Some trailer advice please...

[Howie]

I've been looking at a postings in this Forum about canoe trailers and have come away with some recommendations. At the moment I'm looking at a Trailex Aluminum trailer model SUT 200-S. But I wonder how well this thing handles on the road as it weighs only 125# - say maybe 200# with a canoe. Won't it jump up & down like crazy since it's so light? And won't that potentially damage the canoe?

Presently I use a modified utility cart - the type that uses a 4x8 piece of plywood for the floor - and I use 3 40# bags of water softener salt to weigh it down so it handles reasonably well on the road.

So... anybody have experience with these types of light weight trailers?

 

[Paul Miller]

Hi Howie,

The trailer's suspension is most important.

You may have read other posts on the site that recommend you do not carry a canoe on a trailer upright and that appears to be the trailer option you're looking at.

Light trailers with light sprung suspension are fine for hauling canoes, but I always rack them on the gunnels.

Here's a link to an eBay listing with a decent trailer. I've been to their plant in Holland, MI. and they make a very nice trailer. You may may be able to find something like it near you or check out shipping.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Canoe-4-k...566?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ec8d68116

Good luck,
Paul

 

[Howie]

Right - I agree... I can see that trailering upright would put stress on just a few ribs as opposed to the gunnels when trailering upside-down. I wonder if there's a way for the keel to absorb some of the stress... or maybe make the trailer's side pads wider. Have to think about that... But I'm thinking that convenience - not to mention saving my back - might trump all. Thanks for the reply.

 

[MackyM]

Howie, What about a large long tub of water. Then you could haul open side up.

 

[Benson Gray]

I prefer to carry my canoes upside down as shown at http://forums.wcha.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=5305&d=1215358989 but made the rack shown below for when I need to launch a heavy canoe alone. It can also be removed from the trailer and placed on a dock or shore if necessary.

Benson

 

[Howie]

Macky! Hi there - haven't heard from you in a while. Have you worked on the Penn Yan Hunter at all?
A tub a water you say... That'd solve the weight problem for sure. But water isn't compressible, so it'd be a stiff ride! Not to mention a bit sloppy for the car behind me. But maybe if the 'tub' was instead a rubber tube so it'd act as a shock absorber... Now you've done it - you've brought out the engineer in me.

 

[Treewater]

Advice on Canoe trailer
07-23-2011, 05:47 PM

I don't know how to create the link to old threads but we sort of beat this subject to death two years ago. I have several thousand miles on my trailer with the OT and have not had any damage.

 

[Dave Wermuth]

Trailesx

This year I fixed an older Trailex. I made the pads larger, added tongue jack, added new wheels, and new lights. I tow a Gheenoe 15' flat back 'glass canoe that is 44" wide. the trailer weighs about 115#. I have no problems except the 5.70 x 8" tires require water that is a bit deeper and thus more difficult to float the canoe off/on. It had 4.80's before.