Trailer Question (rookie)

[Rupestris]

If you’ve looked in the “For Sale” forum you might have seen that I bought a boat and have been looking for a boat trailer for a couple weeks now. It’s my first boat and I have a question about trailers that I hope someone can help with.
The length of the boat is 15ft. 5in. with a width of only 43in. I found another post where someone recommended the trailer sold by Harbor Freight:

Boat trailer (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=5002)

This trailer is for use with a 12’ to 14’ boat length.
My question is, can I use this trailer and have the boat extend over the back of the trailer an additional 1ft. - 1.5ft.? The boat loaded with gear will weigh less than 350 lbs. I imagine it has something to do with tongue wt. or how far the boat sticks out beyond the taillights. Is this correct?
The trailer comes disassembled. It looks like the tongue is square stock steel bolted at the rear with the hitch bolted at the front. Could I just replace that with a longer piece or have an extension welded on?

Here's the boat.
http://www.marathonboat.com/images/boat8.jpg

Thanks for any help,
Rupe

[POLARBEAR]

do you plan on hauling it a long ways? as long as you have tongue weight you will be ok. but as i said mechanicaly fastened trailers scare me. the roads are just to rough. check out this ad. if you want more places to look i will try to help. p.b.



http://www.greatmich.com/cgi-local/classifieds/classifieds.cgi?search_and_display_db_button=on&db_id=155&query=retrievalds in mi are just to rough.

[jpollman]

Rupe,
I'm no expert but I don't see a reason why you couldn't put that boat on a Harbor Freight trailer. It's rated for up to 600 lbs. I don't see a problem with the extra foot or so sticking off of the rear.

Just my .02

As far as the "mechanically fastned" trailer.
I'd rather have a brand new one that I assembled correctly than rely on an old used trailer that I know NOTHING about. I think the HF one is well worth the $300 investment.

[Gone Fishing]

As far as a mechanically fastened trailer, you could always use nyloc nuts on bolt/nut fasteners and red loctite on bolts going into a pre tapped hole. The Loctite could also be used on the bolts with the nyloc nuts. The red Loctite is pretty much perminent. On larger bolts you need to use some heat to disassemble. I think the number on the Loctite is 671.

[Liv4Huntin']

Would it not make a difference if this boat were to be hauled on the trailer WITH an outboard mounted ON the boat, as far as balance?

~ m ~

[ESOX]

If you are going to leave the outboard on, make sure the transom is supported. Maybe you could rig up a couple of bunks.

[Rupestris]

It looks like I could have given a little more information. For the time being, all I have is a 42lb. thrust trolling motor that will be taken off and placed inside the boat with the battery for transporting. I'll probably move the batery to the front when trailering to get as much weight on the tongue as possible.
I plan on using the boat for casual fishing with the family at some of the local state parks and inland lakes. Distance will be no more than 50-60 miles each way.(Allen Park to Bellville, Ford, Wamplers Lake. No further than Paterson/Bruin lake near Pinkney).
If I pick up a gas motor later it will be no more than 5 to 7 horse so I can take it off to transport.
I checked and the trailer does come with Nyloc nuts.

Thanks for all the replies,
Rupe

[hesslakeman]

Just my .02, but I would upgrade the the rims and tires to 12". I have a similar assembled utility trailer that I have had for 8 years and hauled a stand up jet ski on back and forth to Ohio about a 300 mile one-way trip numerous times (I lived there for 4 years).
Pulled great and I have only had to replace the bearings once.
The 12" tires seem to handle highway speeds better.
Good Luck.