Boat Trailer Kits?

[Buzz73]

I purchased plans from Ken Hankinson Associates for a DIY trailer which would cost $800+ to build. (Steel prices have risen dramatically!) And pre-built trailers are out of my price range.
Can anyone recommend any economical kits or alternatives that would work for an 18', 1000lb boat? Cost is of the highest priority. (Harbor Freight sells a little trailer kit for $320, but it can only carry a 600lb boat). Could this trailer be modified somehow? Here's the link for the Harbor Freight Boat Trailer:
Harbor Freight Boat Trailer (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=5002)

They also sell a 1 ton utility trailer that might make a good boat trailer conversion with a tongue extension and bunkboards. Cost approx. $350.

Any suggestions offered would be appreciated.

[ 01-06-2005, 08:26 AM: Message edited by: Buzz73 ]

[Brian Palmer]

Have you tried searching for a good used trailer?

I had a need very similar to yours and found a very good 1600 lb trailer for a 20 foot boat for $600 at a local boat dealer. They even went over all the lights and gave me a 30 day warranty, and did the title and tags.

-- Brian

[alteran]

I haven't seen the HF trailer in person but a neighbor has one that looks just like that one in your picture that he bought from Menards.

It is very light, the wheels are tiny, it is cheap and flimsy. Neighbor uses it to haul a lawnmower 2 miles to his mothers house. Thats about all I'd use one for. The used trailer idea is what I'd go for if I were you. Even an older one will be better than this thing. In particular try to get something with bigger wheels.

[cbob]

Buzz, At my public marina in the S.F. Bay Area,1000 boats and a public launch ramp with about a 100 boat dry storage area, becoming more popular, the marina gives abandoned dry storage area trailers away. If you look around for something like this near your area, you might get lucky, and the price is right, too. cbob

[Dave Wright]

The abandoned trailer route is not a bad way to go, but give some thought to the licensing procedure. I found an one in the blackberry bushes in front of an old guy's house and paid him $20. He'd used it without license plates for occasional hauling, said he'd never had a title, but he gave me a bill of sale.

I salvaged wheels, axle, suspension, and added a new steel frame, hitch and winch for about 200 bucks. I was happy with the result. I took it to the state patrol for inspection and licensing; showed my receipts for the new items and bill of sale, and innocently mentioned how I'd salvaged the original trailer. Their response: "you can't license this until you come up with the original title for that salvaged trailer."

You have to be able to show that your ownership is legitimate. I got things straightened out, but it was a bother.

Dave Wright

[hikingchrs]

You need to make your trailer look more rustic and call it homemade. I have a trailer that looks like it could be from harbour freight although I bought it used. I have carried 1/2 cord of green
firewood on it no ill effects that I can see. mine is the utility not boat btw
Chris

[WayGray]

Twice I have purchased used trailers for the boats I have built/rehab'ed. One was a well-built 18' trailer; the other a nice galvanized 14'. Both times I got them for vey reasonable prices, $150-$200, from boat dealers. Had to replace some lights and wheel bearings; customize the roller supports; but it still came out very reasonable. Dealers can provide a good title, so licensing is no problem.

[Paulyboy]

Hey, Buzz. There's a place in Downtown Cincyn thats pretty well known called the Antique Wooden Boat store, or something like that. They sell wooden boats for customers all over the country, and they have a huge storage area in the area. They also sell trailers, project boats, rehabs, etc. ;)

[alteran]

Originally posted by Paulyboy:
Hey, Buzz. There's a place in Downtown Cincyn thats pretty well known called the Antique Wooden Boat store, or something like that. ;) Have a web address or phone # for them?