My boat trailer conversion project... - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

mazilla · 01-14-2012, 11:48 AM

All I had left from my part-out(PB to kayak) was the trailer. The trailer is 4" galvanized C channel so I figured it would make a good candidate for a flatbed conversion. My original plan was to fab up a steel frame topped with expanded steel grates, due to time constraints(and the fact that I'm teaching myself to weld and didn't want my project to fall apart on the freeway!) I decided to just build it out of wood and replace it down the road when the time is right. The current setup is super solid, I have no doubt about it's abilities at all.

Sorry for the crappy pics, when I'm in project mode the last thing on my mind is pics...every once in a while I'll remember to at least snap some cell phone pics in case somebody else could make use of them.

Moving the axle...the were held in place with U-bolts and a few small welds.

Building the flatbed frame...Pressure treated 2x4's, galvanized brackets, etc

Frame on the trailer getting painted...I used Rustoleum "hammered", some of the best project paint I've ever used(been using it for 5-6 years).

Mounted flatbed...There are thee sets of brackets securing the frame to the flatbed on each side, it's not going anywhere.

I filled the gap between the tongue and the flatbed with expanded steel grate over a square tube frame welded to the inside of the C channel to make a storage area for gear, coolers, etc. The forward most platform will have a steel lockbox mounted to it for safe keeping of smaller items.

lowprofile · 01-14-2012, 01:53 PM

nice. i just got one today. i cant wait to start.

mazilla · 01-16-2012, 04:20 PM

Updated with the finished product, now I'm the one that gets to haul all the kayaks!

01-14-2012, 11:48 AM	#1
mazilla advocatus diaboli Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 154	My boat trailer conversion project... All I had left from my part-out(PB to kayak) was the trailer. The trailer is 4" galvanized C channel so I figured it would make a good candidate for a flatbed conversion. My original plan was to fab up a steel frame topped with expanded steel grates, due to time constraints(and the fact that I'm teaching myself to weld and didn't want my project to fall apart on the freeway!) I decided to just build it out of wood and replace it down the road when the time is right. The current setup is super solid, I have no doubt about it's abilities at all. Sorry for the crappy pics, when I'm in project mode the last thing on my mind is pics...every once in a while I'll remember to at least snap some cell phone pics in case somebody else could make use of them. Moving the axle...the were held in place with U-bolts and a few small welds. Building the flatbed frame...Pressure treated 2x4's, galvanized brackets, etc Frame on the trailer getting painted...I used Rustoleum "hammered", some of the best project paint I've ever used(been using it for 5-6 years). Mounted flatbed...There are thee sets of brackets securing the frame to the flatbed on each side, it's not going anywhere. I filled the gap between the tongue and the flatbed with expanded steel grate over a square tube frame welded to the inside of the C channel to make a storage area for gear, coolers, etc. The forward most platform will have a steel lockbox mounted to it for safe keeping of smaller items. Last edited by mazilla; 01-16-2012 at 11:40 AM.

01-14-2012, 01:53 PM	#2
lowprofile #1 on fishstick's hitlist Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sea level Posts: 1,478	nice. i just got one today. i cant wait to start. __________________ MLPA- My Largest Poaching Area

01-16-2012, 04:20 PM	#3
mazilla advocatus diaboli Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 154	Updated with the finished product, now I'm the one that gets to haul all the kayaks!