Has anyone tried the HF Aluminum Cargo Carrier?

http://www.harborfreight.com/500-lb-...ier-92655.html

I just bought one for $50 with a coupon.

If a low quality HF drill craps out, that's no big deal, but a cargo
carrier that fails at 70 MPH is a different story - mainly for the guy
behind me.

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message
...
Has anyone tried the HF Aluminum Cargo Carrier?

http://www.harborfreight.com/500-lb-...ier-92655.html

I just bought one for $50 with a coupon.

If a low quality HF drill craps out, that's no big deal, but a cargo
carrier that fails at 70 MPH is a different story - mainly for the guy
behind me.


Made in China? Please check the label. This is relevant.

JoeSpareBedroom wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message
...
Has anyone tried the HF Aluminum Cargo Carrier?

http://www.harborfreight.com/500-lb-...ier-92655.html

I just bought one for $50 with a coupon.

If a low quality HF drill craps out, that's no big deal, but a cargo
carrier that fails at 70 MPH is a different story - mainly for the guy
behind me.

Made in China? Please check the label. This is relevant.

I have one and have not had any issues with it. From it's construction
it does not appear likely to suffer any sudden catastrophic failure
without warning. Certainly you should be inspecting it every time before
you take off after stopping somewhere, just as you should a trailer
hitch.

On Jul 29, 9:28*am, wrote:
On Thu, 29 Jul 2010 05:58:16 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03

wrote:
Has anyone tried the HF Aluminum Cargo Carrier?

http://www.harborfreight.com/500-lb-...argo-carrier-9...

I just bought one for $50 with a coupon.

If a low quality HF drill craps out, that's no big deal, but a cargo
carrier that fails at 70 MPH is a different story - mainly for the guy
behind me.

That should greatly enhance high speed handling in an emergency!

Probably less than the impact on emergency handling when I'm towing my
trailer...but thanks for playing.

On Jul 29, 9:29*am, "Pete C." wrote:
JoeSpareBedroom wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message
....
Has anyone tried the HF Aluminum Cargo Carrier?

http://www.harborfreight.com/500-lb-...argo-carrier-9....

I just bought one for $50 with a coupon.

If a low quality HF drill craps out, that's no big deal, but a cargo
carrier that fails at 70 MPH is a different story - mainly for the guy
behind me.

Made in China? Please check the label. This is relevant.

I have one and have not had any issues with it. From it's construction
it does not appear likely to suffer any sudden catastrophic failure
without warning. Certainly you should be inspecting it every time before
you take off after stopping somewhere, just as you should a trailer
hitch.

Thanks Pete.

Do you use the nylon cover from HF?

http://www.harborfreight.com/54-1-2-...ver-95165.html

I bought the cover (with the 20% off coupon) but I am considering
building a box with handles for ease of loading/unloading.

Thoughts?

On Jul 29, 8:58*am, DerbyDad03 wrote:
Has anyone tried the HF Aluminum Cargo Carrier?

http://www.harborfreight.com/500-lb-...argo-carrier-9...

I just bought one for $50 with a coupon.

If a low quality HF drill craps out, that's no big deal, but a cargo
carrier that fails at 70 MPH is a different story - mainly for the guy
behind me.

You buy it and then ask for reviews...?
I think we need to work on the cart and horse order.

R

"RicodJour" wrote in message
...
On Jul 29, 8:58 am, DerbyDad03 wrote:
Has anyone tried the HF Aluminum Cargo Carrier?

http://www.harborfreight.com/500-lb-...argo-carrier-9...

I just bought one for $50 with a coupon.

If a low quality HF drill craps out, that's no big deal, but a cargo
carrier that fails at 70 MPH is a different story - mainly for the guy
behind me.

You buy it and then ask for reviews...?
I think we need to work on the cart and horse order.

R

===========

And there are reviews on the web page. The only major complaint is the lousy
instructions. Personally, I've returned items for that reason. Cripes - does
it really cost a company money to choose a larger font before printing their
instructions?

I wondered if it was made in China. It's funny how real Amurkins were all
hot & bothered about communism at one time, but now, they're delighted to
buy from a communist dictatorship.

On Jul 29, 9:47*am, wrote:
On Thu, 29 Jul 2010 06:40:50 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03





wrote:
On Jul 29, 9:28*am, wrote:
On Thu, 29 Jul 2010 05:58:16 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03

wrote:
Has anyone tried the HF Aluminum Cargo Carrier?

http://www.harborfreight.com/500-lb-...argo-carrier-9....

I just bought one for $50 with a coupon.

If a low quality HF drill craps out, that's no big deal, but a cargo
carrier that fails at 70 MPH is a different story - mainly for the guy
behind me.

That should greatly enhance high speed handling in an emergency!

Probably less than the impact on emergency handling when I'm towing my
trailer...but thanks for playing.

Don't be too sure that you are correct on that.

The trailer being dragged behind actually has a dampening effect that
this thing completely lacks.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

True, but it also depends on the "emergency" and the corrective action
required. I'd rather run off the road onto a steeply sloped median
with the carrier than with the trailer.

I'm sure there are other situations where I'd rather have the trailer
than the carrier.

In any case, since I can't predict what will happen on any given trip,
I'll stay aware of what is attached to my vehicle and react
accordingly.

On Jul 29, 9:47*am, RicodJour wrote:
On Jul 29, 8:58*am, DerbyDad03 wrote:

Has anyone tried the HF Aluminum Cargo Carrier?

http://www.harborfreight.com/500-lb-...argo-carrier-9...

I just bought one for $50 with a coupon.

If a low quality HF drill craps out, that's no big deal, but a cargo
carrier that fails at 70 MPH is a different story - mainly for the guy
behind me.

You buy it and then ask for reviews...?
I think we need to work on the cart and horse order. *

R

Buying and using it are two very different things.

Both of the HF's near me were out of them earlier this week when I
found the coupon. They are back-ordered on the website.

One store had 3 come in this morning and the other had 2.

I'm going on vacation in 2 weeks, so I bought one while the stock was
available knowing that I can easily return it if the reviews warrant.

On Jul 29, 10:33*am, "JoeSpareBedroom"
wrote:
"RicodJour" wrote in message

...
On Jul 29, 8:58 am, DerbyDad03 wrote:

Has anyone tried the HF Aluminum Cargo Carrier?

http://www.harborfreight.com/500-lb-...argo-carrier-9...

I just bought one for $50 with a coupon.

If a low quality HF drill craps out, that's no big deal, but a cargo
carrier that fails at 70 MPH is a different story - mainly for the guy
behind me.

You buy it and then ask for reviews...?
I think we need to work on the cart and horse order. *

R

===========

And there are reviews on the web page. The only major complaint is the lousy
instructions. Personally, I've returned items for that reason. Cripes - does
it really cost a company money to choose a larger font before printing their
instructions?

I wondered if it was made in China. It's funny how real Amurkins were all
hot & bothered about communism at one time, but now, they're delighted to
buy from a communist dictatorship.

"And there are reviews on the web page"

Read 'em...liked 'em.

I just figured I'd try for some "real life" opinions here. You never
really know what filters a web site might use on their comments -
especially the web site that is selling the product. Go ahead, call me
paranoid. I lost all trust when I found out the Penthouse Letters were
faked.

Besides, as expected, this question has already lead to some
interesting comments and tangents - much more fun than just reading
the reviews at hf.com. ;-)

On 7/29/2010 10:33 AM, JoeSpareBedroom wrote:

And there are reviews on the web page. The only major complaint is the lousy
instructions. Personally, I've returned items for that reason. Cripes - does
it really cost a company money to choose a larger font before printing their
instructions?


http://www.harborfreight.com/500-lb-...ier-92655.html



If you'll scroll down towards the bottom of the page, you'll see a link
to a downloadable manual; a pdf file that can be resized as big as you'd
like.

I'd rather circumnavigate the earth twice before I stopped to ask for
directions. This is no different. I don't need no steenking directions.

It's a man thing.




Jay

On 7/29/2010 11:20 AM, DerbyDad03 wrote:

"And there are reviews on the web page"

Read 'em...liked 'em.

I just figured I'd try for some "real life" opinions here. You never
really know what filters a web site might use on their comments -
especially the web site that is selling the product. Go ahead, call me
paranoid. I lost all trust when I found out the Penthouse Letters were
faked.



Harbor freight plays it straight. Go to their website and search for a
heavy duty trailer dolly. I bought one after reading the reviews, then
posted my own experience. True, it was mostly positive but I included
what I didn't like and how I had to modify it to make it suit my needs.
They've printed my comments verbatim.



Jay

"Jay Hanig" wrote in message
news
On 7/29/2010 10:33 AM, JoeSpareBedroom wrote:

And there are reviews on the web page. The only major complaint is the
lousy
instructions. Personally, I've returned items for that reason. Cripes -
does
it really cost a company money to choose a larger font before printing
their
instructions?


http://www.harborfreight.com/500-lb-...ier-92655.html



If you'll scroll down towards the bottom of the page, you'll see a link to
a downloadable manual; a pdf file that can be resized as big as you'd
like.


Yeah, I know all about that. That's for people who lose their instructions
and need another copy. If a manufacturer can't make the miniscule effort
needed to provide proper, legible instructions ALONG WITH THE PRODUCT, they
don't get my business.

On Jul 29, 1:35*pm, "JoeSpareBedroom"
wrote:
"Jay Hanig" wrote in message

news




On 7/29/2010 10:33 AM, JoeSpareBedroom wrote:

And there are reviews on the web page. The only major complaint is the
lousy
instructions. Personally, I've returned items for that reason. Cripes -
does
it really cost a company money to choose a larger font before printing
their
instructions?

http://www.harborfreight.com/500-lb-...argo-carrier-9...

If you'll scroll down towards the bottom of the page, you'll see a link to
a downloadable manual; a pdf file that can be resized as big as you'd
like.

Yeah, I know all about that. That's for people who lose their instructions
and need another copy. If a manufacturer can't make the miniscule effort
needed to provide proper, legible instructions ALONG WITH THE PRODUCT, they
don't get my business.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

For the most part, I agree with your sentiments.

However, given the option of a $50 carrier with improper, illegible
instructions versus $80, $90 or more for one with a pretty manual,
I'll live with the bad instructions - especially if the manual is
easily available on-line.

Am I wimping out and letting them get away with poor service? Yep. Was
I able to purchase the carrier *and* the nylon cover for less than the
price of the carrier alone? Yep.

For that, I'm willing to sacrifice my principles.

DerbyDad03 wrote the following:
On Jul 29, 9:47 am, RicodJour wrote:

On Jul 29, 8:58 am, DerbyDad03 wrote:


Has anyone tried the HF Aluminum Cargo Carrier?

http://www.harborfreight.com/500-lb-...argo-carrier-9...

I just bought one for $50 with a coupon.

If a low quality HF drill craps out, that's no big deal, but a cargo
carrier that fails at 70 MPH is a different story - mainly for the guy
behind me.

You buy it and then ask for reviews...?
I think we need to work on the cart and horse order.

R


Buying and using it are two very different things.

Both of the HF's near me were out of them earlier this week when I
found the coupon. They are back-ordered on the website.

One store had 3 come in this morning and the other had 2.

I'm going on vacation in 2 weeks, so I bought one while the stock was
available knowing that I can easily return it if the reviews warrant.


Does it come with a provision for a safety chain, just in case...

--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

On Thu, 29 Jul 2010 05:58:16 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

Has anyone tried the HF Aluminum Cargo Carrier?

http://www.harborfreight.com/500-lb-...ier-92655.html

I just bought one for $50 with a coupon.

If a low quality HF drill craps out, that's no big deal, but a cargo
carrier that fails at 70 MPH is a different story - mainly for the guy
behind me.

I have a steel one, and I'm sorry I bought it. It's too heavy to
carry back and forth to the car. If I could store it right where I
parked the car, that wouldn't really be a problem.

So I'm planning on selling it, and I've already bought one that only
has the spine and two ribs, and you make your own floor from a piece
of wood. (It came in a ruptured box and I didn't notice for months. I
was able to make the parts that were missing. I thought that was
easier than making the vendor, probably JCWhitney, run through hoops
trying to get the parts from the maker, plus I had waited months.)

As to you, since it's aluminum, weight won't be a problem.

You probably also don't have a convertible. When I put 15 pieces of
damp sod on the carrier, with my car door open, the car bent and I
couldn't shut the door. I ended up putting half of them in the back
seat and then the front door shut.

I also carried a 2-drawrer file cabinet on it, along with another one
in the back seat. I think it could have handled 4-drawer just as well.

I didn't see any change in handling, but I probably only went 60 with
the sod, 40 with the file cabinet.

I put additional pinch point tape on it, striped reflective tape on
the sides and corners.

On Thu, 29 Jul 2010 06:47:20 -0700 (PDT), RicodJour
wrote:

On Jul 29, 8:58*am, DerbyDad03 wrote:
Has anyone tried the HF Aluminum Cargo Carrier?

http://www.harborfreight.com/500-lb-...argo-carrier-9...

I just bought one for $50 with a coupon.

If a low quality HF drill craps out, that's no big deal, but a cargo
carrier that fails at 70 MPH is a different story - mainly for the guy
behind me.

You buy it and then ask for reviews...?
I think we need to work on the cart and horse order.

I agree.

R

On Jul 29, 2:37*pm, mm wrote:
On Thu, 29 Jul 2010 06:47:20 -0700 (PDT), RicodJour

wrote:
On Jul 29, 8:58*am, DerbyDad03 wrote:
Has anyone tried the HF Aluminum Cargo Carrier?

http://www.harborfreight.com/500-lb-...argo-carrier-9....

I just bought one for $50 with a coupon.

If a low quality HF drill craps out, that's no big deal, but a cargo
carrier that fails at 70 MPH is a different story - mainly for the guy
behind me.

You buy it and then ask for reviews...?
I think we need to work on the cart and horse order. *

I agree.





R- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Jumping in a little late, eh?

I already addressed that point.

On Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:22:50 -0400, Jay Hanig
wrote:

On 7/29/2010 11:20 AM, DerbyDad03 wrote:

"And there are reviews on the web page"

Read 'em...liked 'em.

I just figured I'd try for some "real life" opinions here. You never
really know what filters a web site might use on their comments -
especially the web site that is selling the product. Go ahead, call me
paranoid. I lost all trust when I found out the Penthouse Letters were
faked.



Harbor freight plays it straight. Go to their website and search for a
heavy duty trailer dolly. I bought one after reading the reviews, then
posted my own experience. True, it was mostly positive but I included
what I didn't like and how I had to modify it to make it suit my needs.
They've printed my comments verbatim.

That's not enough to be sure. You need to find one that is very
negative about something important, a rating that if believed to be
true much of the time, one wouldn't buy it. Or maybe worse.



Jay

willshak wrote:

DerbyDad03 wrote the following:
On Jul 29, 9:47 am, RicodJour wrote:

On Jul 29, 8:58 am, DerbyDad03 wrote:


Has anyone tried the HF Aluminum Cargo Carrier?

http://www.harborfreight.com/500-lb-...argo-carrier-9...

I just bought one for $50 with a coupon.

If a low quality HF drill craps out, that's no big deal, but a cargo
carrier that fails at 70 MPH is a different story - mainly for the guy
behind me.

You buy it and then ask for reviews...?
I think we need to work on the cart and horse order.

R


Buying and using it are two very different things.

Both of the HF's near me were out of them earlier this week when I
found the coupon. They are back-ordered on the website.

One store had 3 come in this morning and the other had 2.

I'm going on vacation in 2 weeks, so I bought one while the stock was
available knowing that I can easily return it if the reviews warrant.


Does it come with a provision for a safety chain, just in case...

I haven't seen any of this type of cargo carrier come with safety
chains. The center tube on the AL carrier is in fact a heavy wall steel
tube that fits within an aluminum extrusion. The steel tube is secured
in the vehicle's receiver with a standard 5/8" pin which is plenty
strong. The steel tube is secured in the aluminum extrusion by several
decent sized bolts. There is little chance of any sort of catastrophic
failure without a lot of advance warning.

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message
...
On Jul 29, 1:35 pm, "JoeSpareBedroom"
wrote:
"Jay Hanig" wrote in message

news




On 7/29/2010 10:33 AM, JoeSpareBedroom wrote:

And there are reviews on the web page. The only major complaint is the
lousy
instructions. Personally, I've returned items for that reason. Cripes -
does
it really cost a company money to choose a larger font before printing
their
instructions?

http://www.harborfreight.com/500-lb-...argo-carrier-9...

If you'll scroll down towards the bottom of the page, you'll see a link
to
a downloadable manual; a pdf file that can be resized as big as you'd
like.

Yeah, I know all about that. That's for people who lose their instructions
and need another copy. If a manufacturer can't make the miniscule effort
needed to provide proper, legible instructions ALONG WITH THE PRODUCT,
they
don't get my business.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

For the most part, I agree with your sentiments.

However, given the option of a $50 carrier with improper, illegible
instructions versus $80, $90 or more for one with a pretty manual,
I'll live with the bad instructions - especially if the manual is
easily available on-line.

Am I wimping out and letting them get away with poor service? Yep. Was
I able to purchase the carrier *and* the nylon cover for less than the
price of the carrier alone? Yep.

For that, I'm willing to sacrifice my principles.

========


I almost dumped Levolor into this category. Ordered 6 blinds and found no
instructions in the first box. Got ****ed, downloaded the PDF instructions.
(The mounting procedure for these particular blinds was not at all obvious).
Installed the first two, got to box #3, and voila. There they were. It
wasn't the box with the packing slip & shipping label on the outside,
either. They just randomly picked a box.

On Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:23:20 -0400, willshak
wrote:

DerbyDad03 wrote the following:
On Jul 29, 9:47 am, RicodJour wrote:

On Jul 29, 8:58 am, DerbyDad03 wrote:


Has anyone tried the HF Aluminum Cargo Carrier?

http://www.harborfreight.com/500-lb-...argo-carrier-9...

I just bought one for $50 with a coupon.

If a low quality HF drill craps out, that's no big deal, but a cargo
carrier that fails at 70 MPH is a different story - mainly for the guy
behind me.

You buy it and then ask for reviews...?
I think we need to work on the cart and horse order.

R


Buying and using it are two very different things.

Both of the HF's near me were out of them earlier this week when I
found the coupon. They are back-ordered on the website.

One store had 3 come in this morning and the other had 2.

I'm going on vacation in 2 weeks, so I bought one while the stock was
available knowing that I can easily return it if the reviews warrant.


Does it come with a provision for a safety chain, just in case...

No, but this is not like a trailer that can come off the hitch. This
goes into the hitch receiver, like a big drawbar. If you put the pin
in the receiver hole and the clip through the end of the pin, it's not
going to fall off unless the whole hitch does.

On Jul 29, 2:23*pm, willshak wrote:
DerbyDad03 wrote the following:





On Jul 29, 9:47 am, RicodJour wrote:

On Jul 29, 8:58 am, DerbyDad03 wrote:

Has anyone tried the HF Aluminum Cargo Carrier?

http://www.harborfreight.com/500-lb-...argo-carrier-9....

I just bought one for $50 with a coupon.

If a low quality HF drill craps out, that's no big deal, but a cargo
carrier that fails at 70 MPH is a different story - mainly for the guy
behind me.

You buy it and then ask for reviews...?
I think we need to work on the cart and horse order. *

R

Buying and using it are two very different things.

Both of the HF's near me were out of them earlier this week when I
found the coupon. They are back-ordered on the website.

One store had 3 come in this morning and the other had 2.

I'm going on vacation in 2 weeks, so I bought one while the stock was
available knowing that I can easily return it if the reviews warrant.

Does it come with a provision for a safety chain, just in case...

--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
To email, remove the double zeroes after @- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Safety chain? Why would I want that?

If this thing falls off and all my stuff goes tumbling down the
highway, I don't want the evidence still attached to my car. ;-)

On a related note...

My buddy had his motor home hit by a drunk driver - a hit and run
while he was parked and sleeping. He woke up when the guy hit the
camper head on and watched as the driver backed up, turned the wheel
slightly and then drove down the side of the motor home, wiping out
his awning, grill, tables and chairs.

He climbed out of the motor home, surveyed the damage and called 911.

Buddy: "A guy just crashed into my parked motor home and took off. I
have his license plate.
911 operator: "You were able to get his license plate number? That's
good."
Buddy: "I said...I have his *license plate*. He left his bumper lying
in front of my motor home."

The drunk's insurance company didn't put up much of a fight.

On Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:46:21 -0400, mm
wrote:

On Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:23:20 -0400, willshak
wrote:

DerbyDad03 wrote the following:
On Jul 29, 9:47 am, RicodJour wrote:

On Jul 29, 8:58 am, DerbyDad03 wrote:


Has anyone tried the HF Aluminum Cargo Carrier?

http://www.harborfreight.com/500-lb-...argo-carrier-9...

I just bought one for $50 with a coupon.

If a low quality HF drill craps out, that's no big deal, but a cargo
carrier that fails at 70 MPH is a different story - mainly for the guy
behind me.

You buy it and then ask for reviews...?
I think we need to work on the cart and horse order.

R


Buying and using it are two very different things.

Both of the HF's near me were out of them earlier this week when I
found the coupon. They are back-ordered on the website.

One store had 3 come in this morning and the other had 2.

I'm going on vacation in 2 weeks, so I bought one while the stock was
available knowing that I can easily return it if the reviews warrant.


Does it come with a provision for a safety chain, just in case...

No, but this is not like a trailer that can come off the hitch. This
goes into the hitch receiver, like a big drawbar. If you put the pin
in the receiver hole and the clip through the end of the pin, it's not
going to fall off unless the whole hitch does.

On second thought, a weak point might be the aquare center pipe.
Someone might violate the 500? pound weight limit, especially he might
put the extra weight at the rear of the carrier, where it would have
more leverage on the center pipe at the front where it enters the
receiver. Or he might load it to capacity and then lean on it while
tying a rope. Or he might think it's a chair. Or it might be
defective. I can see it bending, so far that the rear of the carrier
drags on the ground. I guess after writing this, I still can't see it
breaking there, so still no need for safety chains. I drive a
convertible, but surely even with a closed car and the radio playing,
one could hear the carrier dragging on the ground before it broke off,
which I think would take hundreds of miles.

I had a pair of cast safety stands, from Western Auto, but sold
elsewhere too, rated at 6000 pounds a pair I think. All that was on
them was a compact car, about 2000 pounds, when one of them collapsd,
sort of slowly but nowhere near slow enough to get out if someone were
under the car. Things don't always meet spec.

On Jul 29, 2:58*pm, mm wrote:
On Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:46:21 -0400, mm
wrote:





On Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:23:20 -0400, willshak
wrote:

DerbyDad03 wrote the following:
On Jul 29, 9:47 am, RicodJour wrote:

On Jul 29, 8:58 am, DerbyDad03 wrote:

Has anyone tried the HF Aluminum Cargo Carrier?

http://www.harborfreight.com/500-lb-...argo-carrier-9...

I just bought one for $50 with a coupon.

If a low quality HF drill craps out, that's no big deal, but a cargo
carrier that fails at 70 MPH is a different story - mainly for the guy
behind me.

You buy it and then ask for reviews...?
I think we need to work on the cart and horse order. *

R

Buying and using it are two very different things.

Both of the HF's near me were out of them earlier this week when I
found the coupon. They are back-ordered on the website.

One store had 3 come in this morning and the other had 2.

I'm going on vacation in 2 weeks, so I bought one while the stock was
available knowing that I can easily return it if the reviews warrant.

Does it come with a provision for a safety chain, just in case...

No, but this is not like a trailer that can come off the hitch. *This
goes into the hitch receiver, like a big drawbar. *If you put the pin
in the receiver hole and the clip through the end of the pin, it's not
going to fall off unless the whole hitch does. *

On second thought, a weak point might be the aquare center pipe.
Someone might violate the 500? pound weight limit, especially he might
put the extra weight at the rear of the carrier, where it would have
more leverage on the center pipe at the front where it enters the
receiver. Or he might load it to capacity and then lean on it while
tying a rope. *Or he might think it's a chair. *Or it might be
defective. * I can see it bending, so far that the rear of the carrier
drags on the ground. *I guess after writing this, I still can't see it
breaking there, so still no need for safety chains. * I drive a
convertible, but surely even with a closed car and the radio playing,
one could hear the carrier dragging on the ground before it broke off,
which I think would take hundreds of miles.

I had a pair of cast safety stands, from Western Auto, but sold
elsewhere too, rated at 6000 pounds a pair I think. All that was on
them was a compact car, about 2000 pounds, when one of them collapsd,
sort of slowly but nowhere near slow enough to get out if someone were
under the car. *Things don't always meet spec.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

You brought up a number of good points - standing on it, using it as a
chair, etc. but you left off one of the items mentioned in the
instructions:

"14. Be aware of dynamic loading! Suddenly dropping or bouncing a load
on the Cargo Carrier may create, for a brief instant, an excess load,
which may result in damage to the product and/or personal injury.
Additionally, if the vehicle hits a bump, a slight play in the
receiving hitch or a movement in the load could result in a momentary
dynamic loading effect that could dramatically increase the actual
weight load. Check the hitch-to-Carrier connection for any looseness.
This momentary dynamic loading effect could result in damage to the
Cargo Carrier, the load and possible personal injury."

On 7/29/2010 2:40 PM, mm wrote:
I just figured I'd try for some "real life" opinions here. You never
really know what filters a web site might use on their comments -
especially the web site that is selling the product. Go ahead, call me
paranoid. I lost all trust when I found out the Penthouse Letters were
faked.



Harbor freight plays it straight. Go to their website and search for a
heavy duty trailer dolly. I bought one after reading the reviews, then
posted my own experience. True, it was mostly positive but I included
what I didn't like and how I had to modify it to make it suit my needs.
They've printed my comments verbatim.

That's not enough to be sure. You need to find one that is very
negative about something important, a rating that if believed to be
true much of the time, one wouldn't buy it. Or maybe worse.





OK, here's one I didn't write but is on their website with just one out
of five possible stars awarded:

http://www.harborfreight.com/welding...der-66787.html

I'll quote them:


=== cut begins ===
Not a quality welder Review by Brian

I purchased this welder for my auto restoration product. The arc is
hard to start with out getting the electrode stuck to the surface of the
work piece. I switched over to use the Tig Torch & the same problem
occurred. You have to get so close to start the arc, that it just sticks
to the metal. I re-ground te Tungsten probably 20 times, went through 2
tanks of Argon and still do not have the panel repaired. I welded for
years and never had this many problems with Tig welding. Spend the extra
cash and go for a Lincoln welder.

(Posted on 5/2/10)
=== cut ends ===


Like I said, I believe they play it straight. I always read their
reviews not only to help decide whether to buy or not but how to modify
and/or assembly hints. People write all kinds of stuff there.

And like some others, I'll give up the pretty wrapping and clear
instructions if I can get something both workable and CHEAP. Some
things I'd never buy from HF. Some things I'd never buy anywhere else.



Jay

On Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:06:09 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:


Does it come with a provision for a safety chain, just in case...

No, but this is not like a trailer that can come off the hitch. *This
goes into the hitch receiver, like a big drawbar. *If you put the pin
in the receiver hole and the clip through the end of the pin, it's not
going to fall off unless the whole hitch does. *

On second thought, a weak point might be the aquare center pipe.
Someone might violate the 500? pound weight limit, especially he might
put the extra weight at the rear of the carrier, where it would have
more leverage on the center pipe at the front where it enters the
receiver. Or he might load it to capacity and then lean on it while
tying a rope. *Or he might think it's a chair. *Or it might be
defective. * I can see it bending, so far that the rear of the carrier
drags on the ground. *I guess after writing this, I still can't see it
breaking there, so still no need for safety chains. * I drive a
convertible, but surely even with a closed car and the radio playing,
one could hear the carrier dragging on the ground before it broke off,
which I think would take hundreds of miles.

I had a pair of cast safety stands, from Western Auto, but sold
elsewhere too, rated at 6000 pounds a pair I think. All that was on
them was a compact car, about 2000 pounds, when one of them collapsd,
sort of slowly but nowhere near slow enough to get out if someone were
under the car. *Things don't always meet spec.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

You brought up a number of good points - standing on it, using it as a
chair, etc. but you left off one of the items mentioned in the
instructions:

"14. Be aware of dynamic loading! Suddenly dropping or bouncing a load
on the Cargo Carrier may create, for a brief instant, an excess load,
which may result in damage to the product and/or personal injury.
Additionally, if the vehicle hits a bump, a slight play in the
receiving hitch or a movement in the load could result in a momentary
dynamic loading effect that could dramatically increase the actual
weight load. Check the hitch-to-Carrier connection for any looseness.
This momentary dynamic loading effect could result in damage to the
Cargo Carrier, the load and possible personal injury."

A well written warning.

Yes I left them out but fwiw, I do know about them.

I lay the sod down gently on the rack or the previous piece of sod. I
lay the file cabinet on the rack gently.

When driving I took smooth streets.

And I didn't call it dymanmic loading but I know about bumps:
About 30 years ago, I moved, in two consecutive weeks, two spinet
pianos on the back of my car, a full-size Pontica Catalina
convertible. I only drove about 10 MPH then, except when I saw a bump
or hole coming, when I slowed to 3 or 4 (they were small bumps), and
except on smooth streets when i got up to 20 or 25, and kept my eye
peeled for holes in the pavement. I put a full-size mattress on
the trunk and lay the spinet piano on that, with part of the piano
overhanging where the top folds into storage. Then tied it in with
100 feet of cotton clothesline, knotted frequently. One isn't
supposed to move an upright (including a spinet) on its back or front,
and isn't supposed to move a grand in normal position, anyhow, because
it's dangerous to the sound board, which if broken ruins the piano.
Pianos should always be moved with the sound board vertical.

I moved one half-way across Brooklyn, and the other from the middle of
Brooklyn to West 85th St. in NYC, 15 miles of city streets, with no
damage.

On Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:39:57 -0400, Jay Hanig
wrote:

On 7/29/2010 2:40 PM, mm wrote:
I just figured I'd try for some "real life" opinions here. You never
really know what filters a web site might use on their comments -
especially the web site that is selling the product. Go ahead, call me
paranoid. I lost all trust when I found out the Penthouse Letters were
faked.



Harbor freight plays it straight. Go to their website and search for a
heavy duty trailer dolly. I bought one after reading the reviews, then
posted my own experience. True, it was mostly positive but I included
what I didn't like and how I had to modify it to make it suit my needs.
They've printed my comments verbatim.

That's not enough to be sure. You need to find one that is very
negative about something important, a rating that if believed to be
true much of the time, one wouldn't buy it. Or maybe worse.





OK, here's one I didn't write but is on their website with just one out
of five possible stars awarded:

http://www.harborfreight.com/welding...der-66787.html

I'll quote them:


=== cut begins ===
Not a quality welder Review by Brian

I purchased this welder for my auto restoration product. The arc is
hard to start with out getting the electrode stuck to the surface of the
work piece. I switched over to use the Tig Torch & the same problem
occurred. You have to get so close to start the arc, that it just sticks
to the metal. I re-ground te Tungsten probably 20 times, went through 2
tanks of Argon and still do not have the panel repaired. I welded for
years and never had this many problems with Tig welding. Spend the extra
cash and go for a Lincoln welder.

(Posted on 5/2/10)
=== cut ends ===


Like I said, I believe they play it straight. I always read their

That one meets my standards. Very good.

If I had read the ratings on a radio shack cell phone headset, on the
radios shack site, I wouldn't have bought that either, but it was a
cheaper item, 15 dollars, and I had never looked at it on the computer
at all. They weren't as bad as the one above, but the four together
averaged out bad. -- Volume with the thing plugged in and stuck in my
ear is lower than without it.

reviews not only to help decide whether to buy or not but how to modify
and/or assembly hints. People write all kinds of stuff there.

And like some others, I'll give up the pretty wrapping and clear
instructions if I can get something both workable and CHEAP. Some
things I'd never buy from HF. Some things I'd never buy anywhere else.



Jay

wrote:
On Thu, 29 Jul 2010 05:58:16 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

Has anyone tried the HF Aluminum Cargo Carrier?

http://www.harborfreight.com/500-lb-...ier-92655.html

I just bought one for $50 with a coupon.

If a low quality HF drill craps out, that's no big deal, but a cargo
carrier that fails at 70 MPH is a different story - mainly for the
guy behind me.

That should greatly enhance high speed handling in an emergency!

On the OP's part or the guy following?

JoeSpareBedroom wrote:


Yeah, I know all about that. That's for people who lose their
instructions and need another copy. If a manufacturer can't make the
miniscule effort needed to provide proper, legible instructions ALONG
WITH THE PRODUCT, they don't get my business.

Don't drink much beer, do you?

On Jul 29, 3:49*pm, mm wrote:
On Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:06:09 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03





wrote:

Does it come with a provision for a safety chain, just in case...

No, but this is not like a trailer that can come off the hitch. *This
goes into the hitch receiver, like a big drawbar. *If you put the pin
in the receiver hole and the clip through the end of the pin, it's not
going to fall off unless the whole hitch does. *

On second thought, a weak point might be the aquare center pipe.
Someone might violate the 500? pound weight limit, especially he might
put the extra weight at the rear of the carrier, where it would have
more leverage on the center pipe at the front where it enters the
receiver. Or he might load it to capacity and then lean on it while
tying a rope. *Or he might think it's a chair. *Or it might be
defective. * I can see it bending, so far that the rear of the carrier
drags on the ground. *I guess after writing this, I still can't see it
breaking there, so still no need for safety chains. * I drive a
convertible, but surely even with a closed car and the radio playing,
one could hear the carrier dragging on the ground before it broke off,
which I think would take hundreds of miles.

I had a pair of cast safety stands, from Western Auto, but sold
elsewhere too, rated at 6000 pounds a pair I think. All that was on
them was a compact car, about 2000 pounds, when one of them collapsd,
sort of slowly but nowhere near slow enough to get out if someone were
under the car. *Things don't always meet spec.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

You brought up a number of good points - standing on it, using it as a
chair, etc. but you left off one of the items mentioned in the
instructions:

"14. Be aware of dynamic loading! Suddenly dropping or bouncing a load
on the Cargo Carrier may create, for a brief instant, an excess load,
which may result in damage to the product and/or personal injury.
Additionally, if the vehicle hits a bump, a slight play in the
receiving hitch or a movement in the load could result in a momentary
dynamic loading effect that could dramatically increase the actual
weight load. Check the hitch-to-Carrier connection for any looseness.
This momentary dynamic loading effect could result in damage to the
Cargo Carrier, the load and possible personal injury."

A well written warning. *

Yes I left them out but fwiw, I do know about them.

I lay the sod down gently on the rack or the previous piece of sod. *I
lay the file cabinet on the rack gently.

When driving I took smooth streets.

And I didn't call it dymanmic loading but I know about bumps:
About 30 years ago, I moved, in two consecutive weeks, two spinet
pianos on the back of my car, a full-size Pontica Catalina
convertible. *I only drove about 10 MPH then, except when I saw a bump
or hole coming, when I slowed to 3 or 4 (they were small bumps), and
except on smooth streets when i got up to 20 or 25, and kept my eye
peeled for holes in the pavement. * * I put a full-size mattress on
the trunk and lay the spinet piano on that, with part of the piano
overhanging where the top folds into storage. *Then tied it in with
100 feet of cotton clothesline, knotted frequently. * One isn't
supposed to move an upright (including a spinet) on its back or front,
and isn't supposed to move a grand in normal position, anyhow, because
it's dangerous to the sound board, which if broken ruins the piano.
Pianos should always be moved with the sound board vertical. *

I moved one half-way across Brooklyn, and the other from the middle of
Brooklyn to West 85th St. in NYC, 15 miles of city streets, with no
damage.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

"A well written warning"

....and pretty surprising for a Harbor Freight manual!

My favorites are the "standard disclaimers" sometimes included with
products - not just HF products, but they do it too.

Do I really need to wear ANSI approved impact safety googles while
loading and unloading the Cargo Carrier?

The instructions say I do.

"HeyBub" wrote in message
m...
JoeSpareBedroom wrote:


Yeah, I know all about that. That's for people who lose their
instructions and need another copy. If a manufacturer can't make the
miniscule effort needed to provide proper, legible instructions ALONG
WITH THE PRODUCT, they don't get my business.

Don't drink much beer, do you?


I stop before doing permanent damage. You, on the other hand, went over the
line long ago.

On Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:06:09 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

You brought up a number of good points - standing on it, using it as a
chair, etc. but you left off one of the items mentioned in the
instructions:

"14. Be aware of dynamic loading! Suddenly dropping or bouncing a load
on the Cargo Carrier may create, for a brief instant, an excess load,
which may result in damage to the product and/or personal injury.
Additionally, if the vehicle hits a bump, a slight play in the
receiving hitch or a movement in the load could result in a momentary
dynamic loading effect that could dramatically increase the actual
weight load. Check the hitch-to-Carrier connection for any looseness.
This momentary dynamic loading effect could result in damage to the
Cargo Carrier, the load and possible personal injury."

I read the reviews on your link. One guy put a 302 V8 engine on the
carrier, which caused the frame to bend. Well duh!

I'm sure the engine exceeded to stated capacity.

In article ,
wrote:
On Thu, 29 Jul 2010 06:40:50 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

On Jul 29, 9:28*am, wrote:
On Thu, 29 Jul 2010 05:58:16 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
...snipped...
That should greatly enhance high speed handling in an emergency!

Probably less than the impact on emergency handling when I'm towing my
trailer...but thanks for playing.

Don't be too sure that you are correct on that.

The trailer being dragged behind actually has a dampening effect that
this thing completely lacks.


Speaking as someone who regularly uses both the carrier and a 1200 lb GW
trailer, I say he _can_ be sure. At least on a Jeep Cherokee size
vehicle, handling is certainly affected more by a loaded trailer than
a loaded carrier.


--
The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation
with the average voter. (Winston Churchill)

Larry Wasserman - Baltimore Maryland - lwasserm(a)sdf. lonestar. org

On Jul 29, 5:09*pm, (Larry W) wrote:
In article ,



wrote:
On Thu, 29 Jul 2010 06:40:50 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

On Jul 29, 9:28*am, wrote:
On Thu, 29 Jul 2010 05:58:16 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
...snipped...
That should greatly enhance high speed handling in an emergency!

Probably less than the impact on emergency handling when I'm towing my
trailer...but thanks for playing.

Don't be too sure that you are correct on that.

The trailer being dragged behind actually has a dampening effect that
this thing completely lacks.

Speaking as someone who regularly uses both the carrier and a 1200 lb GW
trailer, I say he _can_ be sure. At least on a Jeep Cherokee size
vehicle, handling is certainly affected more by a loaded trailer than
a loaded carrier.

--
* * *The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation
* * *with the average voter. * * * * * * * * (Winston Churchill)

* Larry Wasserman - Baltimore Maryland - lwasserm(a)sdf. lonestar. org

Larry:

How tight is your carrier bar in the receiver?

I just assembled the carrier and installed it on my vehicle's Class 3
hitch.

There is a lot of play in the receiver. At the farthest back end of
the carrier, I've got almost 2.5 inches of vertical motion and about
the same side to side.

Is yours that loose?

On Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:26:17 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

On Jul 29, 5:09*pm, (Larry W) wrote:
In article ,



wrote:
On Thu, 29 Jul 2010 06:40:50 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

On Jul 29, 9:28*am, wrote:
On Thu, 29 Jul 2010 05:58:16 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
...snipped...
That should greatly enhance high speed handling in an emergency!

Probably less than the impact on emergency handling when I'm towing my
trailer...but thanks for playing.

Don't be too sure that you are correct on that.

The trailer being dragged behind actually has a dampening effect that
this thing completely lacks.

Speaking as someone who regularly uses both the carrier and a 1200 lb GW
trailer, I say he _can_ be sure. At least on a Jeep Cherokee size
vehicle, handling is certainly affected more by a loaded trailer than
a loaded carrier.

--
* * *The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation
* * *with the average voter. * * * * * * * * (Winston Churchill)

* Larry Wasserman - Baltimore Maryland - lwasserm(a)sdf. lonestar. org

Larry:

How tight is your carrier bar in the receiver?

I just assembled the carrier and installed it on my vehicle's Class 3
hitch.

There is a lot of play in the receiver. At the farthest back end of
the carrier, I've got almost 2.5 inches of vertical motion and about
the same side to side.

Is yours that loose?

YOu're sure you're not moving the car?

The bar is not as big as other draw bars?

I needed a spine for mine, and I found one at Home Depot. Of course I
don't know it's spec compared to the specs of teh one that came with
it, but it looked even heavier, though the home depot one has 4 holes
every 2 inches. I wonder if that will ruin the 500 pound
capacity??????????

My point was, it's one way to check the leeway of your receiver,
without having the mass of the carrier to confuse you. Or, it's
another 2x2 inch pipe, which might be bigger than the carrier's 2x2
inch pipe.

Or, just measure the carrier's 2x2 and comparie it with any other
thing you've ever put in the receiver. If it's the same size, don't
worry aobut it. If the carrier's is smaller, stuff hard shims in.



On Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:26:17 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

I just assembled the carrier and installed it on my vehicle's Class 3
hitch.

There is a lot of play in the receiver. At the farthest back end of
the carrier, I've got almost 2.5 inches of vertical motion and about
the same side to side.

Is yours that loose?

YOu're sure you're not moving the car?

The bar is not as big as other draw bars?

I needed a spine for mine, and I found one at Home Depot. Of course I
don't know it's spec compared to the specs of teh one that came with
it, but it looked even heavier, though the home depot one has 4 holes
every 2 inches. I wonder if that will ruin the 500 pound
capacity??????????

In article ,
wrote:
On Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:09:50 +0000 (UTC),
(Larry W) wrote:

In article ,
wrote:
On Thu, 29 Jul 2010 06:40:50 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

On Jul 29, 9:28*am, wrote:
On Thu, 29 Jul 2010 05:58:16 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
...snipped...
That should greatly enhance high speed handling in an emergency!

Probably less than the impact on emergency handling when I'm towing my
trailer...but thanks for playing.

Don't be too sure that you are correct on that.

The trailer being dragged behind actually has a dampening effect that
this thing completely lacks.


Speaking as someone who regularly uses both the carrier and a 1200 lb GW
trailer, I say he _can_ be sure. At least on a Jeep Cherokee size
vehicle, handling is certainly affected more by a loaded trailer than
a loaded carrier.

Put 4 or 500 pounds of weight on the carrier and get back to us after
running a slalom course.


The heaviest load I've had on the carrier was about 320 lbs, so I can't say for sure about 400 or 500. And I don't run slalom courses in my jeep. OTOH, I
can say with a fair degree of certainty that it would be faster through
a slalom course with 400 lbs on the carrier than with a loaded trailer.


--
Make it as simple as possible, but no simpler.

Larry Wasserman - Baltimore Maryland - lwasserm(a)sdf. lonestar. org

In article ,
DerbyDad03 wrote:
...snipped...
Larry:

How tight is your carrier bar in the receiver?

I just assembled the carrier and installed it on my vehicle's Class 3
hitch.

There is a lot of play in the receiver. At the farthest back end of
the carrier, I've got almost 2.5 inches of vertical motion and about
the same side to side.

Is yours that loose?

It has a fair degree of rocking up & down, maybe 3 inches,
around the axis of the drawbar, measured at the extreme left or right side,
and maybe 2 inches in a side-to-side, parallel to the ground plane. I
drive at moderate speed when it is installed and loaded, but
I've never worried about it much. There are some drawbar pins and
attachments available to take the play out if it concerns you. The ones
I have seen have a large bolt that tightens down against the side of
the drawbar.






--
Make it as simple as possible, but no simpler.

Larry Wasserman - Baltimore Maryland - lwasserm(a)sdf. lonestar. org

On Jul 29, 8:35*pm, (Larry W) wrote:
In article ,DerbyD ad03 wrote:

...snipped...

Larry:

How tight is your carrier bar in the receiver?

I just assembled the carrier and installed it on my vehicle's Class 3
hitch.

There is a lot of play in the receiver. At the farthest back end of
the carrier, I've got almost 2.5 inches of vertical motion and about
the same side to side.

Is yours that loose?

It has a fair degree of rocking up & down, maybe 3 inches,
around the axis of the drawbar, measured at the extreme left or right side,
and maybe 2 inches in a side-to-side, parallel to the ground plane. I
drive at moderate speed when it is installed and loaded, but
I've never worried about it much. There are some drawbar pins and *
attachments available to take the play out if it concerns you. The ones
I have seen have a large bolt that tightens down against the side of
the drawbar.

--
* * *Make it as simple as possible, but no simpler.

* * *Larry Wasserman - Baltimore Maryland - lwasserm(a)sdf. lonestar. org

Thanks for confirming that it's not just my carrier/receiver.

I've looked up some DrawTite anti-rattle accessories and there are a
few to choose from. I've also run across a few homemade solutions that
I'll look into.

Thanks again.