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PostPosted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 5:36 pm 
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I would like to make my Hobie trailer into a convertible Hobie Trailer/Utility trailer. I am going to put wingnuts on the sail tube so it could be easily removed and then I want to be able to lay something across the trailer (keep the Hobie rollers/crossbeams on), bolt it down and be able to load up a motorcycle, random stuff, etc. Anyone ever do this or have suggestions?


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PostPosted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 8:43 am 
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Location: Clinton Lake Kansas
Keven wrote:
I would like to make my Hobie trailer into a convertible Hobie Trailer/Utility trailer. Anyone have suggestions?
4'x8' plywood, 2"x2" wood, deck screws, self tapping sheet metal screws, paint. Put your tube back on after install, maybe longer studs for your wingnuts? Post a picture when you're done.

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PostPosted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 11:39 am 
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What are you using the 2x2 for? The problem with that is inbetween of the two cross bars that hold the hobie up the 4x8 wouldnt be able to sit on the frame. Know what I mean?


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PostPosted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 5:35 am 
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Keven wrote:
What are you using the 2x2 for? The problem with that is inbetween of the two cross bars that hold the hobie up the 4x8 wouldnt be able to sit on the frame. Know what I mean?
yes, I know what you mean. (and you just answered your own question) :wink:

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PostPosted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 6:03 am 
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Ahh I see. So the only contact the sheet of plywood would have would be the hobie beams and the 2x2? I was thinking of laying a bunch of 2x4's across held together by a frame made of 2x3's, think that would be too much weight?


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PostPosted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 6:27 pm 
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Location: Washington DC/Chesapeake Bay
I did this and it works great. For the floor I attached 3/4" PT plywood with self tappers to the frame, and used two pieces of perforated angle and midpoints in between. Then I made the walls out of 1/2" PT plywood and 1x4 PT frames. I installed cut-outs at each corner to accept the extended 1x4 vertical frame pieces, added some hasps and slide bolts at the tops of each corner and voila, one utility trailer comin' right up.

The best part is being able to remove the walls so easily, and, when in use they are very affective. I've had numerous compliments from neighbors and sailors. So far I've hauled all kinds of different stuff from mulch to mattresses and bed frames to lumber and kayaks, etc., etc., knowing that I've been very close to the 700lbs. weight limit of the tires. Let me know if you are interested in pictures.

The only difficulty I've found is managing sail and boom storage and transportation. I've struggled with that, first going with a dual 4" PVC scheme where I mounted them under the bed and above the axle in which I would put the boom and battens. That does work, but I decided that I don't want to hassle with dismantling and reassembling my sails and boom and battens and then having to fold and bag my sails each and every time.

The only other options were to go with a large diameter tube, buying a toy box, or building a box. Building a box would be fun but I've seen enough that just don't hold up well over time, plus removing it, storing it and installing it when needed would be an undertaking alone, and I want something I know will last. Plunking down the moolah for a toy box seemed silly and I'd have a similar issue with handling it and storing it. The cost for large diameter PVC and fittings was a little high, too.

So, just this week I ran across a reasonably priced 12" x 20' piece of corrugated, double-walled, black plastic culvert pipe on craigslist and I jumped on it. I plan to install recessed anchor points in the floor of the trailer that will pop up when needed for the tubes and fall back down when in utility mode. To these I will use ratcheting tiedowns to secure the tubes to the bed. The culvert is perfect, it's light enough to handle myself and tough enough to last a lifetime. I'll use one 10' piece for my sail and boom rolled up and in its bag, and the other for rudder assembly, hot stick, and any other random piece of gear that needs a home.

The only thing I haven't resolved is whether or not I want to deal with ~3' of the tube hanging off the back end. With the boat loaded the transoms come to approximately the same distance from the back of the trailer, but, I may end up reconfiguring my two tool boxes mounted in front of the trailer bed. One is lengthwise fore and aft, the other is lengthwise side to side. Switching the former 90 degrees and moving the latter towards the front of the trailer will give me almost all the distance I need, less say ~1'.

For what it's worth....

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PostPosted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 7:57 pm 
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Pics!!

As of now I think the plan is to lay 10-12 2x4's across the trailer parallel to the axle and hold it together with a 2x3's as a frame. I want it to be small enough to double as a roof basket to put on top of my roof racks as well. Im thinking about 4 feet wide and 5 feet long or so. Thats just off the top of my head I just need to take some measurements and draw up some blueprints.


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PostPosted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 7:14 am 
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Location: Washington DC/Chesapeake Bay
You asked for it, you got it! Here are some snaps of my rig:

Flatbed mode:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak- ... 2505_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak- ... 5829_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak- ... 7686_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak- ... 4894_n.jpg

Here are a couple of details of the corners:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak- ... 8836_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak- ... 9264_n.jpg

Here is a shot of the cutouts that the extended vertical frames fit into. In the first one you can barely see the upper edge of the C channel of the frame below. I simply took the cutout to the furthest extend possible and then built the walls off those dimensions.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak- ... 6405_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak- ... 8035_n.jpg

Here it is being assembled. After a year of "curing" all the PT lumber and plywood I sealed it with Flood brand cedar color wood sealer, what an amazing product. Goes on like chocolate milk but what a great finish.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak- ... 8809_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak- ... 8515_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak- ... 1167_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak- ... 4480_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak- ... 8282_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak- ... 2928_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak- ... 0462_n.jpg

Here are the 4" PVC tubes installed under the bed and above the axle. These hangers worked well after just a little modification. The garden hose strips worked well too, provided everything is tightened down really well. I did find the tubes would "travel" a little. They are coming off though as the 12" corrugated gets installed.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak- ... 2053_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak- ... 3249_n.jpg

Here is the corrugated pipe b/f I've installed it. I also show the future location of the recessed anchor points. To these I'll simply ratchet strap the tube to the flat bed. With the webbing going in between the ridges the tubes shouldn't go anywhere. I also will install the second tube to the right of this one with two more recessed anchor fittings on the starboard side, but left it out for clarity.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak- ... 4330_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak- ... 9157_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak- ... 0161_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak- ... 2306_n.jpg

Future plans also include sealing the floor with Herculiner, http://www.amazon.com/Herculiner-HCL1B7 ... IB10YSQ57M, and maybe the inside of the walls too, depending on how beat up they get.

Enjoy!

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'81 H16

If it ain't a blowin', I ain't a goin'


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PostPosted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 4:15 pm 
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Hey thats pretty cool!!! Ill report back with what I come up with.


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