you can buy online but if boxes come damaged might be a nightmare to get replacement parts so I bought the 12 inch version and making. Adjustments as I go. Larry
The 12″ wheel version will work just fine.
Good afternoon. What is the part number for the trailer kit on the video. I m unable to find it. Let me know. Thk in advance
Harbor Freight part #62646
Hi Steve,
I plan on building a cart that can be towed by a tandem bicycle, what size utility trailer would you recommend? Thank you for any recommendations.
Go with the 40 x 48 inch Harbor Freight trailer just like in the plans.
Steve,
I’m almost done. but have to move to Arizona.
I have a brand new small sized harbor freight trailer with 12 inch wheels.
should I be okay towing it 350 miles if I keep it under 60 and pull over every hundred miles to inspect and regrease bearings. or it it was you would you rent a uhaul trailer for $195 to be safe
You’ll be fine towing it Joe. As long as the bearings are greased well when you start, you shouldn’t have to pull over at all. Drive safe!
Steve
I live at the beach. Would it be prudent to purchase an aluminum frame as opposed to a steel one? I think over a relatively short period of time, I would begin to experience rust issues and somewhat rapid deterioration. Your thoughts please.
Thanks,
Doug
Hi Doug, I don’t think that is necessary. The Harbor Freight trailers come powder coated so rust shouldn’t be a problem.
Hi Steve. I want to build a good cart.. How do I get to that point
Watch the videos. It’s all there step by step.
Harbor freight no longer sells trailers due to a recall on the tires. Northern Tool has a similar one but many complaints of missing parts [China product]. Any suggestions? Having a difficult time finding a 48″x40″ trailer.
You can build the E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart on any trailer frame, new or used. As you will see in the videos, we take the dimensions for the cart body from what ever trailer frame you start with. This allows you to make any size cart that you want to. Try Craigslist.
1/4/2019
Steve.
Harbor Freight in my last ad catalog had the little trailer for 199.00!! again , next time I go into town I’m going to see if its true!
That’s a good price Robert!
I will sind you t shirt soon joe
Steve, I would like to build a side server on a 4×8 trailer . I found thru reading your course that” Northern Tool”sales them at a better price then anyone so far. Anyway the 4×8 trailer is” Foldable “can you use a foldable in the construction
Yes, you can use the folding trailer for sure. It would work well Walter. Send pics when you finish it!