Question about a kayak trailer for a Hobie Outback or Adventure

[john from md]

I am working on a plan and need some info about a trailer to pull a kayak on the road with. A little background first:

At the end of this season, I plan on selling my boat and OC Trident 13. I then plan to buy a 16 foot Hobie with the Mirage drive. I don't know Hobies that well but I know I don't want the 138 lb one!

I mostly fish the bay bridge and the Severn River. When I fish the Severn, I launch out of Jonas Green park. Since I don't want to man handle a 70lb yak onto my car roof, as I now do with the Trident, I want to trailer it.

I have seen some trailers that have bicyle wheels and they won't work for driving Rt 50 from Davidsonville. I will need something that can be registered but hopefully, not as heavy as a real boat trailer.

And no, I do not want to buy another pick up truck. I am about to retire and plan to drive my Camry till it or I die, whichever comes first.

Does anyone have any pointers for me on trailers?

Thanks,

John

[J.A. Veil]

I used to have a utility trailer and made some bunks for it. I originally used that trailer with a 4-cylinder Camry. I carried two kayaks to Wachapreague several years ago on that trailer. There are various small trailers designed specifically for kayak use for example, see http://www.austinkayak.com/subcatego...er-Accessories. You can research those.

[MetroMan]

Just be aware that trailers aren't allowed at Jonas Green

[Jaspratt]

I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to find an aluminum trailer, I think bass pro shops sells a few models. And I'm sure I wouldn't be hard to find an aluminum utility trailer. Any jetski trailer should be light enough, it would be easier on the car to not drive in overdrive. Or click the "sport" button when trailering. Reason being, less shifting for the trans to keep the heat down. And when it shifts it gift harder so there's less slipping which is what gives you a smoother ride for comfort.

[CB kayak 02]

If you can swing it.... the Yakima rack n Roll trailer is the coolest lightest trailer around.

[john from md]

"Just be aware that trailers aren't allowed at Jonas Green"

That just threw a monkey wrench in the works! Now I have to work on a new plan. Maybe I have to abandon my Camry and get another pick up. and a T bar.

John

[nay_sayer]

Trailers are allowed at Jonas Green if you want to drop off your kayak and then park at the Scenic Overlook on Rt 450 and walk back. Ask me how I know

[john from md]

I thought about that. The problem is that you have to lug your gear from the car or "trust" that no one at the park will make off with your rods, FF etc. I have seen some pretty shady characters in that park and don't no if I want to trust them at all.

John

[DOGFISH]

In any event, Backyard Boats sells Trailex trailers, with bunks to fit the shape of various Hobie kayak hulls. I already had a Trailex trailer, so I just put the ProAngler bunks on the trailer. It is an aluminum trailer, smooth set up. When launching from remote areas, where there is no ramp, I use the trailer as my dolly.

[john from md]

I'm was going to stay away from Trailex as my experience was they were too light for highway speeds. Having used one with a sunfish years ago, I found out that they bounce around alot.

I had an 8 foot folding steel trailer that I bought from JC Whitney in the eighties. It worked great for the Sunfish and was also good for store trips with the cradles removed. However, it was pretty heavy.

I guess it is possible that Trailex has improved so maybe I will take a look at them again.

John

[DOGFISH]

The secret with the Trailex is to lessen the air pressure in the tires. I have not had any problem with bounce with Trailex. The tire trick is the answer to most any boat hauling. I used to have the same problem with jon boats.

[john from md]

Good to know about the tire pressure. I have been conditioned to keep my cars tires up to the recommended pressure to ensure a long life. I will have to modify my thinking if I go with the lightweight trailer.

John

[J.A. Veil]

One other option to consider is the Thule Hullavator system that pivots down to the side of your vehicle, allowing easy loading into a cradle and piston-assisted raising to roof level. It is pretty expensive, but still considerably less than a trailer. You could lift one end of your kayak at at time onto the Hullavator, minimizing the lifting required.

Here is a video showing how it works. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Pi90FXW4JA

[john from md]

Great idea, if I had rails on my Camry. Without factory rails, I was confined to the universal type and I almost lost the yak as they don't secure well to my model year. (2004)

John

[Biggrizzly]

I bought a small galvanized trailer from Dave's Boat Trailers in Glen Burnie, MD = 14' I think. It is a small John boat type trailer or can be used for jet skis. The bunks fit my Cuda perfect. Just around $500 out the door with tags, tax and title fees.