Newb Towing Question...

Macdaddy4738

Macdaddy4738

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 1, 2005
Just bought a kayak, looking to see if the cheaper option would be towing it on a trailer...

What are the requirements to tow in NC?

Im looking at close to 500 for a rack system on the Jeep...is the trailer option any less?
 
You would need something long enough for the kayack. The benefit to the trailer is you can use it for other things. Since you are running a jeep (Assume wrangler?), the extra room with a trailer would outweigh the slight cost difference. You should be able to get a small utility trailer for around $500 depending on the length.
 
Check Lowes, Home Depot, Harbor Freight, and some local trailer places. You will prolly find what you are looking for. You might be able to get away with a 10 foot trailer and just add a removable rack on the cheap to allow the trailer to be used else where.
 
What about the cheaper Harbor Freight trailer?

Since its bolt together anyways, how difficult can it be to bolt in a long enough tongue to haul the boat?

Edit**

How much do i need to factor in for a hitch system for the Jeep too?
 
I am guessing $200ish for a reese style hitch on the Jeep (you might get lucky and find a used one)


Northern tool has a cool "fold up" trailer for $289 that is 4' x 8' but you will note the overall length is 134" [11'2"] so with your kayak, the front could stick all the way out the tongue when you secure it!!

They will give you the needed paperwork to get a tag for it and I think you have to buy tires (which they have too, prob another $100 or less)

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_465468_465468

So for the same $500 you would have something you could do a heck of a lot more with!!

One final note...I didn't look to see what you have...but if a Wrangler..be careful. Short wheelbase is not the best for towing...but the trailer weighs under 300lbs so it should be good! (With a light weight load/kayak...you may actual have issues with trailer "bouncing around" since very little weight on it?)
 
SHINTON said:
I am guessing $200ish for a reese style hitch on the Jeep (you might get lucky and find a used one)


Northern tool has a cool "fold up" trailer for $289 that is 4' x 8' but you will note the overall length is 134" [11'2"] so with your kayak, the front could stick all the way out the tongue when you secure it!!

They will give you the needed paperwork to get a tag for it and I think you have to buy tires (which they have too, prob another $100 or less)

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_465468_465468

So for the same $500 you would have something you could do a heck of a lot more with!!

One final note...I didn't look to see what you have...but if a Wrangler..be careful. Short wheelbase is not the best for towing...but the trailer weighs under 300lbs so it should be good! (With a light weight load/kayak...you may actual have issues with trailer "bouncing around" since very little weight on it?)
Click to expand...
Good info, and yes with the little weight of the kayak he will have issues with the trailer bouncing. Not sure of the particular design of the trailer but if at all possible moving the axle backwards will give more tounge weight, therefore cutting down on the bouncing and swaying.

Oh and who says Jeeps aren't good for towing
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f43/GCncsuHD/my old cars/CID__05-23-06_0948.jpg :rolleyes:
 
You can run Jeep, Ranger or 2wd Toy wheels and tires on most of the utility trailers as most use the 5 on 4.5 lug pattern. It will help alot with the bouncing if you run them at ~15-20 psi when unloaded or lightly loaded. I just sold a jon boat trailer that would've worked perfect for you. Also if your fab skills are ok you might look into building your own. All you need is a set of trailer wheel hubs ~$60 for a pair at Northern IIRC(or use a rear axle out of a FWD vehicle), a set of leaf springs with most the leafs removed, some steel(a friends scrap pile works great), and a coupler. For lights use the stockers off of your Wrangler and look at this as an opportunity to upgrade to LED's. A receiver isn't hard to make at all and if you're not going to be towing much weight you could just fab a simple one on to your existing bumper. Done right you can build one for less than $200 and it will be tailored to fit your needs perfectly. Use decent wheels/tires and you can take it up lighter trails to haul equipment to camp with. To get it tagged/titled you just need to contact your local DMV and request an inspection on a home built trailer. Sounds like alot but it's really not.
 
There are always lots of trailers on craigslist. I would check there first.
 
marvilusone said:
Everything you said
Click to expand...

That would be perfect, but I dont have much in the way of fab skills, or any tools to build much.

I think the 300 dollar trailer might even be overkill for what i need. At most I want to tow 2 kayaks, each weighing around 50 pounds, plus some gear...probably 300 pounds tops, maybe less than that...
 
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