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25 Canoe Trailer (Read 53076 times)
exdiver
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Canoe Trailer
Apr 10th, 2006 at 7:59pm
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Anyone built a trailer?
We base camp and take way too much gear! But, I would like to use a boat trailer and convert it to an enclosed box trailer for gear with a rack on top for 4 canoes. Tires on the trailer I am looking at are 12", the trailer is aprox. 16' which I think I will shorten to about 14'. Any sugestions from someone who has done something along these lines?
  
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Ranger
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Re: Canoe Trailer
Reply #1 - Apr 10th, 2006 at 8:50pm
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I've never built a trailer, but Cliff Jacobsen covers building a canoe trailer in his book "Expedition Canoeing". His design sounds very close to what you describe.

My Dad has a four-place canoe/kayak trailer by a company named Magenta. They ship the trailer UPS in three or four boxes, and you assemble it yourself. Assembly was easy. You could probably also add custom a gear box for minimal additional work. You might price out that option, and compare with the time and cost of a build-your-own job.

Ranger
  
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monjon
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Re: Canoe Trailer
Reply #2 - Apr 10th, 2006 at 9:51pm
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I've seen it done using a old boat trailer.  A box for all the gear is bolted to the frame and a rack for the canoes is installed on the front and back of the box.  It works well.
  
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zimtlsa
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Re: Canoe Trailer
Reply #3 - Apr 11th, 2006 at 11:07am
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I have built one.  Actually the trailer is basically a standard utility trailer with removable sides using stake pockets.  I built 2 wooden "A frames" that used the side stake pockets to help keep them in place and ran a gusset off of each "A frame" towards the trailers center to stiffen it up.  I built it for 3 canoes but you could easily make it for 4 or more.  The trailer can still be used as a flat bed, trailer with sides, or of course, hauling some canoes.  The change over is very easy and I don't have to worry about having 3 trailers.
  
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Snow_Dog
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Re: Canoe Trailer
Reply #4 - Apr 11th, 2006 at 2:58pm
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I built a box once to use on a friend's boat trailer which was modified to add canoe racks.

I attached to box with bolts to the wooden boat supports/rails/whatever-you-call-'ems on the trailer.  3 bolts on each rail.

The box was 1/2" plywood, top-opening on each side.  I just measured the space it needed to fit in, figured out the proper height to contain the packs in the box, got some steel 90 degree braces, hinges, and hasps, plus a can of the cheapest outdoor latex paint I could find.  It was cheap and easy.  The only thing I wish I'd done differently was used 3/4" plywood. 

The box lasted for several trips before I gave it away to a friend.  Not sure if it's still in use or not, but I figured after 2 trips I'd gotten my money and effort's worth out of it and anything past that was bonus.
  
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arkansasman
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Re: Canoe Trailer
Reply #5 - Apr 11th, 2006 at 5:43pm
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If you have a boat trailer that you want to use as a canoe trailer... You can take your boat off remove the wooden rails for a flat platform to work with I would build a removeable towered T shaped canoe rack and attach it to the frame with U-Bolts.  If you have a friend who is a welder you can use angle iron or tubular steel to build the rack.  My single framd for the back of my truck cost me $28.00 in materials (not counting primer, paint, and eye bolts.  A double is not going to cost that much more.  Angle Iron would be good for that type of rack.  Then your can build a box to go with it and you are set to go!  Then when you finish and get home, convert it back to your boat trailer, store your rack and box until next time...

Bruce
  
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YIM YIM  
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kennedy63
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Re: Canoe Trailer
Reply #6 - Apr 13th, 2006 at 3:08am
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Pickup box trailer with racking welded on. Used with two canoes - never tried four, but I suppose that you could "stack" the racking.
  
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thomasandy57
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Re: Canoe Trailer
Reply #7 - Apr 18th, 2006 at 9:52pm
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Try Habour Frieght for light weight trailers. 
$199.00 to start and up.

Tom
  
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Kawishiway
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Re: Canoe Trailer
Reply #8 - Feb 16th, 2009 at 4:34am
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kennedy63 wrote on Apr 13th, 2006 at 3:08am:
Pickup box trailer with racking welded on. Used with two canoes - never tried four, but I suppose that you could "stack" the racking.


I recently sold the Pick-Up Truck and am missing the obvious, though my current needs called for a CRV... so this was the direction I went.

I'm looking to purchase some type of trailer that can double up for several uses such as the idea in the quote above.  I can't see a Canoe Rack only application as this would not be as diverse as I'd like, though I'd like something that can tote 3 - 4 canoe / kayaks when called for.  

Does anyone have any preferences or ideas not listed previously in this thread?  I'd like to have a quality product in the end without going overboard cost wise.

Any photos you may be able to share would be appreciated.

I'd probably prefer to buy over build, though if building is kept simple or to assembly its an option.

TIA

k
  
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Old Salt
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Re: Canoe Trailer
Reply #9 - Feb 16th, 2009 at 5:03am
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If you're building a wood box for a trailer, I suggest 5/8" or 3/4" green treated plywood.

K,

I built a wood box for a 5'x8' utility trailer. I used 2 4'x8' sheets of plywood. Very easy, simple construction.

If I were to decide to make a rack for canoes, It would just need pockets for 2x4s would would be bolted to crosspiece 2x4s. This would allow me to carry 2 canoes side by side. Plus I can carry 2-3 canoes on my van. Since my days of carrying canoes for a small army have come to an end, I don't need to build that capacity on my trailer.
  
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