boat trailer 2 bike trailer

[daemon]

here's hoping for some suggestions.
recently my neighbor gave me a boat trailer he no longer needed....free.
and i thought right away that it would take very little effort for me to frame it out and turn it into a bike trailer.

please keep in mind that i work at a steel warehouse and have semi-use of a welder,cutting torch and a CNC plasma torch for most of the fabrication.
plus i can get the steel at a steal...
here are some pics of the product.






here are the questions.
1.it comes without a title,so i will have to battle with the authorities on claiming it is homemade.
shouldn't be a problem though...work at steel plant..
2.the say it is a "tilt down" trailer.
i have yet to figure this out though. only saw one pin that may be it,but doesn't work as far as i have seen.
3. is it too long on the tounge or is it unstable in anyway that you can see?
4.is it worth my fooking time???

[Sortarican]

Option #1
Sell the trailer to a boater and buy a bike trailer.

Option #2
Cut off the whole center section and tongue, cut off the rollers and side supports, re-weld the arm/tongue section to the box frame,
attach plywood deck, Viola, bike trailer.


Here's a quick mock-up:
Attachment 9554

Nice find Mayo. Suspension and everything!
Shouldn't be a problem getting a title for it as a homemade trailer.
Just take it down for an inspection and they should issue you a title.

[daemon]

Option #1
Sell the trailer to a boater and buy a bike trailer.

i'm too honest for that.
it was given to me for free and my little brain will not allow me to sell it to buy something else...

i hate being such a nice guy with an a**hole attitude

[chad23]

no your just an ass, option #2 is the best option

[daemon]

option #2 is the best option

kinda what i was thinking

[McVaaahhh]

I'd say cut the tongue down, just way too long for having a couple of bikes on it.

[ghostrider_9]

Agreed with the tongue cutting. I think it would work great as a bike trailer.

As far as teh tilt is concerned, the pin at the front is the release point. The pivot point is the bolt at the end of the piece that is connected tot he hitch. It looks as if there may be a bolt in top that may be preventing it from tilting.

[daemon]

thanks for the info guy's.
i was kinda concerned with the length of the tounge.
so yeah.
i will most likley cut it off.


thanks for the mock-up jeff.

[PhL0aTeR]

i'm too honest for that.
it was given to me for free and my little brain will not allow me to sell it to buy something else...

i hate being such a nice guy with an a**hole attitude

So if someone gave you $100 bill for free, but you needed 2 $50s would you try to cut in half, and write 50 on it or would you just go make change?

smart ass comment was in place of a serious question.... whats wrong with selling something you got for free to get something you want? would it be more ethical to trade the trailer straight across for a bike trailer?

[daemon]

would it be more ethical to trade the trailer straight across for a bike trailer?

yes!!!

[Sortarican]

..would it be more ethical to trade the trailer straight across for a bike trailer?

yes!!!

There you go.
I mean that boat trailer is a nice set-up. It's almost a shame to chop it down.

Call a couple boating retailers and see if they have a plain Jane trailer they'd be interested in swapping with you.

[ghostrider_9]

I have to admit, Jeff has a good idea . . . I wonder who gave it to him. . . hahaha

[Sortarican]

I have to admit, Jeff has a good idea . . . I wonder who gave it to him. . . hahaha

Sometimes the voices in my head are actually worth listening to.

[GregsGSXR]

Try to trade, ruining a perfectly good boat trailer is no good. Post it on CL or try to find a dealer who might be able to use it.

[dallas]

If you do decide to modify the boat trailer, you could build a bike trailer custom to suit your needs. If you have all the tools and can get cheap steel, I say do it. I highly doubt there is anyone out there with a motorcycle trailer willing to trade for a boat trailer. Stranger things have happened though.

Final thoughts: Build yourself a custom bike trailer.

[PhL0aTeR]

yes!!!

so whats the difference in adding a step? If you "trade" your new boat trailer for something (cash) that the person selling a motorcycle trailer needs (cash) then it would just be a trade chain and you would be doing yourself and the seller of a motorcycle trailer a big favor!

[daemon]

so whats the difference in adding a step? If you "trade" your new boat trailer for something (cash) that the person selling a motorcycle trailer needs (cash) then it would just be a trade chain and you would be doing yourself and the seller of a motorcycle trailer a big favor!

true,but....who wants a boat trailer????

[PhL0aTeR]

true,but....who wants a boat trailer????

someone who just bought a boat sans trailer? sounds funny, but about a month ago when i was boat shopping, i was browsing craigslist and ther were several boats that either did not have a trailer or the trailer was not part of the deal..... id drop it on craigslist and see what happens..... if anything you can sell it to purchase the axle and supplies you need to build a proper bike trailer..... or at least thats my way of thinkin...

[GregsGSXR]

Lots of boats coming out of the water for the winter.....

[kevplus2]

try and trade it for something with a 14" wheel. little wheels on trailers suck, especially for light loads