Hello all... other than stalking the classifieds here and Craigslist, any other ideas for spots to hunt for a used trailer? I have a RMR Storm (10.5' boat) that I am looking to haul for day trips. Trying to stay sub-$1,000.
I ripped an old pop up camper apart for my trailer. You can regularly find old tore up campers for a few Franklins. Mine is a '65 Coleman, made in America...I got most of the purchase price back from the scrap yard with the aluminum top and sides and the copper gas lines.
What is the vehicle used? Do you have a frame? I put my small raft on the roof of my truck / shell when paddle boating. The harbor freight beater 4x8 trailer would work fine. Upgrade to the bigger wheel set. Install quality decking.
On a side note, I have been very happy with my 2000 Tundra ( not much bigger then current Tacomas) I tow a trailer with a 14' rigged for multi days, no problem.
If you end up only being able to afford one right now, get the truck, you can toss the storm in the back for a while, then you will be set up nicely to tow just about any raft you want in the future. (except maybe a snout rig, 18' might be kinda pushing it to, depending on weight).
I have a modified utility trailer, best $800 I ever spent, a couple things I wish I had, are Marinized bearings, so I can back my hubs into the water, and a little more trailer behind the axle, so I can back under my boat. Probly less important to you right now though, since it is only a storm.
Course, you always NEED a bigger boat!!( and a smaller boat to, for that matter.)
If you end up only being able to afford one right now, get the truck, you can toss the storm in the back for a while, then you will be set up nicely to tow just about any raft you want in the future. (except maybe a snout rig, 18' might be kinda pushing it to, depending on weight).
So here is the scenario that is requiring the trailer. I am doing a family reunion in Creede this summer and will be running day trips on the Upper Rio for 10 days (well, we will be there 10 days, who knows how many floats we will actually do). My uncle that I am fishing with is a little older and I don't want to have him trying to help me shove a boat, even though it is small, in the back of a truck.
Once I do get a truck it will have a topper with a rack so that on long trips I can ditch the trailer, roll the boat and put all the gear in the bed, and then once I get to the spot run shuttle with the boat on top. I am thinking I would go this route for trips from Denver to MT...
That makes sense.
Ya, like elk said, trailers are invaluable, even/ especially on the long drives.
One of my favorite things is having access to cooler and everything else while on the road, I can pull over at a rest area and make lunch on my dry box.
Seems like you ought to be able to stay below a grand for a trailer that works for that boat, maybe even new? Feel like I've seen some decent trailers new in Canon city for that price.
Does anyone see a potential issue with storing a raft on just the tubes, with the floor suspended? I'm researching trailers and like the idea of something like the attached, but don't know if long term storage on this will be bad for my raft.
if your raft is anything like a normal self bailer.. if it's sitting on a flat surface (such as solid ground) the floor of your raft doesn't touch the ground anyways. The floors are usually attached to the tubes higher than the lowest portion of your tubes.
Dr. Andy DVM - on this board has two trailers like this that he stores his rafts on full time (i believe both of his rafts are Maravia) and I don't recall him saying anything negative about his trailers that are configured that way.
I just posted this in another thread, but it is more relavent here. Recently purchased a Mirage 5 x 8 trailer, has 15' wheels & 3500# axle to use as a raft/ dirt bike / utility trailer. Cost 925ish new from Bend trailers/ trailer world. Was cheaper than most of the clapped out crap on CL. Bolted carpeted 2x8/10 to the sides and it works great. Added a bunch of 1 in. foot loops all over inside and out perfect for nrs straps. The floor isn't supported, but I don't haul it loaded. Might reconfigure next summer with 2 x6 s cross ways ever 16 in or so. Have fun day trip shuttles with a 12ft otter, 10.5 storm, 4 IKs, and a paddle board no problem.
I have the perfect trailer for you 7x10 with roller and treated plywood deck and tie downs. I Have used it for my 14.6' Hyside. Great for day trip fishing shuttles or long range trips. I purchased it new in 2009 from trailer source off of I70. I am ordering a new trailer for a new 16' boat and will be put it up for sale soon. Looking for $1250.
I was lucky to get hooked up with a free horse trailer. Chopped the top, built a deck with 2x4's and plywood. Room for 5 creek boats or nearly unlimited gear underneath and my rmr 14' on top. I still want to add a winch and roller bar but my point is don't be afraid to be creative if you find a good deal.
This is what I was using. The raft is an Aire 143D, so it is 14.3 feet. I built removable rollers and fastened Trex rails. It is a sweet setup and if you weren't so far away, it would be perfect for what you are looking for.
I am actually having a new trailer built and selling this setup.
I used conduit with radial bearings and pins. Had six towers for three rollers machined out of stainless steel. I used a flat pin and it comes right off with an allen wrench to loosen the set screw. You could weld the radial bearings to the conduit, but I just used JB Weld.
The rollers were only four feet. If they were any longer I would suggest thicker pipe.
Pretty cheap if remember.
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