Converting Harbor Freight trailer into kayak hauler

[JEM]

I have a harbor freight trailer that I want to mod into something like this:

http://home.comcast.net/~marcel.rodriguez/accesshome.htm

Bolting it on strong enough? Or do I need to find someone with a welder?

The link below is exactly the trailer I have. This mod look simple enough. Just need to find someone to do the welding:

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/04/s/projects/trailer/index.cfm

Any thoughts?

 

[oldsparkey]

The one I had rigged up to carry canoes the frame work was bolted onto the frame. They used some U shaped brackets ( designed for square tubing)
They fit on the backside of the trailer frame and extend over and under it to where the uprights are attached. It does require drilling two holes in each upright to accept the ends of the U shaped bracket , then it is bolted together. It's the same way they attach the supports for the bunks on a trailer for the boat to sit on.

Pipe insulation slipped over the cross bars does a good job of protecting the boats. I could get one on the bottom and one on the cross members. It was modified later to accept two boats on the top since I put a cargo box on the bottom.

 

[Kayak Jack]

Matt, many trailers have axles bolted on. And, many cars were partly bolted together for years. The wings are bolted onto airplanes. I suspect that bolting will hold. It will also let you adjust things if spacing isn't right the first time.

Once you get the trailer rigged exactly as you want it, you could use castellated nuts (drill a small hole in the bolt for wire or a cotter pin), use LocTite, or get it welded.

 

[Coal]

Matt, the pictures on the Duckworks site came from here.....this guy has other trailer ideas too.

http://www.shortypen.com

 

[JEM]

Saw some of those set ups but not all of them. Neat stuff!

I have a drawing of what I want to do with mine. Using it as a guideline for when I start constructing. Right now, I have some rust spots to clean up and repaint until the metal tubing I ordered arrives.

 

[juliet99]

This is indeed a good project, converting harbor freight trailer into kayak hauler. I suggest you weld it together instead of bolting it. Welding is more sturdy than bolting. But if you want to be sure, you can actually do both, after welding it together, you can bolt it as well together. I hope you are able to do this project and post pictures of the your new kayak hauler.