"Ignoramus28572" wrote in message
.. .
I have this trailer:

http://igor.chudov.com/projects/12-f...raft-Seafarer/

I would like to know if it is safe, or legal, to convert it for
hauling cargo, AS WELL AS the boat. Like adding plywood and removable
stakes etc.

I don't know about legal (and I'm sure that would depend on the laws of
*your* state). But I see no physical/mechanical reason why it couldn't be
done safely, although you will very likely have to weld on some additional
square tube framing and support members to ensure that it's strong enough.

- Michael

Ignoramus28572 wrote:

I have this trailer:

http://igor.chudov.com/projects/12-f...raft-Seafarer/

I would like to know if it is safe, or legal, to convert it for
hauling cargo, AS WELL AS the boat. Like adding plywood and removable
stakes etc.

What is safe depends. Whether it is legal also depends. It is generally legal in
this country to modify a vehicle, unlike Germany, for instance, where a vehicle
must be absolutely positively stock. In Washington State, after any modification
to a trailer, it must be inspected by the State Patrol. Call your State Patrol,
or visit their Web site.

Safe? Depends on the axle rating, condition of the trailer bed, tongue. None of
which any of us can figure by looking. If that trailer came with the boat it
probably isn't designed to carry much more weight than the boat.

GWE

Ignoramus28572 writes:

I would like to know if it is safe, or legal, to convert it for
hauling cargo, AS WELL AS the boat. Like adding plywood and removable
stakes etc.

Obvious question: Does the trailer have a weight rating on it?
That boat looks pretty light.

A better idea might be to build (or buy) a cargo trailer that can
also carry the boat...

What kind of cargo do you want to carry?

BTW why was the boat upside down on the trailer?

On Mon, 04 Jul 2005 00:05:25 GMT, Ignoramus28572
wrote:

On Sun, 03 Jul 2005 23:46:17 -0000, Ron Bean wrote:

Ignoramus28572 writes:

I would like to know if it is safe, or legal, to convert it for
hauling cargo, AS WELL AS the boat. Like adding plywood and removable
stakes etc.

Obvious question: Does the trailer have a weight rating on it?
That boat looks pretty light.

That's an understatement. I can easily lift the back of the trailer
with the boat on it (with the tongue resting on the ground). And I am
not that strong.
I have a trailer that's rated at 1000 lbs. It has been overloaded
twice. Once on purpose with a machine that weighed 1200 lbs, and one
by accident by the dimwit who filled it with a ton of topsoil. The ton
of soil bent one axle a bit. But, I'm not real strong either and I can
lift one end of this trailer easily. Maybe you can contact the
manufacturer if there's a nameplate and ask what the capacity is.
Cheers,
eric
A better idea might be to build (or buy) a cargo trailer that can
also carry the boat...

A lot of work...

What kind of cargo do you want to carry?

Military surplus stuff, or possibly sheep. If the trailer can carry
600 lbs, I will be happy.

BTW why was the boat upside down on the trailer?

That's the way it was when the boat was sold to me. I had to drive for
about a mile to get it home. Now it is in the proper position,
however, I will turn it upside down again soon, as that way it does
not fill with rain and junk.

i

I'd guess your trailer should have a factory rating of between 500 and
1000 pounds of BOAT + GEAR. Rating is determined by the lesser of the
frame, the springs, the axle, or the tires. I would also guess that you
have some fairly soft springs, load range is shown on the side of the
tires, axles are not usually the problem on smaller trailers like this.

Sparton is a an older trailer mfg, a quick shot through google doesn't
show any new stuff. They had a mid level reputation, not cheesy, not top
of the line either. I have a hunch they have disappeared.

Your frame is fairly well squared off but the rollers are welded on. You
should be able to figure out a drop on platform that will clear the
rollers. Make it easy to demount so you can haul the boat. I've done
this conversion a few times, it works fine but it is inconvient. It
takes a while to do the conversion, you just leave it set up one way or
the other.

Ignoramus28572 wrote:
I have this trailer:

http://igor.chudov.com/projects/12-f...raft-Seafarer/

I would like to know if it is safe, or legal, to convert it for
hauling cargo, AS WELL AS the boat. Like adding plywood and removable
stakes etc.

i

My concern is having the proper amount of tongue weight. From the
picture, it appears that the axle is too far forward, allowing too
much weight behind the axle. The result is likely that the trailer
will handle poorly and have a tendency to fishtail.
The more typical balance point for the axle is such that 10% of the
load capacity is the tongue load limit.

I had a friend with the opposite problem - too much tongue weight from
a boat trailer designed to carry a large boat with a heavy outboard
motor. The trailer balanced well when the weight was hanging beyond
the end of the trailer from the stern of the boat. When he tried to
use it as a household goods moving trailer, the back end of his pickup
sank very low and headlights toward the sky. The axle was way too far
back.


On Sun, 03 Jul 2005 20:43:59 GMT, Ignoramus28572
wrote:

I have this trailer:

http://igor.chudov.com/projects/12-f...raft-Seafarer/

I would like to know if it is safe, or legal, to convert it for
hauling cargo, AS WELL AS the boat. Like adding plywood and removable
stakes etc.

i

On Mon, 04 Jul 2005 01:07:22 GMT, Ignoramus28572
wrote:

On Mon, 04 Jul 2005 00:49:21 GMT, RoyJ wrote:
Iggy..unless you have a parking issue, personally Id pick up a utility
trailer specific to moving Stuff, and be done with it. They can be
had for very little money if you scrounge well, or can be build in
your garage.

(Insert diety of your choice) knows Ive been through the gamet of
various ways to move Stuff, and none of them have been particularly
satisfactory until I managed to scrounge actual trailers designed to
move Stuff. I actually had a boat trailer modified to move Stuff..and
it really really sucked. Shrug..YMMV of course.

But given your predilection for mil-surplus stuff..I think if I were
you..Id pick up at least a 5x8 single or double axle flat bed trailer.
You really dont Need trailer brakes at that size, though its far and
away better once you start moving 1500lbs or more.

Im trying to decide if I want to add electric or surge brakes to mine,
or upgrade to a bigger trailer, though my tow vehicle is about at the
max now..so would need something bigger to pull more Stuff. Ive got a
3/4 Chevy van parked in the back yard with a bad tranny, thats not
been on the road for at least 8 yrs, that might get repaired and put
on the road just for moving Stuff..but the upkeep and fuel costs here
in California are steep enough that Id have to think really hard about
doing this.

Gunner

"Considering the events of recent years,
the world has a long way to go to regain
its credibility and reputation with the US."
unknown

On Mon, 04 Jul 2005 10:17:16 GMT, Gunner
wrote:

On Mon, 04 Jul 2005 01:07:22 GMT, Ignoramus28572
wrote:

On Mon, 04 Jul 2005 00:49:21 GMT, RoyJ wrote:
Iggy..unless you have a parking issue, personally Id pick up a utility
trailer specific to moving Stuff, and be done with it. They can be
had for very little money if you scrounge well, or can be build in
your garage.

(Insert diety of your choice) knows Ive been through the gamet of
various ways to move Stuff, and none of them have been particularly
satisfactory until I managed to scrounge actual trailers designed to
move Stuff. I actually had a boat trailer modified to move Stuff..and
it really really sucked. Shrug..YMMV of course.

Usually a lot better to modify a "stuff" trailer to move a small boat
than modifying a small boat trailer to carry "stuff" A set of "car-top
carriers" mounted to the trailer works pretty good.(and you can carry
"stuff" underneath it.

But given your predilection for mil-surplus stuff..I think if I were
you..Id pick up at least a 5x8 single or double axle flat bed trailer.
You really dont Need trailer brakes at that size, though its far and
away better once you start moving 1500lbs or more.

Im trying to decide if I want to add electric or surge brakes to mine,
or upgrade to a bigger trailer, though my tow vehicle is about at the
max now..so would need something bigger to pull more Stuff. Ive got a
3/4 Chevy van parked in the back yard with a bad tranny, thats not
been on the road for at least 8 yrs, that might get repaired and put
on the road just for moving Stuff..but the upkeep and fuel costs here
in California are steep enough that Id have to think really hard about
doing this.

Gunner

"Considering the events of recent years,
the world has a long way to go to regain
its credibility and reputation with the US."
unknown