Old small trailer. Want to carry two yaks..Help!

[Joker]

I already have 4' x 8' trailer from Harbor Fright, with a title. It has small tires I know:frown:, but its paid for so I will try and work with it. :smilegrin:
I would like to be able to carry my 3 wheeler and my two kayaks when we go camping.
Anyone has suggestions or good pictures that could give me ideas? Money is a BIG issue.

http://www.harborfreight.com/950-lb-capacity-foldable-4-ft-x-8-ft-utility-trailer-with-8-inch-wheels-and-tires-42709.html

Thanks guys,
Cabo Cayaker

[Branch_Office]

First, I think I would bump the wheel size up to 12" and then the only other thing would be maybe adding some (or more) springs to the axle for a higher load. That should not be that hard to do or that expensive. Tires at either wal mart or Academy or Harbor Freight. Springs at Farm and Tractor or one of the trailer places or maybe even Ebay.

Just my thoughts ......

[Yellow Submarine]

KEEP IT SIMPLE, 4x8 sht of 3/4" treated plywood drill a series paired small holes around the frame and use inexpensive ties to fasten to frame use about 20 ties around the perimeter. (ties have an amazing tensil strength) (be careful you have no sharp edges rubbing , space your holes a bit beyound the sharp side of the frame).
Drill some 1/2" holes where you can use a rope with knots to uses as tie downs for your yaks and may work for your 4-wheeler too. check the weight of the 4-wheeler you only have 950# capacity. Rope hole locations determined by position of yaks on your trailer.. might be cool to add some cheap plastic cleats too. know your knots when dealing with things that might fall off.

[bigredbobber]

So you trailer experts suggest 12 inch tires. Can you bump up the tire size on trailers if you change the height of the fenders or remove them? I figure the hubs might have to be changed to match the new tire size. Can that be done?

[Joker]

My dad made a metal frame out of metal drywall building studs. They are 3'-6" from the floor of the plywood. My three wheeler rides under the yaks. The three wheeler weighs 275lbs. I am hauling a Pelican 100 (32lbs) and a Cabo Ocean Kayak (~80lbs) and then a tent, ice chest and a few small things..
I don’t want to spend an extra $100 + on new tires. I want something that is sturdy and safe…but have no extra money. The tires are rated for 75 mph.

[bigredbobber]

That sounds like a good double decker set-up. Never thought of that option. Very creative.

[Joker]

....but...very sharp edges! I wonder...just wondering, if heavy wall pvc pipe would make a good deck/sides?

[LuvDaTigers]

....but...very sharp edges! I wonder...just wondering, if heavy wall pvc pipe would make a good deck/sides?

not sure I totally understand the question. are you thinking about replacing the metal 2x4s with heavy wall pvc b/c the metal 2x4s have sharp edges? if that's your plan, the pvc would support the weight of the kayaks. Though i've seen some trailer builds using metal fence posts instead of the pvc. pvc tends to get brittle when exposed to the sun for too long. I'd think galvanized fence posts would last longer. the challenge is securing those to that trailer. by the looks of it, there are braces designed to accommodate 2x4s.
since money is an issue, i'd leave the metal 2x4s and think tank a solution to protect yourself from the edges.

[Joker]

Good idea Luvdatigers. I thought of that, but not sure what to wrap them in to protect my yaks or anyone who is near the trailer.

[Speckled_Tiger]

could you use 1/4 or 1/2 inch pvc with a slit cut down the side? Put that over the edges and tape/glue/epoxy it to the metal.

-----

edit: just saw the post by Quas. I like that one better it think.

[Joker]

Battery Doctor is my father in law, but I work for Austin Fire Equipment...I am sure I can get my hands on some old fire houses.
Great thinking Quas!!!

[Joker]

I am never in the office. I am contracted out to DOW SCO in Hahnville. But I am sure DOW has some old busted hoses laying around somewhere

[revredfish]

http://www.bckfc.org/album.php?albumid=35

not sure if you could get the height for the 4 wheeler under there wouldn't fit on this

[Yellow Submarine]

VERY NICE TRAILER BUILD. I'm so jealious your shop is so clean and organized. (Revredfish) I really like a bright painted trailer looks very cool. I like the taillight shrouds too.
I'm gonna make this my weekend quest to clean my shop and get some order to it, maybe i will go fishing instead, humm, fishing vs clean shop, hummm.

[Joker]

Revredfish, you have a great looking trailer! Thats what I would like to do. I may just weld me a bunk to the trailer, like yours.
I dont know how to weld, but someone said that welding it may not be good due to the thin metal the trailer is made out of. I think its pretty darn thick myself. I have a bunch of unistrut at home.

I would like to use heavy wall pvc. Easy to work with and then the yaks can slide across it with out gouging them. The trailer will be covered when not in use, so not too worried about son cracking. Any thoughts?

[Yellow Submarine]

Cabo Cayaker,
I made an error, I thought you wanted to carry the two yaks or the 3 wheeler. I was thinking along those lines , Not as you stated "2 yaks and the 3 wheeler...OPPS MY MISTAKE, Anyway you got a wealth of good ideas from everyone else.. Happy camping..

[Joker]

No problem Yellow Sub.,
I can engineer allot of cool stuff, but this is out of my area, cause I dont have the wleding skills. I will see if my brother can teach me to weld. Good project to learn on.

[marshdaddy]

This is a photo of my 4' x 8'. Carries 2 yaks and my 4 wheeler. Bought 2 pieces of conduit from Home Depot. They cut them in half for me. Each pipe is bolted with 2 large bolts. A couple of 2" x 4" bolted across the top holds the boats. Had the trailer configured this way for the past 2 years. No problems.
Photo are not the best, but I think it will show the basic concept. Very easy and inexpensive.

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj94/marshdaddy/calcasieu%20river%20trip/100_2697.jpg

Another shot showing the trailer with both boats on it and the tailgate removed. (Behind the tan truck)

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj94/marshdaddy/100_1400.jpg

[Yellow Submarine]

I was thinking about your project again. Use 3- 2x6 8' long one for each wheel and attach to the trailer frame. Then add 2- 2x4's about 5' long, try to mount them on top the 3 wheeler, maybe one bungi-cord to the handlebar and the other to the rear deck of the 3 wheeler. load the yaks onto the 2x4's and tie down neatly...cheapest way I can think of...
I just made another gulp po-boy
Marty

[Yellow Submarine]

if you are afraid of welding alum. you should look at this demo...
http://durafix.com/index.html

[revredfish]

for the record I held the broom while a member of my church did the welding... in his shop. I actually worked pretty hard but really did little of the skilled work. follow up reports on the final product are in the rigging section.

[yak-aholic]

Marshdaddy, I think that's probably the most simplistic, but functional trailer I have seen. Gonna have to try to build something like this. Might incorporate some boxes to fit in the trailer bed when hauling kayaks. I could see hauling 4 yaks on there pretty easily, just add 2 more 2x6's below where the 2 kayaks are now with enough space for 2 more. Leaving room for 2 lockable boxes to be slid into the trailer for accessories, rods, etc...

[marshdaddy]

Marshdaddy, I think that's probably the most simplistic, but functional trailer I have seen. Gonna have to try to build something like this. Might incorporate some boxes to fit in the trailer bed when hauling kayaks. I could see hauling 4 yaks on there pretty easily, just add 2 more 2x6's below where the 2 kayaks are now with enough space for 2 more. Leaving room for 2 lockable boxes to be slid into the trailer for accessories, rods, etc...

I could add 2 more sets of 2" x 6"s and remove only the rear set when hauling my 4 wheeler. One bolt with lock nut on each side. Let me know if you need more pics.

[Joker]

Hey Marsh daddy,
I would love to see the pictures, but you didnt attach them or add the link......or I am just unable to see them.
Look forward to viewing your handy work.

Thanks,
Cabo

[Joker]

Here is a rough...very rough picture my beautiful wife just took for me so I can upload what I have so far. I think the bones are good, just need to make it work and look good. Its paid for and has a title!

http://www.bckfc.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=1585

[revredfish]

wheels are going to be a problem if you ever make a long haul. Other than that I think you've got a good working platform.

Let me suggest you may want to haul just one kayak low for easy load and unload - consider mods for that option.

[revredfish]

wheels are going to be a problem if you ever make a long haul. Other than that I think you've got a good working platform. Let me suggest you may want to haul just one kayak low for easy load and unload - consider mods for that option.

That's my professional opinion as a pastor:hide: What do I know?:lol:

[Joker]

Thanks Brother redfish. Why are the wheels such an issue? The furthest I would go would be Leeville (2.5 hrs away)

[Battery Doctor]

Hey! I was just standing here minding my own business and listening and all of a sudden I'm pulled into this conversation.

We have a fire station almost next door. Also consider remnant carpet. You can usually get it cheap or look for a new house being built and take the scraps. Check out the sides of the road on the way home. I see piles of old carpet out for the garbage occasionally.

[Joker]

Thanks Mr. David and Quas,
I picked up some 4" pvc last night and will wrap the metal beams with that. Will keep the yaks and people around it from being cut.
I will post pictures and yall can see it next weekend at the family day