

This coupler fits over the ball on your trailer hitch. The tongue coupler is at the front of the tongue. Make sure to purchase the right size ball for your trailer. Many ultralight trailers use a smaller, 1-⅞ size. Most conventional trailers use a 2-inch ball. Once you have the appropriate receiver and wiring harness mounted to your vehicle, you’ll want to purchase a ball that is matched to your trailer.
#Convert utility trailer to canoe trailer install#
If not, you’ll have no problem finding a local business that can complete the install for you.


This harness connects your vehicle’s electrical system to the trailer and synchronizes the trailer lights with your vehicle lights.ĭepending on your vehicle and your skills, installing a receiver hitch and wiring harness could be a DIY project. Kayak trailers use a four-pin trailer wiring harness. Bigger means stronger, but either receiver size is appropriate to tow a lightweight kayak trailer. Trucks and SUVs typically take a 2-inch receiver. Smaller vehicles can be fitted with a 1.25-inch receiver. Different vehicles are rated for different sizes of receivers. Receiver hitches bolt to the vehicle frame and take a hitch ball insert. For many vehicles, this means adding a receiver hitch and a trailer wiring harness. Vehicle requirementsīefore you select your trailer, you should make sure your vehicle is set up for towing. Once you have the hang of things, it’s a snap. If you’ve never towed a trailer behind your vehicle, the whole process might seem a little intimidating. How do you transport a kayak on a trailer? The versatility of this type of trailer makes it a top choice for paddling enthusiasts. Most hybrid trailers are of the ultralight design. Some hybrid trailers offer the option to fit a fold-out tent or camper to the top of the trailer. More sophisticated hybrid trailers use roof rack crossbars to create a platform that can be customized to transport kayaks, canoes, luggage boxes and bicycles. This configuration makes it possible to stash wet gear and bags under the boats. The simplest type of hybrid trailer might be a traditional kayak trailer with a mesh basket welded underneath the boat racks. Hybrid kayak trailers carry boats and gear. Ultralight kayak trailers are the most popular option for most kayakers. They also make it possible to create a hybrid trailer that will transport kayaks, luggage boxes and bicycles at the same time. These crossbars make it possible to mount a wide range of kayak saddles and cradles for secure kayak transport. Many ultralight trailers feature conventional roof rack crossbars. Some ultralight trailers feature the ability to fold for compact storage. Some are equipped with lightweight wheels that are similar to bicycle tires. Ultralight trailers typically feature lighter springs and smaller tires. Like traditional trailers, ultralight trailers can be made from both aluminum or galvanized steel. Their light weight makes them appropriate to tow behind lighter vehicles and passenger cars.

Ultralight kayak trailers are smaller and lighter than traditional kayak trailers. Traditional kayak trailers are favored by livery operations, kayak manufacturers and clubs that need to transport a lot of kayaks at a time. Crossbars are often rudimentary and should be padded to protect your kayaks. Aluminum trailers are lighter but are more expensive. Traditional kayak trailers may be made from galvanized steel or aluminum. The largest of these trailers can transport as many as 16 canoes! Since kayaks are shallower than canoes, it’s possible to stack kayaks together on their edge and double the capacity of the trailer. Depending on the number of crossbars, trailers like this can carry from two to eight canoes. They typically have two upright posts with horizontal crossbars. Traditional kayak trailers are the ones we’re used to seeing at canoe rental shops. Anything longer than about 10 feet requires the extended tongue that comes on a dedicated kayak or canoe trailer. The shortest kayaks can be transported on a trailer with a conventional length tongue. Kayak trailers need to have longer tongues than conventional utility trailers so your kayaks won’t hit the rear of your vehicle when you turn. Tongue refers to the part of the trailer that sticks out the front and connects to your vehicle. One thing that almost all kayak trailers have in common is a long tongue.
