Small boat trailer

BillyV12 · Post by **BillyV12** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 9:35 am

Had to get it. Went to Harbor Freight Saturday afternoon and picked up their small boat trailer kit. It was three boxes of parts. And a set of straps on sale for 7.99. Sort of followed the directions, except for the starting upside down, then turning it over. Instead, since the V12 was up on sawhorses, my 5 year old son and I started assembling it right side up under the boat. When it was finished, just raised the boat slightly, and removed the sawhorses. Probably about 2 hours (3 at the most) of assemlby time (including the help of my son, learning about bolting things together). Used it the first time without adding the lights or wiring. Took another hour the next night to fish the wires and hook up the lights. Nice little trailer, but it does bounce a lot. Only has 8" wheels and they wouldn´t trade up to 12" wheels. A heavier boat would probably load the trailer better so that it wouldn´t bounce, but Jacques boats, even when built from pine, are still extremely light compared to most bought boats. Maybe some sand bags when transporting? Kidding. But the 12" or 13" inch wheels are probably a must. I had to submerge the wheels and almost hide the fenders to get the boat near the water. If you get the brackets set right (pretty easy, really) the keel rest just about an inch or two above the rollers when it´s cinched down. All in all a decent little trailer. I priced the components from a supply company and was only $50 dollars from the cost of this trailer, and that did not include the steel, labor, paint..... Billy

Deltaskipper · Post by **Deltaskipper** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 9:40 am

I am very interested in the trailer kit you got. Does the kit have a brand name, web site, etc..

PJPiercey · Post by **PJPiercey** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 9:41 am

Billy, I removed two of the leafs from the springs on a small boat trailer I bought used. Took all the bounce out of it. It was rated for an average 14 -16 foot boat. Way to much for the 96 lb. V12! Paul

BillyV12 · Post by **BillyV12** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 9:53 am

Delta, Try these two links. Harbor Freight http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/D ... R>Northern Tool http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/ ... BR>$299.99 either place. It´s painted, not galvanized like some of the more expensive kits. Paul, good idea removing a leaf or two. This little trailer only has 2 leaves to begin with. And your V12 only ways 96 lbs? I knew I should have used better ply, like everyone with experience suggested. Oh well. I figured mine to be about 115 with pine, which fits with pine being about 20% more than fir. Billy

Laszlo · Post by **Laszlo** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 11:50 am

Billy, If you submerged the wheels, don´t forget to make sure the grease hasn´t washed out of the bearings. Laszlo

SparkG · Post by **SparkG** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 12:14 pm

I bought the 4 x 8 foldup trailer 2 years ago. Built some removable bunks and brackets that I just screw down to the wooden bed. There are some shots of that on my website. I just back down the ramp and the back 4 feet of the trailer hang over the water like a portable dock...don´t even put the wheels in the water. Then just shove the boat off the back over the pivoting back bunks...it´s light enough to do. This way I´ve got a trailer that I use for lots of other things and folds up and rolls into the garage out of the way. I have a roll around to keep the boat on in the garage when not on the trailer. Works for me...if I had yard space for a dedicated trailer I´d probably go with the boat trailer.

BillyV12 · Post by **BillyV12** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 1:40 pm

Spark, I´m going to try next time to not get the wheels wet, and see if we can push the boat off. Then just pull it back on when time to get out. It´s kind of a steep ramp, so it may work for unloading, but pulling it "uphill" may be a bit hard. Maybe some teflon bunk pads will help, if I can find some cheap ones. Laszlo, The hubs had just enough grease to keep the bearings from rusting, so I packed it and the hubcap completely full and left out the grease zerk until the cap was in place. Then added the zerk. Still, I will make sure the water is out. I don´t really trust the seal to keep water out, no matter how full of grease the hub is.

SparkG · Post by **SparkG** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 2:06 pm

Maybe some kind of "walkway" board 6 or 8 inches wide down the middle of the trailor would let you walk it off the back and walkdown to pull it back on...does it have a winch? If not that would help. Be careful though, man I really threw my back out a couple years ago pushing a boat off of a trailer standing on the narrow tongue. It was an old heavier jon boat but still... By the way, I sold that Precision 165 I had...I´m strictly a Bateau man now - except for my aluminum canoe.

BillyV12 · Post by **BillyV12** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 3:12 pm

Spark, Thanks, definitely can add the walkway. And found a winch for about 12 bucks, new. The Beagle is gone? Man, you are a serious Bateau convert! <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif"> Billy

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