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Johninaustin · Full Grown Flour Bluffian Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 1118

Been looking high and low for a trailer to put the inflatable boat on, finally found an old jet ski trailer in a junkyard for $80.

Good thing is, it's galvanized. Bad thing is, it's way too short and narrow. (the boat is 14') I need to add an extension (about 6') and attach a platform that is wide enough to go over the tires.

My question is, how difficult is it to weld to galvanized? Is having a shop attach an extension with a cross piece for the front of the plywood deck going to cost a lot? Would a weld shop even touch this job?

The thing has 12" tires on it but they are shot, should I go bigger? (4 lug) I'm concerned about towing the thing in soft sand.

Thanks for the help.

surf54 · Horse Mullet Joined: 05 Jan 2011 Posts: 115

Welding the galvanized is not a problem, just need good ventilation. The fumes are toxic. Question I would have is your axle going to need to be moved to distribute your weight properly? And did you get a title for the trailer? You will have a hard time getting tags if you did not. The process is a nightmare and unless you can pass the trailer off as a homemade trailer, you may not be able to get tags at all.

Cricket · Posted: Fri Jul 19, 2013 9:01 am Post subject:

I second Surf54's comments. Having just completed the tagging process with a homebuilt trailer, if you didn't get one when you bought it, sell it back to them.

Johninaustin · Full Grown Flour Bluffian Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 1118

Already tagged, the junkyard was a big help, spent all of 5 minutes at the tax office.

The weight I don't believe will be an issue, the boat only weighs 200lbs and will be roughly about 1/2 each side of the axle. Tongue weight is going to be pretty light.

Depending on cost I may have some attachments for a removable kayak rack made too, or possibly a cargo box.

ironmanstan · Posted: Fri Jul 19, 2013 12:45 pm Post subject:

Galvanized is just a coating on the metal it will make you sick if you don't know how to deal with it and sometimes it will make the best sick and its a 12 hour sickness you won't ever forget. I have had it atleast 3 times. I used to weld a lot of heavy galvanized structure. You mark it, centerpuch your cut line, take a torch heat it up real good and it will wire brush off. This helps extremely well. After that it welds fine. If you need some tips or help holler at me. After you extend it 6 ft you will need to set your axle back for tounge weight.
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