Which Kayak Trailer?

[Koz]

Malone Ecolight Single Kayak Trailer ($1,439)

 

or

 

Right On Multisport Trailer ($799 + about $100 for rack pads or bunks)

 

I'll be towing a 12' 6" Seastream Angler pedal drive kayak. The kayak and seat are about 108 pounds. Everything else we be stowed in my SUV.

 

And no, I don't want a DIY or modified Harbor Freight trailer. I'd like to be able to do 60 - 65 mph on the roads.

 

Of course, I'd like to save money if possible but that's not the defining issue. That being said, I don't think I need a $2,800 trailer either. What I'm wondering is if anyone has experience with any of these models, what you liked, what you didn't like, and the reliability of the trailer. I'll be twoing this with my Bronco Sport.

 

Thanks!

[flyfisher]

I went with a different one entirely but did look at both of these when I got my trailer 6+ years ago and unless it has changed the Malone trailers were rated for max of 65MPH and i want to say the right on trailer was even less but again this was a while ago.

 

This was a pretty big factor for me as I travel at least 3-4 trips a year that I will be towing my kayak on the highway for 3+ hours and being able to go 70+ with no concerns is very nice. It did make me pay more for a trailer but I also haven't had to do anything to it except rewire the lights in the last 6+ years.

 

 

[Boomstick]

I have the Yakima rack and roll trailer with the wider bars. Add in the upgraded shocks for upgraded capacity, a big catch mount and two j racks and it was not cheap. The only reason I did not go with a DIY harbor freight trailer was the cheapest utility trailer I could get in 2020 was over $1300. But it serves like a hand cart and I can go up to 75mph so thank you Covid.

[Crow Horse]

I have a Malone Xtralight trailer (it's been discontinued) and it's been trouble free for 6 years. I did install LED's and it's been perfect. I was extremely lucky and found it for sale ("used") 6 years ago and it was virtually new. Paid $500.

 

A good trailer is worth it's weight in gold.

 

Older photos with incandescents. Edit - I added the cargo rack & cargo box.

 

 

[Koz]

I went with the Malone trailer with the bunks. While more costly than the Right On, ultimately I think that it's the best way for me to go. I also found a website that sold it for the base price of $1439 with no taxes or shipping charges and that saved me some money as well.

 

I just got notice that it is shipping today, so hopefully it's here in time for me to build it on Saturday.

 

Since my kayak is currently stored at my hotel, I haven't wanted to fish because if I go there on my day off I know I'll get sucked into working at some point during the day. Now I can store it at home and head out on the water whenever I want without worrying about that. It will also open up better launch points on Lake Oconee and more importantly let me access better fishing lakes like Sinclair and Clark's Hill.

[jlieu]

I considered several options from the DIY Harbor Freight/Northern Tool kayaks to Malone (Build It Yourself) to the Triton Watercraft aluminum welded trailers.

 

It kind of depends on your usage.  If I just had a single kayak, I probably would have just kept using my truck bed or build off a used or cheaper frame (Harbor Freight/Northern Tool).  Those convertible trailers are usually $500 new from those places and are either galvanized steel or aluminum, but the lights and wheels aren't generally rated to be submersible so you'll have to change those.

 

For me, I usually have 2 fishing kayaks (70+ lbs each) and occasionally a 3rd or 4th!  So I needed something that could carry a bit more, but I also wanted something low enough that I can just back up into the water when possible.  

 

The DIY route provided the greatest flexibility in adding on more supports/expansion and price, but required more work and I couldn't really lower it to my liking.   Triton was the most expensive but had the highest weight capacity and has an aluminum frame (great for saltwater), but lacked expansion options.  I did look at the Yakima as well, but the weight capacity was too low for my use-case.

 

For reference:

Malone MicroSport Height is 30" from ground

Malone MicroSport LowBed Height is 22" from ground

HF Trailer is 25.5" from ground (no cross bars, so adding cross bars would increase this #)

Triton Personal Watercraft trailers Height is about 22" - 25" depending on models

 

In the end, for my usage, I went with the Malone trailer.  I debated between MicroSport and MegaSport, but I really didn't need the additional capacity or storage of the MegaSport....though if garage space wasn't an issue, I'd probably opt for it.

 

Mine is a Malone MicroSport with the 2nd Tier Kit and Retractable Tongue upgrade.  I'm mostly using the retractable tongue for winter storage in the garage so the family don't trip over it and kill themselves LOL...  Similarly, if I went with the MegaSport, I'd probably look into an 3rd party fold-away tongue kit.   In the future, I'm looking to add some 8" PVC on the 2nd Tier to carry some rods.

 

If you're using it for saltwater, need the weight capacity, or looking for a ready-to-go package, I'd recommend looking at the Triton trailers.  It's honestly not that much more expensive than a Malone trailer.  If you're focused on price, you should be able to get a used or build off a Harbor Freight/Northern Tool trailer and have it ready to go for $300 - $700.

 

[Fishingmickey]

I just picked up a Malone micro sport 2 bunk. I like it so far and no issues towing back to the house. I do want to replace the tongue bar (square tubing) with a longer tube.  It is a fairly short trailer and I want to make the tongue longer by 2-4' which should improve it for backing up and launching (floating off) from the trailer.

FM

[Koz]

6 hours ago, Fishingmickey said:

which should improve it for backing up and launching (floating off) from the trailer.

 

 

I'm not even sure if I'm going to back it in to the water, especially if the ramp is crowded. I may just transfer it to my C-Tug in the parking lot and wheel it to the water. 

[jlieu]

13 hours ago, Koz said:

 

I'm not even sure if I'm going to back it in to the water, especially if the ramp is crowded. I may just transfer it to my C-Tug in the parking lot and wheel it to the water. 

Agreed.  When it's not busy, I'll use the ramp.

 

Otherwise, the low bed (for me) is nice because I don't have to bend over when pulling the kayak back to hang off the trailer so I can attach the wheels and roll it to a place to put in at.  

[Darth-Baiter]

i like larger tires for longer expeditions.  

 

if i lived closer, i would drive to South Carolina and grab a OTW trailer.  zero doubt.

 

 

[Crow Horse]

Once you assemble the trailer, consider making some type of locking apparatus for the yak as well as the trailer. I store our yaks year round on the trailer and they are locked as is the trailer. Every lock is defeatable but you want to make it less attractive to thieves by making it a giant PITA to steal. It's sad that our world requires this but these are the conditions which prevail.....

[FryDog62]

Just ordered a Right On Ruff Trailer - rated for highway speeds (70+) and capable of wet launches in fresh or saltwater. $1000 assembled and ready for pickup in Atlanta on my way from Minnesota to Naples… 

[Koz]

I'm happy with the Malone, although I think the frame isn't quite square. I need to take some time and fix that.

 

It also rides quiet enough that in the dark I sometimes wonder if I'm still towing it. The only issue was that the wire and plug to connect the power to the truck was too short and I had to splice an extension. I've seen other people complain about that as well.

 

 

[TnRiver46]

Had to load 29 Friday night……. Got tired 

 

these metal bar style trailers are pretty awesome and take a licking and keep on ticking, I’ve climbed all over them . Wouldn’t quite recommend the top rack but it’s there if you need it 

[flyfisher]

On 9/30/2023 at 8:41 AM, Koz said:

I'm happy with the Malone, although I think the frame isn't quite square. I need to take some time and fix that.

 

It also rides quiet enough that in the dark I sometimes wonder if I'm still towing it. The only issue was that the wire and plug to connect the power to the truck was too short and I had to splice an extension. I've seen other people complain about that as well.

 

 

It may just be the angle of the picture but that is a lot of kayak hanging off the back of the supports.  I have seen boats stored with more than a third hanging develop stress cracks and bend where the end of the support is.  I use PVC for my runners and only about 2' are not supported on either end.  You may also want to invest in the tongue extender if they offer one as it will drastically improve the backing up and allow you to slide the kayak further up on any supports you may have.

 

Those malone trailers are definitely nice and I thought hard about getting one when I got mine but there was only like one option and it wasn't what I wanted at the time.

[Koz]

7 hours ago, flyfisher said:

It may just be the angle of the picture but that is a lot of kayak hanging off the back of the supports.... You may also want to invest in the tongue extender if they offer one as it will drastically improve the backing up and allow you to slide the kayak further up on any supports you may have.

 

The nose of the kayak is close enough to where I cannot open the tailgate until I unload the kayak.

 

The tongue extender might be a good idea.

 

I've got the bunks set very narrow because of the pontoon style hull. But I may try widening the bunks and have the kayak sit a bit lower. Nevertheless, it's stable when strapped down.

[flyfisher]

1 hour ago, Koz said:

 

The nose of the kayak is close enough to where I cannot open the tailgate until I unload the kayak.

 

The tongue extender might be a good idea.

 

I've got the bunks set very narrow because of the pontoon style hull. But I may try widening the bunks and have the kayak sit a bit lower. Nevertheless, it's stable when strapped down.

the narrow bunks is all about the bottom of your kayak, I meant more the bow and stern overhang.  I have no idea how much of my kayak comes off the side because it is sitting on 3" PVC runners.  Not being able to open the tailgate would be annoying I would think but I learned from others to get the extender right off the jump.  Just like rigging up your kayak, you'll figure out what you want.  I have had a basket on mine, rod. carriers etc....now I am back to the basic carrier but I am gonna lower the supports as i got a 12' boat and the angle now is a lot steeper when loading and unloading.

[Crow Horse]

This is always an option......

[TnRiver46]

1 hour ago, Crow Horse said:

This is always an option......

Hey man my boss might see this ? 

 

[Koz]

Well, I finally took the advice of @flyfisher and the tongue extender arrived today. I immediately attached it and tried it out, and lo and behold I can back it up without having the trailer jackknife all over the place! Hooray!

 

Now I need to get some longer safety chains and an extension for the wiring harness,

 

Since I bought the trailer, I now have a much heavier Old Town Autopilot rather than the lighter Seastream Angler. That thing is a beast trying to load up on the bunks. The easiest way was to keep my Wilderness cart wheels attached, push it up on the bunks, then detach the cart. I thought about taking the bunks off, but wondered about load stability with the kayak sitting on the trailer frame.

 

Hopefully all of that is moot now as I can now back the trailer down the ramp and into the water.

[Dye99]

Ive been down this road a few times in my 18 years of yak bassin...

 

Ive had a few different Malone trailers over the years, for the cost they are pretty good but felt to darn flimsy for me, and I like to be able to drive on highways faster than moped speeds.

Then I went with a utility trailer that was a home made job, It was ok but looked like the beverly hillbillies going down the road.

 

Finally I decided enough is enough, either splurge and get a OTW trailer or find the right platform for a custom build.

Got a super cheap newer jet ski trailer and have been upgrading.

New large tires and wheels, new axle, extended the tongue, had a welder build a second bunk above the first, steel tube bunks installed that we built.

Should be totally done by mid April.

Hope it does what I want it to do.

 

[Koz]

16 hours ago, Dye99 said:

Ive been down this road a few times in my 18 years of yak bassin...

 

Ive had a few different Malone trailers over the years, for the cost they are pretty good but felt to darn flimsy for me, and I like to be able to drive on highways faster than moped speeds.

Then I went with a utility trailer that was a home made job, It was ok but looked like the beverly hillbillies going down the road.

 

Finally I decided enough is enough, either splurge and get a OTW trailer or find the right platform for a custom build.

Got a super cheap newer jet ski trailer and have been upgrading.

New large tires and wheels, new axle, extended the tongue, had a welder build a second bunk above the first, steel tube bunks installed that we built.

Should be totally done by mid April.

Hope it does what I want it to do.

 

The Malone trailer that I have is rated for 65mph. That’s good enough for my needs.

 

The only issue I have now is my Autopilot is a beast to load on dry land even with the batteries, motor, and crate pulled out. But now with the extension it’s easy to back up so I can load and unload at the ramp.

 

Good luck with your build.

[Dye99]

On 3/15/2024 at 11:57 AM, Koz said:

The Malone trailer that I have is rated for 65mph. That’s good enough for my needs.

 

The only issue I have now is my Autopilot is a beast to load on dry land even with the batteries, motor, and crate pulled out. But now with the extension it’s easy to back up so I can load and unload at the ramp.

 

Good luck with your build.

I must have gotten the smaller Malones. Yea the 65mph is everything. And Im with you, loading or dragging is for the birds.

My Jet ski trailer just finished and tested out this last weekend.

Ended up welding pretty much everything, new wiring and lights, its barely the same trailer anymore but the it was a great project with my sons.

[Koz]

13 hours ago, Dye99 said:

I must have gotten the smaller Malones. Yea the 65mph is everything. And Im with you, loading or dragging is for the birds.

My Jet ski trailer just finished and tested out this last weekend.

Ended up welding pretty much everything, new wiring and lights, its barely the same trailer anymore but the it was a great project with my sons.

Very nice!