Harbor Freight Tools Utility Trailer 40597 User Manual

HEAVY DUTY TRAILER  
MODEL 40597  
ASSEMBLY AND OPERATING  
INSTRUCTIONS  
WARNING!  
IMPORTANT INFORMATION  
This trailer’s Hitch Coupler MUST be  
properly secured to the hitch ball of the towing  
vehicle. After assembly and attachment, pull  
up and down on the Hitch Coupler to make  
sure the hitch ball is fitting snugly in the Hitch  
Coupler. There must be no play between the  
hitch ball and Hitch Coupler. If there is play,  
tighten the Adjustment Nut until no play is  
present. If the Adjustment Nut is too tight, the  
Handle will not lock. Carefully read and follow  
the complete instructions in this manual  
BEFORE setup or use.  
If the Coupler is not secured  
properly, the ball could come loose  
while the trailer is in motion, possibly  
causing property damage, SERIOUS  
PERSONAL INJURY, or DEATH.  
®
3491 Mission Oaks Blvd., Camarillo, CA 93011  
©
®
Copyright 2003 by Harbor Freight Tools . All rights reserved. No portion of this  
manual or any artwork contained herein may be reproduced in any shape or form  
without the express written consent of Harbor Freight Tools.  
For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.  
REV 10/04  
 
reflexes are impaired while taking drugs. If there is any doubt, do not attempt to  
use this product.  
5.  
6.  
USE EYE PROTECTION. Wear ANSI approved safety impact eye goggles when  
assembling this product. ANSI approved safety impact eye goggles are available  
from Harbor Freight Tools.  
DRESS SAFELY. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry, as they can become  
caught in moving parts. Wear a protective hair covering to prevent long hair from  
becoming caught in moving parts. If wearing a long-sleeve shirt, roll sleeves up  
above elbows.  
7.  
DO NOT OVERREACH. Keep proper footing and balance at all times to prevent  
tripping, falling, back injury, etc.  
8.  
9.  
INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS MUST FOLLOW OSHA REQUIREMENTS.  
STAY ALERT. Watch what you are doing at all times. Use common sense. Do  
not use this product when you are tired or distracted from the job at hand.  
10.  
CHECK FOR DAMAGED PARTS. Before using this product, carefully check that  
it will operate properly and perform its intended function. Check for damaged  
parts and any other conditions that may affect the operation of this product.  
Replace or repair damaged or worn parts immediately.  
11.  
REPLACEMENT PARTS AND ACCESSORIES: When servicing, use only identi-  
cal replacement parts. Only use accessories intended for use with this product.  
Approved accessories are available from Harbor Freight Tools.  
12.  
13.  
14.  
MAINTAIN THIS PRODUCT WITH CARE. Keep this product clean and dry for  
better and safer performance.  
MAINTENANCE: For your safety, service and maintenance should be performed  
regularly by a qualified technician.  
USE THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB. Do not attempt to force small equip-  
ment to do the work of larger industrial equipment. There are certain applications  
for which this equipment was designed. It will do the job better and more safely  
at the capacity for which it was intended. Do not modify this equipment, and do  
not use this equipment for a purpose for which it was not intended.  
15.  
WARNING: The warnings, precautions, and instructions discussed in this  
manual cannot cover all possible conditions and situations that may occur. The  
operator must understand that common sense and caution are factors, which  
cannot be built into this product, but must be supplied by the operator.  
SKU 40597  
For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.  
PAGE 3  
 
SPECIFIC PRODUCT WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS  
1.  
2.  
TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE, DO NOT  
EXCEED THE TRAILER’S MAXIMUM WEIGHT CAPACITY OF 1,800  
POUNDS .  
BEFORE EACH USE, ALWAYS EXAMINE THE TRAILER FOR PROPER TIRE  
(part #81) AIR PRESSURE, DAMAGED TAIL LIGHTS (parts #80, #82), DAM-  
AGED SIDE RUNNING LIGHTS (part #83), LOOSE BOLTS AND NUTS,  
STRUCTURAL CRACKS, BENDS, AND ANY OTHER CONDITION THAT MAY  
AFFECT ITS SAFE OPERATION. Do not use the Trailer even if minor damage  
appears.  
3.  
4.  
NEVER ALLOW ADULTS, CHILDREN, OR PETS TO RIDE IN THE TRAILER.  
BEFORE EACH USE, ALWAYS ATTACH THE SAFETY CHAIN (part #11) OF  
THE TRAILER TO THE TOWING VEHICLE. Make sure the Safety Chain is  
attached to the towing vehicle with the same length for each side. Do not allow  
the Safety Chain to drag on the ground.  
5.  
6.  
ALWAYS CHECK TO MAKE SURE THE PAYLOAD BEING TRANSPORTED IS  
PROPERLY AND SAFELY SECURED IN THE TRAILER. Load the Trailer  
evenly from side to side with 60% of the load forward of the Axle (part #9).  
MAKE SURE THE TOWING VEHICLE IS CAPABLE OF TOWING THE  
TRAILER AND ITS PAYLOAD. Make sure the hitch on the towing vehicle is  
capable of towing the Trailer and its payload. The towing capacity of the hitch is  
typically stamped on the hitch drawbar.  
7.  
MAKE SURE THE COUPLER (part #1) AND THE VEHICLE’S HITCH BALL  
(not included) ARE OF EQUAL MATING SIZE (2”) AND ARE RATED EQUAL  
TO OR GREATER THAN THE WEIGHT OF THE TRAILER AND ITS PAYLOAD.  
8.  
9.  
DO NOT EXCEED 45 MILES PER HOUR WHEN TOWING THE TRAILER.  
Excess speed is a major cause of vehicle-trailer accidents.  
THE TAIL LIGHT BULBS SUPPLIED WITH THIS TRAILER ARE FOR A 12  
VOLT DC ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ONLY. Do not attempt to power the Light  
Bulbs with any other type or voltage electrical current.  
10.  
WHENEVER POSSIBLE, PARK THE TRAILER ON A FLAT, LEVEL, PAVED,  
SURFACE AND CHOCK BOTH TIRES TO KEEP THE TRAILER FROM  
ACCIDENTLY MOVING.  
SKU 40597  
For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.  
PAGE 4  
 
11.  
12.  
TRAILER LICENSING NOTICE: Some states may consider this Trailer a vehicle  
requiring registration, licensing, and titling. Check with your State Department of  
Motor Vehicles for information and guidance on registering, licensing, and titling  
the Trailer.  
MAINTAIN LABELS AND NAMEPLATES ON THE TRAILER. These carry  
important information. If unreadable or missing, contact Harbor Freight Tools for  
a replacement.  
UNPACKING  
When unpacking, check to make sure all the parts shown on the Parts List (page 19) are  
included. If any parts are missing or broken, please call Harbor Freight Tools at the  
number shown on the cover of this manual as soon as possible.  
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS  
NOTE: For additional references to the parts listed on the following pages, refer to the  
Assembly Diagram (page 20).  
1.  
On a flat, level, surface, lay out one Front Left Side Rail (part #3), one Front  
Right Side Rail (part #4), one Front Cross Member (part #5), and two Cross  
Members (part #20). Assemble the parts, using the Bolts (part #47), Flat Wash-  
ers (part #70), Spring Washers (part #66), and Nuts (part #61). (See Figure A.)  
TO CENTER OF TRAILER  
CROSS MEMBER  
(#20)  
FRONT RIGHT SIDE RAIL  
(#4)  
CROSS MEMBER  
(#20)  
47  
61  
66  
70  
FRONT LEFT SIDE RAIL  
(#3)  
FRONT CROSS  
MEMBER  
(#5)  
TO FRONT OF TRAILER  
FIGURE A  
SKU 40597  
For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.  
PAGE 5  
 
2.  
Attach the Right Angle Iron (part #23A) to the Front Right Side Rail (part #4) and  
attach the Left Angle Iron (part #23) to the Front Left Side Rail (part #3), using  
the Bolts (part #52), Spring Washers (part #67), and Nuts (part #62).  
(See Figure B.)  
3.  
4.  
Attach one Connecting Rail (part #2) to the Front Left Side Rail (part #3) and  
another Connecting Rail to the Front Right Side Rail (part #4), using the Bolts  
(part #47), Spring Washers (part #66), and Nuts (part #61). (See Figure B.)  
Insert the two “L” Latches (part #29) through the two Connecting Rails (part #2)  
and Front Cross Member (part #5). Secure the “L” Latches using the two “R” Pins  
(part #30). (See Figure B.)  
5.  
Attach the “T” Plate (part #24), Chain (part #11), and Coupler (part #1) to the two  
Connecting Rails (part #2), using the Bolts (part #48), Flat Washers (part #70),  
Spring Washers (part #66), and Nuts (part #61). (See Figure B.)  
FRONT RIGHT SIDE RAIL (#4)  
RIGHT ANGLE IRON (#23A)  
47  
61  
66  
FRONT  
LEFT  
SIDE  
RAIL  
(#3)  
“R” PIN (#30)  
52  
62  
67  
LLATCH  
(#29)  
FRONT CROSS  
MEMBER (#5)  
CONNECTING  
RAIL  
47  
61  
66  
70  
LEFT ANGLE IRON  
(#23)  
(#2)  
“R” PIN (#30)  
COUPLER  
(#1)  
“L” LATCH (#29)  
CONNECTING  
RAIL  
“T” PLATE  
(#24)  
48  
61  
66  
70  
(#2)  
CHAIN (#11)  
FIGURE B  
6.  
7.  
Lay out one Rear Left Side Rail (part #21), one Rear Right Side Rail (part #22),  
and three Cross Members (part #20). Assemble the parts, using the Bolts  
(part #47), Flat Washers (part #70), Spring Washers (part #66), and Nuts  
(part #61). (See Figure C, next page.)  
Assemble the front portion and the rear portion of the Trailer, using the Bolts  
(part #48) on the top flanges, the Bolts (part #85) on the lower flanges, Flat  
Washers (part #70), Spring Washers (part #66), and Nuts (part #61).  
(See Figure D, next page.)  
SKU 40597  
For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.  
PAGE 6  
 
TO REAR OF TRAILER  
REAR RIGHT SIDE RAIL  
(#22)  
CROSS MEMBER  
(#20)  
CROSS MEMBER  
(#20)  
47  
61  
66  
70  
CROSS MEMBER  
(#20)  
REAR LEFT SIDE RAIL  
(#21)  
TO CENTER OF TRAILER  
FIGURE C  
48  
61  
66  
70  
48  
61  
66  
70  
FRONT PORTION  
85  
85  
85  
85  
48  
48  
61  
66  
70  
REAR PORTION  
61  
66  
70  
FIGURE D  
8.  
Attach the Left Spring Hanger (part #6) to the Front and Rear Left Side Rails  
(parts #3, #21), using the Bolts (part #46), Flat Washers (part #70), Spring Wash-  
ers (part #66), and Nuts (part #61). Then, attach the Right Spring Hanger  
(part #7) to the Front and Rear Right Side Rails (parts #4, #22), using the Bolts  
(part #46), Flat Washers (part #70), Spring Washers (part #66), and Nuts  
(part #61). (See Figure E, next page.)  
SKU 40597  
For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.  
PAGE 7  
 
REAR RIGHT  
SIDE RAIL  
(#22)  
FRONT RIGHT  
SIDE RAIL  
(#4)  
REAR LEFT  
SIDE RAIL  
(#21)  
FRONT LEFT  
SIDE RAIL  
(#3)  
LEFT SPRING  
HANGER (#6)  
46  
61  
66  
70  
FENDER  
(#26)  
54  
63  
46  
61  
66  
70  
54  
63  
70  
66  
61  
SPRING  
PLATE  
(#27)  
AXLE (#9)  
HUB (#12, #75, #79)  
WHEEL (#81)  
FENDER  
SEAT  
ASSY.  
(#25)  
47  
61  
66  
LEAF  
SPRING  
(#8)  
NOTE:  
PRIOR TO USING,  
LUBRICATE THE  
HUB ASSEMBLY.  
(#12, #75, #79)  
“U-BOLT (#28)  
BEARING (#76)  
WASHER (#34)  
DUST COVER (#33)  
NUT (#64)  
COTTER PIN (#72)  
See note on Page 9  
FIGURE E  
9.  
Attach the two Fender Seats (part #25) to the Left and Right Spring Hangers  
(parts #6, #7), using the Bolts (part #47), Spring Washers (part #66), and Nuts  
(part #61). Then attach the two Fenders (part #26) to the two Fender Seats,  
using the Bolts (part #47), Spring Washers (part #66), and Nuts (part #61).  
(See Figure E.)  
10.  
11.  
Attach the two Leaf Springs (part #8) to the Left and Right Spring Hangers  
(parts #6, #7), using the Bolts (part #54), and Nylon Nuts (part #63). Insert a  
Cotter Pin (part #72) through the holes in the end of the Bolts and spread the  
Cotter Pins. (See Figure E.)  
With assistance, turn the Trailer upside down. Place the Axle (part #9) on top  
of both Leaf Springs (part #8). Place the two Spring Plates (part #27) below  
the Leaf Springs. On each end of the Axle, insert two U-Bolts (part #28)  
downward over the Axle and through the mounting holes in each of the Spring  
Plates. Then secure the Axle and Leaf Springs, using Flat Washers (part #70),  
Spring Washers (part #66), and Nuts (part #61). (See Figure F, next page.)  
SKU 40597  
For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.  
PAGE 8