I started with a Harbor Freight trailer and to be honest I had very little money in it. I have a HF within 4-5miles from me and they were out of stock. So they sent me on a drive to another HF that was quite a haul. It comes in two boxes and they gave me one box from the 1795 and one box for the 1195. I was mad and had to make that drive again to return it. Before I could get upset with them they fell all over themselves apologizing, so that calmed me tremendously. They got me the right boxes and I wound up getting the whole thing for $217 -pre pandemic purchase.

 

It never gave me a problem and I added bearing buddies but it just seemed I was always working on it and adding crap to make it "work" for me. 

 

My local kayak pro shop sells kayak specific trailers and they had one all decked out with bunks, racks, cargo basket, etc. I forget the price but they charge an extra $200 or so to assemble it. They sold it and assembled it and the person never came to pick it up or pay. So they made them pay the $200 assembly charge.

 

I stroll in and see the trailer and fall in love. I had just finished a tournament in the money for $500 and won a $200 gift certificate to the store in the after tourney door prize. I sold my HF trailer for $500 and they gave me a HECKUVA deal to get it out of their show room.

5 hours ago, dickenscpa said:

I started with a Harbor Freight trailer and to be honest I had very little money in it. I have a HF within 4-5miles from me and they were out of stock. So they sent me on a drive to another HF that was quite a haul. It comes in two boxes and they gave me one box from the 1795 and one box for the 1195. I was mad and had to make that drive again to return it. Before I could get upset with them they fell all over themselves apologizing, so that calmed me tremendously. They got me the right boxes and I wound up getting the whole thing for $217 -pre pandemic purchase.

 

It never gave me a problem and I added bearing buddies but it just seemed I was always working on it and adding crap to make it "work" for me. 

 

My local kayak pro shop sells kayak specific trailers and they had one all decked out with bunks, racks, cargo basket, etc. I forget the price but they charge an extra $200 or so to assemble it. They sold it and assembled it and the person never came to pick it up or pay. So they made them pay the $200 assembly charge.

 

I stroll in and see the trailer and fall in love. I had just finished a tournament in the money for $500 and won a $200 gift certificate to the store in the after tourney door prize. I sold my HF trailer for $500 and they gave me a HECKUVA deal to get it out of their show room.

Awesome...any pics?

I'm torn right now between the Malone EcoLight Single Kayak Trailer and the Right On Multi-Sport Trailer. With the Right On I would add some PVC bunks and save a bunch of money. But the tail lights on the Right On are not made to be backed into the water, so I'd probably want to upgrade those.

 

Decisions, decisions...

If you don't mind doing a little work. I'd keep an eye on Marketplace for a used Jon Boat trailer. I found one for $50. Sanded it all down, repainted it. I flipped the axle and remount my springs to lift it. Which makes it harder to float the kayak off at some ramps. But most my spots I have to park and use a cart to access water.

 

I have just around $100 in mine.

A used jet ski trailer also works well and is already the right size and water tight.  I'm looking at doing that now and just waiting for a cheap one to hit the local marketplace.  We have a lot of lake houses around here and people keep their jet skis on docks or at the marina year round so they don't keep the trailers.  I've never seen one for $50 though.  The usual price around here is $500 for a good one, $300-400 for one that needs sanded and painted.

Jet ski and jon boat trailers used for around $500, is much better than buying an actual kayaking one for 3x the price.... You can customize it however you want and save alot of money in the process, for those of you who have more than 1 kayak the double jet ski trailers are amazing, and if the trailers in good condition you really dont need to change anything to get the kayaks to fit on them. Ive been using a double jet ski trailer and took the one jet ski off, slid the kayak on and strapped it on and no modifications or changes were needed. Alot of people are selling junk jet skis that come with trailers from around $250-$750, if you find a good deal buy it and take the jet ski to a junk yard.

38 minutes ago, MediumMouthBass said:

Jet ski and jon boat trailers used for around $500, is much better than buying an actual kayaking one for 3x the price

This is the trailer I got for the canoe I had - brand new is $700, but there's occasionally sales

https://www.northerntool.com/products/ironton-jet-ski-and-personal-watercraft-trailer-kit-steel-frame-610-lb-load-capacity-37554

3 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

A used jet ski trailer also works well and is already the right size and water tight.  I'm looking at doing that now and just waiting for a cheap one to hit the local marketplace.  We have a lot of lake houses around here and people keep their jet skis on docks or at the marina year round so they don't keep the trailers.  I've never seen one for $50 though.  The usual price around here is $500 for a good one, $300-400 for one that needs sanded and painted.

I've seen quite a few around here for less than that.  Sometimes even free!  Though, they come with a broken jet ski or boat attached that you have to pay to dump.  And I don't know what that costs, but I'm sure it isn't cheap, because I've seen a few boats dumped around lakes and along the side of the road, that you could tell by their condition was not left there on accident.  Plus, you'll probably need to replace the tires just to get it home.  But do your math homework, and you might come out ahead.  

17 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

This is the trailer I got for the canoe I had - brand new is $700, but there's occasionally sales

https://www.northerntool.com/products/ironton-jet-ski-and-personal-watercraft-trailer-kit-steel-frame-610-lb-load-capacity-37554

I saw that one but it had a ton of negative reviews.