PA 14 Trailer Question

I've got an old boat trailer with 12" wheels I want to convert to a kayak trailer. I plan to use the 3" PVC route to support the kayak. I don't have the kayak yet, but will be purchasing soon and want to do the trailer mods now. Can someone tell me the ideal length of the PVC pipe supports? Seems like they come in 10' lengths. Hopefully 10' will work.

The ideal length really depends on your trailer. If you can mount the full 10' in a way that it will not sag to much in the middle, you will be fine, actually more than fine in my humble opinion. I went with 8' and Rhino Rack kayak saddles for added support. The bed or my trailer is only 4' long, and did not want 3' of unsupported PVC sitting of the front and the back. I don't really think it would have made a difference.

My entire trailer is only 12' long. Basically 3' of my PA14 hangs off the back. It works for me, but if I could have the entire kayak on the trailer, I would suggest doing so...if for no other reason than safety.

Check out some of the post from people like DrSteelHead. They have made extensions out of PVC to help with loading and unloading. Also lets them keep from dipping their trailer. I fish all fresh water and have bearing buddies and submersible lights...I find it easier to sink my trailer and float the kayak on and off.

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STLKayak
2020 Pro Angler 14 360
St. Louis, Missouri
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005695487937

Do you see a benefit to attaching the 45* elbows on the rear end to help get the kayak lined up?

To me no, but I don't mind dipping my trailer. I fish fresh water. If I was fishing salt, with that steel trailer of mine, I would not let it touch the water...and then yes, those 45's could come in handy. I will let other respond to how they use them. I think a lot depends on where you launch, but consider, you can always add them later.

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STLKayak
2020 Pro Angler 14 360
St. Louis, Missouri
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005695487937

+1 on trying to avoid putting my trailer in the salt, and backing it up with the motorhome . I joined the 45's with two 90's and it's a great "step" to hold the bow while you get to the winch and crank it up. I use the cart or dolly to put the boat in and out of the water.


Brian

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On the bank of the Bow River

As noted above by the other PA owners, having the angled PVC pipes is a bonus.

I used 11 degree couplers on the back end as shown in the two photo's below.
Having the angled PVC set up really makes a big difference loading my PA-14 when its windy and the water is choppy. The PVC helps to keep the PA aligned as I winch it back on my Hobie Trailex trailer since I "do not submerge the trailer" .

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Dr.SteelheadCatcher
Warrenton, OR

How much clearance should I allow for sag on a 2.5" or 3" pipe. The mounting points will be about 70" apart.

I am wondering if placing the unitstrut directly on the frame will it be enough height to let the pipe sag and not touch the rest of the trailer.

Also does anyone know if the 2017 PA14 will need the same spacing between the two pipes?

If you use 3 inch PVC you should not have very much sag if any. 3 inch PVC is pretty sturdy. The hulls (as far as PVC goes) should not matter. A 2013 through 2017 PA will have the same scupper lines. The 2009 through 2102 hulls were basically the same on the bottom. Even though the older models have more scupper holes, they seemed to follow the same line. My 2012 and 2013 PAs fit the same PVC on the trailer for me.

I laid the PVC on the trailer mounts, then put the PAs on them and aligned the PAs so they were the way I wanted them. Then I drilled up from the bottom to make the bottom holes in the PVC.

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Steve Stubbs
USAF (retired)

SeaDek Fishing Team
Unfair Lures Pro Staff
Ziptailz Ambassador

2015 Pro Angler 14 - Papaya
2018 Compass - Sea Grass

Thanks for the response!

Can any of you give me a quick measurement for the spacing. I ordered the kayak thru my Hobie dealer that is an hr away. I would like to have the trailer ready upon arrival.

The info I see for is the older models, I know it was mentioned that it should be the same. Just want to make sure.

As SRAces mentioned above, the best way to get the parallel spacing is to lay the PVC pipes in your inverted PA and measure the front and back distance....it will vary slightly depending on your length of the 3" pipes and how far apart you set the cross bars.
For my PA-14, I set the crossbars 67.5" apart on center. I do in fact get about a 1/2" to 3/4" sag, since I drilled a 1/2" hole in the PVC pipes...and then used fender washers I had pre-shaped to fit the inside contour of the PVC pipes.....I uses 1/4 x 20 bolts and Ny-lock nuts to secure the PVC to the cross members.....in my case, the Trailex trailer had pressure treated 2 x 6, carpet covered boards that you can see in the right photo.
Good luck with your new ride!

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Dr.SteelheadCatcher
Warrenton, OR

My spacing is roughly 11 inches from the center of each PVC pipe. That was holding the measuring tape over the ends of the PVC, so it might not be exact. I have seen other folks mention 11.5 inches.

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Steve Stubbs
USAF (retired)

SeaDek Fishing Team
Unfair Lures Pro Staff
Ziptailz Ambassador

2015 Pro Angler 14 - Papaya
2018 Compass - Sea Grass

As was mentioned above, when I picked up my PA14, I let it find it's own spacing. It is slightly different from front to back.

I can easily loosen the bolt holding the PVC to the Unistrut. So I set it to 11" when I went to pick up the PA, but when I got there I loosen all four bolts and we set the PA on the trailer, and the PVC tubes found their own happy place. We then lifted the PA carefully off and I tightened the bolts On my PA, there is a definite difference between the front and rear spacing, it is not much, but figured I would be better of letting my particular PA's hull determine its own spacing.

I have done it a few times this way as I have added upgrades to the trailer, and it is easy and works great. Getting ready to finally carpet my PVC bunks - more for aesthetics than actual need - and will be doing it again soon.

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STLKayak
2020 Pro Angler 14 360
St. Louis, Missouri
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005695487937

How do you attach the carpet to the PVC? Mechanical fasteners or glue?

I roughed up the pvc with sandpaper a little, then used spray contact adhesive sold in diy and auto stores stores. 3m 90 or similar. Still stuck after 6 months, no submersion though.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

That is what I plan on using... Either 3M 77 or 90.

Bruno, I cannot imagine your has not gotten wet just trailering thru a rain storm. So it sounds like it probably weathers fairly well. Worse thing that could happen is I need to re-glue or spend $20 and make a couple new PVC bunks.

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STLKayak
2020 Pro Angler 14 360
St. Louis, Missouri
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005695487937