Built Myself A Kayak Trailer

[BowVista]

I was able to get my hands on this trailer really cheap, so I decided to snag in and build a trailer for my kayak fishing adventures. It's almost finished, but turned out far more simple than I'd originally planned. I've got to do a few finishing touches, but wanted to see if you guys had any suggestions.

One thing I need to know is, If I decide to paint, what paint should I use that will work both on the wood, as well as the frame.

Here's what I started with...



Here's where I am now. I used swim noodles cut in half for my rack padding, and covered them in boat trailer carpet from Academy. Pulls good, and seems to be a great deal.

[Cajun Blake]

looking good Will

you got the bug bad brother

yaking is very addictive

[Traildust]

Looks good...maybe a coat of red paint to match the jeep.....and dont put too much faith in those bungee cords I-bolts and some ratchet straps would be a safer route

[BowVista]

looking good Will

you got the bug bad brother

yaking is very addictive

My wife actually bought the trailer for me. I think she was worried I'd break my back trying to lug that kayak up on the top of the Jeep. We got the trailer really cheap, and I love projects like this, so it was a no brainer.

The top is just wide enough for 2 kayaks, and I figure you could fit 2 more on the bottom. I'm thinking about mounting a box of some kind either on the tongue, or on the front of the cargo area. That bottom box holds fishing poles on one side, and paddles on the other.

[TxBobcat]

nice job

[bowtechhunter]

Looks good...maybe a coat of red paint to match the jeep.....and dont put too much faith in those bungee cords I-bolts and some ratchet straps would be a safer route

I wouldn't trust those bungee cords ratchet strap seems like better idea.

What did you have to do to get tags?

[AgHntr10]

looks good,
one suggestion though, it looks like you used the little screen door type latches on the rod box. If it was me I wouldn't trust my gear to one of those, get a hasp latch like this
http://www.antonline.com/p_75-5210-GP_402231.htm, then you can lock it up if you want and it will be more secure going down the road

[cosmiccowboy]

You might consider building a screened in storage area on top of the rod box for taking "wet" stuff home. It's really nice to have a place to put wet seats, wading boots, wet fishing clothes, wet towels, wet tackle bags etc.

Might also want blocks and tie down eyes for ice chest.

As everyone else suggested...RATCHET STRAPS ON THE YAKS X 1,000,000

[Smart]

Looks good Will...

Did you pad the inside of the rod box? Your reels/rods will take a beating driving down the road if you did not.....

[BowVista]

looks good,
one suggestion though, it looks like you used the little screen door type latches on the rod box.

Those are just temporary. I put those on just to pull the trailer today to see how it pulled.

Looks good Will...

Did you pad the inside of the rod box? Your reels/rods will take a beating driving down the road if you did not.....

I've got a padded rod bag I'll use for that.


Thanks for all the other suggestions guys. Most of the things you guys listed are on my list of things I have left to do. This is just the basic idea, and as I said, I just pulled it today for a test run, so I'll get all the cosmetic type stuff done soon.

[asj1953]

You should ask Soappeddler to show you his kayak outfit. Real work of art!

[BrandonH]

Good looking trailer...I worked on my new kayak rack for my truck this weekend as well. I'll try to get some pictures soon so I can post them.

[cosmiccowboy]

Good looking trailer...I worked on my new kayak rack for my truck this weekend as well. I'll try to get some pictures soon so I can post them.

Here's my racks.



It really doesn't take much. I built mine out of 1" galvanized pipe...I just welded loops on the ends of the crossbars for the ratchet straps, and welded nuto into the legs for bolts through the side of the bed...they go on/off in about 5 minutes...I just use shims in the bed pockets to keep them from rocking...

[nanny_slammer]

uhhm bow vista got tags!!!!
jk sweet rig dude!!!

[trykonroye]

Guys Ill see if I have a pic of the rack I built. I used top rail fence post and a pipe bender and pop riveted every joint. It fits in the bed of my '92 chevy 6.5 1 ton and I rachet strap it down and then use lashing to tie the yaks to the rack. It then I put rod saver on the up rights to hold 4 rods. It really works out nice because I can put all the rest of my gear under the yaks it holds two yaks.