Strapping surf board under TT lashed to the axles

[hbillsmith]

Looking for anybody that's already doing this and can report their experience.

Not really a surf board, but a 12ft Porta Bote. I've heard of some folks hauling the 87 pound folded boat by sliding it in underneath the travel trailer and lashing it to the axles. I have a 2013 Kodiak 24' trailer that has dual wide stance axles. I checked and they appear to be heavy metal tubes (not rubber). I'm sure I can safely buckle strap the 6" thick by 12.5 ft long folded boat to the axles, my concern is two-fold. A) What will that 87# of weight do to the way axles (bend them?) and B) Will impact my tire wear (cause the wheels to bow enough to cause uneven wear)?

Thanks....Bill

[hbillsmith]

I have carried it on my SUV's roof rack. My previous trailer was a 21' TowLite and had a welder fashion brackets that let me hang it on the side of the trailer. That towlite and boat combo was a sweet way to travel. When we'd get to a campground, I'd take the boat off the brackets prior to raising up the towlite. Many times, the campsite was far enough away from lakes edge that I put the boat up on the roof rack just to haul it over to a lauch place. I don't want to drill holes in the side of this new Kodiak but I miss not having the convenience of just leaving the boat on the trailer.

[Bobbo]

I put a surfboard rack on top of my car and carry the bote there.

[dennislanier]

The axles probably would handle it, but I would be concerned about warranty issues since your TT is new. Hauling a load strapped to the axles might void any warranty claim you had if something went wrong. I think a better idea would be to construct some type of lightweight metal frame or "box" underneath the trailer to place the boat into. By the way I really like those porta-botes. Never owned one but they seem like a great way to take advantage of lakes, rivers, ect without towing a full sized boat.

[hbillsmith]

To protect from road debris, I usually tightly wrap the boat in a thick plastic tarp. I could also faction a thin piece of plywood to have under the boat. But honestly, I've had this boat for 10 years. It's made of nearly indistructable polypropolene. The scratches that it would pick up would be on the part of the boat that unfolds to become the bottom in the water so you really wouldn't even see them. Thanks for responding by the way, I appreaciate it.

[midnightsadie]

I'd worry about road debris...