modified jet ski trailer (1 Viewer)

[futurefjowner]

has anyone modified a jet ski/ waverunner trailer into an off road trailer?
i can ususally find them super cheap, and i like that they're a little longer (and i might be able to see it behind my truck when i'm not pulling it with the fj40)
looking for pics/ ideas. thanks!

 

[El_Toyotero]

I wrote about a boat trailer that I modified over on Expo-Portal.

It starts with a boat trailer - Expedition Portal Forum

I recently picked up a small boat trailer to start with to build an off-road trailer. Many might say that their frames are too weak for off-road. I figure that it's not much worse than starting with a Harbor Freight trailer as some have used, although many would probably say that's a terrible idea also. :whoops:

It all depends on how you modify it and what you plan to do with it. I'm not going to take mine over the rubicon trial or anything of the sort, so I expect it to hold up well. Mostly camping trips, canoe hauling, dirt roads, etc. I'll still have to do a lot of frame strengthening to get it how I want.


http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/5738/p3258405trailer4r.jpg


EDIT:

Do you know what the capacity rating is on the trailers you are looking at?

Is your trailer like this one?
FREE SHIPPING — Personal Watercraft Trailer Kit — 610-Lb. Capacity, Model# LCI-881PA | Trailers | Northern Tool + Equipment

If the capacity is 600 lbs +/-, that's a very light trailer that might require a lot of modification to handle the weight of what you might build onto it (box, etc) and what you carry inside it as well as take an off-road beating. You would probably soon be considering upgrading the axle, springs, rims and tires.

 

[greentruck]

If you have a trailer with a light capacity frame and you stay well under that, you can can some pretty good service out of it. But if the capacity to start with is only ~600 pounds, then there's not a lot of slack to start with.

Another consideration is what you're going to put under it in terms of wheels and tires. You'll want to check to see if you can upgrade the hubs to use tires more suitable for off-roading. I'm not sure that's even possible with some of the lower rated axles.

Above that, the next higher capacity axles are 2000 pounds and 3500 pounds. Consider that a pair of decent sized wheels and tires will be around 200+ pounds (vs the much light stock wheels and tires), so if your original capacity is 610 pounds, as on the Northern trailer, then you're only looking at a max of ~400 pounds load and you're at the full rated load. The coupler on that trailer is rated at 2000 pounds in the literature, so you're good there. However, if you are looking at a higher capacity and are going to end up having to swap an axle under it to deal with that, best just get that as part of the package up front.


So the limitation to see if these will suit your needs is the axle versus gross vehicle weight relationship. Once you know how you want the wheels and tires set-up and how much that will weigh (and if hubs are available, assuming you do want to convert to larger size components on the axle you choose), then you'll have a good idea of what will work for you.

Light isn't a bad idea. It can be a great idea if you plan carefully. It's just that the margin of over-capacity you can accommodate is less than in heavier trailers.

 

[futurefjowner]

thanks guys!
ok, so i guess i have a little more to think about it......
i'm desperate for a CHEAP trailer- it will start out it's life hauling my welder- right now it's in the bed of my truck which is doing nothing for my gas mileage-
so it will need to haul 600 or so pounds (plus oxy acetylene tanks tools etc) and it will need to have basic off road capabilities for this task.
but then the idea is that when i quit needing the welder as often as i do now, i can convert it to strictly pull behind my fj40.
option 2 is the bantam trailer that i've found for sale- but it's more expensive and the tires are according to the guy selling it 'made in germany if that says anything about it's age' AND i know it'll take a little more to get it roadworthy.
so it's bantam or jet ski trailer right now- will i be able to see the bantam AT ALL behind a full size chevy?

 

[greentruck]

You can put a flag on it;p

But you're going to have to do that with a jet-ski trailer anyway.

I'd think if you've got a welder and can use it, the Bantam trailer in any reasonable shape that runs is something you'll get more value out of than anything new and light.

Heck, I've got a trailer, my neighbor sez he can weld but doesn't have a welder, so I'm waiting on some new fenders for my 101. They'll be nice, but they'll cost me.

Gotta get that skill -- and the tools -- one of these days.