5th Wheel boat trailer

[brianwells1961]

I have a 5th wheel 10 ton/ 20,000 lbs rated tri-axle dump bed trailer which I am considering to make into a trailer for my 1989 Ciera Sunbridge 2855 Bayliner.

I have priced bumper hitch trailer and found minimum price of $5000.00. A 5th wheel would be considerably more.
The 5th wheel as some of you know pulls and maneuvers so much easier. It is very hard for me to back bump hitched because of neck fusion 12 years ago. The trailer in my attached photos would cost me $300.00 from my brother. I have 5 other photos which aren't showing up because of MB limitations

Obviusly, the dump bed, ram, & controls would be removed. The trailer has electric brakes. I know I would need to lower the "reach height" for bow clearance. This wouldn't be an issue because I would use my flat bed duel axle 1 ton to pull it.

I would need where to get inexpensive plans (blueprints) to lay every thing out. I would build it as a bunk type trailer.

Any help/ thoughts on this project would and always are very much appreciated.

Thank you all in advance for looking and or helping me out.

Brian

 

[DBreskin]

Re: 5th Wheel boat trailer

Will the trailer (axles, brakes, etc) survive repeated immersion in water? Will you use it in salt water? Answers to those questions should be considered before you start converting the trailer.

 

[brianwells1961]

Re: 5th Wheel boat trailer

Fresh water ( Mississippi River ). Would normally be used only twice each year ( Launch and the dreaded for all End of season pull. From everything I have seen, Electric is the way to go. Surge brakes don't work while backing down the ramp. Good water tight connections. The bearings also are fine. I know I would never consider hauling the boat for the fun of it. Boat moored at a marina in season.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 5th Wheel boat trailer

I can't see how refitting an existing trailer and "plans" fit together.... If you want to follow plans.. fix up the dump trailer and sell it and buy new material for your plans... if the frame of the dump is suitable to becoming a boat trailer then there isn't anything complicated about it.

If you DID need plans for a conversion they would need to be drawn by an engineer who was looking at your trailer to determine what was needed for it.

You Don't need to lower the neck, you simply put the boat behind it..... Personally I think you should reconsider the 5th wheel idea..... for twice a year it hardly matters how smoothly it tows and being a 5er or bumper pull really shouldn't make any difference on your neck... If you have good mirrors on your truck and preferably since it's twice a year a spotter with ya it should be no problem to back a 30' trailer no matter the hitch... BTW Mine isn't fused but I do have neck issues so I can sympathize ..... not fun.... I think the length of the trailer more so than the hitch style will be what makes it easier on you.

LOTS of houseboat and cruiser seasonal trailers are built from house trailer frames and those can be bought cheap... the frames are tall I beams and are flimsy from side to side but they are way longer than needed.... the extra frame is cut off and welded to the side of the existing I beam forming a tube and become MUCH more rigid... a little cross member work, bunks, a winch stand, paint, and viola, boat trailer.

 

[rbh]

Re: 5th Wheel boat trailer

WOW, big beast of a trailer-
Are there electric, vacuum or air brakes on it now?
The thing about a boat trailer is its low stance for launching, how high will the lowest part of boat be above the ground?

 

[brianwells1961]

Re: 5th Wheel boat trailer

I never considered the mobile home frame option. I was thinking it might be easier because the spring & fall run is 90 miles home to marina.
But with electric brakes and 5 miles from the hwy up & down the hills on county road to home wouldn't be an issue really.
I really do appreciate your thoughts.

 

[brianwells1961]

Re: 5th Wheel boat trailer

Electric brakes.
I think I might be reconsidering the goose neck and going mobile home frame idea from Smokeonthewater's post above.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: 5th Wheel boat trailer

That looks like it might weigh as much as the boat you're thinking of putting on it.

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: 5th Wheel boat trailer

Looks like 6 or 8" frame, with 6 or 8" more above it, then 4" deck supports above all THAT. To float a boat on and off that thing, everything above the first frame member will have to go. The hull bottom can only be a few inches above the axle, or else you'll have to put the trailer WAY into the water. And since your 5er hitch is roughly 4' farther forward than a bumper hitch, the boat's position-forward on the trailer in relation to the kingpin will have to be taken into consideration.

You don't need 'expensive' blueprints, you can map out your boat's bottom shape with just a tape measure, a level and some patience. A graphics program (like Corel) that can figure out the angles from your measurements is helpful.

The trailer for our houseboat is a work in progress, so I know what you're up against!

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: 5th Wheel boat trailer

It would take one heck of a truck to put such a trailer and boat--preferably a medium size truck, or a Ford F550 at a minimum.

Heavy duty trailers commonly used for backhoes and small crawlers with a pindle hitch run 5500 lbs., and a fifth wheel hitch would be substantially heavier. Just about all these trailers use electric brakes. When they're backed into water, electric brakes first need to be disconnected.

If the trailer's long enough to handle your boat and still have proper tongue/bed weight, it would work. My concern would be getting the boat properly balanced. A jack knifing trailer is not a pleasant sight, and it's terrifying from inside the truck. Don't ask how I know.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 5th Wheel boat trailer

My 350 dually routinely pulls 20,000 lbs 1000 miles one way with a fifth wheel hitch... no trouble at all..... my reciever hitch is rated for up to 18,000 lbs... no way is a 550 needed for a 30' boat..... I routinely back electric brakes into the water hooked up and energized... no reason whatsoever to unhook first.... my wiring connections are all made waterproof and the brake magnets are epoxy sealed and waterproof

properly balance though I am all for... absolutely critical.... a good starting point for a boat that size is to find the center of balance of the boat and put it even with the front axle on a dual axle trailer and leave some adjustability as in trailer a little longer than needed so boat can be mover forward or rearward

 

[Travis91]

Re: 5th Wheel boat trailer

Im assuming your talking about a gooseneck trailer not a 5th wheel.. Saw this on a local CraigslistHauling Trailer(boat, tractor) for rent- to 18K lbs

 

[funk6294]

Re: 5th Wheel boat trailer

I say figure out the bunks and use the dump trailer. No official plans needed. Just need some good bunks and you good to go. Your only pulling it twice a year and not cross country.