Boats and motorboats are now actively used for fishing, hunting and just for relaxing with the family. But how to transport a boat to a pond? If you have a small boat, then it fits in the trunk of a car or on the roof. If you have a boat with a rigid hull and large passenger capacity, then a special boat trailer is required. Boats can also be transported in regular trailers by placing old tires or installing special supports. But it would be more correct to use specialized boat trailers.
Nowadays there are a wide variety of boat trailers on the market and they differ in the number of axles, braked and non-braked, etc. In this article we will look at the differences between the trailers offered.
Selection of boat trailer, models and characteristics
When searching for a suitable option, the main attention is paid to weight and length; the first point is additionally added to the weight of the equipment that will be transported in it. If the craft weighs 150 kg, then the motor will increase the figure to 190 kg. Fishing goods will also change this level, but the boat will not weigh more than 1 ton.
The boat trailer is also selected according to the material that was used in the manufacture of the craft:
- roller mechanisms are used for plastic;
- on runners - PVC versions.
When choosing a trailer, much attention is paid to its storage location. Also, do not forget about the size of the wheel hubs. If they coincide with automobile ones, one spare tire is enough.
Single axis option
Where to begin
Decide on the shape and dimensions of your trailer. Look at what is available for sale, what their design and shape are.
Your homemade trailer must match not only the size of the boat, but also the size of the car to which you will attach it.
Like any mechanism, manufacturing must begin with a drawing. As a basis, you can take any design that you think you can handle and adjust it to the size of your boat. But if you have not yet decided, then opt for an A-shaped design, in which the oblique crossbars meet at the beginning of the hitch.
Best Boat Trailers
A trailer for transporting a boat is selected according to technical characteristics and its type, features of the braking system, and the number of axles. The most popular models are:
| Name | Characteristics |
| MZSA 817711 B.101-05 | Single-axle, on 2 wheels, with a load capacity of 570 kg. Used to move inflatables with a length of up to 3.4 m; metal parts have an anti-corrosion coating. |
| MZSA 81771C.101-05 | Suitable for vehicles up to 3.9 m long and weighing up to 560 kg. Helps transport common lightweight fishing boats. |
| LAV-81015 | Reminiscent of the previous version, but can transport watercraft up to 3.5 m in length, weighing no more than 520 kg. |
| Vodnik 8213 B5 | Single-axle, for transporting large structures up to 5 m long. The maximum permissible weight is 540 kg. |
| Laker 300 | Budget model of good quality. Suitable for jet skis, boats. |
| Respo V64T2 | Biaxial model. It has a perfect braking system and is used for boats weighing up to 1.2 tons. |
| Respo V91T2 | Modified version for large products weighing up to 3.5 tons. |
There are other trailers for boats; before purchasing them, you need to make sure that the parameters of the boat and the transportation equipment match.
Among trailers for 6-meter boats, MZSA 822141.502 has gained popularity.
Model Respo V64T2
Why choose a special trailer
Transportation in a trailer is considered the most acceptable option for transporting watercraft. Some owners buy a trailer, despite the fact that their carts can be transported on the roof. The reason for this is the desire to preserve the paintwork, as well as load additional equipment (fuel, fishing tackle, oars). In this case, any, even ordinary universal utility trailers can be suitable. The mass of the cardboard is low, so no design changes will have to be made.
Transporting potatoes is just a private task. In general, it is necessary to transport boats, cabin ships with a stationary engine, and dinghies. And although the requirements determine the technical condition of the car, as well as the dimensions of the trailer, the above-mentioned devices are no longer suitable. The main reason lies far from the carrying capacity. The fact is that according to statistics, no more than two people go fishing. This means that it will be problematic to unload a boat like the Kazanka alone or together, not to mention the Progress boat. A special boat trailer allows you to perform not only transportation tasks, but also loading or unloading.
Car trailer for small boats and boats
When searching, the presence of:
- own braking system;
- equipping with equipment for direct launching;
- system fastening - its variant;
- reflective elements - for emergency situations in the dark or for the convenience of other road users;
- boat cover included.
A trailer's ground clearance must be no less than that of a car.
The advantages of transport equipment include equipment protection, time saving, comfort and safety.
For example, the boat trailer MZSA 823111.102 allows you to transport watercraft up to 8.2 m in length; the product line includes varieties for smaller sizes.
Boat platform
Do-it-yourself trailer manipulator: how to make and install
To simplify the search for the specified values, you can use the following classification:
- Installations with one axle are suitable for moving boats with a weight of up to 1.5 tons and a length of up to 6 m. These models contain coupling elements, dimensions and brake lights that are connected to the vehicle's electrical network.
- Variations with two axes are used for large equipment with a weight of up to 2.5 tons and a length of up to 8 m. They are characterized by smooth and uniform movement due to a biaxial base.
- Options with 3 axles can transport boats up to 3 tons and up to 8.5 m in length. Their structural features include increased stability and maintaining smooth movement at high speed.
Significant characteristics of the equipment include load capacity indicators; when calculating them, the weight of the boat and other factors are taken into account, due to which the total mass increases:
- fishing gear;
- motor;
- fuel supply;
- secondary loads and volume of drinking water.
If the load capacity is incorrectly calculated, overload will eventually lead to serious damage to the equipment. You will have to purchase a new trailer for the inflatable boat.
Three-axis MZSA 823111.102
Trailer parameters and registration with the traffic police
Most often, in villages the river (or lake) is just a stone's throw away and there have never been traffic police posts on the road to the reservoir. Nobody wants to buy an expensive factory trailer to transport a boat 200-300 meters or even a couple of kilometers, so they make trailers for floating craft from scrap materials.
In big cities, registration of this vehicle is simply mandatory - you simply cannot get to the reservoir without it, the “valiant, honest and dear to your heart” traffic police will stop you at the first checkpoint and they will “slap” a fine or confiscate the trailer.
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The list of criteria for choosing a trailer for a rubber boat is presented:
- Frame - the load-bearing part is designed for heavy loads. The base metal in the structure should not be too thin, so that over time the fasteners do not become loose and fall out. The device must have an anti-corrosion coating (galvanized, painted).
- Wheels - preference is given to the same versions on the car and trailer, which will avoid problems on the road. If there are no identical ones, then it is better to use tire designs without tubes. When moving heavy boats, preference is given to wheels with weight markings.
- Autonomous braking system - required for equipment weighing more than 750 kg.
- Light signaling elements - the device must have brake lights, a flashlight, turn signals, and an illuminated license plate.
- Winch - it allows you to pull the craft out of the water and load it. On a high-quality device, the welding seams on the nose stop attached to the drawbar are almost invisible. The cable and belts of the mechanism should not rub against nearby elements. With a manual mechanism, the handle is free-wheeling.
Before purchasing a PVC boat trailer, you need to study different models of manufacturers and settle on options with a good reputation. At the same time, you should remember about the functional features and power of the machine.
Technical documentation always indicates the maximum weight permissible for a vehicle when transporting towed equipment.
Car trailer 4200 for PVC boat
Boat trailer design
A trailer for transporting watercraft requires a mandatory design solution that prevents the transported cargo from shifting forward during emergency braking. As a rule, this is a dovetail-type nose pad made of rubber, polyurethane or plastic, swinging on an axis for more precise load distribution. Installed on the vertical part of the winch stand.
For ease of loading, the trailer is equipped with a V-shaped axle or axle shafts, and the rear lights and license plate are placed in such a way as to create the maximum possible free space for loading the craft from the water.
Anti-corrosion coating of the frame, special hubs, supports with a sliding coating or swinging rollers, free space under the bottom of the boat are the main features that characterize a special boat trailer.
The key is to adjust the center of gravity of a trailer loaded with watercraft with an outboard motor installed. The vertical load on the towbar ball is indicated in the technical specifications of the vehicle and must be within the limits indicated on the coupling head. By shifting the axle, its position is achieved so that the vertical load on the coupling device is within the limits required by the manufacturer of the trailer and vehicle (towbar). Typically no less than 40 and no more than 125 kg for heavy trailers and tractor units.
For a smooth ride on boat trailers with a light load (jet skis, PVC inflatable boats with a motor, when their total weight is less than 400 kg), a softer spring suspension with vertically mounted shock absorbers is preferable.
To reduce the overall dimensions of a trailer without a boat, folding, folding, retractable and dismountable drawbars are sometimes provided, and rear cross members and bumpers are pushed along guides.
Trailer for transporting a keel yacht
Owners prefer certain models:
- MZSA 822141.405 - the basic version has brakes, a manual mechanism and a loading winch. Two axles help to withstand a decent weight and deliver the yacht to the water intact and safe. The equipment allows you to transport boats up to 7 m, weighing up to 1650 kg. It is made of high-quality metal; due to its square cross-section, each element is a stiffener.
- Vodnik 8213 03 - used for small watercraft, including jet skis. It contains a winch for loading, supports, and clamps, which allows the boat to be stable during transportation. The low center of gravity prevents it from turning over. A dump-type boat trailer has a load capacity of no more than 590 kg, a permissible length of 4.2 m, one axle for 2 wheels.
- Vodnik 8213 A5 - allows the length of the water vehicle to be no more than 4.5 m. It has the functionality of a dump truck, reliable cable fastenings, lifting and lowering is carried out by a winch. The device is single-axis.
For transporting a keel yacht
Trailer requirements
- the platform for placing the winch must be vertically adjustable to ensure that the bow of the boat is pulled to the base in the transport position;
- the bumper, which acts as a rear cross member, must be retractable to meet the requirements for the distance of the line of lights from the extreme cargo dimension;
- the coating of the supports must be slippery when wet, and have holding properties when dry;
- resistance to corrosion in a highly salty atmosphere - coastal cities, immersion in sea water during loading of a boat;
- protection against corrosion of trailer electrical wiring elements - connectors, contact groups in rear and side lights.
Rules for transporting a boat trailer
The regulations require the following nuances:
- If you have less than 2 years of driving experience, it is prohibited to transport trailers;
- category “E” allows you to move equipment up to 3.5 tons, “B” - up to 750 kg;
- when driving on a highway, the maximum permissible speed is 90 km/h, on other types of roads - up to 70 km/h;
- Switched on lights are required when traveling at night, while crossing a tunnel or in poor visibility.
The weight of the transported device must not exceed the maximum permissible weight specified by the trailer manufacturer.
Transport under protective cover
