Toybox Mounting

Well, I finally broke down and commited myself to not strapping the sails down to the hull and cramming the rudders and hiking stick in the back of the car.

I have a brand new toybox that needs to be mounted onto my trailer, I am not swiftest with manual projects. Can anyone out there give me some pointers, suggestions, or even a step by step including what hardware I need to get this thing ready for the summer.

Thanks!

I'll give you my solution for comparative purposes.
The outside rails to my trailer are routed at an angle to the center rail forward of the front crossbar. My sailbox rests on that angled trailer member in front and a fabricated mount in the rear. Since my box has a top lid up front I had to mount it farther forward so it could be opened while the boat is on the trailer. Mine is an aluminum trailex trailer, so the rear mount was fabricated from a 2"x2"x1/8" aluminum angle that was cut and bent at the ends for bolting to the side members. The box is thru-bolted to the mounting rails at each end.

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Chris
'88 H18SE Arís

It depends on the type of trailer you have and how the sailbox is supposed to be mounted - bolts, u-bolts, straps, etc. Bolts are usually the preferred method, with the heads up so the bolt tail / nut doesn't protrude into the sail storage area. Always use lockwashers, or better, nylock nuts to keep the parts from vibrating apart.

Photos (especially of the trailer) would help.

If possible, consider mounting the box to one side, rather than down the center. This alllows room to store something else large (e.g., cat trax) under the boat when needed. I'll get around to moving mine one day......

Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16
Clinton, Mi'sippi

I mounted my box to one side of the trailer, allowing a few inches of clearance to the boat hull. I mounted it by drilling and tapping the trailer cross bar to accept bolts,. On the other side, I decked the trailer over to allow carrying sailboards, coolers,beach chairs, or other essentials. As I spent many years towing my Hobie with a Jeep, this extra space was a godsend!

Dave

Many have to be mounted off to one side to clear the dolphin strike.

Here is a link to three pics of my trailer. Let me know what you guys think would be the best way to mount the box.

http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/aharr100/Getaway/

mount it just inside of the wheel fender on one side or the other. attached it to the trailer at each of the front and rear crossbars. you didn't show what shape your box is, rectalinear or round. so make whatever mounting bracket you need to join box (or tube) to rails.

my first box was 10" PVC water pipe. I made wood cradles to mount the tube to the crossbars.
my present box is a rectangle section, through bolt to the rails.

BTW, that is one nasty looking transom damage!

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Chris
'88 H18SE Arís