Trailer modifications
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: General Correct Craft Discussion
Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Discription: Anything Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=43106
Printed Date: April-20-2024 at 9:13am
Topic: Trailer modifications
Posted By: AlfaDon
Subject: Trailer modifications
Date Posted: July-08-2018 at 9:49pm
|
Hey, Every year just before summer vacation, I start thinking about how I can get the Nautique and Jet ski to our cabin in Idaho from California. Some years I've been lucky in that a friend has pulled the jet ski up there for me. But I'm always trying to figure out how to put them both on a single trailer. I've considered putting the jet ski in the back of the truck, but with a 6.5' bed, it'll extend past the end of the tailgate by 30". I'll have to use a receiver extender, and even then it'll look like the Beverly Hillbillies (for those of you old enough to remember that TV show) One of my ideas is to build a rack on top of the Nautique trailer and hoist the Jet ski on and off. I've got a hoist at my house to load it and the marina in Idaho will take it off with a fork lift. I then disassemble the rack (tubing) and launch the boat. Unfortunately my Nautique (DHM) trailer is single axle and can't carry the load. The 176 and trailer is about 3000 lbs. The Jet ski and frame work would add another 1000-1200. Do I change out the axle to a 5200 lb single axle, or modify the trailer to add a 2nd 3500 lb axle? My gut tells me that the 5200 lb axle would be the cheaper way to go,. I enjoy the mobility of a single axle, given that I have to navigate around a lot of trees where I store it for the winter and being able to move it in my driveway. . I've never towed a tandem long distance and don't know of the advantages. Thanks, Don |
Replies:
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: July-08-2018 at 10:04pm
|
Don, Sounds like you have the equipment at both ends for loading and unloading. Considering that, have you considered putting the PWC crosswise in the pickup bed by making a simple bunked rack. It wouldn't stick out the back 30", you wouldn't need the extender and an axle upgrade wouldn't be needed. As long as the PWC isn't over 8' in length, you would be legal in most states for width. I think some have even gone to 8" 6". ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: AlfaDon
Date Posted: July-08-2018 at 10:07pm
| Thanks Pete, I should have mentioned that the jet ski is 10.5' long |
Posted By: Jonny Quest
Date Posted: July-08-2018 at 10:25pm
|
You might be able to pull "doubles". Check length laws for the states you will be traveling through. CA will be your biggest obstacle You could fabricate a receiver hitch on the back of the DHM trailer. You won't be able to back up a "set of joints" but you can always disconnect the rear trailer before backing. JQ ------------- Current 2003 Ski Nautique 206 Limited Previous 2001 Ski Nautique Open Bow 1994 Ski Nautique Open Bow Aqua skiing, ergo sum |
Posted By: gun-driver
Date Posted: July-08-2018 at 11:02pm
If you went with a sled deck you could make a cradle for the ski to rest in and the height would probably clear the front of the trailer. or go cab over like this  
|
Posted By: AlfaDon
Date Posted: July-09-2018 at 1:40am
|
Hey guys, thanks for the responses. Sorry, but no double trailers in these parts. I've seen semi's pulling triple 20' trailers in Nevada and Oregon, but nothing recreational. A cradle like the pic posted would certainly do the trick. Money is a problem now:-) I found a hitch extension I had, and it looks like it might work. The weight center of the jet ski is still within the wheels wells as per GM spec. I'm going to mock it up this week and see how it looks. I'll report back with some pics |
Posted By: rosconole
Date Posted: July-10-2018 at 3:58am
|
depends on the payload of the truck.....I have seen a few trailers in FL that have a hyd lift for the skis that hold them above the boat pretty cool concept. there was one for sale on craigslist years back. ------------- 1989 ski nautique ,1991 barefoot nautique, 1993 Mustang Cobra 1998 5.0 Magazine shootout invitee |
Posted By: AlfaDon
Date Posted: July-10-2018 at 4:06am
|
They do seem to appear on Craigslist every once in a while. Definitely impressive to check out. I've figured that I'm going to put the Jet Ski in the back of the truck . It should stick out past the end of the tailgate by about 18-20", which isn't too outrageous. |
Posted By: MrMcD
Date Posted: July-10-2018 at 4:54am
|
Using the hitch extension will change the weight and leverage on your hitch but your trailer is light so maybe that will not even be an issue. I have seen trailers on the highway set up exactly as you seem to wish. Tandem trailer with a platform above the boat carrying jet skiis or wave runner. Cool set up when done correctly. One I saw was set up to pivot back, load your wave runner and it pivots up above the boat. Very nice set up. I did not look close to see if it was hydraulics or winches that gave it the lift. Good Luck with your project, what part of Idaho are you headed to? Mark ------------- |
Posted By: AlfaDon
Date Posted: July-10-2018 at 7:16am
|
Thanks Mark. The name of the lake is Payette Lake, and the town is McCall. It's about 100 miles due north of Boise, and an altitude of 5000'. It's always been a retreat for the people who live in the Boise valley as it's about 20* cooler. My Grandfather built a 1 room cabin there in '55. Where do you ski? Folsom Lake? Sacramento river? Don |
Posted By: SNobsessed
Date Posted: July-10-2018 at 9:39am
|
I would look at the cost of fabricating the special cradle & consider that it may be cost effective to just buy a 2nd waverunner & leave it at the lake. Used one's can be had for a couple thou. ------------- “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin |
Posted By: CradNautique
Date Posted: July-11-2018 at 3:41pm
|
Just a thought and not trying to be "smart" but can you wife drive and pull the Jet skies? Putting a hitch and teaching her could solve a lot of issues. Thanks |
Posted By: AlfaDon
Date Posted: July-11-2018 at 4:40pm
|
You're assuming I want to go on vacation with my wife :-) Actually I'm not married. My daughter was going to pull the jet ski, but she's not staying as long. That means not having as many toys! |
Posted By: Jonny Quest
Date Posted: July-12-2018 at 1:43am
Love Payette Lake. Good friend of mine is from McCall. You should have plenty of fun,,. JQ ------------- Current 2003 Ski Nautique 206 Limited Previous 2001 Ski Nautique Open Bow 1994 Ski Nautique Open Bow Aqua skiing, ergo sum |
AlfaDon wrote:Posted By: flyweed
Date Posted: July-12-2018 at 9:42pm
|
make two trips...LOL...that's what I have to do, but our cabin is only 4.5 hours away. So we always pull the Nautique up first, and then 8-10 days I come back home, check on things at home, pay bills, etc, then pull our double jet ski trailer back up. Then they are both up there. ------------- '93 Ski Nautique NWZ, Air Boom Tower Drink Tonight..for tomorrow We Ride! |
Posted By: gun-driver
Date Posted: August-10-2018 at 3:10pm
|
Here's the answer https://sacramento.craigslist.org/boa/d/1999-malibu-response-lx/6653378669.html" rel="nofollow - https://sacramento.craigslist.org/boa/d/1999-malibu-response-lx/6653378669.html |
Posted By: AlfaDon
Date Posted: August-10-2018 at 5:02pm
| Yea, I saw that and communicated with the guy. He would need a replacement trailer for his boat, plus cash to equal $5500 for the value of the trailer. Not a bad deal if I could afford it, and could find a trailer |
Posted By: SNobsessed
Date Posted: August-10-2018 at 9:59pm
|
I'm at a loss on how you launch the jet skiis from 10 foot above the water. Winch only pulls. ------------- “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: August-10-2018 at 10:28pm
|
Back her in deep....... ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: gun-driver
Date Posted: August-10-2018 at 10:37pm
Most winches reverse also so you could lower it down the ramp once you pushed it on to the ramp. |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: August-10-2018 at 10:43pm
Or,  ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: AlfaDon
Date Posted: August-10-2018 at 10:47pm
| I've always been leery of bunk slides and the like. It seems like if it goes on easy, it's bound to come off easy :-) |
Posted By: Faceplant
Date Posted: August-10-2018 at 11:42pm
|
There was previously a trailer on my lake that the whole upper level pivoted down to water level . Pretty cool . ------------- Feels like I am hanging 10 but in reality - probably hanging 6. |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: August-11-2018 at 9:04am
Definitely the way to go. Replace the two winches with a hydraulic pump, a couple cylinders and pivot the upper deck. Then easy on and easy off with no screwing around with ramps and no climbing up and down ! ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: SNobsessed
Date Posted: August-11-2018 at 10:47am
|
Why not just have a 35 foot long trailer, with skiis in back. Caster dolly wheels for the back section, detach for launching big boat. Or just rent a jet ski for a couple hours & get it out of your system . . . ------------- “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin |
Posted By: AlfaDon
Date Posted: September-03-2018 at 4:11pm
Just to let everybody know what I finally did to solve the problem....
|
Posted By: SNobsessed
Date Posted: September-03-2018 at 5:13pm
|
Nice rig! Do you have a crane to unload with? ------------- “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin |
Posted By: AlfaDon
Date Posted: September-03-2018 at 5:51pm
| I built an A frame the first time I loaded it, then I got the help of a few different forklifts the other times. Other than looking a little "Beverly Hillbillies", it worked out really well. It rode really nice in the back of the truck. I got 15mpg behind the diesel 4x4 |