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Folding trailer for Island/ Tandem Island in Europe
http://www.hobie.com/au/en/forums/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=67649
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Author:  Chess [ Wed Nov 25, 2020 8:22 am ]
Post subject:  Folding trailer for Island/ Tandem Island in Europe

Hello! One of the reasons why I still don't have my dream Tandem Island is that I struggle to find the necessary space to store a trailer. And car topping is not an option, among other things, because my roof rack cannot handle that weight. I have been looking for folding trailers but have failed so far. I am based in Europe.

In fact, the trailer that was the closest to what I needed was the Ozi Concept kayak trailer, which now even comes with suspension for the kayak itself. Unfortunately, it is not suitable for longer kayaks, such as the Hobie Island and Tandem Island.
The good news is that they have now come up with a design that would work for longer kayaks or boats. The bad news (for those of us living in Europe) is that apparently the bureaucratic process to get it certified in the EU is quite cumbersome and expensive. Therefore, the company will only invest in the process if they see there is a market for it in Europe.

So this is my question to all of you, especially the Europe-based Island owners. Would you be (seriously) interested in a longer version of this trailer? It would be basically the same trailer that you see in the video, plus a removable draw bar. By the way, I have no relationship with the company. But I must say that both Jeff (in the US) and Phillippe (in France) have been very kind addressing my queries.

Here's a video of the trailer without the additional draw bar:

https://bit.ly/376GuKN

Author:  RedKite [ Wed Nov 25, 2020 10:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Folding trailer for Island/ Tandem Island in Europe

Hi Chess,
That would be of interest to me - I currently have my Tandem Island hoisted to the ceiling in my garage and my trailer dismantled into 3 parts (axle, drawbar & the rest of it) and leaning up the wall.
This allows me to get my camping trailer & several other things in there too.
It's ok for the winter months, but I won't want to be unbolting & reassembling the trailer every time we want to go out in the summer, so a folding version similar to the one in that video would be of great interest.
I also have a bolt-on 'roof rack' on my trailer which carries a roof box (above the boat) - ideally the folding version would also need to have this as an option?
An unbraked trailer is fine, I keep the laden weight under 750kg.
Timing & cost are also a factor of course, but you can put me down as provisionally interested!

Author:  Chess [ Wed Nov 25, 2020 10:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Folding trailer for Island/ Tandem Island in Europe

Thanks for your reply, RedKite.

I actually mentioned the 'roof rack' add-on to the manufacturer and he said that shouldn't be a problem. I also thought it would be a good idea to have a roof cargo box on the trailer. The main obstacle for the production is having enough potential buyers that could convince him to invest in the bureaucratic process of getting it certified in Europe.
I imagine it is impossible to know the final cost at this stage, but my understanding from my conversation with him was that it could be around 500 euros more than the original version. That would bring the total cost to around 3,000 euros. It is, of course, more expensive than a normal trailer... but it is not a normal trailer.

Author:  RedKite [ Thu Nov 26, 2020 2:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Folding trailer for Island/ Tandem Island in Europe

Good news re. the roof rack/box.
After writing my reply I found their website, and so also the cost of the current smaller kayak trailer - so I'm not that surprised at your estimate, as the added complexity & stainless steel are going to make it expensive.
Here's another thought which might increase it's appeal - I'm thinking anyone buying a folding trailer is wanting to store their boat off the trailer (hoist etc), so that frees the hardware to also be used for other things - camping and/or bikes, taking rubbish to the tip etc...
So if the bunks could be unbolted & replaced with other accessories such as a large weather-tight box for example, I could sell my camping trailer which would help justify the expense, and free up even more space in my garage. That would be awesome.
Note I would also want min. 13" wheels on it (like the current photos show), and not 10" as listed in the specifications - I'm fine lifting the boat a little higher, and it would help to avoid grounding out on slip ramp break-overs which happens all the time with small wheels & a long drawbar!
I also like their folding jockey wheel - I have to unbolt mine when hitched, as I can't open the back door with it on.
Anyway, thanks & keep me posted. :)

Author:  Chess [ Fri Dec 11, 2020 4:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Folding trailer for Island/ Tandem Island in Europe

Thanks for your reply, RedKite!

I reached out to the manufacturer, in France. He is quite amazing. He even gave me a live virtual tour of the company and his trailers!

Here's the feedback I received. Indeed, the kayak trailer would come with 13" wheels, just like the current shorter version. He had a previous version with smaller wheels, but it is no longer available. He can do almost anything to customise a new trailer. He actually showed me a trailer with some modifications to transport a big raft. The trailer already comes with removable extensions to make it wider so it can carry two kayaks. Indeed, the kayak cradles could be unbolted and replaced with something else. Adding removable hardware to create a second 'floor' to transport more kayaks or a cargo box on top is not a problem. And the weight isn't a challenge either, as it can carry around 300 kilos or 661 lb.

From what he explained and showed me, he can do almost anything we need. But the main obstacle is more difficult to overcome. As I mentioned, in order to get a longer version of the kayak certified in Europe, he needs to go through an expensive bureaucratic process (unlike in the US). So he would need to see a market for it in Europe. There would need to be a larger group of potential customers interested in this product.

Author:  RedKite [ Wed Feb 03, 2021 6:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Folding trailer for Island/ Tandem Island in Europe

Hi Chess, did you have any further discussions with the trailer co.?
We are now considering a second boat of some sort (maybe a small lightweight RIB) to increase the number of friends we can take out with us on trips to the sea, and this would need to travel on the trailer above the Island - so I'm still interested in a suitable folding trailer with a second 'roof rack' over the TI.
I think the TI is around 100kg rigged, and would need the bars over to be capable of taking another 100kg...

Author:  Chess [ Tue Feb 09, 2021 3:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Folding trailer for Island/ Tandem Island in Europe

Hi, RedKite!

Technically, my impression is that everything you need should be feasible, from what the manufacturer mentioned. The main obstacle remains the same. He is not going to certify the trailer in Europe if only two people (you and I) are interested. So, unless there are more people willing to purchase such a trailer, we might never get it in Europe. :roll:

Cheers,

Chess

Author:  LarryJ [ Tue Feb 09, 2021 5:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Folding trailer for Island/ Tandem Island in Europe

Chess wrote:
...So this is my question to all of you, especially the Europe-based Island owners. Would you be (seriously) interested in a longer version of this trailer? It would be basically the same trailer that you see in the video, plus a removable draw bar. By the way, I have no relationship with the company. But I must say that both Jeff (in the US) and Phillippe (in France) have been very kind addressing my queries.

Here's a video of the trailer without the additional draw bar:

https://bit.ly/376GuKN


After looking at the video I had to ask myself, why is he taking the trailer apart after launching the kayak. I was waiting for him to stow it in his van so no one would steal it. Seems easy enough to do. All you need is a 13mm wrench to get most of it while someone's out on the water.

Went to the website. $3200! Are you kidding me. The hobie is expensive enough.

Author:  Chess [ Thu Feb 11, 2021 10:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Folding trailer for Island/ Tandem Island in Europe

They used to have a video of their previous model in which they would roll up the folded trailer into the van on a couple of ramps. So it should be doable. As for the cost, it depends on your needs, if you can afford it. I still don't own a Tandem Island because, while I could fit the kayak in my garage, I couldn't fit a trailer too. And other storage options are quite expensive in my area. So even though it's not cheap, I would definitely make an effort and buy it because it would solve a big problem for me. I haven't been able to find an alternative folding trailer in Europe for a Tandem Island. And from what I have seen so far (I have been reading about these trailers for a couple of years), this model seems like good quality. By the way, I do not work for them nor have I been promised any discount :D !

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