The Domino Effect............................

[Mark Harley]

This past fall I purchased a 14 foot PWC trailer off Craigslist near Pittsburgh.
The trailer is a Hercules brand and is a simple little trailer.

My father and I share a 19 foot Grumman white water keel aluminum canoe we call
"The Battle ship" we both are getting older and dad does not have the strength he needs to
lift it onto the hauling vehicle.

So this is where the trailer came in. We went to look at it and dad was not sure it would work as planned.
I said don't look at it as it is now, look at it as what is will be.
$150.00 later and it was hitched to the truck on the way to my house.

I took off the bunky boards, crank and bow roller and sold the lot on craigslist. I welded up a new bow Vee block post, and two Tee bars to rest the canoe on while traveling and did a spring over to gain some height. Dad thought I would keep the canoe right side up but I told him It would be better hauled so it would not hold water or need a cover. I also painted it RED my signature color.

We used the trailer to the end of last year and it worked out well.
It is easy to load and fast to strap down.

 

[Mark Harley]

This past spring I went to our cottage on French Creek to turn on the water. The trailer was dulled and dirty from storage and I thought I would bring it home and freshen it up.

That is where the Domino Effect Started.........................I found a set of chrome 13" wheels that were a close match to the ones on my truck, then a deal on Craigslist got me four 175-80-13 BFG tires NOS for $100.00.
The tires were too close to the shackle bolts so a pair of 1 1/2" spacers were mounted to the hubs. Since I got new tires I had to have a spare mounted so I welded up a mount to hang it.

I had a diamond plate work box laying around so I tried it on the trailer frame and what do you know It fit great above the axle. New taller tires made a need for higher fenders, so off came the old and new square style fenders were puchased on ebay.

A fresh coat of Cherry Red Krylon "5 cans" was used to freshen up the frame and fenders. As I sat and looked at the finished trailer something looked out of place? The bearing buddies looked bad with the chrome wheels, so I bought a pair of chrome trailer centers and layed black vinyl on the centers with the word CANOE for a little style.

 

[Mark Harley]

So here is the finished product. Not realy an Expo trailer but it will haul my canoe, and help and my father get on the water more often and outdoors.

 

[blackdmax15]

Clean trailer build. Looks like you put a lot of work into painting. Paint job looks great.

 

[Golf286]

Nice trailer Mark!!! I like the paint job, and that it matches your Expo trailer..
Bill

 

[TheThom]

Nice work, Mark!

 

[Titanpat57]

Way to resurrect the. Battleship!!

 

[njtacoma]

I like the center caps.

Outside more is always a good thing!

 

[RagnarD]

Another cool build. Nice work.

 

[Aspen Trails Trailers]

Looks good Mark, I wish I could get out more in kayak. They just seem to hang in the shop anymore. There was a time I was in it every day. With building trailers and riding the mountain bike, I never use it anymore. Maybe this will get me out there.

Great work as usual.

Bob

 

[Mark Harley]

Thanks all for the kind replies. I guess I have ADD when it comes to matching my toys.
I don't have a garage so all of my work is done "in the back yard" The neighbors just love the paint work I do outside.
I am a master with a spray bomb they say! It was a fun clean up project and will make hauling the canoe, kayaks, and even lumber much easier.
Who knows maybe I will mount a RTT on it and head out!

 

[RagnarD]

How does it look behind your 101?

 

[bunger]

Great, thanks Mark

I already have 3 trailers in my yard and now I want to make one of these.

My wife is going to kill me.

 

[Mark Harley]

Looks great behind the 101, Except the local police don't like the double tow through town and in Pa it is illegal.
It was a simple conversion and not too expensive. Life jackets and seat cushions will stow away in the box.
I want to purchase four quick fist clamps to hold the paddles. Now that it sits 4" higher I need to get a new draw bar for the truck
to keep it level. It will be taken back to Erie on Memorial weekend.

 

[TACO721]

Nice trailer!

you around Erie PA?(see you posting about Erie) I kinda pass threw that area about once a year going to NY to see family. Got family around Hamburg NY, About 1h north of the state line and about 30 min from buffalo.