Since I cartop, my concerns are mostly with the trailer itself. But, FWIW, the edges combine the top and bottom of the Sunfish, and are very strong, so I'd prefer the "A-frame" design.
I'd load the trailer so the springs have started to take the load. If the trailer is too stiff, consult with a local trailer dealer to cut or remove leaves.
On this forum, I've shown videos of others who've added actual shock absorbers at great effort.A search using "shock" should turn it up.
That seems like a great price, especially with the customization. And all galvanized material as well is great.The trailer manufacture gave me a quote of $1200 for a new trailer with the added fabrication of the racks that I need.
Metal tubing is all hollow, and is galvanized.
Alright, so I've been searching around for something used and haven't found too much that doesn't involve a major overhaul. I contacted a local trailer manufacturer to inquire about some custom fabrication designs. I'm definitely leaning towards the A-Frame design.
We purchased one of their kayak trailers 15 years go, it's gone across the country several times, and I've put 10's of thousands of miles on it here in Michigan. It's like the day we bought it. Perfect trailer I think for this application.
The trailer manufacture gave me a quote of $1200 for a new trailer with the added fabrication of the racks that I need. It's been slow at work so I've had some time to draft up a rough design of what this thing will look like
Take a look and let me know what you think. Metal tubing is all hollow, and is galvanized.
I'm not the most handy, so for the price I think it's worth it for me.
No, I did not end up buying the trailer. Decided that finishing off my student loans and preparing for my first born to be born took precedence. I will be purchasing it this winter and will have it fabricated and ready to rock in time for next season. I'll be sure to post pictures then. If you'd like contact information for Genesis trailers, let me know and I can provideGreg,
Did you end up buying the trailer? If so how did it work out? I"m looking for the same.
Thanks,
Rob, the company is Genesis Trailers out of Holland, MI. Your best bet I think would be to talk to Mark Alferink 616-836-0912 or malferink20@gmail.com. He is the one who reached out to me about my design and gave the the estimated price. Seems like a great guy from our communication back and forth.Good for you! Fun times ahead - we are on the other side of the kid thing. Kids got a taste of sailing and now that they are teens they want to sail on their own so we're looking into getting a couple of used sunfish.
If you would give me the contact info, I wouldn't mind at least talking to them. Everything we've found that is galvanized is over $2k. We have college tuition less than a year away. We're in Cleveland so for a price like that we can drive a few hours.
Looks great tag! How heavy is the trailer with boats on them? Are you able to pick it up and move it around?I went down a little different path and built a box bed and two A-frames on my trailer to haul two Sunfish (or in my case a Sunfish and a Minifish).
double ‘fish trailer
View attachment 39014
I have a trailer jack wheel on the front of the trailer that makes it fairly simple to wheel around on flat, paved ground. Overall the trailer is pretty heavy, though, so I'd probably not want to wheel it around on a bumpy or non-paved surface. If I did it again, I'd probably shift the "box" and A-frames further back so that they are balanced better over the trailer axle.Looks great tag! How heavy is the trailer with boats on them? Are you able to pick it up and move it around?