A Tacoma pickup is slightly larger than my Nissan.b. buy a trailer on the way, already have a possible option a Load Rite 14F1000WT for $950, pick it up and drive back myself. Visit family, see some sights...
c. pick up, tie it to the top of my Tacoma, drive back and buy a trailer here.
As a side note, the Load Rite trailer is nice and sturdy for driving across country, I could probably really pimp this rig out with pvc tubes for mast/boom storage. If I got it back here some other way I would probably buy a Trailex trailer- lighter, more maneuverable- I could move it by hand, more expensive, but not necessarily as sturdy for a cross-country trip.
Let me know if I'm missing something or if there is an obvious solution here.
What about something like this...https://images.app.goo.gl/Ai4h8dDNhwYgC4tG8
I have the harbor freight version, paid about $60.View attachment 41236
If you take your time, you should be able to find a decent trailer for about $300-$500, and it might need about $100 of tires and/or wheel bearings. If you can't find something in roughly this price range before you buy the boat, by all means take the boat home on a roof rack and shop for a trailer at leisure. But I hope you are not going across the country strictly to buy the boat, you should be able to find one closer to home...
I wouldn't tow an empty trailer any distance at all.Let me know if I'm missing something or if there is an obvious solution here.
Sorry I realized I wasn’t very clear in my post.Unfortunately, I'm just one person, partly why I'm getting a Sunfish is that it is a fun boat that I can handle on my own. I could probably get it off of this rack but doubt I could get it back up there on my own. I'll also be storing in a boat storage lot, so need something that it can sit on for the winter. I like the idea though...
I have been using my kayak trailer a lot lately for various things. A couple of days ago my wife and I took her car to the grocery store. As I drove by several parking places she looked at me and said, “you know that we aren’t pulling a trailer right now, right?”I wouldn't tow an empty trailer any distance at all.
You'll come around to remembering it the first time you back up!
I suggest that you car top it and drive it yourself. When you get back to CO, take your time in finding the right trailer. It'll cost a lot less than shipping the boat and you can visit family and sights along the way. Without a trailer, parking and driving will be easier and there won't be any additional cost for tolls for the third axle. And buying a used trailer is always a risk and certainly not one you want to take just before an 1,800 mile trip. Sunfish trailer wheels are so small and have to turn so fast that the bearings really heat up on long trips. Even new small trailers are risky on long high speed trips.Okay everyone, I am having trouble making this decision on my own and need everyone's expertise, input, or opinions. I'm purchasing a Sunfish on the East Coast and I need to get it back to Colorado. I can:
a. have it shipped to Colorado and buy a trailer for it here when it arrives. In just a preliminary search it's about $950 to ship, then purchase trailer $500-$1000... most costly
option
b. buy a trailer on the way, already have a possible option a Load Rite 14F1000WT for $950, pick it up and drive back myself. Visit family, see some sights...
c. pick up, tie it to the top of my Tacoma, drive back and buy a trailer here.
As a side note, the Load Rite trailer is nice and sturdy for driving across country, I could probably really pimp this rig out with pvc tubes for mast/boom storage. If I got it back here some other way I would probably buy a Trailex trailer- lighter, more maneuverable- I could move it by hand, more expensive, but not necessarily as sturdy for a cross-country trip.
Let me know if I'm missing something or if there is an obvious solution here.