Building a 4 place trailer questions

[Jetskigoodies]

Okay well we have six seadoos to tow and 2 two place trailers and 2 single trailers well we dont want to use 4 trucks to pull these 3 hours away so we were thinking of making a custom 4 place trailer.

Thought 1: Use a 20 ft boat trailer and fabricate our own bunk system that runs the length of the trailer with removable post in the middle for the winch and tie downs for the 2 rear seadoos. also we would need to either add a axle or get a trailer with dual axles. That was our first thought but have not found one for sale that is suitable for it. I was thinking of using a shorelander seem to have the best dimensions for what we need, I have one for our 20 ft boat and seems like it would work great has anyone done this or have you seen any plans for this?

Thought 2: Use one of our 2 place trailers and extend it by 10 ft and weld in new support crossbeams and fabricate new bunk system, add an axle and same with removable post for the rear seadoos we are thinking for that to use hitch receivers welded to our crossbeams and then welding or bolting or winch to them so they could easily be removed by a pin system so we could load the first two seadoos with the original winch system in the front then put in the post and load the next two seadoos in the rear. Has anyone done this or better yet has anyone seen any plans for this?

Thought 3: Start from scratch and build from the ground up. We would definatly need plans for this and since we want to start as soon as possible and be ready for this spring we think plan 1 or 2 would be easier and less hastle.

If anyone has done this and have some suggestions that would be appreciated

So you know what im planing on putting on it for length and width purposes. I will be either putting 2 95 xps and 2 96 xps on it or a 97 gsi and 96 gsx and the 2 96 xps.

right now we would tow 2 xps with one truck, the gsi and gsx with one truck and our boat with another which leaves 2 wave runners behind or if someone else is going to the vacation house and has a truck they would pull them

we would just take them up there and leave them and just trailer them the 1 block to load them but we use them around our home plus we are limited to room for parking.

I saw a video on you tube that looks to be similiar to what we are planning
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJu7-QcrJQ

The trailer in the video is too long for what we need those rxps are alot bigger but its close to what we are thinking.

All options will be alot of work and Money but Isnt anything that worth doing.

 

[Seadoobuddy]

I like option #1 better. The trailer is made to haul a bigger boat, so it's built for the added weight.

What if you took TWO 2-place trailers and welded a receiver bar to the first one so you could hook the second one to it. Each trailer would have it's own axle for proper weight distribution. According to some states, the law says no double haulers, don't know if the mean ski trailers.
If necessary weld 3 hitches to the first one both sides and middle to help stabilize them and get around the law, MAYBE.....just an idea.

Sounds like you have your work cut out for yourself and buddies. Make sure you post in progress pics.

Good luck.

 

[Jetskigoodies]

I will be posting pictures with all the progress. Step by step. With all the members on here im sure someone has done this so Im just looking to see if thery had any ideas or things they would change after using theres and finding any flaws or if they would have done things a little different

This is not just a maybe project.
Probably be starting within the week

 

[Dr Honda]

One more thing to think about. Once you go to 2 axles, you will need brakes, and most likely need an inspection. Because of that... I would suggest finding a used 20' to 26' boat trailer... getting all the paperwork taken care of... then mod it.

OR... sell a couple trailers and buy a Triton 4 place aluminum. A steel 4 place trailer will weigh +1000 Lbs empty.

http://www.tritontrailers.com/products/Model.aspx?CatID=29&SubCatID=41&ModelID=336&info=features


I really don't think I would start with a 2 place trailer, and try to make it bigger. The reason for that is... most 2 place PWC trailers are relativily flimsy. (the steel is too thin)

 

[Seadoobuddy]

I like Dr Honda idea of a new 4-place trailer. Takes the hassle out of redoing all the bunks and adding winches. I forgot about brakes....

I hope you have a strong truck to pull all of this. 1000lbs for trailer + 500-600lbs for each ski + gas+equipment+people in truck. Easily 3500-4000lbs +people.

 

[Jetskigoodies]

I have 2006 gmc 2500 that I use to pull around our bobcat and other equipment, It will have no problem pulling these around. As for the buying a 4 place trailer that will be way to costly. Cheap ones are $3500 and thats a used one and they are few and far between. Adding brakes is not that hard. We work on trailers all the time and 3500 lb axles are cheap like 150 shipped. As for the steel on the 4 place trailers if you look at the 4 place trailers they are very similiar in steel actually they just have more crossmembers and braces for reinforcement. I really like the idea about a boat trailer. Also if I buy the boat trailer and it has already been registered in Mi then I wont have to have to do anything else to get it registered, just show the bill of sale and I am good to go. I have been looking on craigslist for trailers and hope to find one soon. I went today to buy one but the guy said he had a trailer for a 20'-22' boat. I got there and it might of helt a 16' boat on a good day. That was dissapointing but I will find one

 

[Jetskigoodies]

The work aspect of this project isnt going to be the problem, a very capabls metal fab guy will be doing the work. The brakes,leaf spings, welding and fab work has already been discussed and we should have no problem doing the work.

 

[Strizzo]

We had some neighbors that had like 6 skis that they had to haul to the ramp about a mile away, and they just took what looked like a 18ft flatbed and put two long 2x12s down the middle with one winch at the front. They'd back it all the way in and load up one, pull up some and load the next one and so on. They were able to get four skis on in a row iirc. Eye bolts through the bunks for tie downs would keep things attached over a 3 hour drive.

 

[Jetskigoodies]

Well I have chosen option 3 it will probably take us 6 weeks to make it just because we most likely will build after work for a few hours a couple days a week. We have drawn up rough plans and are ordering steel this week. I will post with pictures of our progress. If anyone has any ideas let me know. I think we are going to add gas racks and a storage box for spare parts,oil,tools,tiedowns,tow straps and anything else we will need. There is a 4 place trailer on eBay right now but it's in California. Starting bid is $1000 I would bid on that but shipping that would be expensive plus it would put 3000 miles on the tires

 

[Dr Honda]

Good luck, and post some pics during the build.

In PA... a home grown trailer can be a pain in the butt with the paperwork, and even if they don't reject it for some stupid reason... it can take months to get the title, and plate. Check your local laws to see how it will be.

 

[Jetskigoodies]

Here in Michigan you don't get a title for a trailer. All I have to do is take it and have it weighed then take the weigh slip to secretary of state and you get a registration and a permanent plate and that's it. There is a flat rate for each weight category I pay the one time fee most likely $75 and that's it. With a permanent plate you never have another fee to the state as long as you own the trailer but the plate is non transferable, who ever buys it will just have to take my registration and a bill of sale to secretary of state then they can get a plate. I think the system is stupid and you tend to see slot of trailers get stolen around here. I personally put a chain through my rims and attach it to the frame. I've heard of people taking there double trailers to the launch, they launch their skis they come back and there truck is there but no trailer. I think it's too easy to get things plated. The only time you need inspections is if your a business and the trailer is used in anyway for a business you have to get dot inspections

 

[Dr Honda]

I know in many states, there is no title on trailer of either 3000, 3200, or 3500 GVW. A 2 axle trailer, with 4 skis on it will be more than 3500 GVW. And... as I said before, you will be required to have breaks because of the trailer size.

I don't live in MI, but check before you stuck with an un-registereable trailer. (just trying to help)


****EDIT*****


I just had a look around... and it looks like MI trailers are kind if a joke. You are right. No title, or even proof of ownership. Just get a weight, and say it's home made.

What's to stop people from steeling trailers in that sate???

 

[Jetskigoodies]

I hear ya. Im real familiar with trailer regulations. In the summer I literally am pulling a commercial trailer everyday. I have many different size trailers I use, enclosed single axle double axle and so forth. Also I'm not required to stop at the weigh stations so I'll be fine with how I intend to use it and like I said we are adding brakes and I know everything will be done correctly. One of my buddies works at a trailer building company that is local

 

[Strizzo]

yeah in texas trailers under 4000lbs gvw are not issued titles, just registrations and plates, but any trailer with tandem axles is required to have brakes. its the same as MI when you sell whether the trailer is homemade or from a builder, just have to have BOS and last reg receipt.

 

[BMANN06]

subscribing to thread for pics!

 

[decoy6969]

well i am not sure what happened to jetskigoodies i pm him i had a prototype trailer aluminum large enough to fit four of todays big heavy 3 person craft and probably all six of his size pwc and he said very intrested but then stopped responding.Well i hope it can do someone good so if anyone is intrested pm me. I thought that with his wanting to do some work it would be right for him. This trailer is made from 6061 alum and 3003 alum diamond plate two 3500 lbs torsion axles with multiple starting angles for ride hieght. full length 2x10 green treat bunks. five chrome wheels and tires. It also has kodiak disc brakes needs actuator. I hope it will work for someone.

 

[Seadoobuddy]

He is still active.....try again.

 

[Jetskigoodies]

well i am not sure what happened to jetskigoodies i pm him i had a prototype trailer aluminum large enough to fit four of todays big heavy 3 person craft and probably all six of his size pwc and he said very intrested but then stopped responding.Well i hope it can do someone good so if anyone is intrested pm me. I thought that with his wanting to do some work it would be right for him. This trailer is made from 6061 alum and 3003 alum diamond plate two 3500 lbs torsion axles with multiple starting angles for ride hieght. full length 2x10 green treat bunks. five chrome wheels and tires. It also has kodiak disc brakes needs actuator. I hope it will work for someone.

Well after looking at your pictures I don't think that's what I am looking for. I want a different style bunk system, yours seem to be held on with L brackets. It also looks like you bolted that trailer together and i don't see much welding done. I also see you used Eye bolts to secure the seadoos. The price isn't bad but it would cost me a couple hundred in gas to drive from Detroit to Chicago and back. And then the fab work is a different story. I am looking more for a bunk style that is like the shorelander 2 place. I appreciate the offer but I am going to have to pass. Thanks though

 

[CReynoldsMIZ]

I realize this is uber old, but JSG. Did you ever finish this project? I would def be interested in seeing what it looks like...

 

[Seadoobuddy]

[MENTION=51350]Jetskigoodies[/MENTION]

 

[Jetskigoodies]

No, at the time we were working on putting new stringers in my boat, by the way that is a horribly dirty,itchy,long,expensive, project to take on. Back to the trailer, we are going to build one from the ground up, it will be about $450 in steel, the two heavy duty axles complete with hubs and brakes will be about $500-$600, tires and rims are all over the place in price depending on what quality and style rims which we are not going to get basic rims if we are going to build a custom trailer. The rest of misc parts another $200. We have the led lights and complete wiring for it already. I got that as a xmas present. The problem with this project is the time issue. We have had so many project that we have not ran in to the time. We are still planning on doing this. We kind of need to do this. We saw a couple for sale but the prices are double the cost of building one new. The problem is I can not weld, so my Future BIL said he will do it but it is difficult getting me my buddy and him all togethor for an extended amount of time to tackle this. We all work different shifts. It will happen and do not worry, you know me and pictures, it will be well documented.

 

[my911fixxx]

Subscribed.
I am looking for a cheap 4 place trailer also. I thought about possibly buying a Pontoon Boat trailer and modifying. It might work. Just haven't found the right one.

 

[kyplow]

Wow, it's been over a year and no trailer. Sorry to hear that but I definitely know what you mean about time constraints.
I would go with option 1. But a trailer and build bunks to carry everything then reinforce where needed to carry the weight.
It will definitely pay off being able to get all the skis to the lake as it's much more fun with friends.
Good luck.

 

[SeaDooRedBarron]

Any progress? I am also interested in pictures. I like the original option 1 or the later option of finding a use pontoon trailer. I do side work on boat trailers if anyone needs anything done, PM me.