Kayak Trailer

I sold all my kayak stuff several years ago when my spouse was sick. I'm now thinking about getting a new Kayak but now, with no pickup, I will need a trailer to pull behind my SUV. I'm not sure I could get the boat up on a roof rack, so I am discounting that option.

Any suggestions on a decent trailer with good size tires that can be pulled at highway speed limits?

Another option is to get an inflatable kayak
It will deflate to fit in the back of the SUV
No need for a trailer or roof rack
Texas wind is definitely a factor with inflatable kayaks

What I would get.

I'm looking at a Hobie...I had one several years ago and liked it. Thanks for the information.

Lots of options out there. One popular option is to buy a Harbor Freight trailer (get the one with 12" tires not the one with 8" tires) and modify it for your kayak. Another option is to buy a galvanized jon boat trailer from Academy (my recommendation). CE Smith, Malone, Trailex or even a jet ski trailer like an Ironton from Northern Tool.
Note I would avoid buying a used trailer unless the seller has a valid title for that trailer AND the seller has the registration receipt AND the sellers name and address match what's on the registration receipt. If not you will have a nightmare of a time trying to get a title for it.

Also if you buy a bolt together trailer new (Harbor Freight, Northern Tool, etc) make sure you keep the purchase receipt. It's extremely difficult to get it titled without that receipt even tho it's brand new.

Oh and and more tip- if you need to modify the trailer in any way do so after you get registered the trailer. Modifying it before makes it ten times harder to get it registered. Depending on what you buy you will likely need pics of your trailer (fully assembled if required) for registration.

CCTX I'm going to respectfully disagree. This is a great option for someone traveling in an RV or travel trailer and has zero options to trailer or carry a true fishing kayak but the OP doesn't mention this scenario. Inflatables are a pain. They add considerable prep time in terms of getting ready to launch and on the return side, when you're done fishing they're wet (and for me often muddy since I launch in the marsh a lot) and you obviously can't fold them up and store them wet and they're heavy. Picking up a 50 lb box or folded inflatable kayak is a lot harder to do than picking up one end of a 100 lb kayak. You mentioned the wind but this is huge. They're like a balloon on the water in the wind. For me they're impossible to hold in position in anything over about 6-8 mph. Just my thoughts.

Look for a used 5'x8' or larger utility trailer, can usually be had for a few hundred

I lay down the back sets of my Equinox and use a tailgate extender. It looks like hell but works better than one might imagine. The cart I store the boat on is the same height as the extender so I just push it in there and strap it down.

Great advice from Jerry713 about purchasing a trailer from Academy. Also, not sure how far you are travelling with the trailer, but make sure you have decent size tires on your trailer; bigger is better. Small tires are not good for long hauls and high speeds on the highway.

Note sure how serious you are about kayaking but those Hobie PA's are nice, but expensive.

I had a Hobie several years ago but sold it and bought a Mokai jet-powered kayak. I had a 5 X 8 utility trailer but hadn't used it for several years (my spouse was sick and I didn't do any fishing). I'll probably look at the places mentioned and make sure I get at least 12" tires (good comment)

I highly recommend a triton aluminum trailer. I haul two hobies on mine with no worries. I also added cradles.

Yep that's the one I couldn't remember they're good. Expensive but worth. I would recommend a Triton over a Malone any day.

Great suggestions above.

Trailers are a hassle, in my personal experience. It will be an additional thing to register, maintain, store, pay a fee on, and periodically do a safety check on. In my opinion, special sealed bearings are required if the wheels will be going into water at a boat ramp, especially salt water. If you only go out a few times per year, it might be better to rent a U-Haul. A simple custom frame to fit your kayak could be built which slides in and fits the U-Haul. The tailgate extender idea, can save time if you can at least partially preload your kayak. Other ideas include trailer hitch loaders and power loader kits or custom-built.

For Inflatables it depends on where someone plans to go and what kind of fishing will be done. Inflatables may sometimes be the only way to go for some situations, like packing in to Alpine Lakes, extensive portaging Upstream, life rafts, dangerous Rapids on rivers where they bounce off of boulders, Etc. They tend to be lighter and can be stored packed /partially inflated for a quick Grab & Go, if someone has the vehicle for it.

Hope this helps.

Sounds good you might consider one thing the Harbor Freight trailer (with 12" tires) is I believe a little cheaper than the galvanized jon boat trailer at Academy (it's been a while since I priced them) but the Harbor Freight trailer takes a solid half day to assemble and that's if everything goes perfect then you have to add at minimum some pvc pipes or runners for the kayak to rest on where as the jon boat trailer at Academy is ready to roll. You can adjust the boat bunks to fit your yak and switch those out for pvc runners later if necessary. Food for thought if your considering that route...

There’s no need to dunk the wheels on a kayak trailer at a boat ramp or anywhere else. I never dunked the wheels on my kayak tailer, my SoloSkiff trailer, or the AmeriTrail trailer that hauls my 16’ poling skiff. My SoloSkiff trailer (a McClain jon boat trailer from Academy) had a custom rack that carried two kayaks above the Solo. I hauled it loaded all over Texas on 12” tires for years at the speed limits with no problems. I also modified a 16’ dual axle utility trailer to haul two SoloSkiffs above a 2’ high secure storage compartment for a trip to the Keys. Never dunked the wheels, even doing beach launches at 3 Mile Pass at Matagorda with that monstrosity.

Kayak trailers may not be for everyone, but they are the easiest and most convenient solution for a lot of people. The minor expense of annual registration is more than offset by the ease and convenience for a lot of folks.

I bought and modified a used jet ski trailer to haul my PA12. It has more than enough capacity and the tires are big enough to not worry about them on the highway.

Jet ski trailer would be my suggestion also. Get a used one, would be perfect for a yak.

For a 12' kayak should be doable. I bought a used jet ski trailer for my 15' long Viking and the trailer was way too short. Had little over 5' of kayak hanging off the back end.

Back in 2014 I bought a Harbor Freight trailer to set up for my kayaks. I bought a stalk of 2” square tube and welded on a flange to create a (IIRC) 7’ extension up front. Cheap, worked well, and made the trailer a whole lot easier to back up. It also put support under the entire length of the hull, as well as eliminating the overhang aft. I only sold it to go to a galvanized trailer for the salt water. It wouldn’t take much to modify a jet ski trailer similarly, and they make a rattle can galvanizing spray that you could paint over to deter salt water oxidation on the extension.

I have a modified jet sky trailer built to handle two kayaks on racks with room for camping stuff under the racks. I'm going to be selling it for $400. I just have to find the title.

Do you have any pictures of your trailer?

Not with me. I can take some when I get home.

It may be a non-titled vehicle; check with your local tax office. You may only need a bill of sale to transfer it.

It is titled. I was busy this weekend and didn't a chance to look for it. I'll find it tonight when I get off work.

Guys, small trailers(under #4000 axle) DO NOT have to be titled in Texas. Here's a quote from the DMV...
New trailer Manufacturer Certificate of Origin*
Used trailer over 4,000 lbs. gross weight Certificate of Title
Used trailer less than or equal to 4,000 lbs. gross weight Bill of Sale + Registration Receipt

If you buy new, you will get a CO. Take that and the store receipt to the DMV. You will pay taxes on the trailer and get your REGISTRATION and plates.
If you buy used, take the BoS and plate numbers to the DMV. You will be charged taxes and get your REGISTRATION and plates.

The third option is to register a used trailer as homemade. If you have modified your trailer in any way (wheel size, axle, tongue, lights, etc) it can be registered as "homemade". If the trailer is manufactured and is missing the nameplate and does not have current registration, it will need to be inspected before it can be registered.

From my experience, LEO does not actively enforce small trailer registration unless it is in non compliance (ie- no lights, no plates or out of date stickers). Even then, its just a fine, Ive never heard of a small trailer being impounded.

A trailer title can be referred to as MSO (manufacture state of origin), MCO, COT (certificate of tiltle), etc. Still needs to have a title.

If you buy new and you have your purchase receipt your fine UNLESS you buy a bolt together kit (from Harbor Freight, Northern Tool, etc) and the COT or MCO or whatever it is called isn't signed by the dealer (which it won't be because the stores aren't going to open every box and sign it) then you will likely have issues and require a lot more steps.

A homemade trailer will need to be inspected but there's a lot more steps necessary. It has to be inspected at an official law enforcement inspection station (they give you an inspection certificate). However if there is no VIN on the trailer or the axle size is unknown the trailer would fail inspection and the hope for registering it is gone. Also your required to have the trailer weighed at an official weigh station and provide the weight ticket. Also you have to have photos from back, front, left and right side of the trailer (printed out all on one sheet of paper), you need the bill of sale when you purchased it (having the selller's DL number will help a lot), along with 2 different forms the state requires and proof of insurance. AND if you have all of this and you get to the DMV and the teller isn't savvy on what all is required you'll get turned down and have to try again. I'm unfortunately speaking from experience.

Last September Texas changed the laws on trailer registration and it is a nightmare to get a trailer titled and registered now without having a valid trailer title.

If it is currently registered I will buy it!

we bought an old Dilly and modified it to haul 6 boats. Lot of work but sure enjoyed doing it. If I were looking for a trailer for just a boat or 2, I'd have to say the jet ski trailer gets my vote.

The HF trailers are the norm in the track/autocross world for tire trailers. MANY have had issues with the tongue cracking so its normal to replace with proper square tubing. Mine barely make it back from Hallet (OK) with a crack 3/4 of the way around when I discovered it. I was shocked when I unhitched it and found the damage. Like you I replaced with longer full length square tubing and am happy that I welded it in (with reinforcements too).

JJ4MEL, it has been registered, but it's expired. I'll clean it up and take some pictures. I just have to figure out how to post them.

Find a used boat trailer to suit the size of kayak you have and fix it up to fit. I've been helping my buddy get this one fixed up, we took it out to Eufala this week for a few days, worked great!

From TX Dot:
Trailers
Registration is required for all non-farm trailers operating on public highways.


https://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/buying-or-selling-a-vehicle/trailers

Sorry, but my wife decided she doesn't want to sell it at this time.

agreed, a person does have to REGISTER and get plates, however, titling and registering are 2 different things. Under #4K weight does not have to be titled.

Before I got a pickup (and bed extender), I had a Yakima Rack and Roll trailer. Great trailer. Large motorcycle tires. Super light weight. Had an easily removable tongue. Stood on end in the garage.

They are not cheap. But I bought it used and because the price of new went up over time, I was able to sell it for more than I paid a couple of years later.

If I had to do it over, I'd be looking for another Yakima Rack and Roll. A buddy has a Malone trailer. It has served him well.

I think for those who have a garage but don't have yard access to store a trailer a fold up trailer is a huge plus. When I had a trailer for our yaks one of the reasons I sold it was because I was tired of the hassle it took me getting it in and out of the yard and having to move it every time I needed to mow.

"I think for those who have a garage but don't have yard access to store a trailer a fold up trailer is a huge plus. When I had a trailer for our yaks one of the reasons I sold it was because I was tired of the hassle it took me getting it in and out of the yard and having to move it every time I needed to mow."

Jerry, agree with the yard hassles, in addition to the other things I listed previously.

I'm not sure how fold up trailers work, seems like you would still have a hassle to unfold and load/ tie down, then untie /unload and fold, and store two separate things with each trip. Of course, that might be the only alternative for some situations.

I'm not a big fan of kayak trailers unless you have no better options. With that said I have one. It gets used when I need to take two or more kayaks for friends or other family members. Bought it from a TFF member here that put it up for sale with two kayaks that I happened to really like. He had kept everything in like new condition and I tried to tell folks on the forum to snatch it up. When no one did, I put a trailer hitch on my vehicle, had it wired up and went and picked it up for myself. Its a Malone MicroSport with retractable tongue. When I can no longer get my kayak on top of my car, I'll appreciate it even more.

Think I'm going to buy a kayak trailer in the next couple of days.. came across one today while on business appointment when we started talking about kayaks.. he had several as well as several ponds to use them on. Don't know if he just saw me checking out the canoe on top of it but he said he would take $400 for it.



Told him I don't need another trailer but knew a lot of folks looking for them. Anyway the $400 included the trailer and the canoe. For someone that wants to get on the water fast and cheap, don't think you could go wrong. So here is what I'm going to do... I'm going to bring it home and the first person that wants it can have it... kayak and trailer $400. If that person doesn't like it, I'll keep it for myself, give the canoe to my sister's grandkids, and sell the trailer for $400 at a later date.

PM me if you are seriously interested, have the funds, and have a way to hook it up to the back of your vehicle. I'm in Jacksonville.. trailer and canoe are in Carthage area. If you live out that way.. you can deal with him yourself.. Wished I'd taken more pictures but will have them later.

Well after much thought, I've decided I'm not selling. Got it home today after spending two hours with previous owner. He was redoing this canoe/boat, Old Town Sportsman dang near 16 feet long and 48 inches wide. He had big plans for it until he was physically unable to bend over or even stand up for extended periods without extreme pain.. He had milled his own red oak wood that he was using to replace a couple of the seats, had reinforced it as well. He even gave me enough wood to finish the job.. explained how to do it, what type tools I'd need. He was the second owner and had ripped out the astro turf that had been installed. I was worried about the trailer as it hadn't been used in 3 years. It performed great at up to 70 mph. No way I paddle this thing... will have to get an electric or gas motor.

I have used a harbor freight trailer for 5+ years now. It has worked great !. Cant comfortably fit two kayaks on the roll bar of my Jeep.
Assembly was a bit of a pain, but not complicated. Keep an eye out for the max speed limit for the trailer. The same trailer has also hauled motorcycles, firewood, household objects etc. It's been pretty handy.
Like other have said, keep all the receipts/ paperwork. Registration is mildly annoying, but not all that bad.
Might be able to find one used for cheap, but keep in mind title work, and double check it was assembled correctly.

I love my custom yak transport vessel. Just a little over the top!

I was hoping you would post pics of it!

holy C
i would travel the country with that
sell my house & carry everything in that trailer & my truck
wow

That WAS the plan but my wife didn't completely buy into the program! It did get to travel from N. Tx to Phx AZ