Trailer for very light boat

[Bob BT]

Just finished building a 9 1/2' Nutshell pram. At about 100 pounds, it's car-topable, but it's very awkward to get it up on top of the car. We would get more sailing time if it were easier to move. Looking for recommendations for a trailer for a very light boat. I've been referred to Trailex, which looks like a possibility. Any other recommendations for a trailer?

Thanks

[Nicholas Scheuer]

The Fleet/Farm or Farm & Fleet Big Box stores all have light trailers, either boat trailers or utility trailers, or both.

I using a basic frame for a utility trailer you would probably have to do some of your own modification.

Moby Nick

[Simmons18]

Bob,
Look for a good used jet ski trailer, al. if you can find one. Down here they are on CL all the time.
Simmons18

[essaunders]

I've seen good reviews for SportsRig (http://www.sportsrig.com/). Never used it myself, and it is reported to be more costly -- but based on the reports, it may be a "you get what you pay for"... just my 2 cents...

[coelacanth2]

I had seen something re this a while back - you may be able to remove one leaf from the springs of a small trailer, if it has multiple leaves. Also, running the tires at minimum inflation will soften the ride, too.

[Thorne]

Trailex or a light canoe/kayak trailer is the way to go. I have a Harbor Freight trailer with two leaves removed and do NOT recommend either the trailer or suspension modification.

[coelacanth2]

I'll bow to tose with direct experience...What was the end result, Thorne?

[Doug B]

I highly recommend the Trailex. The light weight makes it very easy to launch without the car.

[johngsandusky]

There have been articles on building your own from wood. I'm not sure how the Motor Vehicle Department would view that though.

[michigangeorge]

I've been towing a 12' Heidi skiff on a Trailex this summer. Although it is far better than a standard small boat trailer it still does not provide the cushy ride I was hoping for. Seems to me the answer would be a very heavy (weighted with lead) trailer frame with a light suspension. I want that old Cadillac squish but then it may not tow well. It does not seem that much real technical thought has been given to boat trailers. And one other thing - they all (including Trailex) carry the boat too damn high off the ground for easy launching.

[Wayne Jeffers]

There have been articles on building your own from wood. I'm not sure how the Motor Vehicle Department would view that though.

Probably varies by state. Check with your DMV.

Here in Ohio (farm country) it is not unusual for folks to fabricate their own trailers. Small trailers do not have to be titled. No problem registering/licensing small homebuilt trailers here.

BTW, there is a book “How to Build Boat Trailers,” by Glen L Marine Designs, that covers the subject pretty well. They have information on building with wooden frames. Available from The WoodenBoat Store. (http://www.woodenboatstore.com/How-To-Build-Boat-Trailers/productinfo/300-061/)

Wayne

[Lew Barrett]

This is pretty old school, but I have a small EZ Loader. Stock, it does not avoid the problem of being too heavily sprung (in fact, one problem is that cheap trailers are cart sprung anyway).

However, after looking at Eric's modifications of the same trailer type I got 20 years ago to haul my Avon and now use for my 100 pound wooden boat, I have come to the conclusion that this is the very best way to go for me, because the trailer itself is first class and I'd have no fear of trailering my boat cross country with a rig like this.

It does potentially sacrifice some easy hand launching ability for it's great trailering properties. Thus you have to learn how to back a short trailer!

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff76/LewBarrett/Ians16.jpg

Eric has added pressure treated 2X6 timbers to the basic trailer. They act as protection from road debris and give the owner a catwalk to work if desired during launch and retrieval. They also provide full length support to the keel. To my mind, the benefit equal to all those is that they add just the amount of weight needed to assure a stable and confidence inspiring ride. With such a short tongue, you need the weight anyway. If you needed more weight, I suppose you could pretty easily add it as required, but I get the impression that what he's built works pretty well as is.

It costs a bit extra in time and money, but most good stuff does. I'm converting my own trailer to Eric's spec this winter.

[Jonty]

You might want to look at a drift boat trailer which are designed for lighter boats. Just goggle the name for manufacturers.

[Thorne]

I have the same EZ Loader trailer as Lew, but don't regard it as super lightweight or short-tounged. Compared to the Trailex aluminum canoe/kayak trailers, the galvanized trailer is heavy, but well-sprung and VERY well built. Just towed it nearly 1200 miles to northern Oregon and back, and the oil-bath bearings never got hot.

Here it is modified for the dory skiff, with a 2x12 covered with carpet down the center of the trailer, and commercial bunk support brackets bolted to the frame with U-bolts.

The one mod I'm considering is a dropped rear frame bar-thingie across the back, replacing the straight one. Frame is nearly 12" above the axle and the boat can be hard to launch. Replacing the rear frame piece with one that angles down in the center and then back up to the other end of the frame would make launching easier.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2524/3945190605_9ab0983e56.jpg