Chapter trailer build!

Why dont you go with a enclosed trailer
Can conf the inside any way
Solves storage and weather issues also

Why dont you go with a enclosed trailer
Can conf the inside any way
Solves storage and weather issues also

Enclosed trailers are way more expensive to go with. And even more so for something large enough to enclose kayaks and gear.  Probably need at least a 16' trailer.   

Requires a much larger vehicle to tow with.

And gear will still have issues staying dry unless the trailer is insulated (= more money/weight).

This still doesn't change the height it moves the bottom kayaks onto sail position and lifts the deck height for truck bed boxes these are 70X18X14 we could move the boats down to within an inch of the boxes requiring the bottom boats to be removed to open them.

I think this rendering looks very functional. The only suggestion, would be to have a front box across the front instead of the two boxes you have there.  This way you have access to it regardless if kayaks are loaded or not.

So here’s our final design idea, remember these are all ideas and suggestions from our good friend heliumhead. This will be custom built from 1-1/4 square tube steel... 0.64(?? I think).... it will be built around our boxes and boats. Anyone interested in coming to my buddies shop in Idaville (between Tillamook and Bay City) and help out from time to time let me know. Hopefully we will have the steel next week and be starting on it Thursday or Friday, Cosmo is interested in coming down Saturday or Sunday to help out as well as learn to weld .... yes I’m pointing him in the direction of the scrap steel and letting him learn! We will be posting updated pictures as we work on it. We may make the front cage box bigger to hold crates and gear secured by lock.

Out of curiosity how come you have the supports for the kayaks level and not at an angle?

Out of curiosity how come you have the supports for the kayaks level and not at an angle?

They will be slightly angled on the trailer to prevent slipping if were unleveled while loading or unloading. The pictures are strictly for layout.

Have you rerun the weight calculations ? With boats loaded and all the gear on, I worry we my be near the capacity of the axle or tires.

Have you rerun the weight calculations ? With boats loaded and all the gear on, I worry we my be near the capacity of the axle or tires.

Of all the things in this world that you can/should over-engineer a trailer's suspension is near the top of the list.

Have you rerun the weight calculations ? With boats loaded and all the gear on, I worry we my be near the capacity of the axle or tires.

Of all the things in this world that you can/should over-engineer a trailer's suspension is near the top of the list.

+1

Absolute truth!
When I built my kayak camp trailer, I immediately went with a 3500# trailer axle  and E rated tires. The heaviest I've ever had this trailer is about 1800#s.

1800 lbs axles I doubt we can load it heavier then the catamaran that it was built for.

What's the empty weight, including all the build-out you're doing ?

Add 800# just for the kayaks, then however much you think the gear will weigh...4 boxes with wetsuits ? I bet 50# each easy.

That's 1000# right there just in cargo. I'm betting you're over the axle rating from the get-go.

Part of your build should be an axle upgrade.

What's the empty weight, including all the build-out you're doing ?

Add 800# just for the kayaks, then however much you think the gear will weigh...4 boxes with wetsuits ? I bet 50# each easy.

That's 1000# right there just in cargo. I'm betting you're over the axle rating from the get-go.

Part of your build should be an axle upgrade.

Since I can lift a back corner if needed as well as the tongue I doubt it is that heavy of a trailer empty. The boats are around >640 lbs, the boxes are aluminum, we’re not hauling the waders that we don’t need, the paddles and poles are not that heavy. I still doubt we will be over weight on the trailer.

Actually I stand corrected 504 lbs of Jackson Cruise 12 kayaks with all 8 on board.

What is the trailer rated?  We are not rying to nitpick just worry about he safety of you and others who may drive.  It looks like you guys are doing a great job tho.  Thanks for doing this for such a great cause!

What is the trailer rated?  We are not rying to nitpick just worry about he safety of you and others who may drive.  It looks like you guys are doing a great job tho.  Thanks for doing this for such a great cause!

I’ll let ya know tomorrow, since it was built custom at a trailer manufacturer in 2013 it has all the stickers still intact on the tongue. 

Updated if we use every inch of the steel we already purchased that’s 196 lbs plus a little for the welds 1lb maybe?!?!