My two cents on a trailer for Kayaks..

http://www.qsl.net/wa2mzf/kayaktrailer/t1.jpg

meh, my setup with the HF trailer is much better than this one. I looked and realized I had no pictures of the modifications. I will grab some tonight and update.

Which model was the original trailer?

Here is my Harbor Freight trailer modified for my 2 yaks

http://www.harborfreight.com/1090-lb-ca ... 90153.html

90153

http://www.harborfreight.com/1090-lb-ca ... 90153.html

90153 this is the original posting...

@Venice: Looks like a great mod to me! If I hadn't already owned a trailer, I probably would've gotten the same trailer and modded it similarly for my canoe.

I just use my Harbor Freight 4x8 folding trailer for my canoe. I put some cross pieces (2x4 covered with pipe insulation and cheap outdoor carpet) for towing it face down. I can also run the same type of 2x4 configuration lengthwise to tow it face up like a traditional boat trailer.



I'm working on altering the sides that I previously built for this trailer to hold the canoe on top, allowing for stowing gear under it (camping, fishing, etc). I also might rig something up to stack multiple boats or a combo of boats and surf/paddleboards. As long as none of them are longer than the canoe (14') and I stack them in the middle, I won't have turning clearance issues or need to make the tongue longer.

I pull it with a fairly new (2011 model) minivan, which does have roof rack side rails, but cross bars are ridiculously expensive (more $ than the trailer or my canoe for that matter!) and at 85lbs, my canoe isn't the lightest boat to be hefting up on top like that. Plus, I already had the utility trailer, and it's finally getting unfolded and used on a regular basis. Being able to fold the trailer for stowing is nice.

Advice to anyone using a trailer -- get a spare tire. Nothing sucks more than having to leave your trailer (and everything on it) on the side of the road to take care of a flat (or go find a spare that you should have already had).

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Chris
Perception Sport Destiny 12
Coleman Scanoe

Nice looking rig.. I have a boat trailer that I pretty much did the same thing you did.
My problem is that the tongue on the boat trailer very heavy and at age 69 was a bit
on the back. Worked fine, but wanted something that would be easier on the back as well
as can take this little rig thru the paths etc to the waters edge in most places if need be.
Now I need to find a simply stand for the new rig, point being dont want to spend a lot : )

Good luck and thanks for your posting..

That's one of the benefits of a utility trailer over a boat trailer-- you can see in the pic the axle is located pretty far forward, making the trailer have a very light tongue weight. My 9-year-old son easily lifted the tongue and walked around with the loaded trailer. I have a pretty bad back/neck myself, so. I need all the help I can get, which is one of the main reasons I don't just throw my canoe on my van's roof rack. I built a simple PVC cart for portage, and I use a really nice folding wagon (150lb capacity) for hauling the marine battery, trolling motor, and outrigger pontoons over any significant distance.


http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3995999

The main drawback of a utility trailer over a boat trailer? Backing it up at the boat ramp. I can back up a boat trailer no problem. The utility trailer is very sensitive to steering adjustments and it can get downright embarrassing, especially at a busy ramp!

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Chris
Perception Sport Destiny 12
Coleman Scanoe

Here Is mine from HF Spent 300. Just have to run the straps in the front and back so that it it pulls everything to the middle.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =1&theater

looking for a trailer to haul my tarpon 120 on .have you had any trouble with them.will be pull by a nissan armada. it is a real pain to put on the roof of my civic and tie down 5 points(1 middle,4 back&front when it is hot or i am ready to load or unload.rack for suv is about $1000 in all.

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Yellow Tarpon 120

I have had no problem at all with mine. And I carry a 12 and 10 ft. The trailers from HF are very light.

I haven't had any problems with mine either. I have a foldable 4x8 with 12" wheels on it. Being able to fold it up and store it vertically is a nice feature. The 12" wheels work well at highway speeds, too. You can get them every day for $300, but they frequently go on sale closer to the $250 mark. It's cheaper than buying the cross bars for my minivan's roof rack, and is a heckuva lot easier to launch from. The trailer only weighs 160lbs -- you could easily tow it with your Civic if you wanted to throw a lightweight hitch on it.

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Chris
Perception Sport Destiny 12
Coleman Scanoe

Yea, i have the same one, well worth the $300. I also got some foam packing crate material that i put under the yaks, this protects from scratches and gives it some nice support.

thanks for the info guy.will post pic when i get one

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Yellow Tarpon 120