TD kayay hauler?

[Kudzupatch]

Not sure where to post this so will start here. I build and sell a traditional style kayak and I am looking at options for an enclosed trailer to haul my boats inside to shows and events. Because of the boat lengths I need a LONG trailer, 19-20 feet inside. A 20' commercial trailer is a car hauler and way overkill for my load. Absolute most is 400 lbs in the trailer and probably more like 200-225 lbs. All I need is a single axle trailer and much lighter construction than the commercial models

Just starting looking at TD and love the idea. While I can't use a true TD the construction methods appear to adaptable. I tow with a lowered Suburban and I want something that is as light as practical and if possible more aerodynamic than a box on wheels. I was hoping to get some input and some ideas from the experienced members here. Then once I have a starting point I could start drawing a little and seeing what I could do and figure out my space limitations.

Just for reference, here is my trailer I am using now. It is a utility trailer with extended tongue and weld rack. Works pretty well but being open the boats get covered in road grime. But this gives you idea of the load I carry.

[Padilen]

Nice kayaks.
You could do canvas on a frame, like a semi trailer.

[dales133]

You would probably want to go for a tandem axle at that lenth anyway wouldn't you?
It wouldn't have to be heavy duty but might be more practicle unit he'd.
Nice looking kayaks btw

[Kudzupatch]

Someone correct me if i am wrong but the only reason to add a second axle is weight capacity. What I ahve in mind is no longer than what I have now, if you count the kayaks on the trailer. Well, just a foot or so longer.

[dales133]

You may find front or rear overhang from axle with a single may exceed local laws...just check that first.
Partial why I suggested duel

[Kudzupatch]

Never heard of overhang laws? Not saying they don't exist either.
Wonder how the glider pilots get around that? Really long trailers!!
Can not imagine how careful you have to be towing one of these in town.

[dales133]

The laws down under are nowhere near as relaxed as your end of the world but I think it's a maximum of 3 meters here forward of the axle and no more than 2/3ds the lenth of the front overhang for the rear...don't qoute me on that but it's similar

[Wobbly Wheels]

It sounds like something like GPW's FoamStreammight work for you, only longer and with a ramp at the back. If it's only ever going to be for 'yaks, one could partition the inside into long cubbyholes to hold 6 or 8 of them without the trailer getting too big.

I would be concerned about windage. A long, enclosed trailer will try to steer the TV through the hitch in a side wind so it might be better to build it wide and low - say...3 kayaks wide and two high on a wide (7 foot ?) axle. If the axle is set roughly where it is in your current setup, you shouldn't see much difference in turn radius, backing, etc since your overall length isn't changing by more than a foot or so.

If you went with torsion axles rather than what your current trailer has, it looks like you could get the bottom row of boats at least a foot lower than with leaf springs. You won't want to go too low though or you'll wind up grounding such a long beast.

I don't remember seeing anyone with your particular list of requirements for a trailer yet so I'm looking forward to seeing what comes out the other side of the process

All that being said, a 20X30 tarp doesn't keep the grime off it ? It's certainly cheaper than a build

I think I remember seeing a skin-on-frame Conestoga wagon build thread somewhere as well ...

[GPW]

Should be pretty easy to make a Light trailer that would hold 5 or 6 yaks’ ... and the dog too ...

[Wyo George]

Howdy Jeff, welcome to the TNTT forum!

I've been thinking of a SOF style trailer to pull behind my bike. Design it!

[bobhenry]

Wow !

I got a kayak hauler and I didn't even know it.




and I don't even own a kayak

You are very very right though, you had better plan a route with the fewest possible turns and light
traffic as you can wipe out sidewalk pedestrians on tight corners.

Looks like you are towing an aircraft carrier in the rearview mirror.....

[rowerwet]

+1 for building a foamie like GPW's, only figuring a way to have built in racks to hold the boats and swing up sides for loading.
Wouldn't be too hard, good luck with the build!

[Treeview]

I did a google image search for 'tarp sided trailers'

This setup caught my eye:

http://www.theglassrackingcompany.com/canada_glass_racking/large_trucks_and_trailers/gooseneck_trailers

Having wrestled lots of kayaks and canoes onto rooftops and trailers I sure wouldn't want to have a hard sided trailer to fight.

Tom

[Kudzupatch]

Appreciate all the input. We are at a show this weekend so I just got to read most of the responses. I am not opposed to a canvas sided trailer but I am leaning toward enclosed hard shell. But I have thought about it.

Wide and low are what I ad in mind. I tow with this and would love to keep the same profile and low stance if possible so I was thinking torsion axles already. Would prefer a hard shell so I could paint to match and ad graphics to side. But at this point nothing is set in stone. Just looking and reading.

[Treeview]

The soft sides on trailers aren't cotton canvas, they're vinyl which is very easy to add lettering and graphics.

YOu're the most familiar with what you want of course. It seems to me that a hard sided trailer would have to be larger and heavier. Along with harder to load/unload. I think that a scale model mockup would help. Popsicle sticks and kayaks cut out of foam would help.

But that's just me...

Tom