Boat trailers

[Ed in Montana]

After much thought, I have given up the idea of putting any of my canoes on the roof of the SMB. It's simply too much trouble even with the lighter boats, not to speak of the 70 pound whitewater canoe. Besides, they all would cover the solar panels, and free energy is a must for cold drinks.

So I'm researching a combo raft and canoe trailer, not that I would ever carry both types of boats at the same time. I have an old raft trailer, which is useless for carrying the canoes, so I am looking for something that could convert back and forth, depending on what I am towing.

I suspect I will have to buy something for the raft and customize it myself, but I thought I would fish around for ideas first.

And for you hard core desert SMBers out there, rafts and canoes are what you use when you have enough water to fill a river.

[DIYSMBWPH]

Very funny.

I hear ya on hoisting the canoes on top of the SMB. It's a pain, however, I still do it with some light kevlar kayaks.

For other boats, I use a standard utility trailer with Yakima racks mounted on it. Works great. I recently had the tongue extended to 6 feet. That's not shown in the pitcure below. It seems worth it. I had way too much canoe hanging off of the end with a short tongue. It also handles a lot better.

The gear box is great for storing the wet stuff and keeping it out of the van. Especially when it is muddy from a nasty put-in or take-it.

Let me know if you have any specific questions. I've had my trailer rigged out like this for about 8 years.