Sometimes, bigger isn't better. At a time when fuel prices are making everyone think long and hard about exactly what we drive, what we haul, and how much trailer we need to get the job done, smaller choices are becoming more popular. Lightweight trailers can be just what the fuel economy ordered when carrying extra garden supplies, loads to the dump, or the toys to the OHV park or nearby lake. GVWR can range from 1400 to 2200 pounds, with pricing starting under $1000. All the trailers in our buyer's guide are DOT approved with electric lights, and because of their smaller size and capabilities, don't need to be equipped with electric or hydraulic brakes. And they're easy to store when not in use. Check your local state vehicle codes to make sure your new trailer is properly set up. State regulations can vary significantly.
Happy trailering!
| light Duty Trailers LEES URE LITE EXCEL
LEES-URE Lite ExcelThis light-duty trailer from the Excel line provides an easy-to-assemble home away from home plus 30 cubic feet of storage, leaving the truck bed open for dirt bikes, an ATV, or other gear. Lees-ure Lite's Excel weighs 255 pounds and sets up in less than seven seconds. The tent is made from breathable, UV-rated polyester fabric and lightweight aluminum structure, and has four screened windows with zippers and two doors. Unlike a basic tent, air-conditioning is available. The trailer has independent suspension and comes with mud flaps and front and rear stabilizing jacks. Lees-ure Lite; 800/660-0933.
www.leesurelite.com
| light Duty Trailers THULE 1700 Adventure Pro
THULE 1700 Adventure ProThe GVWR is 1653 pounds; the empty weight is 285--Thule's 1700 Adventure Pro can haul just shy of 1560 pounds. Measuring 10 feet long (total) with a bed that measures four feet wide by seven feet long by 16 inches high, this galvanized steel unit rides on a torsion axle, 13-inch tires, and it comes with a drop-down tailgate and a two-inch ball coupler. Standard equipment includes safety chains and fenders. The base MSRP is $1599. Options include a flat tarp cover, a high tarp cover, galvanized side extensions, and double-aluminum sides. Thule; 847/455-2420.
www.thuletrailers.com
| light Duty Trailers SNOPRO Cargopro UTILITY U5x8R W
SNOPRO Cargopro Utility U5x8R-WThis utility trailer has a dry weight of 350 pounds and a GVWR of 2200, which means it can haul loads totaling almost 1850 pounds. Built on an all-aluminum box tube frame that rides on a torsion-type axle with 13-inch wheels, the bed (60 inches wide by eight feet long) features pressure-treated decking and a fold-down aluminum ramp. Its overall length is 12 feet, three inches, and it comes equipped with two 5000-pound safety chains and plastic molded fenders. The coupler accommodates a two-inch ball. Options include a wheel jack, aluminum wheels, spare tire, D-rings, stabilizer jacks, and side boards. Contact a local dealer for pricing. Snopro, Inc.; 207/873-3340.
www.snoprotrailers.com
| light Duty Trailers LETS GO AERO GEARWAGON 125
Let's Go Aero Gearwagon 125Let's Go Aero's GearWagon 125 provides 125 cubic feet of capacity in a 93-inch by 60-inch by 51-inch-tall package. It's basically a full-size pickup bed with a load-bearing endgate, and it can haul up to 1000 pounds of weight--including camping gear, bicycles, ATVs, motorcycles--and will hold 4x8-foot plywood sheets. Its dry weight is 480 pounds, and it rides on 13-inch wheels and a torsion-type axle. Base MSRP is $3498. Adding the GearLodge accessory turns it into a two-person tent. Let's Go Aero; 877/464-2376.
www.letsgoaero.com
| light Duty Trailers LETS GO LittleGiant
Let's Go Aero LittleGiantThe LittleGiant's GVWR is 1920 pounds. Of that, 1500 pounds are available to haul cargo. The overall length is 12 feet, eight inches. The LittleGiant's bed is 86 inches long by 54 inches wide, with side walls that are 24 inches high. The torsion axle provides the suspension with the unit riding on 13-inch wheels. The LittleGiant is built with galvanized steel on a 112-gauge steel frame and 18-gauge steel paneling. Fenders are included, as is DOT-approved lighting. Because of its GVWR there are no trailer brakes. The base MSRP is $799. Options include a water-resistant tarp with UV inhibitor to enclose the bed, D-rings, a jack that levels the trailer when off the hitch, a trailer ramp, and a spare-tire kit. Let's Go Aero; 877/464-2376.
www.letsgoaero.com
| light Duty Trailers SNOPRO Cargopro STEALTH C5x8S
Snopro Cargopro Stealth C5x8SMounted on 13-inch wheels, this 2200-pound-GVWR enclosed utility trailer has a dry weight of 569 pounds, making over 1600 pounds of cargo-carrying capacity available. The overall length is 12 feet, two inches. Its bed measures 60 inches wide by eight feet long. All-aluminum construction features Cargopro's patented Advanteck decking with torsion axle suspension. The rear of the unit features a barn-door-style rear access. The fenders are diamond plate. A two-inch ball coupler and a 1000-pound pedestal wheel jack round out the front trailer tongue appointments. DOT-approved lights are standard. Two 5000-pound safety chains are included. There are no brakes. Options can include a ramp/door, tapered nose construction, side access door, spare tire, roof vent, aluminum wheels, motorcycle wheel chock, and D-rings. Contact a local dealer for pricing. Snopro, Inc.; 207/873-3340.
www.snoprotrailers.com
| light Duty Trailers SPORT UTILITY TRAILERS 832TA TS32S
Port Utility Trailerss 832TA-TS32SRiding on 4.80x12-inch tires, this towable is designed for small vehicles. The 832TZ-TS32S model comes with a GVWR of 1400 pounds. Empty it weighs an exceptionally sparse 258 pounds, which means it's capable of hauling 1142. Its overall length is a slight 87 inches. The bed dimension measures 40 by 50 inches. Made of powdercoated steel, this model comes with a 1-7/8-inch coupler and DOT-approved lights. It also comes with a removable tailgate, fenders, leaf-spring suspension, and safety chains. The base MSRP is a stingy $446. Options include a fold-up tongue stand, a steel base kit, and a spare tire. Sport Utility Trailers; 866/440-0105.
www.sportutilitytrailers.com
| light Duty Trailers SPORT UTILITY TRAILERS 832TA TS32SB
THULE 1500 Adventure ProThe 1500 Adventure Pro by Thule has a dry weight of 221 pounds, a GVWR of 1323, and a payload capacity of 1102. With an overall length of eight feet, four inches, the bed measures 3.5 feet wide, five feet long, with 14-inch-high walls. Made of galvanized steel, this unit rides on 13-inch tires and features fenders, a torsion-type axle, and a tilt-down-style tailgate. The coupler accommodates a two-inch ball and comes with a top-wind jack stand. Safety chains and DOT-approved lights are standard. The base MSRP is $1149. Options include a flat tarp cover, high tarp cover, galvanized side extensions, and double aluminum rail side. Thule; 847/455-2420.
www.thuletrailers.com
| light Duty Trailers THULE 1500 Adventure Pro
Sport Utility Trailers 832TA-TS32SBThis model also comes with a 1400-pound GVWR. The empty weight is 217 pounds. Cargo-carrying capacity is almost 1200. Riding on 12-inch tires, its overall length is 87 inches with a bed that measures 40 by 50 inches. It comes with fenders but no tailgate. Fabricated using powdercoated steel, the coupler hosts a 1-7/8-inch ball. The trailer can be equipped with an optional fold-up tongue stand. The TS32SB is equipped with DOT-approved lights, safety chains, leaf-spring suspension, and brakes. Base MSRP is $383. Options include steel stake sides, steel cargo-box sides, and a spare tire. Sport Utility Trailers; 866/440-0105.
www.sportutilitytrailers.com
| light Duty Trailers SNOPRO Cargopro U4x8R A
Snopro Cargopro U4x8R-AIts axle is rated at 2200 pounds, which is also its GVWR. This utility trailer has a stingy empty weight of 325 pounds. It rides on 12-inch wheels attached to a torsion axle, which also provides the suspension. There are no brakes. DOT-approved recessed rubber-mounted lights are standard as is the fold-down aluminum ramp that provides access to the extruded-aluminum bed decking. The bed measures 53 inches wide by eight feet long. ABS plastic molded fenders and safety chains are standard. The overall length is 12 feet, three inches (two-inch coupler to tailgate). Options include stabilizer jacks, wheel jack, aluminum wheels, spare tire, and D-rings. Contact a local dealer for pricing. Snopro, Inc.; 207/873-3340.
www.snoprotrailers.com
