trailer welding

[19Kona]

I have been lurking on this board for a while now, and now I need help. I need to modify my trailer to be able to carry my wifes waverunner. The boat and trailer are probably worth $2k, so paying more than a couple hundred is not an opption. Anyone with a torch in the southern California area is welcome to my couple hundred, or if you guys could recmnd someone. Thank you in advance.

[gstark]

19Kona:
If you want to add on a rack for a wave runner, I hope you have a tandem axle trailer. A single axle will have a max load rating of 3750 lbs, and its typical 14" tires/rims are rated at 1400-1750 lbs each, for a total rated load of 2800-3500 lb.
My old Glencoe 18' 455/12JC with a heavily modified 4" channel trailer weighed in at 3100 lbs on a certified scale. Add gear, fuel, coolers and I was at max load limit, easily.
Adding a rack with a davit/winch will probably add around 300-500 lbs of weight to the trailer, plus the weight of the waverunner. So, you can easily add 1000lb to the total rig weight.
Also hope you have surge brakes.
I recently checked with Kustom Trailers in Norco/Corona about adding a rack to a Sea Ray 18' trailer for a friend. Dan (owner) does a first class job with power winches, etc. For a double rack with a ladder, winch, batteries, etc. I believe the cost was around $4K. So, unless you are handy with a MIG or stick welder, this won't come cheap.

[19Kona]

yes, it is a double axel trailer, and it has breaks. I was thincking of putting the waverunner out in front of the boat, perpendicular to the boat. I have an H rack that used to haul my stand-up ski behind my explorer (like people use for dirt bikes). The rack fit into the class 3 hitch. If I could set a class 3 on the trailer in front of the boat, it may work.

[TaylorLP20]

Or you could just flat tow it behind the trailer with a chain!

[RH]

I saw this guys set-up at clearlake a couple years ago one jet ski on each side seemed liked it worked well simple to build . http://www.spectramarine.com/ownersboats/11.jpg

[SPECTRABRENT]

I would keep an eye on the boattrader or recycler for a used trailer. If you go to Ellis (like the blue Spectra with the jet skis) I am sure you will break the bank) Ellis does great work, but it does not come cheap. FYI Ellis phone # is 818-361-4011.
I have a friend, Matt Snyder, he owns a trailer shop, Bear Trailer Sport his phone # is 818-727-1585.
Good Luck,
Brent

[squirt]

19Kona, I would think putting the jet ski that far foward would really do a number on your tounge weight. Here is a pic of my set-up & yes you can do it yourself if you have the equip. http://www.rivertoys.com/images/RUDOLF1.JPG
[This message has been edited by squirt (edited February 01, 2002).]

[challengerjet]

hey kona, i've got a buddy who has the rack sitting in my parking lot at work, he never finished it and it's almost done just needs a couple hours work and to be welded to the trailer. let me know if you're interested he'd sell it cheap and i'd like to have it gone.
cjet

[RiverToysJas]

I agree with Squirt, putting it in front of the boat will be way too much weight on the tongue! You'll run a risk of breaking your tongue or truck. Your truck should have tongue weight rating, better look into it. Ideaally it needs to be centered over the axles.
RTJas http://free.***boat.net/ubb/biggrin.gif
BTW: That Spectra looks AWESOME, I want a boat just like that!!!
[This message has been edited by RiverToysJas (edited February 01, 2002).]

[19Kona]

challengerjet,
First I used to have a 18.5challenger, is this what you have? I really loved mine. Now a buddy of mine has it.
2nd, what are the dimensions and specifics of the rack. You can email me One_enginerd@yahoo.com

[challengerjet]

kona, i've got a 1979 18.5' orange and white, with the normal scallop stripe up the bow. I bought it for 1500.00 a little over a yr ago, i put a new interior in, tunnel ram with dual 750's, starter, coil, fuel pump and just your basic bolt on stuff to clean it up. it's turned out pretty killer in my opinion but there still are a few things that i need to work on. the previous owner put v-drive headers on it and they scorched the transom and they need to be replaced but just haven't gotten there yet. i bought a place diverter for it at the pomona swap meet for 150.00 minus the cable and plan on installing that in the next couple of weeks. it runs great and has so far been pretty reliable. i gps'd her at 68.5 at 6000 rpm, but i think my tach is off. i'm hoping that the diverter will give me 70 but won't be disappointed if it doesn't.
as far as the rack, i can go measure it up if you'd like, it was built by my buddy and is freakin bullet proof, it's a basic 4 post style meant to go over the trailer axels, it has expanded metal flooring, and runners for the ski's. it also has a gas can rack on the front as well. i'm in anaheim and if you'd like come check it out and make me an offer, like i said, it's not mine but i've got approval to take whatever is offered for it.
i'm out.
cjet

[OneBadScorpion]

I added 48" onto the 3 rails on the trailer on the front of my picklefork trailer(just cut with saw and added in) for that exact purpose,(Yam 750 waverunner) because we got tired of using 2 cars to go out to the lake for a weekend.
When we did that we also added 2 braces to the wooden runners as we put the boat onto the trailer since we dont pull it up as far(weight slightly more to the rear to offset the additional weight) any longer due to the tongue weight although before the modification the tongue weight was 280# and with the ski it was 550#. I use a class 4 stle hitch that we welded direct to the frame of the SUV since I pull a race-car trailer too.Problem is if ya dont have a wheel on the trailer to wheel the front round it takes 3 men and 2 small boys to move the trailer now or a good dolly!
Most welders will charge you by the job, or about 25 Hrs/hr, cut your metal to length, have some plans drawn so "the welder" isnt guessing, but I'd say materials and time should get ya close to 350.00--Kansas Money anyhow.

[challengerjet]

hey kona, are you still interested in the rack?
cjet

[19Kona]

yes, still interested. Just did my taxes yesterday and I need to pay those before toys. It will be a month or two before I recover. It seems the more I make the less I have. Thats it, I quit.

[challengerjet]

kona, i need to get it the hell out of here it's in my parking lot. i'll make you a deal, you haul it, you can have it, and owe me one down the road. give me a call.
714-630-3118
Jamie(cjet)

[old rigger]

challengerjet,
how you been?
Did you ever get that fin installed? And more importantly, how's the baby doing??

[challengerjet]

OR, doing very well, how 'bout yourself? i was at the LB swap meet last week and wondered if i'd see ya. been trying to avoid this place, just been lurking, to much bs going on in here.
the fin is still sitting in my garage waiting for you to help me install it. i've been real hesitant about ripping up my floor since it doesn't need it. i bought a place diverter at pomona a few weeks ago and am gonna attempt to get it installed this weekend. i bought a new dirt bike in sept and have not even taken the cover off of the boat since. any luck on the spectra? last time we talked you were kickin the idea around. as for the baby, he's awesome, don't want to sound all sappy but fatherhood is about the coolest thing ever. he'll be a year this month and i can't believe i made it through it. he's got some words down and is just about to walk and i think that's when the trouble will really begin.
cjet

[19Kona]

Challenger,
I will call you tomorrow from work. Will it fit in the back of my s-10? The price is right, I can make it fit. Anyway, I can come and get it this weekend or Friday, what ever works better for you.

[challengerjet]

kona, bring lots of straps, rope, and an open mind to how we can load it and we'll make it fit. are you close to anaheim? i'm right off the 91 and tustin. i'll wait to hear from you tomorrow and we'll work out the details.
jamie

[Blown Sleek]

I have a all steal top carrier.
It is on my trailer now and we could cut it off and weld it to you'r trailer.
I am in Lake Forest and will sell it cheap.
It is seriously bullet proof with electric winch. The most stout I have seen. (put you'r whole boat on top!!

[KingCole]

Kona, If you or anyone else in the Orange Co. area need a welding shop for trailer mods., trailer hitch or any heli-arc welding, try Bob's Welding, 714-535-2511. Great guys with a lot of experience that have been doing business in Anaheim for over 50 years.
KC

[19Kona]

Just got back from CJ's shop with the rack. Yes, it is possible to put a rack the size of a 19' jet boat on a GMC s-10. I had a CHP escort part of the way home, but they gave up when they saw it wasn't falling off. I nearly %^&* in my pants. Anyway, thank you all for responding. I will be using someone local to the San Fernando valley to finish the job or just renting the welder and doing it myself. Thanks again Challengerjet and call me when you are going to the river or to castaic or pyramid.

[19Kona]

oh ya, forgot to ask blown sleek what the dimensions of his rack are incase I need a 2nd (that would be if I do the welding and the high school metal shop education is not enough. I actually got an award in metal shop).
[This message has been edited by 19Kona (edited February 08, 2002).]

[Blown Sleek]

Measures same width as out side of fenders and about 11 ft long.
I just over did it!
2by3 uprights and 2by2 horizontal flat steel plated great dance floor at the camp!!
Has small sleeping area? Gas rack or? In front at 1 foot lower.Check it out any time.

[challengerjet]

Hey Kona, no prob, it was a pleasure to help out a fellow jetter. glad you made it home, you looked like a accident waiting to happen but glad it stayed on. I'll keep in touch about the riv this season.
cjet