Trailering an Inflatable

[Tony B]

Soft Bottomed Inflatable Boats (SIBs) are very lightweight for their physical size which makes them prone to being blown around. I have never had a SIB on a trailer and now am wondering what it would be like if a small T-Storm came by when trailering.
The trailer would also be a lightweight trailer for something as light as a SIB. Would the trailer/SIB combination be a hazard during a T-Storm even though traffic would be slowed down to 40 MPH?

[Cheechako]

Good question... I see RIBs for sale on trailers all the time. I doubt it's a problem, people have been doing it for years as well as light aluminum boats. Of course in a twister or micro cell.... anything can be thrown around including 18 wheelers!

[a64pilot]

Your from LA right, you've seen Jim Bob driving down the road with his mattress on top of the pickup, I bet it might be like that.

For those that haven't been there, LA is lower Alabama, and of course UCLA is the upper corner of lower Alabama

[Tony B]

I think you might have to get back on your meds.

[Tony B]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

... I see RIBs for sale on trailers all the time. I doubt it's a problem, people have been doing it for years as well as light aluminum boats.....

Yeah, I realize that it may be a dumb question but I was thinking of something like my old lightweight snowmobile trailer and my 12' dink only weighs 110 Lbs. That's a lot of surface area to be that light. I have never trailered anything that light.

[MarkSF]

Interesting subject, as I just finished building my Harbour Freight boat trailer for my Zodiac RIB, got it registered and inspected at the DMV, and I'm going to try it out tomorrow.

Yes, the trailer does have a lot of cross sectional area so in a strong crosswind it might move around. Well, let's see.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by Tony B

I think you might have to get back on your meds.

Seriously if you have a motor on it and fuel tank, that changes things, but if your really worried put two 5 gl. containers of water in it.
But a real lightweight trailer with a pure air inflatable, might get airborne.

[Tony B]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Seriously if you have a motor on it and fuel tank, that changes things, but if your really worried put two 5 gl. containers of water in it.
But a real lightweight trailer with a pure air inflatable, might get airborne.

Thanks for the input. My old snowmobile trailer is really light with small wheels and perforated sheet metal flat bed. I cant carry it but I certainly can flip it up on its side or end my myself.

We are full time live-aboards and cruisers and every so often we find a place to settle down for 6 months or so. When we do, I go back and get my van where ever I left it last and bring it to my new location. Then we unload the boat and the van in a min-storage bin. They are cheap enough to rent. I thought I could put a trailer in there and when I visit the kids, I couls just hitch it up. It would be easier on me and the dink to be trailered rather than deflated, loaded in the van, and then re-inflated again.

[Tony B]

MarkSF

Hope all goes well as it should.
I will be waiting to hear from you to see how it went.

[Cheechako]

Hmmm... how a bout a wing strapped on the dink, a couple of those beach roller wheels on the transom for when you stop and start. just let 'er "kite" behind you... no trailer! hahaha

[Tony B]

Now why didn't I think of that?