Double Deck Trailer

markrostan

New Member
Hi everyone. Rather than transporting one on the roof of my Jeep and one on the trailer, I am interested in modifying my trailer to handle stacking the Sunfish sailboats (with room between them.) Has anyone done this and, if so, can you post a picture? I have an idea of how I want it to be done, but I'd like to see if there are other/better ways to do it.

I wouldn't be doing this myself. I'd most likely be having a local metal fabricator do it. My existing trailer is metal. I'll post a picture of it shortly.
 
Hi everyone. Rather than transporting one on the roof of my Jeep and one on the trailer, I am interested in modifying my trailer to handle stacking the Sunfish sailboats (with room between them.) Has anyone done this and, if so, can you post a picture? I have an idea of how I want it to be done, but I'd like to see if there are other/better ways to do it. I wouldn't be doing this myself. I'd most likely be having a local metal fabricator do it. My existing trailer is metal. I'll post a picture of it shortly.
Having viewed the above references, I like the trailers with the two Sunfish tipped-in towards the middle. :)

Why not use wood for building the trailer's structure? Wood is inexpensive, compliant, easy to work with, easy to modify—if measured incorrectly :confused:—and can be made to conform exactly with the Sunfish's shapes at the chines or edges. A wooden structure can be lifted off when the trailer is needed for different tasks. :cool:

Fire hose is another consideration for trailer, dolly, storage, and Sunfish work stations: fire hose can be bolted together and lag-screwed into a wood trailer structure. For an even softer ride, swim-noodles can be inserted within. After measuring exactly, I'll prepare an advertisement here for the supply that I have available presently—and will have still more—available in November. Lengths I use to store three kayaks outdoors have been holding up after 20 years! :eek:
 
Depending on the structure, wood weight adds up as it may need more bracing. All the other attributes might balance that though, especially if someone buys a trailer sprung for a 700 pound jet ski. Add 2 Sunfish, the framing and a bike or kayak and you have the weight now for a smooth ride. OTOH if you know a metal fabricator I'd go that route.

LAVW, Great tip on the fire hose!

Why not build a tiny house for your fish :)
 
Thanks for all the feedback everyone. As I already have a trailer for one boat, I'd prefer to not start from scratch. My challenge for the second level is how the trailer frame kind of follows the shape of the boat, then drops down to one beam under the boat, rather than being boxy. So supports for the upper level toward the front of the trailer would be a bit tricky. See the picture below.

The trailer was old and I had to replace the wheels. The new ones were a tad larger (1/2"?) so you can see it's a bit tight with the fender. There are currently two leaf springs and I did wonder if I'd need to swap out for three-leaf springs if I added another level and another boat.

boat.jpg
 
Hi everyone. Rather than transporting one on the roof of my Jeep and one on the trailer, I am interested in modifying my trailer to handle stacking the Sunfish sailboats (with room between them.) Has anyone done this and, if so, can you post a picture? I have an idea of how I want it to be done, but I'd like to see if there are other/better ways to do it.

I wouldn't be doing this myself. I'd most likely be having a local metal fabricator do it. My existing trailer is metal. I'll post a picture of it shortly.

Mark, I modified a trailer a few yrs ago to make it double capable. No need for welding; I bought a set of truck ladder racks that just bolted to the metal trailer frame. Since I had a center PVC tube to carry the sail/spars, I had to elevate the upper rack. Two plastic "Tuff Boxes" did the trick --I use them for sailing gear etc. Check out the flicks attached--I hope.
 

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Mark, I modified a trailer a few yrs ago to make it double capable. No need for welding; I bought a set of truck ladder racks that just bolted to the metal trailer frame. Since I had a center PVC tube to carry the sail/spars, I had to elevate the upper rack. Two plastic "Tuff Boxes" did the trick --I use them for sailing gear etc. Check out the flicks attached--I hope.

I like that route. Put the upper supports right on either side of the axles. And connect it to the front "winch" area for added stability. I was thinking I'd have to have some side supports closer to the front of the boat, but this would be easier to do and I might could pull it off myself. Your trailer looks a little bigger than mine. Did you have to modify the leaf springs for the added weight?
 
I wouldn't be doing this myself. I'd most likely be having a local metal fabricator do it. My existing trailer is metal. I'll post a picture of it shortly.
I like the idea of a bolt-on solution. Welding onto a galvanized trailer compromises the protection of the zinc galvanization.
 
LAVW, Great tip on the fire hose! Why not build a tiny house for your fish :)
A tiny house? :) I do have a 16-foot section of galvanized culvert, and just rented a Kubota tractor for a ½-day boulder-moving job. 'Guess I could crush the culvert to Sunfish size! :D

I've placed the fire hose ad—in blue, below—at the very reasonable price of 10 cents per inch.
Sunfish Work-Station Fire Hose Support | SailingForums.com

"Priority Mail" will cost more than the hose! :confused:
 
I like that route. Put the upper supports right on either side of the axles. And connect it to the front "winch" area for added stability. I was thinking I'd have to have some side supports closer to the front of the boat, but this would be easier to do and I might could pull it off myself. Your trailer looks a little bigger than mine. Did you have to modify the leaf springs for the added weight?
As a general rule in overloading, don't allow leaf springs to compress to a flat condition—they'll weaken, permanently. :(

I suspect you have ample leaf-spring support with your trailer—but with Sunfish, there's a downside to too much support! :oops:
 
Thanks for all the feedback everyone. As I already have a trailer for one boat, I'd prefer to not start from scratch. My challenge for the second level is how the trailer frame kind of follows the shape of the boat, then drops down to one beam under the boat, rather than being boxy. So supports for the upper level toward the front of the trailer would be a bit tricky. See the picture below.

The trailer was old and I had to replace the wheels. The new ones were a tad larger (1/2"?) so you can see it's a bit tight with the fender. There are currently two leaf springs and I did wonder if I'd need to swap out for three-leaf springs if I added another level and another boat.

View attachment 20503


Here's a similar thread I started a while back on the same topic and detail of my double decker build. It been about a year and a half it's holding up great.

Converting a trailer for 2 fish? | SailingForums.com
 

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