Humm, think I found a kayak trailer

Advice
#1
-- Last Updated: Apr-01-10 1:02 PM EST --

Went to Lowe's and found 3 trailers that would work well for me. I ordered the small one (4x6') to pull behind my sedan. I have looked at others from Harbor Freight and Pep Boys, but the quality of these Lowe's trailers seem very good. I will remove the rear gate and then head to my buddy (the welder) to further customize to hold 4 kayaks and add a locked storage bin up front. Anyone with tips on how they outfitted their trailer is most welcome.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_145557-15476-4X6G_5002564_?productId=3013702&Ntt=trailer&Ntk=i_products&pl=1&currentURL=/pl_$500%2Bor%2Bless_5002564__s?Ntk=i_products$Ntt=trailer

#2

Step one- extend the tongue by at least
3 feet and possibly 6. Add a storage box that locks. Bearing buddies. Here a few pics of mine before I extended the tongue (boats loaded). I think the pics of the skin boat frame show the trailer in the background with the tongue extended. BIG DIFFERENCE in the way it pulls because you have to load the boats so far back on the trailer to keep from hitting the car that the tongue weight is way too light. Too light = disaster. pics here http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f4/Wolverinemw/SOF/

#3

My Harbor Freight Cheapo


http://good-times.webshots.com/album/570430630qiKEog



Mine is just bolted together and plenty hefty for kayaks. The decking helps make it rigid. A welder could make it very beefy.



I have hauled a 16 footer on it without extending the tongue, but I wouldn’t do that very far.



On sale I think the trailer was $200

It took a day to assemble and another to add decking and such.



jim

#4

Here ya go
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/75339788oTcAIx

#5

For Padding
I went to a farm and home store and got 2" discharge hose, the kind that folds flat when there’s no pressure in it. I put bicycle innertubes in it punched holes for the valve stems and bolted it to the crossbars with the ends folded under to hold the tubes in. It works great and the padding never beats down. The smooth plastic hose doesn’t hold sand and I think the price was similar to foam.



Email if you want more info or photos.



Good Luck

Randy

#6

Thanks
guys for the photos…some really nice engineering on those trailers. Appreciate the heads up on more tongue length…agree that need to be done…time to get out the ruler and start measuring. Hoping the 12" wheels on the Lowe’s trailer will work with a bearing buddy or similar.

#7

I wouldn’t
worry about the bearing buddys because your not backing the trailer into the water to launch. Just repack the bearing every couple of years and you will be fine.

#8

I wouldn’t
worry about the bearing buddys because your not backing the trailer into the water to launch. Just repack the bearing every couple of years and you will be fine.

#9

Water is not really the issue. A
constant source of lubrication that is drawn to the heat of the bearing is. It is just one less thing to worry about. Bill