Mike McMahon Posted July 15, 2004 Posted July 15, 2004 Hi all, I am ready to begin the process of buying a trailer. Is anyone using a Magneta UFB5218HD? Its an 18 foot trailer that you put together yourself. http://www.sportutilitytrailers.com/Magneta/UFB52.htm Pennsylvania is a PIA when it comes to titling home-made trailers :evil: I figured if I buy one new, I should not run into any immediate problems. I am trying to keep the cost under $700 or so. And it will also do double duty for an O'Day Widgeon that was recently given to me. Thanks! Quote
Jan Williamson Posted July 15, 2004 Posted July 15, 2004 That's not a bad price compared to the ready to use ones. $1100.00 is about as cheap as I found. It is kinda tricky to get a home built one registered in Ca. too. I thought I could find one for around $500. But no luck so far. Quote
Frank Hagan Posted July 16, 2004 Posted July 16, 2004 The prices don't look too bad, but the shipping "via UPS" is listed as $170 for my zip in zone 6. That's a lot of UPS shipping! I bought used, and wish I had bought new. I paid $200 for a boat and trailer that I bought from a dead guy, sold the boat for $50, then spent another $100 on stuff to fix up the trailer. Took forever to convince the DMV that the boat and trailer weren't stolen, but that the man was dead and I bought it from his estate. Don't buy from dead people. It was rusting a bit, but now has rusting pretty bad by one of the leaf springs, and I have to repair it before I can trailer very far. I think I would have gotten a few more years with a new trailer. Jan, they consider home-built trailers "special construction" or "SPCSN" at the CA DMV, so search for info on that. I don't know if they inspect them or not. Quote
Mike McMahon Posted July 19, 2004 Author Posted July 19, 2004 The prices don't look too bad, but the shipping "via UPS" is listed as $170 for my zip in zone 6. That's a lot of UPS shipping! I just found one on e-bay with free shipping! $685 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2484229819&category=26455 I may buy locally just to avoid the paper work and inspections required! Quote
Dave R1 Posted July 19, 2004 Posted July 19, 2004 Mike, I think you are on the right track to buy locally. I have a Karavan KB1250-50 that works pretty nicely. It wasn't a lot of money--under $400 new if I recall. Plenty strong for a weekender--it has a 1250 lb capacity. The closest distributor to you looks like Morgan Recreational Supply, Inc. 6013 Denny Drive Farmington, NY 14425 Phone: (585) 924-7188 Fax: (585) 924-4410 Which isn't all that close I guess. Still, it's an option. Bill Paxton has the galvanized version of the same trailer so we know two Weekenders that fit on them. You might contact Karavan and see if they have a dealer neare to you. http://www.karavantrailers.com/boattrailer/search_results.cfm?categoryid=9&capacity_min=&capacity_max=&length_min=16&length_max=20&submit=SEARCH BTW, my aunt lives not far from you in Bala Cynwyd. If I get out that way to visit one of these days, I'll have to look you up. Quote
Mike McMahon Posted July 19, 2004 Author Posted July 19, 2004 Dave, that sounds great. I'm glad to see that a 16-17 ft trailer works. My biggest fear is the bowsprit hitting the back of the Exlporer. Is there much that hangs off the back of the trailer? I'll be driving a couple hundred miles at most. Are the 12 inch tires ok? Bala Cynwd only a few miles from Havertown. Let me know if you're in the neighborhood. Quote
Dave R1 Posted July 19, 2004 Posted July 19, 2004 Here's a picture of JULIE K on the trailer. You can see that the bowsprit extends above the top of the VUE. My bowsprit is longer than the plan. If you stuck with the plan for this length, you won't have any trouble. Quote
Mike McMahon Posted July 19, 2004 Author Posted July 19, 2004 Awesome Dave, that's exactyl what I needed to see. I'm sold! Quote
Dave R1 Posted July 19, 2004 Posted July 19, 2004 Glad that helped. I added some rollers for the keel--the trailer came with slippery plastic skids on the crossbars--and the tongue jack. Quote
BobSmalser Posted July 19, 2004 Posted July 19, 2004 Pennsylvania is a PIA when it comes to titling home-made trailers Lotsa folks cheat with a straight face for just that reason. Plenty of honest car restorers do without doing anything they consider immoral. If the car came from a junkyard with zero worth before you started, waiting 3 years (what's required in this state to get your title from a lost one) to see if there are any claims doesn't pass the common sense test. Getcha a copy of Hemmings Motor News or go to a car/truck/tractor swap meet. Lotsa businesses sell junkyard titles for whatever piece of gear you need one for. Quote
JMetzner Posted July 20, 2004 Posted July 20, 2004 Mike, I have the same Karavan trailer as Dave and Bill. So far it's working out great. I did get the stands and hardware from Karavan for a second set of bunks. I picked up the bunk carpet and PT lumber locally and built the pair in about ten minutes. I mounted them close in next to the keel. They act as terrific guides when loading the boat back on the trailer. I wanted the second pair to distribute the weight going over the lousy roads in Alaska. The guide on 'feature' was a pleasant extra. BTW, with about 2 1/2 to 3 feet of the hull hanging off the back, the bowsprit is short of the hitch. No problem with contact with the tow vehicle, a Jeep Liberty. John M. Quote
Marshall Posted July 20, 2004 Posted July 20, 2004 Dave, Where did you get your Karavan Trailer ? I'm on the Minn/Wisc border, but I work in Minneapolis. Also, out of curiosity, why wouldn't you get a trailer 2' longer so it doesn't stick over the trailer ? Or doesn't it matter. I will be glassing and painting my Weekender within the next week or so. Quote
Dave R1 Posted July 20, 2004 Posted July 20, 2004 Hi Marshall. You've made some good progress on your Weekender. Can't wait until you can join us for a sail. Maybe we can meet at Pepin to launch there. I bought my trailer because Bill Paxton had one and because a recreation dealer here in Rochester had one they'd let go for a good price. They were quitting business and were having an auction the next weekend. I don't think it matters that the trailer is shorter. There's plenty of support for the boat and I think it is actually easier to get it on and off the trailer. Karavan is located in Fox Lake, Wi but that's on the other side of the state. You could call them to find out who carries their trailers in this area. Their number is (920) 928-6200 ext. 127 or e-mail sales@karavantrailers.com How about posting some pictures of your boat? Quote
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