Harbor Freight Tools 42708 User Manual

Owner’s Manual & Safety Instructions

Save This Manual Keep this manual for the safety warnings and precautions, assembly, operating,

inspection, maintenance and cleaning procedures. Write the product’s serial number in the back of the manual
near the assembly diagram (or month and year of purchase if product has no number). Keep this manual and
the receipt in a safe and dry place for future reference.

ITEM 42708

SPECIFICATIONS

Max. Payload Capacity 870 lb.
GVWR 1,000 lb.
Net Weight 125 lb.
Rim Size 8 x 3.75 w/4 Lug Nut Pattern
Tire Size 4.8 - 8 (B), 4 PR
Tire Pressure 60 PSI, cold
Hitch Ball 1-7/8″, Class I
Bed Frame 40" x 48"
Overall Length 81-1/2"

Visit our website at: http://www.harborfreight.com

Email our technical support at: [e-mail]

When unpacking, make sure that the product is intact

and undamaged. If any parts are missing or broken,

please call 1-800-444-3353 as soon as possible.

Copyright© 2012 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.

Diagrams within this manual may not be drawn proportionally. Due to continuing

improvements, actual product may differ slightly from the product described herein.

Tools required for assembly and service may not be included.

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 tting snugly in the Hitch

Coupler. There must be no play between
the hitch ball and the 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.

Read this material before using this product.
Failure to do so can result in serious injury.
SAVE THIS MANUAL.

PARTS LIST

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Page 3For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.Item 42708

Drill (for installing plywood base)

Tongue and Groove Pliers

Page 4 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Item 42708

DON’T TIGHTEN YET!

TO MAKE ASSEMBLY EASIER, wait until assembly is
complete and all hardware is in place before tightening
any nut or bolt. Leave hardware snug until then.

MAIN ASSEMBLY DIAGRAM

Page 5For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.Item 42708

DON’T TIGHTEN YET!

TO MAKE ASSEMBLY EASIER, wait until assembly is
complete and all hardware is in place before tightening
any nut or bolt. Leave hardware snug until then.

Page 6 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Item 42708

DON’T TIGHTEN YET!

TO MAKE ASSEMBLY EASIER, wait until assembly is
complete and all hardware is in place before tightening
any nut or bolt. Leave hardware snug until then.

Page 7For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.Item 42708

DON’T TIGHTEN YET!

TO MAKE ASSEMBLY EASIER, wait until assembly is
complete and all hardware is in place before tightening
any nut or bolt. Leave hardware snug until then.

Back

the castle nuts off just enough so that the wheel can just move freely.

ll the dust cap (22) 1/4 full with automotive grease then press it onto the hub.

Page 8 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Item 42708

install license plate bracket (28) and left tail light (29) (with clear lens for license plate light) with nuts,
install right tail light (29A).

TIGHTEN ALL HARDWARE!

Now that frame is completely assembled, retrace all assembly steps
and make sure that all hardware is properly wrench-tightened.
Also, tighten lug nuts/lug bolts to 90 ft-lb.

Page 9For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.Item 42708

Page 10 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Item 42708

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870 lb.

87 lb.

Page 15For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.Item 42708

Page 16 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Item 42708

TIRE INFORMATION

Tire Terminology Glossary

• Accessory weight means- the combined weight of
automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, power
windows, power seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as factory-installed equipment.

• Carcass means- the tire structure except for the tread which
provides the major portion of the tire’s capability to deect

in response to the vertical loads and tractive forces that the
tire transmits from the roadway to the non-pneumatic rim,
the wheel center member, or the vehicle and which attaches
to the vehicle or attaches, either integrally or separably,
to the wheel center member or non-pneumatic rim.

• Carcass separation means- the pulling away of the carcass
from the non-pneumatic rim or wheel center member.

• Chunking means- the breaking away of
pieces of the carcass or tread.

• Cracking means- any parting within the
carcass, tread, or any components that connect
the tire to the wheel center member.

• Curb weight means- the weight of a motor vehicle
with standard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so equipped, air
conditioning and additional weight optional engine.

• Load rating means- the maximum load a tire is rated to carry.

• Maximum loaded vehicle weight means- the sum of:

a. Curb weight;
b. Accessory weight;
c. Vehicle capacity weight; and
d. Production options weight.

• Maximum tire width means- the greater of either the linear
distance between the exterior edges of the carcass or the linear
distance between the exterior edges of the tread, both being
measured parallel to the rolling axis of the tire.

• Normal occupant weight means- 68 kilograms
times the number of occupants.

• Occupant distribution means- distribution
of occupants in a vehicle.

• Production options weight means- the combined weight
of those installed regular production options weighing over

2.3 kilograms in excess of those standard items which
they replace, not previously considered in curb weight
or accessory weight, including heavy duty brakes, ride
levelers, roof rack, heavy duty battery, and special trim.

• Tread means- that portion of the tire that
comes in contact with the road.

• Tread separation means- pulling away
of the tread from the carcass.

• Vehicle capacity weight means- the rated
cargo and luggage load plus 68 kilograms times
the vehicle’s designated seating capacity.

• Vehicle maximum load on the tire means- that
load on an individual tire that is determined by
distributing to each axle its share of the maximum
loaded vehicle weight and dividing by two.

• Vehicle normal load on the tire means- that load
on an individual tire that is determined by distributing
to each axle its share of the curb weight, accessory
weight, and normal occupant weight and dividing by 2.

Section width

Tire ply

composition

and materials

used

Maximum

permissible

ination

pressure

Maximum
load rating

Inner diameter

in inches

in inches

Trailer

tire

Tire Markings

Load index and

Speed rating*

European tire

certicate*

U.S. DOT tire

identication

number

*Information not required by U.S. DOT

Page 17For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.Item 42708

• Section width- This number gives the width of the
tire in inches. The larger the number, the wider the
tire. (The markings on the example tire diagram
show 4.80. The markings on your tire may differ.)

• Inner diameter- This number gives the inner diameter
of the tire in inches. This is also the rim diameter in
inches. (The markings on the example tire diagram
show 12. The markings on your tire may differ.)

• U.S. DOT tire identication number- This begins with the
letters “DOT” and indicates that the tire meets all federal
standards. The next two numbers or letters are the plant
code where it was manufactured, and the last four numbers
represent the week and year that the tire was built. For
example, the numbers 2107 mean the 21st week of 2007.
Any other numbers used are marketing codes used at
the manufacturer’s discretion. This information is used
to contact consumers if a tire defect requires a recall.

• Maximum Load Rating- This number
indicates the maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the tire.

Load Index Rating Codes

Code Pounds

71 761
72 783
73 805
74 827
75 853
76 882
77 908
78 937
79 963
80 992
81 1,019
82 1,047
83 1,074
84 1,102

Code Pounds

85 1,135
86 1,168
87 1,201
88 1,235
89 1,279
90 1,323
91 1,356
92 1,389
93 1,433
94 1,477
95 1,521
96 1,565
97 1,609
98 1,653

Code Pounds

99 1,709
100 1,764
101 1,819
102 1,874
103 1,929
104 1,984
105 2,039
106 2,094
107 2,149
108 2,205
109 2,271
110 2,337

• Load index- This is a measurement of how much weight
each tire can support. See chart above. (The markings
on the example tire diagram show 71. The markings

on your tire may differ.) Note: You may not nd this

information on all tires because it is not required by law.

Tire Speed Rating Codes

Code MPH

F 50
G 56
J 62
K 68
L 75

M 81

•

Speed Rating- The speed rating denotes the speed at
which a tire is designed to be driven for extended periods of
time. This does not indicate that the vehicle or rims can
safely reach or maintain that speed. These ratings are
listed to the right. (The markings on the example tire
diagram show M. The markings on your tire may differ.)

Note: You may not nd this information on all tires because

it is not required by law.

• Tire Ply Composition and Materials Used- The
number of plies indicates the number of layers of rubber­coated fabric in the tire. In general, the greater the
number of plies, the more weight a tire can support. Tire
manufacturers also must indicate the materials in the
tire, which include steel, nylon, polyester, and others.

• Maximum Permissible Ination Pressure- This number
is the greatest amount of air pressure that should ever
be put in the tire under normal driving conditions.

Code MPH

N 87
P 94
Q 100
R 106
S 112
T 118

Code MPH

U 124
H 130
V 149
Z 149

W 168

Y 186

BEARING PACKING INSTRUCTIONS

Important

Read and adhere to the following instructions; failure to read and obey all
of the following instructions COMPLETELY will void the warranty and can result
in damage to the trailer, property damage, or SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY.

Whenever a hub is disassembled (if a hub on a new unit requires assembly or a hub is
disassembled for maintenance), the following procedure MUST be followed.

1. Using a suitable solvent, thoroughly

clean the bearings and the rest of the
parts in the Hub assembly of all grease,
dirt, metal shavings, or any other foreign
object. The parts must be cleaned

even if they are new or clean.

2. Allow all pieces to dry completely.

3. Make sure that your hands are thoroughly

clean and the bearing packer (not
included) is also thoroughly clean.

4. Place fresh, clean bearing
grease in the packer.

5. With the grease-lled bearing packer in
one hand and the bearing in the other,
press the bearing into the grease, forcing
the grease inside the slots in the bearing,
continue doing this until every slot in the
bearing is completely full of grease.

6. Finish assembling the hub/wheel
assembly as explained in the manual,
being careful not to get any dirt or
debris on any part of the assembly.

Page 18 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Item 42708

Tire Ination and Load Limit

Tire and Loading Information Placard

TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION

The weight of cargo should never exceed 394 kg or 870 lb.

TIRE SIZE COLD TIRE PRESSURE

FRONT 4.80/4.00-8 410 kPa, 60 PSI

REAR NONE NONE

SPARE NONE NONE

The Tire and Loading Information Placard displays the cold tire ination pressure and the

load limit for this vehicle. See the Tire Care section for an explanation of tire pressure and

see the Vehicle Load Limit section following that for an explanation of load limit.

TIRE CARE

Checking Tire Pressure

Note: Underinated tires can decrease handling,

stopping performance, traction, tire life,
and load-carrying capability, in addition to
causing other negative and hazardous effects,

including tire failure. Overinated tires are

at greater risk of an impact break, where the
tread and casing break when striking a hard
edge, often opening a huge gash across

the tread. Incorrect ination pressure also

increases tires wear rate. Therefore, it is

important to keep tires inated properly.

Check all tires’ pressure at least

monthly, due to the following factors:

• Most tires naturally lose air gradually.

• Tires can suddenly lose air if the tire

strikes a pothole, curb, or other object.

• It is usually not possible to
determine underinflation of radial
tires by visual inspection.

This vehicle has 60 PSI recommended cold

tire ination pressure. The term “cold” in this

manual does not refer to the temperature outside,
but it refers to the fact that a tire that has not
been driven for a period is cooler (and therefore
has lower pressure) than a tire that has been
driven on. Tires heat up while being driven on.

To check (or ll to) a tire’s cold ination, the tire

must have not been driven for more than a mile or
two for at least three hours. If you check a tires
pressure when it is not “cold”, the pressure will

appear higher than the actual cold tire ination.

MODEL 42708

SEE OWNER’S

MANUAL FOR

ADDITIONAL

INFORMATION.

12a

Steps for Maintaining

Proper Tire Pressure

1. Locate the recommended tire pressure
on the vehicle’s tire information placard,

certication label, or in the owner’s

manual. This trailer has 60 PSI

recommended cold tire ination pressure.

2. Measure and record the tire
pressure of all tires.

3. If the tire pressure is too high in any of the
tires and the tires have not been driven for
at least three hours, slowly release air by
gently pressing on the tire valve stem with the
edge of your tire gauge until you get to the
correct pressure. If the vehicle have been
driven within the past three hours and the tire
pressure is too high on any tires, then recheck
the pressure once the tires have been allowed
to sit motionless for at least three hours.

4. If the tire pressure is too low, note the
difference between the measured tire
pressure and the correct tire pressure.
These “missing” pounds of pressure
are what you will need to add.

5. At a service station, add the missing pounds of

air pressure to each tire that is underinated.

6. Check all the tires to make sure they
have the same air pressure.

7. If the tires’ pressure was not measured “cold”,
then the pressure should be rechecked
with the tires cold as soon as possible.

Page 19For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.Item 42708

Tire Size

Tire Balance and Alignment

To maintain safety, only purchase new tires of

the same size as the original tires. Look at the Tire

and Loading Information Placard, the Specications

Chart in this manual, or the sidewall of the tire
being replaced. If you have any doubt about
selecting the correct size, consult a tire dealer.

Tire Tread

The tire tread provides traction that
prevents your vehicle from slipping, especially
if the road is wet or icy. Tires are unsafe and
should be replaced when the tread is worn
down to 1/16”. Measure tread depth using
a tread depth indicator (not included).

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 miles the left and right
tires should be switched. This will cause the
tires to wear more evenly and last longer.

The tires need to be balanced to prevent
vibration when driving. This involves attaching small
weights to the rim to offset small differences in rim
and tire weight. The tires also need to be aligned
properly. Alignment is the orientation of the tires to
the road surface and their being parallel. This helps
the tires to wear evenly, and provide better traction.
Both tire balance and alignment require specialized
equipment that is not provided with this vehicle.

Tire Repair

To properly repair a punctured tire, the
hole needs to be properly plugged and patched
from the inside of the tire. Tread punctures can
be repaired if they are not too large. Sidewall
punctures should not be repaired, the tire needs
to be replaced if the sidewall is damaged. Tires
should be removed from the rim to be inspected

before being plugged and patched. A qualied

mechanic should remove the tire from the rim,
perform the repair, and remount the tire.

Page 20 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Item 42708

VEHICLE LOAD LIMIT

Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit

1. Locate the statement “The weight of cargo should never exceed XXX
kilograms or XXX pounds” on your vehicle’s placard.

2. That gure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.

3. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity.

4. If the trailer’s load exceeds the cargo and luggage load capacity, then the trailer
be unsafe resulting in hazardous effects, such as: Trailer’s tires will not be able to

maintain traction properly, and stopping distance will be increased signicantly.

Page 21For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.Item 42708

IMPORTANT

For safe use and operation, obey the following notices:

1. Read all instructions carefully and follow them step-by-step. Keep the instruction manual in a safe place.

2. Double-check the assembly after you nish to ensure everything is assembled properly.

3. Follow the Trailer Licensing notice to properly license this trailer.

4. Inspect before every use; do not use if parts are loose or damaged.

5. Keep permanent labels in place and in good condition.

Notice:

• Repack bearings after every 3,000 miles of use.

• Maintain tires as explained in this manual.

• Comply with the following before every use:

6. Tighten U-bolt.

7. Tighten lug nut.

8. Tighten trigger lock on coupler.

9. Hook up safety chain.

10. Trailer load should not exceed 870 lb. capacity and must be properly secured.

11. Trailer load size must not exceed trailer’s bed board size.

CORRECT WAY TO LOAD THE TRAILER

YES NO

O

O

O

O

X

X

X

X

Page 22 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Item 42708

Limited 90 Day Warranty

Harbor Freight Tools Co. makes every effort to assure that its products meet high quality and durability standards,
and warrants to the original purchaser that this product is free from defects in materials and workmanship for the
period of 90 days from the date of purchase. This warranty does not apply to damage due directly or indirectly,
to misuse, abuse, negligence or accidents, repairs or alterations outside our facilities, criminal activity, improper
installation, normal wear and tear, or to lack of maintenance. We shall in no event be liable for death, injuries
to persons or property, or for incidental, contingent, special or consequential damages arising from the use of
our product. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the
above limitation of exclusion may not apply to you. THIS WARRANTY IS EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER
WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS.

To take advantage of this warranty, the product or part must be returned to us with transportation charges
prepaid. Proof of purchase date and an explanation of the complaint must accompany the merchandise.

If our inspection veries the defect, we will either repair or replace the product at our election or we may

elect to refund the purchase price if we cannot readily and quickly provide you with a replacement. We will
return repaired products at our expense, but if we determine there is no defect, or that the defect resulted
from causes not within the scope of our warranty, then you must bear the cost of returning the product.

This warranty gives you specic legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

Page 23For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.Item 42708

3491 Mission Oaks Blvd. • PO Box 6009 • Camarillo, CA 93011 • [phone]