Trailer Options?

Ok, I confess that though I did a quick search, I didn't look extensively... a new topic sounded like more fun

What are the best trailer options for 2014?  I traded in the SUV for a Jeep last fall, which doesn't have quite enough room to put the back down and carry the yak in the trunk... thus need a trailer.  I assumed I could pick up something in good condition for a few hundred bucks... but that doesn't look like the case.

Options I see so far:

1) Hold off for a good deal on Craigslist for a flatbed.  Hope the title is clear and the tires don't blow or the rust doesn't fall out mid-transport.  This was the plan, but my snobbyness is starting to show

2) Get a new flatbed and call it a day.

3) Get a generic Kayak trailer:
http://www.amazon.com/Malone-MicroSport-Sports-Trailer-Kayaks/dp/B0016N6K3G/

4) Get a Hobie-specific trailer:
http://www.austinkayak.com/products/3501/Hobie-Kayak-Trailer-Single-AI-or-Pro-Angler.html
 
One more factor, I've got an AI.  16ft, 130lbs, with sidekicks which also wouldn't fit in the trunk (which makes me think flatbed for the versatility). 

Thoughts?  Any specific models / brands / details / tips to consider?

While your figuring it out here's a great forum to check for ideas.
http://texaskayakfisherman.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=121567&sid=8584431ef952c8434ea5eba1120339c5

There are many ways you can go with a trailer.  Do you want to just haul a kayak, or do you want to be able to haul a cooler, rods, and gear?   Do you want to be able to camp from it, on it, in it or other? 

That link posted above has A LOT of great ideas to work from.

We're looking for a light camp trailer. Something like this:

http://bit.ly/1k3ZvAY
Or this:

http://tinycamper.com/raindrop560ultra.htm
Want yak racks on top.

This trailer required minor adjustment of the winch height.  Its light, easily portable by hand, and tows like a dream. 

I got tired of lifting my AI, the amas, and mast up on top of my pickup, and tying it all down - basically repeating the process four times every time I wanted to go out.  So, I bought the Hobie/Trailex single trailer for my AI.  Here are my comments:
1.  I get into the water a lot faster and easier with the trailer - especially if I use a boat ramp.  It stays pretty much set up and ready to go.
2.  The Hobie single trailer is made of almost all aluminum, with galvanized wheels.  Is very light and wont rust.  In tight situations its very easy to walk around, rather than maneuvering with a vehicle.
3.  It doesn't come standard with a spare tire and mount, nor does it come with a winch or winch post (although you don't really need it).
4.  The ~$1000 trailer will end up costing over $1500 - you will pay shipping, WA state sales tax, registration, cradles, spare tire, bearing buddies, and about 4 to 6 hours of your time to put it together.
5.  The Hobie single trailer doesn't have conventional springs - it has a weird minimal tire rubber type of setup.  It works, but I wonder about it.
6.  When you launch from a boat ramp, you actually don't have to back the trailer wheels into the water - you can just push the kayak off, and pull it back on.  That said, I still put bearing buddies on the axles just in case, to keep water out of the bearings.
7.  The trailer is so small, that I cannot see it when pulling it with my Tacoma.  Without my rear view camera, the only thing I can see is the sailing rudder, which sticks up a bit.  Without a camera, it is very hard to tell whats going on back there when towing, and hard to back it up.

Snow bear trailers are easy builds, light, versatile, and can be picked up for relatively cheap. Here's mine. I can't claim credit for the racks, but there's a few people on here that should recognize the handiwork   I know wobbler has built a few snow bear rigs too.




Thought I'd add a couple more shots from the build.

The Snowbear trailers are light and can be easily modified to fit your needs.

Wobbler

I own the Trailex Trailer (double) to pull around two Hobie Pro Anglers.  I have had it for a couple of years and I hVe thoroughly enjoyed it.  I suggest the double as it's nice to carpool with a buddy on a road trip instead of taking two cars.  We have taken one PA and Yaktrap's Hoboe Adventure or his SINK.  The cradles Hobie makes are great and make for easy loading. You can also just pull a single kayak with concern of being off balanced. 

It's lightweight.  So much so that I can pick up the trailer off the back of my Prius and walk it down the driveway and into the garage for storage.

One thing on my list for sure is being able to easily load it myself - so a rack isn't really an option (as cool as those are, I saw a couple at ORC and was jealous

The Hobie trailer still does look tempting, and I hadn't thought about the ability to back it right into the water (duh)... plus, sounds like an excuse to get a rear view cam installed on my Jeep 

Flatbed with some hooks still sounds a bit more versatile though... choices choices.

Hmmm....

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200612541_200612541

A little short, but I assume the 8ft is the square part, could stick out 4ft on each side maybe 

Or,

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200612542_200612542

Here's how I roll.

I'm selling my Malone trailer

http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=11568.0

Here's how I transport my Hobie Outbacks.

Like ballardbrad, two years ago, I bought a Hobie Trailex trailer to carry and store my Hobie kayak......I had the same "can't see the trailer when backing down problem"...so I found a couple of antenna spring mounts and bought a 6' fiberglass bike flag......cut the pole into 2, 2 foot lengths......then epoxy glued in  each pole and wrapped the top end with red reflective tape.
I mounted the spring based poles to the aft cross bar.....see the photo.....it's now very easy to see where the trailer is behind my Subaru.