Offseason Project: DIY Trailer

[OnAFly]

Anyone here ever converted a small utility trailer into a canoe hauler? I've looked a few of these up and it seems like a pretty simple project.

$230 Harbor Freight trailer (Found a 20% off coupon too!)

I would have to extend the tongue, put decking on and a simple mounting system. I figure I can do this for another ~$100 and have something with which I can haul around canoes a some gear without getting the inside of the vehicle all sandy or having to throw canoes on top.

As a reasonably handy person, I think this will be a good project between winter and spring.

[Powerstroke]

I did this about 10yrs ago. I'll see if I have a picture of mine. I bought a small utility trailerfrom a guy, replaced the decking, built vertical supports and crossmembers for the canoes. I added an 8ft piece of 2" square steel to the tongue and put a new hitch on it. New wiring for the longer run on the tongue and it works great. I bet I spent $300 for the entire project.

The tongue has a little flex to it, but it handles the job well. I have carried 3 canoes on the beams stacked in a pyramid and put all the gear in the trailer. It works great.

The idea I haven't pursued yet is making the tongue extendable and retractable like you you see on sailboat trailers. Have one piece slide inside of another. That would be nice for storage so you don't have a small utility trailer with a tongue longer than the trailer.

[OnAFly]

I picked up the trailer yesterday...it fits into two deceivingly small boxes, so that threw me off a bit. I'll put it together and see exactly what I need to do to get the thing to where I want it.

The sliding idea is interesting. I wonder if I could do a swing tongue. I'm guessing I would have to place the swing too close to the receiver to make it worth it though. I would think those swings have a considerably lower bending stress rating than the beam itself. Also, I didn't think about the wiring. I will have to extend that.

I'll have to start looking for a place around town that will cut a piece of square stock to length, drill holes and paint it for me.

[Powerstroke]

I don't even remember where I bought the metal from because it was so long ago, but I felt like the 8ft section was very easy to get, like it was a standard size to grab. The welding was done by a friend and the drilling I did myself. Paint was fairly easy. Black rustoleum.

[delcecchi]

Here is a picture of my buddies trailer for canoeing. Has a box with doors that lift up for gear and a rack for two canoes. Box is plywood, maybe 3/8ths?