Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by mitchell on August 29, 2009 at 6:59am

Eat it and buy a drift boat trailer. a flat bottom trailer is a serious trade off in the wrong direction. I say that because I used to trailer my boat with a flat bottom trailer.

I always thought that one day I might lose the boat over the side of the trailer. Well, one day I did. The bow was still attached to the wench and safety chain as the boat was sliding down the hwy next to the trailer on snowy icy road. The torque on the safety chain and wench was incredible. Not a scratch.

I think the above situation may have been avoided if I had fastened the safety strap (ya think!). but... that the boat surly wanted to roam a bit on the trailer even when strapped.

Since I've converted to a true db trailer I feel a whole lot safer and I can see the boat nests on the trailer like a ball in a glove.

A shout to Baker Trailers. Awesome trailers.

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Permalink Reply by lhedrick on August 29, 2009 at 8:55pm

Mitchell,

I am right there with you.

I had a strap come lose and my boat slid off the side also. It was on a steep rough dirt road. I did major damage to the chine. One thing about a wood boat, new glass and epoxy and it's as good as new.

I now have a drift boat trailer. But, I am looking to go back to a flat bed so I can use it for rafts, cycles and other stuff.

My problem was that I ran the straps up and over the gunwales. With the straps going straight down to the trailer the boat would always slide sideways. Now I hook the strap to the gunwale go down the side of the boat, under to the other side of the trailer. This cross strapping works great. The boat doesn't slide at all. I also now put eyes on the stem and transom.

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Permalink Reply by Greg Hatten on August 29, 2009 at 7:24pm

I'm a fan of the Baker trailer. I've used it pretty hard with "no problems". I recently created a removable "flat bed" platform for hauling light stuff with a couple of sheets of plywood. It works well - but then I needed something a little "sturdier" for heavy loads so I made a couple of modifications... check it out. The roll bar is very helpful in loading heavy things that are going to the city dump.... (Four bolts and it reverts back to a drift boat trailer).
GH

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Permalink Reply by Steve Sobba on August 29, 2009 at 8:44pm

Joseph, I am in final assembly on my project also, 18" Don Hill plans built. I had ordered a set of Glen -L trailer plans sometime back and then thought the boat project was taking longer than I thought so I started looking for trailers... I even looked at modifing a double wave runner trailer just not much too choose from in Kansas for a driftboat . I do not know how much it would cost to get a Baker trailer form the northwest here. I started looking at trailer kits , parts etc. I did find a 17foot, 12" wheels that has spring shakle supports like the old 51 chevy pickup only smaller. I have cut the bunk stand offs and poor welds. I think it must have been for a small sail boat. Was only $40...parts trailer . Was only 48" wide frame, wheel width 55" lower beam of my boat is 55'', won't work without modification. I had decided to build after all so when I was pricing steel the owner also liked boats, speed boats, thats who I bought that trailer from. Back to my point, I purchased 60 feet (3,only sold in 20 foot lenghts) 2x3" think it is 11 gauge (.125 was too heavy, think that is 14 gauge) and 1, 20 foot 3x3 .125 for the tongue,total,$188. Next I went, for real, to a chain called Redneck Trailer Supply. They set me up with a torsion suspension, $250 , not a leaf spring with all such components that need to be weld etc. One just uses 4 bolts to attach. Other things as lights, wiring , stand and receiver around $150. The wheels were 14x5.5s $ 30 a peice . Tires were $96 apeice from them. I am going to look other places for the later items. I still think I can do this for $800. I have studied pictures on this site and see that most of the boats hang off at the 2nd rib from the transom, wheels, axel center lined are at my rib #5, taper to the tongue is at 2nd rib from bow. Between the plans and pictures I believe can be done. Frame width will be 67 inches. I will use a roller system also. Some where in this forum someone talked about making there own roller and using a certain bearing. I have even thought about making that roll on spring to help cushion the boat. This has already taken me longer than I planned ,both typing and building the boat. Something new to learn. Thanks Steve

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Permalink Reply by Joseph Podesta on August 30, 2009 at 5:40pm

With some luck and good fortune I looked on craigslist and found a custom built driftboat trailer that was just perfect for my boat. Just rolled into my driveway with it. A little paint, and some TLC and she will be worth ever penny of the $250 I paid for her. Thanks everyone one for your input. Joe

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