Inflatable Dinghy Trailer

[andyb28]

Good Afternoon everyone,

I have a Seago 240 dinghy and am looking for some kind of trailer to get it to the water inflated, rather than keep blowing it up. Also, I don't want to keep putting it in the bag wet.

It's quite light, so I have a few options. Maybe adapting an Erde type trailer to hold it on, or something similar to the trailer my Mirror sits on.

What have others done?
I don't have the option of leaving the dinghy anywhere, where we launch.

Many Thanks
Andy

 

[duncan99210]

If it’s a reasonably lightweight dinghy, you could get some roof bars and put it there. Couple of ratchet straps to tie it down, possibly use the painter to stop the bow taking off by tying it off somewhere on the front of the car? Cheaper than a trailer.

 

[andyb28]

If it’s a reasonably lightweight dinghy, you could get some roof bars and put it there. Couple of ratchet straps to tie it down, possibly use the painter to stop the bow taking off by tying it off somewhere on the front of the car? Cheaper than a trailer.

I did think about that, but I have a Defender 110. It does have a roof rack, but its really high up. I can get Kayaks up there, but only because you can lay them up against it at the back and shove them.

 

[James_Calvert]

Where are you going to keep it, blown up?

Indoors, undercover OK. Otherwise whilst out of the water it will heat up in the sun, lose the overpressure and turn into a floppy thing when it cools.

Sure it's just not easier to roll it up and put it in your LR?

 

[Concerto]

Years ago when I used an inflatable dinghy regularly and carfried it in my estate car. A high speed inflator was used for quick effortless inflation by being clipped to my car battery. Now I am using flip up wheels fixed to the inflatable wooden transom to move it. These are similar to what I bought. Aluminum Boat Transom Launching Wheel Dolly Fit Inflatable boat Dinghy UK | eBay

 

[TernVI]

You do see trailers for inflatables, generally some long flat boards to support the hull.
If you're towing it around often, maybe consider getting a rigid tender?

But even a small trailer makes parking a pain in a lot of places.

 

[LiftyK]

I place my inflated dinghy on a roof rack. It's a pain. I'd prefer a trailer. These days I've not been able to get roof bars wide enough to support the dinghy upside down. I'm not looking forward to the day when unexpected rain adds a lot of weight to my upright dinghy on the car roof. On the other hand I do appreciate having the extra space in the boot when the dinghy is on the roof.

 

[SteveIOW]

I've never seen an Inflatable Dinghy Trailer - only ones with inflatable tyres!!!

 

[Slowtack]

jetski trailers are suitable and often available secondhand

 

[PetiteFleur]

As you suggest an Erde small trailer would be fine - you may have to add a couple of placks located on the trailer sides and a couple of ratchet straps. I carry by 8' grp dinghy on my 6' x4' box trailer when taking home for the winter.

 

[dunedin]

I place my inflated dinghy on a roof rack. It's a pain. I'd prefer a trailer. These days I've not been able to get roof bars wide enough to support the dinghy upside down.

When we used to take a Mirror dinghy (or West Eleven) on the roofrack we used metal Thule extensions to widen the roof rack.

For a rubber dinghy I would just lash on a bit of wood to each bar if needed wider.

PS. When I was younger (age 10 or so) I used to have to climb up onto the roof of a LWB Land Rover, walk to the back and lift the front of a (very overweight) Mirror all the way forward as it went on the roofrack. Told severely to only walk along the two lines of rivets, to avoid denting the outer alloy roof. I got the job as smallest and lightest member of family.

 

[LiftyK]

When we used to take a Mirror dinghy (or West Eleven) on the roofrack we used metal Thule extensions to widen the roof rack.

For a rubber dinghy I would just lash on a bit of wood to each bar if needed wider.

PS. When I was younger (age 10 or so) I used to have to climb up onto the roof of a LWB Land Rover, walk to the back and lift the front of a (very overweight) Mirror all the way forward as it went on the roofrack. Told severely to only walk along the two lines of rivets, to avoid denting the outer alloy roof. I got the job as smallest and lightest member of family.

Thankyou for mentioning Thule extensions. I have a Thule rack and was not able to find anything to extend them when I looked some years ago. Inspired by your comment I searched again. I found this: “Where more loading width is required, unlike other Thule roof bar models, it is often possible to choose a wider professional Evo ProBar model subject to the overall width not exceeding 305mm, either side of the vehicle.” I will investigate these ProBar models.

 

[andyb28]

Turns out, whilst a bit of an effort (as its rather heavy) I can get it in and out of the land rover ok in its bag.

I have an electric 12v pump for my SUP and this inflated the tender very quickly.
The only problem really is packing the boat back into its bag, it gets muddy and the bag isn't looking so new after just one trip. Not that, thats the end of the world.

I think the answer is, it would be easier with a trailer, but doing it the above way is neater. I already have a Mirror and Kayak trailer at home. So not having to store another trailer is good.

Thanks all for your help.

 

[Concerto]

If you normally get your dinghy muddy, then keep a water pressure spray and sponge to rinse the mud off. Also removes any salt.

 

[Slowboat35]

I'm trying to imagine the conversation you'd have half way home with the AA trying to explain that your trailer's gone flat. No, not the tyres, they're fine, it's an inflatable trailer! Bring a foot-pump!

 

[Jim@sea]

I had a Horse Trailer so I had the bright idea of loading my inflatable blown up into it and took it down to the slipway at Ferry Nab, Of course when the boat owners saw my horse trailer being reversed to the slipway they assumed I was going to let a horse out.
Anyway a horse trailer does work and you can put all kinds of stuff in it.