Who has built a trailer?

[Felix40]

Im wanting to build a trailer for my canoe. I can handle it without a trailer but I think it would be easier to not have to lift it up on the roof all the time. I don't really have ANY experience with this so I had some questions.

1. Can you buy an axle somewhere or can it be made?
2. How do you register it once done? Or does this even need to be registered? What does it cost to register a little trailer?
3. Does anyone have pictures or plans of how they built a little trailer along with where they got materials?

Wanting to end up with something like this but not as fancy.

[Felix40]

Ok so I looked around at axles that can be bought but Im still wondering if this is the best way to go. Also is there somewhere to buy one small enough for something like this.

[bwssr]

axels and hubs are at most trailer place, and Northern tool. Maybe look at a Harbor Freight trailer and stretch it

[huntnguide83]

I use to work at gooseneck trailer and have built a few trailers myself. You may be able to find a 1500lb or 2000lb axle somewhere locally. If not look for dexter axle and find a local dealer. they can make any size axle you want. I would get just a standard axle length though....typically 5' , 6, or 6'8"....in your case probably a 5' would be sufficient. However long you make the trailer the axle needs to be centered 78% of the length of the trailer from the coupler. You can register the trailer at the local county or city DMV. Usually doesn't cost much more than about 50 bucks. You will need to know the total or aproximate weight of the trailer to register it. Make sure you buy a quality jack and coupler...bulldog is a great brand. lights and wiring shouldn't run you more than about $150 axle should be about the same....I would say plan on spending around $500 for everything.

[MikeJ]

I built a 5x10 trailer several years ago. Axles, wheels and tires came from Husky in Houston. Northern Tool and Tractor Supply also handle small trailer parts.

[Loneaggie]

I think Oneway has built a few, maybe he has some advice I've seen canoe and kayak trailers for sale before. Some are out of aluminum so you can use them as dollies to get the boat down to the water also without it being real heavy.

[Osceola]

Most trailer places can get the axle,hubs,wheels,fenders and hitch for you but you will need to figure out the width you need the axle to be.

[Felix40]

Ok this is dumb. Ive done a lot of other mechanical stuff but I don't even know how the axle, hubs, bearings go together. If I get an axle the right width what else do I need to get wheels on it?

Thanks a lot for all the help guys. I obviously have no idea what Im doing.

Mike: Thats a lot nicer looking than what I am hoping to end up with. Are the leaf springs needed if all Im going to haul is a 60 pound canoe?

[MikeJ]

Ok this is dumb. Ive done a lot of other mechanical stuff but I don't even know how the axle, hubs, bearings go together. If I get an axle the right width what else do I need to get wheels on it?

Thanks a lot for all the help guys. I obviously have no idea what Im doing.

Mike: Thats a lot nicer looking than what I am hoping to end up with. Are the leaf springs needed if all Im going to haul is a 60 pound canoe?

You can buy small axles with the hubs and bearings will already be in place. You can build your trailer without springs for such a light load, but it might be just a bit "bouncy" from tire inflation. I built one years ago for a small BBQ pit without springs. It bounced some, but still pulled well. Total weight was probably 250-300lbs.

Look around on Northern Tools website for axle ideas.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/category_trailers-trailer-parts+trailer-axles+axle-kits

[Reaper]

check this out: http://www.ehow.com/how_5162620_make-canoe-trailer.html

[cosmiccowboy]

I'm going to make a suggestion that you not build a special purpose trailer just for your canoe. I would seriously consider buying a more standard 5 or 6 X 10 single axle trailer to haul the canoe. Once you have it you will be amazed at the uses you will find for it. Hauling 4 wheelers, golf carts, buying garden dirt/compost in bulk, etc. I boxed in the sides/front on mine and the back closure is two 2X8's that drop down into a channel. I have angle iron clips bolted to one end the 2X8's so they can double as ramps. I probably use mine at least twice a month.

[Chief]

You can usually find ones like this on craigslist for about 200.00

http://www.academy.com/index.php?page=content&target=products/outdoors/marine/trailering&start=16&selectedSKU=0101-01755-0001

[Bodey]

Axles are readily available at localstores, like tractor supply, northern. You don't need over a 500# axle for a canoe and trailer, but I would pay attention to wheels, tires and bearings, depending on how far you might haul it. Registration is easy - Go to county tax office and tell them you want to register a homeade trailer. The one Chief shows from Academy is as simple as it gets but with a load as light as a canoe, you could eliminate the winch, jack, fenders and really cheapen it up. A piece of pipe with an axle, a couple of cross arms to hook tie downs to and you got it. I would use some light springs on the axle, so you don't tear up the canoe.

[TxArcheo]

not to hijack this thread but....


MikeJ - what did it cost to build that trailer? Nice job....

[MikeJ]

not to hijack this thread but....


MikeJ - what did it cost to build that trailer? Nice job....

Thanks. I put about 500 in it.