Trailers

Is it better to Trailer or Cartop my boats? For most of our Customers our first recommendation is to "CARTOP" carry your Canoe or Kayaks!  We can Fit ALL CARS & TRUCKS with a high quality Rack that is actually designed to carry kayaks or canoes. CALL US -to be sure you are doing things the best way.

We talk to folks all the time that just happen to be trying to Load their kayak or canoe in the most difficult way possible. How you do this is often Even More Important than how much the boat weighs and how tall the vehicle is. With over 50 years in this business we have many ideas and load assist products for a much more EASY way to load your craft.

This not being a viable option for your situation... Please read on...

There are a few benefits to trailering versus car topping.
The first benefit is that it provides a place to store your boats when not being used.
Second... You could be all loaded and ready to go with no big hassle.
Third... a trailer tends to be lower and easier to reach than a roof rack, which can be a big deal for some folks.You can find high Quality Trailers out there, but you may also find a piece of junk that provides a horrible day out on the Highway.

Problems to look out for with regards to TRAILERS and pulling a TRAILER; Trailering can certainly be a safe way of transporting BUT.... DON'T forget:

• SLOW DOWN -the load behind you is very light and may bounce off curbs, potholes and railroad tracks.
  
• SWING WIDE -or you will cut corners too short and clip a parked car, mailbox or gate.
• ONCE AROUND -before you drive away walk around your vehicle to be sure each boat has bow and stern lines and two hull straps. Check tires and lights, make sure safety pin and chains are secure.
  
• BOLTED TOGETHER FRAMES -allows inexpensive shipping from china, to the outlet store, or to your home. All those parts take many many hours to assemble and then shake, shimmy, rattle and roll down the highway.
  
• ENOUGH LENGTH -trying to carry kayaks or canoes on a garden trailer. Look out! too short a trailer tongue and your craft will CRUNCH into the back of your vehicle when you turn.
  
• ALUMINUM -we will never own another steel trailer. No more scraping rust and painting every year. We can lift our Light weight welded frame Aluminum trailers (while loaded or un-loaded) with one hand!
• WIRES -should be run thru the frame, not dangling from it to be kinked or cracked. You WILL get a ticket if your lights don't work.
  
• LIGHTS -should be recessed in the frame to avoid constant damage and cracks. You WILL get a ticket if your lights don't work.

If at this point you still want to trailer your boats - Oak Orchard's experience in this field is second to none. Over the past 50+ years we have owned, used and maintained many brands and styles of canoe and kayak trailers. *We currently own and maintain 4 trailers ourselves. We manufacture special accessories and hardware to secure your kayaks or canoes on these high quality trailers in the best possible way. Our specialty is customizing the best trailers for your particular kayaks or canoes.