"Fixing'" the Harbor Freight "Yard Only no highway or long distance road trip" trailer's bent axle.
I paid around $220.00 for this thing new 6-7 years ago. I wanted a cheap trailer I would not feel guilty about beating the crap out of in the woods. It has served its purpose beyond my expectations.
Anyway, about impossible to get parts for this thing, so I have to repair it "RedneckRay" style.
I hooked a tire on a tree root and kept pulling, in 4 low, 4:1 reduction, something had to give, it was the axle/spindle:
Even though this is Chinese steel, it was still pretty tough. Had to put 9500 pounds of Warn pulling power, doubled with a snatch block, to straighten this out!!!!
I actually pulled the first tree down, had to hook up to a bigger tree!!!!
I had it within an 1/8", got greedy, bent it too far forward!!! Had to pull the axle back backwards with the Scrambler, strap on the spindle.
Got it within 3/16", good enough for me!!!!
Like I said, I paid $220 for the trailer, around $100 in plywood and 2x4's to build this jewel 6-7 years ago. Today, to replace it, $499 for the trailer kit and we know how much lumber costs!!!!!!
So, as long as it will roll, it will remain in service. Once it breaks, and I can't get spares for it, I will have to scrap it.
Currently, it needs:
2 new tires (cracks and dry rot but they still hold air)
2 new wheels (both are severely bent)
New bearings and hub seals (they still roll)
New axle (see above LOL)
Tail lights (my fault)
New 3/4" floor plywood (rotted, will patch for now)
As much as I bad mouth China/Harbor Freight, this thing has lasted way longer than I thought it would, considering the abuse it goes through. And I feel no guilt about beating on it. A better/more expensive trailer would not have worked as well for me in this roll.