Why Cant i tow with a mirage

[Canoehead]

The yakima trailers are pretty cool, but I would have a hard time paying $3k for one...

I agree. They don't really fit my needs either. However, I suppose in some cases they might be appropriate. Compared to a typical hardware-store trailer they are much lighter, and they fold flat for storage. If I wanted to regularly tow a couple kayaks long distances with a Mirage, Scion iQ, Prius C or similar, it might be worth it. Then again, maybe getting a manual transmission Yaris, Mazda2, or Honda Fit would be worth it as an extra 50-100lbs of trailer weight would be less of an issue. Or maybe scrubbing 5mph off the cruising speed would do the same thing. I suppose a spreadsheet would help figure it out.

[fatcat]

The yakima trailers are pretty cool, but I would have a hard time paying $3k for one...

come springtime I will be fabricating something that cost 1/10 the yakima does....and it will ROCK! my two sea kayaks do weigh in at 60# each though, so this trailer can not weigh too much.

[Kiwi]

I have a 4x8 trailer that weighs about 200 lbs and it folds for storage in the garage. Cost me less than $300. Fits our canoe, bicycles...

[Canoehead]

I have a 4x8 trailer that weighs about 200 lbs and it folds for storage in the garage. Cost me less than $300. Fits our canoe, bicycles...

That seems like a bargain. The Yakima is more expensive than it ought to be. I cannot understand, though, how the Yakima which seems to be smaller in all dimensions and is made out of aluminum is that close in weight to your trailer which I assume is mild steel. Maybe the taller tires and shocks add some? Maybe your "about 200lbs" is a little more?

[Kiwi]

Weighed mine, was 214 lbs with plywood top. Mine is an older model, the new ones from red trailers are 225-255 lbs without the plywood. You can go el cheapo and get a similar trailer from northern tool. Poor quality, but does the job.

[Canoehead]

Weighed mine, was 214 lbs with plywood top. Mine is an older model, the new ones from red trailers are 225-255 lbs without the plywood. You can go el cheapo and get a similar trailer from northern tool. Poor quality, but does the job.

Wow. Good to know. That is certainly a whole lot cheaper! And with a couple boats, still less than the weight of a big man, or 2 average people in the back seat. I'd be comfortable pulling that thing with a Mirage keeping the speed down to a reasonable level, and not putting something on with too much wind resistance.

[fatcat]

Weighed mine, was 214 lbs with plywood top. Mine is an older model, the new ones from red trailers are 225-255 lbs without the plywood. You can go el cheapo and get a similar trailer from northern tool. Poor quality, but does the job.

awesome...probably go the northern tool route in the spring...build quality is not as important to me as price as I am only a few miles from Lake Superior and other inland lakes/rivers. My boats are 16'+ long so they will hang over quite a bit, but oh well!

[Kiwi]

awesome...probably go the northern tool route in the spring...build quality is not as important to me as price as I am only a few miles from Lake Superior and other inland lakes/rivers. My boats are 16'+ long so they will hang over quite a bit, but oh well!

Sounds like you need the harbor freight boat trailer... At less than 80 lbs, with coupon its about $400 brand new, it would be a perfect fit.

[DougFam]

My trailer started out as a 40x49 trailer I got from Harbor Freight. I swapped in a long piece of 2.5" square tube, to make the overall trailer 13' long. Added a box with some hatches to keep camping gear dry and then added a rack to carry canoes.

[fatcat]

My trailer started out as a 40x49 trailer I got from Harbor Freight. I swapped in a long piece of 2.5" square tube, to make the overall trailer 13' long. Added a box with some hatches to keep camping gear dry and then added a rack to carry canoes.

that sounds to me like the way to go with this kayak trailer idea...do you have any pics of your trailer Doug?