Kayak trailer under $500

I wanted to have a kayak trailer since I didn't like loading and unloading over my head. I'm 5'7" and drive a CX-5. BEing a starter I decided to go cheaper if I could.

Thanks to Eddie for telling me to check out Youtube for trailer build ideas.

I purchased a Harbor Frieght build your own Folding trailer. http://www.harborfreight.com/1195-lb-capacity-48-in-x-96-in-heavy-duty-folding-trailer-62648.html for $299. I did have a 20% off coupon but I will not count that.

I started the build at 0800 (8:00 AM)


at 1000 I took a small break.


at 1300 (1:00 PM) I decided to stop for the day since I was melting.


I started day 2 at 1000 working on the lights.




I picked up the Kayak Sunday night from CptSloppywood. I was not done with the trailer or had it registered so I installed roof racks on my car.

Monday I got the trailer registered.

Last night after I got off work I put the bed on. I cut the plywood bed in half so the trailer can still fold to fit in my storage.


Tonight I am going to put on a removable rail system with fishing pole rack (just on one side) and leave the other side for strapping down coolers, tent tackle and whatever I need to take with me. Maybe build a popup tent/lean to for camping? I am using Superstrut with a J-Bar rack for the cross bars.

So far I think I have all that I need and came in around $455 total.

I'll post the final pics if I finish it tonight.

Looks good, thanks for posting - I'll be building a trailer this weekend but in my case I'll be going minimalist. I have a new RAM truck and basically only making this trailer for two PAs and attaching a storage box.

Heads up!  I just got an unpleasant "Toll Evasion Notice" from FastTrak despite the fact that I used my transponder.  It looks like I'll be able to avoid the $40 penalty, but the trailer toll for SM Bridge is $15 on top of the regular toll.

I have the exact same issue and rationale for using my trailer as you, plus roof racks completely sack my SUV's power and mpg.

Good looking trailer Dan. I foresee a trailer in my future.

I built the racks last night, but do not feel good about them. My thought process is that if I have to stop hard the 2X4's will snap.



I decided to pull the 2X4's and replace them with 7" super struts. I'll have to purchase a little more hardware, but I'll still be well under $500. THis will lower the racks by 14' giving a lot more stability.

Looks like ur making good progress on the trailer Dannarchy!
One word of caution
PACK THE WHEEL BEARINGS!
On my HF trailer build they just put a squirt of grease in the bearing, not packed!!
My buddy at work has one and and burnt out a wheel bearing on his 2nd trip, cause of  bearings not being properly packed.

Nice job!

Scotty


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Looks like ur making good progress on the trailer Dannarchy!
One word of caution
PACK THE WHEEL BEARINGS!
On my HF trailer build they just put a squirt of grease in the bearing, not packed!!
My buddy at work has one and and burnt out a wheel bearing on his 2nd trip, cause of  bearings not being properly packed.

Nice job!

Scotty


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for that info.

Everything is done, but the painting.




So in all I spent $465 on the trailer, plywood (4X8), super strut (2), brackets ( and 2 2X4 studs.

Super sweet, I'm inspired but will rooftop for now

Looks good!

Used the trailer this past weekend. The finished product.

I just picked up a harbor freight trailer for my build. What paperwork did you need to register your trailer?

Very nice. And it looks like it doubles as a dog trailer...

I just picked up a harbor freight trailer for my build. What paperwork did you need to register your trailer?

Just the papers that come with it; I went paperless. The lifetime registration was $20.