Check the homemade trailer plans Tightwad posted as well as some others. Depending on the boat's beam you could incorporate wheel attachment and hitch tongue into the boats design and make the boat itself the "trailer". Use the same size nuts everywhere, and couple of wrenches could have the extraneous parts, wheels, axle, hitch paraphernalia, etc., off in just a few minutes.

I enjoy this thread. I really like bike trailers-- they make me smile.

I hadn't known about Tony's Trailers. I love the kayak trailer. It's great. The dog trailers are a fun idea as well-- but you really have to be careful with dogs running on the pavement. They can tear up their pads. Dogs are very brave, and they won't let you know they're in pain.

My own view is that a two-wheeled trailer is the way to go for any utility use. I like my Nomad a *lot* better than a BOB for my uses. I would consider a BOB only for touring, or for riding narrow trails.

iceratt,

As far as bike trailer hitches go.... chunk-o-car tire is #1.... even over any *professional* hitches made by the great folks at Burley. Duct tape is also a good one or two use only hitch, but use bolts and/or speaker wire to attach it to the trailer. Don't worry, 4 layers of looped duct tape will tow a small car.

I'd try to attach wheels to a set 2x4s and strap them under the boat. Me and a friend moved using these once, including a 9 ft sofa over 2 miles, with his drunken girlfriend riding along in comfort.

Thanks for the ideas. For me to rent a truck, to pul a craft a few miles is painful. Still, I don't understand how I stop from being run over by a heavy homemade trailer, when I have to break, for stop signs and traffic. Please expound on the design of such a hitch, for the mechanically ********.

Stopping with a trailer is always a challenge that requires great care. The best hitch I've ever seen is
the "chunk o'car tire" hitch that is shown in the plans I posted. IT WILL NOT FAIL NOR TEAR WHEN
MOUNTED TO THE SEAT POST. I know this from hauling stuff in the trailer that weighted about 250#.
Just make sure that the rubber is mounted so that it has JUST enough room for some slip on the post.

Hitches that mount to the chain stays make me nervous because they are offset to one side and at an
angle.

I think if you all take a look at the cartbike, you will get some great ideas. now this is not a trailer, but more of a tadpole bike. But, you can take the exact same shopping cart design, turn it around so it faces backward, drill and mount an "S" shaped pipe from the bottom of the cart that rises to the seatpost, then use tightwad's "chunk of car tire" hitch with a big bolt that goes throught the end of the "S" pipe which has been flattened vertically. you can make this entire trailer with NO welding. beautiful!

https://www.bicyclelaneindustries.com/bli/cartbike/

regards,
flashdancejay

I'd say if you want a foolproof thing without a lot of hassle, get a Burley either new or used. Since a large basset hound is about the size of a kid, get one for carrying kids.

I'm all for building trailers but when all's said and done, most of us don't have the time.

The Burley Solo works great for me and is still a manageable size. I tried a one-wheeled Yakima trailer but it was too tippy for the pooch. The kid trailer is great since it confines him a bit more and makes him less likely to try to jump out. He's tethered in, anyway.