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May 05, 2024, 03:42:58 PM
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Craftsmen's Corner / Homebrew aluminum kayak trailer
« on: May 04, 2024, 06:50:33 PM »
I already have a nice aluminum (Trailex) trailer for my AI, so you might think that the last thing I'd need is another aluminum kayak trailer. Well, if you think that way, you'd be wrong, as I have managed to piece together a second AI, and I feel that Number Two (as I have christened my second AI) will lose its self-esteem if it does not also have its own trailer. Besides, I've been salivating over the Yakima Rack and Roll trailer for years.
However, I could not justify spending almost $3k for an actual Yakima Rack and Roll, so I decided to build something similar myself. I bought the same wheels, shocks, and a couple of other parts that are used on the Yakima trailer. Then I bought a bunch of square aluminum tubing (2 x 2 x 1/4, 6061-T6, for those keeping score).
It was at that point that I remembered that I don't know how to weld, so it was going to have to all be held together with bolts and such. So, I bought a bunch 316 stainless bolts, some 1/4" flat aluminum plate (also 6061), and also some exotic metal rods (aluminum-bronze, nickel, ...) for various special uses.
I do have a small drill press, and I bought an angle grinder for this project, but otherwise, I don't have much for tools, no real workshop, etc. So, it took a while, but eventually, I got the frame together, and wheels attached. I took it out for a short test-run, only to realize that it was about 1' wider than I wanted it to be. So, I disassembled it, cut down the width, and re-assembled.
Just yesterday, I got a chance to give this new-and-improved version a good test run, and I filmed it, just to see how it towed, as I can't see it when driving. If you want to take a look-see, the video is below. Next, I'll try the same with it carrying an AI.
Btw, I'm especially proud of the fenders (6" ABS pipe cut lengthwise and painted orange), although they do looks somewhat, umm..., out of place. As you can see in the picture, there are lights (and they've been properly wired since that picture was taken), but you can't see them in the video. It doesn't have a safety chain/cable yet, and I want to tweak a couple other minor things; otherwise it's done.
At some point, I plan to make a video of the build process with a lot more details, as I filmed some of it and took lots of pictures.
However, I could not justify spending almost $3k for an actual Yakima Rack and Roll, so I decided to build something similar myself. I bought the same wheels, shocks, and a couple of other parts that are used on the Yakima trailer. Then I bought a bunch of square aluminum tubing (2 x 2 x 1/4, 6061-T6, for those keeping score).
It was at that point that I remembered that I don't know how to weld, so it was going to have to all be held together with bolts and such. So, I bought a bunch 316 stainless bolts, some 1/4" flat aluminum plate (also 6061), and also some exotic metal rods (aluminum-bronze, nickel, ...) for various special uses.
I do have a small drill press, and I bought an angle grinder for this project, but otherwise, I don't have much for tools, no real workshop, etc. So, it took a while, but eventually, I got the frame together, and wheels attached. I took it out for a short test-run, only to realize that it was about 1' wider than I wanted it to be. So, I disassembled it, cut down the width, and re-assembled.
Just yesterday, I got a chance to give this new-and-improved version a good test run, and I filmed it, just to see how it towed, as I can't see it when driving. If you want to take a look-see, the video is below. Next, I'll try the same with it carrying an AI.
Btw, I'm especially proud of the fenders (6" ABS pipe cut lengthwise and painted orange), although they do looks somewhat, umm..., out of place. As you can see in the picture, there are lights (and they've been properly wired since that picture was taken), but you can't see them in the video. It doesn't have a safety chain/cable yet, and I want to tweak a couple other minor things; otherwise it's done.
At some point, I plan to make a video of the build process with a lot more details, as I filmed some of it and took lots of pictures.
