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Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on March 2, 2015 at 5:38pm

Do you have access to a commercially built one to compare sizes? The nice thing about steel is it can be cut and welded to make the trailer whatever size you want it. The question is, will the cost of modification be less or more than one that doesn't need modifying. How are tires, wheels and bearings? Do you have access to steel tubing and bearings to make a rear roller? Phil Dorfman has published the dimension and details for building a trailer a year or two ago.

Good luck on your build, keep us posted.

Rick Newman

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Permalink Reply by Dobie Swift on March 2, 2015 at 5:45pm

I can't answer the questions on condition. I have a friend with a Clackacraft and a trailer that I could compare with. Unfortunately, there are no drift boat trailers to be had in central KY so I'm either going to have to have one fabricated or modify something like this.

I can get that trailer for $150. The downside is that is only has 8" wheels which I would want to switch out which I would guess would require a new axle and fenders.

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Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on March 2, 2015 at 6:33pm

You may want to look inside the tubing to see about the possibility of rust. I didn't and figured out the tubing was basically held together with paint. If the length of the trailer is sufficient then the other costs won't be too bad. On my trailer I have extended the tongue, lengthened the winch stand and reinforced it with a bigger base plate and a chunk of tubing to triangulate the base to the upright. Can you purchase wheels, tires, axles, fenders and such locally?

Good luck.

Rick N

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Permalink Reply by Phillip Westendorf on March 2, 2015 at 7:31pm

Dobie,

Having built my trailer in 2013, let me tell you some of the issues you'll be faced with with the purchase of the trailer in the picture.  You can then decide if you want to buy it.

1.  Eight inch wheels rotate awful fast at highway speeds.  Resulting in recommended bearing maintenance each season and sooner and tire wear.  You really want tires with a Class C rating for trailers for long trips on the Highways.  Bearing buddies aren't the answer here. Eight inch tires are ok for short trips but cross country, Not! You can change them to 12" tires if they'll fit under the fenders and still let the springs work.  That will reduce the wheel rpm significantly (30%). Circumference=Pi (3.1459) x dia.  (1 mile is still 5,280 ft.)  Do the math.

2.  You'll need to extend the rear of the trailer some, as it's too short for a 16' or larger boat.  Might be OK for a 14' or smaller, but I would not take the chance.  You need the center of mass of the boat inside the frame and close to the axle.  I'd recommend you use a minimum of 1/8 wall x 2" x 3" steel tubing to fabricate the extension.  You should add a roller at the rear to help you load and unload the boat, especially  if you are alone.

3.  Is the trailer wide enough between the fenders?  If not you'll be SOL.  I wouldn't consider making the frame any wider, if you do the axle will be too short and you'll be forced to raise the frame relative to the axle.  A real pain and it'll be too high on the trailer.

4.  Good news, it has lights, a winch, tongue, coupler, safety chains, etc.  Except for the tire dia and axle width issues it has most everything you'll need.

G'Luck

Dorf

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