New Trailer Plans

[MikeAqua]

The planning has begun ... designing a new yak trailer (since some s) stole my old one.

The new design will enclose the kayak, almost fully rigged (minus rods and anything electronic). With a washdown system like my old trailer.

A mate builds horse floats for living so I have access to materials at trade discount and he will help me with the build.

I have the plan view. Working with a few options in the vertical configuration - driven by location of washdown tank.

Sketches below - I failed technical drawing at school . All constructive input welcome.

Three options viewed from rear of trailer.

[Mental]

How much water do you carry Mike?

My only concern would be making sure that water load is evenly spread but also if you are doing a long flat thin tank you may need to make sure it's baffled so you don't end up with the inertia from water slopping around as you turn/brake/etc

[JUMBOZ]

cool idea-just wondering how easy its going to be pushing kayak in to trailer if its all cover in unless you have rollers maybe

[Peace]

you,have seen this i take it

you'll want as much of the weight as close to the towball as possible

[MikeAqua]

How much water do you carry Mike?

My only concern would be making sure that water load is evenly spread but also if you are doing a long flat thin tank you may need to make sure it's baffled so you don't end up with the inertia from water slopping around as you turn/brake/etc

My current former tank was 80L plastic thing with no baffles.

I'm aiming for about 100L this time. It depends on the space I end up with and the sizes of tanks available.

If I end up making a tank then I can build in baffles. If I buy one that's more difficult. I always completely full or empty the tank. That minimises slop but a leak could still cause a partially empty tank ...

[MikeAqua]

cool idea-just wondering how easy its going to be pushing kayak in to trailer if its all cover in unless you have rollers maybe

Plan is for it to sit on bunks with pool noodle padding. Padded nose block at the front for the bow to push into

There will be a roller to guide the nose onto the bunks then lift bum and slide in. Whatever I dream up I'll test on couple of saw horses before installing.

My original plan was to have it sitting on two lengths of 2m x 200mm PVC pipe, and have these double as water tanks.

But I haven't been able to think of a clever system to mount the pipes, without making holes in them, while keeping the surface the kayak would slide on free of brackets/clamps/saddles etc.

[MikeAqua]

you,have seen this i take it

you'll want as much of the weight as close to the towball as possible

I use these rules of thumb: -

1) Heavy items down low over the axle.
2) The weight on the draw-bar should be about 10% of the trailer's gross weight.

[the otha fulla]

How about automating the wash down process so the trailer takes care of it for you

[MikeAqua]

How about automating the wash down process so the trailer takes care of it for you

Funny you should mention that. I've thought about it, but decided that was taking lazy a little too far ...