Building a Kayak Trailer - Hauls Four Kayaks
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- Опубликовано: 12 авг 2017
- Big thank you to Lincoln Electric for sponsoring this video: bit.ly/2vJNZGY Right now plasma cutters are $700 dollars off!
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Things I Used in This Project:
Trailer: bit.ly/2uKyjP4
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Portaband Saw: amzn.to/2uus6r5
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Magnetic Ground Clamp: amzn.to/2uKw8v5
Metal Marking Pencil: amzn.to/2wMHgJi
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Self Tapping Screws: amzn.to/2hOaogt
In this video I modify a Harbor Freight trailer to become a kayak trailer that can haul four kayaks total. It also has a deck to carry an ice chest or any other equipment. 
Хобби
A few notes from me: We have two other trailers so I built this trailer with the sole intention of hauling around kayaks. With that, my mast is permanently fixed to the trailer, but another option to consider if you build this is to make the mast portion removable so you could use the trailer as a regular hauler for other things.
I spent $240 on the trailer then another $235 on steel, wood, and paint. So total this project cost $475.
I originally intended to build the entire trailer from scratch however buying an axle with springs, mounts, and tires was going to cost me $400 whereas this HF trailer costs $240 and it comes with everything needed including lights. PS: Don't forget the 20% off coupon.
This particular trailer actually has the ability to fold in half, however I don't need it to fold and by modifying it I killed that feature.
Hi April, I'm first. Make a trophy for me please ;)
I think I'm in love.
April used to be a cute Redhead,
doing wood projects, and painting.
Now, she's a kick ass metal worker,
making all kinds of projects. (And,
she is STILL a cute Redhead!)
steve
Exactly what I was thinking while you were welding the verticals to the trailer...why doesn't she make those removable for a multi-purpose trailer?? ...makes sense now.
BTW, you're a badass, April!
Nice video. I've considered buying one of these HF trailers, but I've heard the wheels are only rated for 55 MPH. Can you confirm that?
What a great idea.
Pretty slick project. I did one similar to this a while back, I added a box to store life jackets and such. I also added a small water container with a pump to hose off feet and equipment when pulling the kayaks out of the water. It works great. Thanks for posting!
Nice add ons. I'm using the bed of the truck but a storage box would be nice.
She's definitely one of the people you'd need on board if a zombie apocalypse happens.
I am saving this video, this is EXACTLY what I want to build. Only that trailer is $500 now not $240.
The build looks great. Instead of the foam and electrical tape for padding, I would suggest some cheap pool noodles to slide over the arms. They will still protect the kayak and can easily be slid off and replaced as needed. As always, love your videos.
I've seen pool noodles being used I'm just not a fan of how they look. Also, they don't last long in the sun at all. I'm going to see how long these knee pads last and go from there. If they break down just as quick then I might switch to noodles.
Awesome job April, Harbor freight trailer never looked so good...You are hardcore structural with your gussets and welding of trailer first..... all respect to you, keep the videos coming
Another great job by Ms April!!!! Simple, straight forward, yet still having some education value! GREAT JOB!!!!
April, I dream of woodworking and building! Thank you for showing you work! Thank you thank you thank you. Blessings.
Glad you added those gussets.
When I was in the military we re-welded every fender mount on our trucks.
They where thick enough but the vibrations made them crack and fall into the tires.
Added gussets and the problem where all gone.
Nicest kayak trailer build I’ve seen and well planned and executed workmanship. Thank you for sharing awesome lady.
Hi, April, Great Kayak trailer build, we had never seen one built before, you did a wonderful job, enjoy the results of all your hard work. Thanks for sharing.Blessings! !!!!!!
Great job April, this trailer can also be used to carry lumber, plumbing and other building supplies, awesome!!
That's true! It could actually be used to carry a huge variety of things.
Nicely done April. I have a similar trailer from H/F and put big box 2x's and they are still good after 12 years!!!
I’ve never built anything in my life but I’ve always wanted to learn to weld and woodwork. I signed up for wood shop in high school only to drop it because I was the only girl in there. How I regret that! Can’t wait to take classes some day. You are an inspiration!
Great Job April. This might be my favorite video of yours to date. Nicely Done..
Great work! I am hooked on your videos! I tend to over complicate things so I appreciate your way of problem solving, I learn so much from your stuff!!
April, Great build!! One piece of advise. Secure the kayaks to the trailer at the bow and stern. Tie down straps can fail and if your tow vehicle stops really hard, those kayaks can become missiles. I have seen those results and if it happens to go over your tow vehicle, it could be a much bigger problem.
Some great ideas there...I just bought 5 kayaks and need to modify a box trailer to suit. Thanks for the video April. I hope to integrate some of your design features.
How awesome is this! You're an inspiration April and another great project.
Very nice build with just a couple things I did differently that worked very well for me over the last 4 years of good hard use. first I mounted my lights higher than the factory mount level which made them much easier to see by other drivers, second I cut the load arms of the rack so they tipped up about a quarter to a half bubble so your kayaks will want to stay on the trailer. Lastly I mounted a D ring to the inside face of each arm so it is in the same plane as the arm to use as a tie point but your drilled holes also work well too
Have a good day and a better tomorrow
Great work, thanks for taking the time and sharing!!!!
Over-engineered like a BOSS! Good job and smooth kayaking.
another great project! well done ma'am.
that little HF trailer is so versatile. it makes a great base for so many projects.
You are the hero I didn't know I needed today! Keep on with your badassery! This video was so detailed and concise! I think it may be the best instructional video Ive ever seen on RUclips.
Glad you liked it and found it useful. Thanks for watching.
Felicitaciones April !!!! Excelentes trabajos!!! Jorge de Córdoba/ Argentina
Another great build video!
Be sure to watch those bearings very closely. Also order a couple spares now before you need them, I believe they are a non standard size.
Thats some nice work right there April, good job with the welding and the gussets. It really turned out great. Good thinking modding the pre fab trailer to suit. I have done the same with other things, sometimes its just cheaper to buy a pre made item and then modify it to suit.
No wonder you're so pleased with how this turned out! thumbs up!
You have mad skills April. thanks for sharing!
You are awesome, much respect for your natural engineering abilities 🙏🏻
Simply, you crushed it once again! I dig how you welded the joints on the original frame...
: ) Thank Andy, this was a fun build.
Sick! I just picked up a single jet ski trailer off Facebook marketplace for $700 that I’m going to modify to haul 9 SUPS and 1 • 13.5’ Tarpin sit on top kayak. Your fab is top notch 👍🏼🤘🏼I’m pumped about my trailer because the stock hull slips is perfect for the super big Yak we have and I don’t have to fab up anything on that part of my build, so that makes it super cool cuz I’m sure I’d drag my feet on that part haha
totally impressed with your knowledge, ability and understanding, nice job!
The tie down solution is simple and effective! Built one similar a couple years ago for a friend to hold six boats (canoes or kayaks) with salvage materials using metal bed rails. Not sure that was the best material choice after using the same material for some for other projects. Has held up great so far but mild steel is probably the better choice...
: ) Hey it's cool it's still holding up good.
Well done project April. Very inspriring!
Totally Awesome Build, April!
Looks great April. I really like the design.
Thanks! I took it out yesterday with four kayaks, and it works great. : ) Very happy with it.
Сколько смотрю столько и удивляюсь Вашими трудами !!!Спасибо за видео!!!
Great job, well done
Lotsa success with the new trailer
If you don't use the boats often, ratchet straps are fine, but just remember that metal on the plastic is going to cause wear and tear and it is easy to over tighten and deform the mold. Decent rope and a trucker's hitch will do you just as good.
Awesome build! My wife and I Kayak and I've thought about doing something similar. I was thinking about doing removable supports so I can dual use the trailer.
Exactly what I want to build but with the addition of gear storage under the yaks. Thanks and great job!
Will be building my own multi kayak trailer for larger fishing kayaks from my old boat trailer. However, I’ll be making and installing the framework using U-Bolts so that if I ever decide to sell the trailer as a boat trailer, I can do so by unbolting the framework. Also using EMT for runners. Nice job on this one April.
Nice job! That really turned out great!
Thanks for sharing 👍
this might be my favorite build yet! What an ingenious use of an existing trailer. I am going to be stealing this one.
: ) Steal away. Glad you like it.
That was badass. Congrats on such an awesome outcome!
I'm pretty sure you're a professional welder, builder, designer, speaker, etc....and not a DIY'er! Your design concept, skills and thought process really show in this video.
Thanks for the 'show and tell' ....and another awesome video!
....13
: ) Nah, far from it. I hope to be a pro someday but right now I still have tons to learn. Glad you enjoyed this one though!
Great work april
Ofcourse everything you do is awsome
Keep up the good work
Impressive. Nice job, easy instructions.
DAMN RIGHT IT'S AWESOME...NICE JOB APRIL!!! I'm not a welder but those welds look great...nice consistent beads...much better than what I could do.
If you weld on a short piece of pipe with an oversized washer as a slip cap, you would be able to use one rachet strap on each end to tie down two kayaks. Put the pipe on the inside of the frame from the front pointing towards the back and reverse for the back end. set the pipe just at or a little higher than the support rack the kayaks rest on. Then when you tie down, you hook to the outside of one kayak and loop the strap under the pipe and over the next kayak and connect with the rachet end that is hooked on the outside of the other kayak. this will save time in loading and unloading, and save on the hassle and expense of having to have two straps for each kayak.
best video that shows all the details, thanks a lot!
Great build! Got the stickers in the post, thank you!
: ) You're welcome
Sweet welding helmet. You can use a hot knife or rope cutter to shorten your ratchet straps. I found a rope cutter attachment that fits my soldering iron, I cut more rope and straps with it than I solder anymore.
Great job April. I have a trailer that I don't use too often because I need to do some upgrades to make it much more useable. My kayaking years are behind me for the near future, but maybe this will motivate me to do the upgrades I've been dragging my feet on.
: ) Yeah you should do it, I was surprised at how straight forward modifying and building a trailer was.
Very nice trailer. Quick tip for holding your padding on. Try plastic automotive wire ties (zip ties) instead of electrical tape. They work great and are very easy to remove when the time comes. We use them to hold foam padding onto race car roll bars.
"Shorter ratchet straps" is a funny way of pronouncing "Scissors."
Hahaha, I was actually thinking of the retractable kind but scissors is a much better pronunciation. ; )
don't forget to burn the ends to keep from fraying!
and when you need a pair of long ones you have to buy new ones....... buying a pair of shorter ones is cheaper in the end
I've found that using a heated blade does a better job cutting those straps, cuts & seals in a single step.
Nice build. I actually used on of the HF trailers for a DIY motorcycle hauler recently. I would consider making some additional support brackets from the fenders. With just the two factory bolt mounts they tend to fracture over time. I just did a couple metal straps from top of the fender to the trailer deck surface. Also you likely did it already but if not be sure clean out the factory bearing grease and re-pack with a moly or synthetic type.
Another great project! Thanks for sharing!
Given the fore and aft spread of trailer's support arms, consider placing the kayaks right side up on the rack. Their hulls are designed to take upward pressure at the front and back, and downward pressure in the middle. By flipping them upside down on a rack that supports them so close to the ends of the boats, they are getting exactly the opposite. (If the spread were closer together, as is common on car roof racks, then upsidedown is better.) On a very hot day the plastic becomes soft, and you might hit a big pothole and end up dimpling the hull. It's probably unlikely, but it did happen to me once. We used a heatgun to soften it enough to pop it back into place!
Nice tip on the HF trailer. They also have a stouter one for those wishing to hail heavier items. The upper model (still under $400) is rated at just over 3/4 ton.
Thomas Russell The "upper model", as you call it, uses the same steel for the frame/tongue & same axle/leaf springs, but it does come with heavier capacity rated tires.
Wow that came out clean, nice job.
Yes, Yes, That's a super trailer. A +
: ) Thank you
Great build and very cool video! Thanks for sharing.
Great job, seems like a very practical trailer now. I've just got myself a trailer as well and they are so useful. Have fun in the River :D
Good job on the trailer! I like your welding helmet!
Thanks for the vids.
We have 13'6" kayaks, so the HF trailer wasn't long enough. I found an old boat trailer on craigslist to modify. I looked into buying something premade, or having something built and the quotes just floored me. I did have one place offer to make a 5x8 Utility trailer with an extendable hitchfor more clearance for around $650 however.
The mount you attached the lights to was for the dollies (used to roll around when folded) the factory location for the lights is toward the back (two holes) and non painted L bracket is used.
Another talent every time I look up. Texas ladies are amazing.
; )
Nice job April. Look really good.
April your welds are looking wonderful. Keep up the good work
What type or style of welding is that? Looks quick and easy
I knew I was going to have a good day when I had April and Laura in my notifications.
My wife has figured out how to tell if I am watching a "Wilkerson" video, I keep hollering "OH COOL". I love the tie-down non-brackets, simpler is better, cheaper and probably stronger than anything you could bolt-on. I'm going to go see if I can adapt your idea to my almost finished trailer.
: ) Haha I love that. Yeah I think the holes in the bottom are by far the best and simplest option. I've used the trailer twice now since this video and they work so great. Very simple and quick but sturdy.
Great job April, it looks awesome! 👍👊
Thanks Fred. : )
I love watching your builds, the only down side is that I wish you were able to put out more content I.E. weekly/Daily. But I do understand the difficulty that that would entail. Great job on the trailer. Reminds me of one I built when I lived in Colorado.
Glad you enjoy the content. : )
I love it! Fun to watch.
Good job with the design and vertical welds.
Well done! Also glad to see you get the jacket on.
Yeah when I'm just tacking I don't bother, it was 105 when I was welding, but when I'm welding then I go ahead and put on the gear.
April Wilkerson true. Texas heat is unforgiving for welding. Sometimes I just ware sleeves or a fr shirt. And a fan and sweat band and welding cap .... Hahaha
Your work was wonderful. Congratulations.
Wow you are awesome and so is your trailer!!!!!
Excellent boat trailer!
Cam straps are the way to go for kayaks! Ratchet straps are dangerous, because if the yak shifts and the strap loses tension, the hook falls out (5:35).
Nice job, trailer looks great!
nice work rosie the riveter look out - here comes wilkerdos welder. lol an enclosed box in the triangle of the itch would be nice for life preservers and misc. you could make it lockable too.
Thanks to you April I now feel very inadequate! Damn you're good at this!
Just found this video, and it's Great! Thanks so much!!
Glad you liked it!
Nice job! I made one last summer with the same hf trailer. I used wood sides and a ladder rack I already had, but would like to someday go back and do something similar to yours. Also FYI, hf had a recall on the tires. I returned my two and they gave me brand new ones.
Hello April...I'm a brazilian guy...and i see all yours videos. great stuff always!!
see you on next video!
tks!
Leonardo
Great project! Rosie (the Riveter) would be proud.
thank you .Kayaking looks like it would be fun . i am tickled to see you tackle so many different skill sets . rock on little miss
; ) Thanks Walter.
Very nice video, use hot knife to shorten the ratchet straps, no fraying of the ends. Need to add marker lights and reflectors for saftey. Thanks for the video, looking forward to many more, Greg
Great job. If you box in the lower section, you will have a secure "locker" for wetsuits, paddles, helmets etc.
Didn't know you were a welder as well! Great work, you designed an awesome kayak trailer. It will serve you well for years to come! Really liked this how to vid. For me being a Boy Scout leader for many years and going on numerous Troop yak floats using a Camp trailer very similar to your design. I will say you addressed issues up front that we confronted and repaired numerous times for good support on the uprights. I always hated the eyes they used on that camp trailer for tie down straps(in the way loading and unloading). Drilling your holes under the cross bars will work much more efficiently and safely as well! Enjoyed and thank you!
I'm glad to hear your input! People keep suggesting the eyelet hooks and I keep saying they would have been in the way. : ) Good to know you liked the video.
Welding in Texas summer - just a little warm perhaps? Great video - you're poking me to get my welder out.
Very nice!
I like the slight overkill on the gussets!
Solid build!
Rather it be overkill than under ;)
Overkill is underrated- The A Team
Nice build and welds April !
That's a new idea for those HFT trailers, and your welding skills have much improved. It looks good, Though I'm a little surprised you didn't beef up the finders, knowing full you will (at sometime) accidentally step on them. Especially when your on a grade(incline) and the trailer height is a little more than you. That was a problem I've had with skiff (tiny fishing boat) trailers.
Awesome job! You could always double the strap back to the the other side instead of cutting or buying new ones. That's pretty much how all surfboards are strapped to roof racks, it helps add friction, sort of like a chinese finger trap.
Good job! Looks awesome.
That came out real good
Man, is that nice! I just bought a 7x12 utility trailer and I'm looking to add something like this for my kayaks. I'd be looking for to do something that's removal so I can then use the trailer for my side x side. Some great ideas you gave me! Subscribed....