Getting a Kayak Trailer

[J.Bass]

I recently purchased a Kayak over winter. It's a sit-on-top Kayak 11.6 ft. Over the winter I've done some research. Wanted to wait till I gotten my tax return. Now that I finally got my tax return I'm ready to buy a Trailer. The trailer will also have my Dad's kayak which is same length of 11.6 ft. I was told to find used trailers. In Illinois those are a scarcity. They go so fast its hard to find any. Anyhow, after researching I found I like the Right on Ruff-Sport Trailer.

 

The right on Ruff sport trailer is designed for multiple kayaks and I can use it for other things. 

 

https://rightontrailer.com/product/ruff-sport-trailer/

 

Specs

• Width: 64" (with crossbars)
• Length: 11'
• Weight: 200 pounds
• Capacity: 400 pounds
• Tire size: 12 - 4.80
• Length from tongue to 1st crossbar: 6.5'

 

I like how the length is 11 ft which will not overhang off trailer as much. I like the length from the tongue to 1st crossbar of 6.5 ft. I did look at Utility trailers from northern tools. The 5 ft x 8 ft is the biggest I could find. I wouldn't mind an utility trailer as I see they are way cheaper but to me 8 ft isn't going to cut it. I  was wondering if they make utility trailers 10 or 11 ft in length? 

 

I also looked videos on custom Kayak trailers. Many I've seen have put in $200. Yes they look nice but you also need time to able to design it. I have a 2 month old baby girl so my time is limited. Also if you got a right on trailer, how is it? 

 

Thanks for your help appreciated.

[GTN-NY]

Used jet ski trailer for me. I made it so it hauls two kayaks side by side or one up the middle when the wife doesn’t join me. My kayaks are 11.5’ and 13.5’ long. So they only stick a couple feet off the back. 

[MN Fisher]

Jet-ski trailers lend themselves to all sorts of mods. That's what I got, and modded it by changing out the 5' main bar for a 10' and adding a front roller - making it a 15' trailer for my 14' canoe.

 

$600 and a few hours work vs $1100 for a canoe specific trailer...a no brainer.

[J.Bass]

6 minutes ago, GTN said:

Used jet ski trailer for me. I made it so it hauls two kayaks side by side or one up the middle when the wife doesn’t join me. My kayaks are 11.5’ and 13.5’ long. So they only stick a couple feet off the back. 

That is nice. Like I said if there was more jet ski trailers in area that would be a go-to. I'll keep my eye out never know.

1 minute ago, MN Fisher said:

Jet-ski trailers lend themselves to all sorts of mods. That's what I got, and modded it by changing out the 5' main bar for a 10' and adding a front roller - making it a 15' trailer for my 14' canoe.

 

$600 and a few hours work vs $1100 for a canoe specific trailer...a no brainer.

Yeah I definitely don't want to go even near a grand. BTW thats a nice mod you did. Like I said.. If I can find a jet ski trailer that would be the best route just haven't been seeing them. Most I seen were too far to travel.

[MN Fisher]

4 minutes ago, J.Bass said:

Yeah I definitely don't want to go even near a grand. BTW thats a nice mod you did. Like I said.. If I can find a jet ski trailer that would be the best route just haven't been seeing them. Most I seen were too far to travel.

The trailer was brand-new from Northern Tool - it's the Ironton PWC trailer - $560 normally - got it on sale for $510.

[J.Bass]

3 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

The trailer was brand-new from Northern Tool - it's the Ironton PWC trailer - $560 normally - got it on sale for $510.

Okay I'll check it out. Need one for two kayaks. Will look at that site again.

[Tizi]

I use an EZ-Loader trailer for my smokercraft.  It is built for 12-14 foot semi-V boats.  I have modded it to accept 2 kayaks as well.  I can also bring all three by putting the kayaks inside the boat and strapping them down.

[moguy1973]

The DIY kayak trailers I've seen are the Northern tool or Harbor Freight 8x4' trailers they've modified.  If I ever do one when mine are too much to load into the truck or whatever I'll get one of those trailers, put sides on it where I can mount roof rack and kayak mounts that I already own to strap the kayak(s) down to.

 

 

 

Something like this: 

 

[HookInMouth]

I've thought about adding a trailer. Would need to be something with a title though and not a kit type deal because... well, Pennsylvania. 

[J Francho]

The trailer kits from Harbor Freight come with a title.

[moguy1973]

Although looking at Harbor Freight it seems they stopped selling their trailers due to their tires not meeting DOT standards.  That stinks.

[J Francho]

I swear I saw them last time I was in there.  Maybe a recent change?  You'd think for what they get for replacement tires, they'd be DoT  compliant.

 

Found a few on Amazon that come with a title and are DoT  compliant.  

[MN Fisher]

25 minutes ago, J Francho said:

The trailer kits from Harbor Freight come with a title.

 

18 minutes ago, moguy1973 said:

Although looking at Harbor Freight it seems they stopped selling their trailers due to their tires not meeting DOT standards.  That stinks.

If nothing else - Northern Tool also has utility trailers just like the Harbor Freight ones. Little more expensive, but they're Irontons, so they also come with title.

[J Francho]

1 minute ago, MN Fisher said:

they're Irontons

That's the brand I found on Amazon.

[A-Jay]

I've been towing my Old Town canoe with a Castle Craft trailer.

New in 2007 - routine maintenance and it still going strong.

They offer several set ups including kayak specific models.

http://castlecraft.com/kayak_dual.htm

A-Jay

[MN Fisher]

2 minutes ago, J Francho said:

That's the brand I found on Amazon.

Ya - Amazon or Northern Tool. Ironton has been around a while and from my experience makes a quality product.

[HookInMouth]

46 minutes ago, J Francho said:

The trailer kits from Harbor Freight come with a title.

Huh. Good to know. There was a thread on another board about the awful loops to be jumped through buying a harbor freight trailer in PA. Guess I shouldn't have taken it as gospel. 

[J Francho]

Ten years ago, I registered two here in NY.  Can't be any better here, lol.  

[Hook2Jaw]

Do those Ironton trailers hold up to running 70-80mph on the interstate? 

[AstroFishingTV]

I know they make a bar that you can mount across the back of your truck bed that helps to just slide it out of the back. Its actually really easy to use and less expensive.

[J Francho]

12 minutes ago, Hook2Jaw said:

Do those Ironton trailers hold up to running 70-80mph on the interstate? 

The little ones are DoT  rated for 45 mph.

[MN Fisher]

36 minutes ago, Hook2Jaw said:

Do those Ironton trailers hold up to running 70-80mph on the interstate? 

 

23 minutes ago, J Francho said:

The little ones are DoT  rated for 45 mph.

These small, light-weight trailers aren't designed for booking down the highway. Even my PWC one is only rated to 55mph.

[Hook2Jaw]

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

The little ones are DoT  rated for 45 mph.

 

46 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

 

These small, light-weight trailers aren't designed for booking down the highway. Even my PWC one is only rated to 55mph.

I don't have too much trouble loading me kayak the night or morning before, but I'm trying to get into tournament fishing more and being able to quickly load and relaunch at another spot starts to call for trailering.  Thanks for the information, guys.  I'll probably look into a ski trailer. 

[J Francho]

Trailer tires are usually rated L for 70 mph.  That's what the Goodyear Endurance tires I ran on my full size boats were.

 

Sorry that's L.  The Es are the little guys at 45, I think.  Fixed in edit!

[J.Bass]

15 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

 

These small, light-weight trailers aren't designed for booking down the highway. Even my PWC one is only rated to 55mph.

Don’t get me wrong the Ironton trailers look well built but to me I need a longer length and the tire speed is a big factor. I drive a lot of interstate here in Illinois. I think the Right on Ruff Sport trailer is perfect. It can go 70 mph, it’s 11 ft in length, and I can hold 2 kayaks or more.

16 hours ago, AstroFishingTV said:

I know they make a bar that you can mount across the back of your truck bed that helps to just slide it out of the back. Its actually really easy to use and less expensive.

I need to get a pickup truck lol. I have a Honda CRV. It’s nice it will be able to pull the kayaks with no problem. I did look at that bar and looked at putting foam pads on roof of car. 
 

Anyone notice the trailer license go up? Here in Illinois it went from $30 to $115 . Just crazy!