I'm looking to make a trailer, because the kayak trailers you see for sale are sooooo expensive. I've seen 1 or 2 trailer conversions before but wanted to see if anyone has any experience with it or advice.

What type of trailer would you recommend?

What style of rack would you recommend?

Wheel size?

Length? (I have a prowler 15)

Thanks in advance!

I'm at work so I can't post pics of my set up but this is the trailer I use. I put in sides and a floor so it can also haul other things if need be.
www.harborfreight.com/870-lb-capacity-40-inch-x-49-inch-heavy-duty-utility-trailer-with-8-inch-wheels-and-tires-42708.html

You will probably need the 3ft extension. I have this one.
www.redtrailers.com/ShowItem.asp?id=SJ85ERN

I'll post up pics later today of mine but I've had this set up for about 3 or 4 years now and it has worked quite well. I will say before I had the extension the trailer did bounce quite a bit so long yak or not I would still pick one up.

Nice! Very inexpensive solution. I think that I may be picking one up myself. Cant wait to see the pics.

With the 8" wheels, any issues for longer distances, full day drives? (400-500 mile days?)
I know it's not carrying a lot of weight (or is it?) but bigger wheels run cooler.
Having asked that, is that trailer w/8" wheels able to take larger diameter wheels/tires?
Nice set up w/extension.
LMJ

LMJ-So far I haven't had any problems out of the wheels/bearings. The farthest I've gone though has only been about an hour and a half each way. It comes with Bearing Buddy's so there's a grease fitting right there on the hub if you need to add more. That was my only concern when I bought it so I did check it out and you can get the bigger size wheels for it. I've seen them at walmart in the same 4 lug pattern that would fit. I just haven't had the need to switch them out though.
If I ever get around to it I would like to build a compartment the whole width of the trailer floor. I would like it to hold all my muddy stuff that I would rather not put in the car. Heres a pic

inrll - I inserted the photo for ya, that way lazy people like myself don't have to click on it. ;)

How much do you think you have invested in the whole setup?

Yaksushi-Thank you sir!

I would say the total $ in the trailer including the wood is about $325. That trailer is cheaper now though. I paid $200 for it and now its $180 at Harbor Freight.

The only extra cost to keep in mind is the reese hitch. If I remember right mine was about $130.

So looks like right now the price break down is this...

Trailer On Sale: $179.99

Tongue Extension: $97.12

Wood: $40

Cool! How sturdy is the base do you think you could put a T or H frame on it to stack multiple kayaks? Do you think it would get top heavy?

Do something like this:



without the 1K price tag!

I have about $25-$30 in wood.

The trailer is somewhat narrow as trailers go but I would think a T or H frame rack would work as long as it was kept somewhate low. Now a multi-tier rack with say two levels vertically might be too much.

I have carried two kayaks sitting up on their sides and it worked really well. I had two vertical poles on one side and strapped the kayaks to that. I would say you could probably get 3 to work that way. Heres sort of what I mean.... except on a trailer of course

You know... after looking at your picture, that trailer doesnt look any wider than mine. Maybe that would work with my trailer.