Harbor Freight Double Kayak Trailer Build | Use 1 or 2 Kayaks
Kayak 8 years ago 43,465 views
I just wanted to show how my DIY Kayak trailer project turned out. Use regular strut instead of the shallow strut. Please watch the entire video. I started out with pictures, but I switch to video. I also show the products I used in the video Update: 12-12-2017, Kayak trailer is going strong. Everything is holding up great. The trailer is garaged when not in use which helps in longevity. The square trailer light guards already paid for themselves. No damage to my lights. UPDATE on 4-19-18. I made a few modifications. I removed some metal and added some 90 degree angled pipe to protect the kayaks from loading and unloading. https://youtu.be/W4kMgGmU5v4
I guess HF stopped selling the trailers for awhile because of litigation with D.O.T. I have no clue if they started selling them again. Right before Christmas, I received two recall notices for the tires on both of my trailers. I just need to remove the tires and bring in them to harbor freight and swap them out for the D.O.T compliant rims and tires.
Thanks!!
You need to put some protective caps over the ends of the tie-down rails. I can just see someone's leg getting a hole jabbed right through it because they turned around too quickly without thinking about it.
This is a really cool design btw.
10. comment for Harbor Freight Double Kayak Trailer Build | Use 1 or 2 Kayaks
Measure the center of the trailer and mark it so you have everything balanced on the trailer. I measure the kayaks on the ground, level, side by side and left a gap in between them so they don't rub while trailering.
Sharp points on it that could cause injury - the struts that protrude out the sides for the eye bolts. At the very least round them off, or better yet, cover them. Some people use foam pipe insulation, I prefer the cylindrical pool noodles. They're cheap and available in different colors. Get the color you want, cut pieces to cover the ends of the struts, use good quality, thick zip ties to attach (cheap and/or thin ones break over time). The long bolts holding the tongue jack.....if it were me I'd cut them flush with the nuts.
Wiring - very surprised to see wire nuts on an otherwise well thought out, time consuming build. Cut the wire to the proper length for the lights and get some crimp on barrel connectors. Put a little dielectric grease in the crimps, and on all wire connections for that matter. It helps stop the aggravating intermittent 'lights not working' gremlins that pop up as time goes on because it stops corrosion from forming. If you extend the trailer later, just use new barrel crimps to add longer wire.
Other than that it looks really good. Thanks for taking the time to post a video.
20. comment for Harbor Freight Double Kayak Trailer Build | Use 1 or 2 Kayaks
The best thing to do is mark the center of the trailer. Work your measurements from the inside out. From your centerline, measure out so that the two kayaks won't rub once loaded. You can even do your measuring with the yaks on the ground. Space them apart from each other l making sure they are equal in distance from the centerline. Once you have found the location for the twin "inner" pipes, you can add the two "outer" pipes. Make sure the bolts are loose. With the assistance of another person, place the kayak on the pipes. Adjust the width to accommodate the kayak. Make sure the kayak is level on the pipes. Make sure the kayak is level when you first start doing all of this. Slide the kayak back and forth until the kayak slides smoothly and evenly. The strongest part of the kayak is where the scuppers are located.
Once you find the sweet spot, remove the kayak and tighten down the bolts. Take the measurements from one side and duplicate the measurements on the other side. Make sure the kayaks don't rub specially if you have any accessories attached to the yak while your trailering down the road.
30. comment for Harbor Freight Double Kayak Trailer Build | Use 1 or 2 Kayaks
You can modify what I done by using more superstruts and less 2x4's. If the weight station was open, I would get a better number by having my setup weighed.