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

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.

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.

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

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.

Strapping surf board under TT lashed to the axles

time2roll
Nomad
Sep 06, 2013
Strap it to the frame not the suspension :E
dewey02
Explorer II
Sep 06, 2013
I have a 12 foot portabote and attached it to the side of my Starcraft 235 fb with the brackets available from portabote. Works just fine, and the width of trailer and bote combined is still under the legal limit. Easy to access, load and unload, and pretty safe from road hazards.
DiskDoctr
Explorer
Sep 03, 2013
mobeewan wrote:
I can't understand why anyone would strap anything to 2 independently moving and flexing axle tubes.

Blame the 'Indiana Jones' movies ;)
mobeewan
Explorer
Sep 03, 2013
I can't understand why anyone would strap anything to 2 independently moving and flexing axle tubes.
DiskDoctr
Explorer
Sep 02, 2013
wa8yxm wrote:
Tear the boat up like crazy.. Now that's possible.

I don't recommend you try driving through PA with such a mounting. You likely have a 50-50 chance of rock damage or even road-rash on your board. Have you seen our pot-holes? They are legendary!

'They' also believe in something called 'Tar and Chip' as a road repair. Spray liquid asphalt and then spread lots of small sharp-edged gravel on the road. That's it. Let all the cars drive on it until some of the gravel is embedded into the surface and the rest is thrown off the road or into your windshield, chipped into the paint, etc.

Dangerous technique. I have personally seen motorcycles and vehicles that have slid off the corners into banks.

Drive on one of these roads for a mile or so and your boat would be toast. You thought 'hail' was damaging. At least it has rounded edges!
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Sep 02, 2013
Hurt the axles. NO, Not much chance of that.

Tear the boat up like crazy.. Now that's possible.
Dan_Johnston
Explorer
Sep 02, 2013
I made a rack that holds two boards and is lockable. www.blinddogsurfboards.blogspot.com

dan
jnharley
Explorer
Aug 20, 2013
We has a Toyhauler and stored our Portabote underneath. We made a support that we bolted to the frame, slid the boat in and then secured it with straps. Worked great.
belfert
Explorer
Aug 20, 2013
Lantley wrote:
Wow lots of noise from the naysayers. I have been carrying a 14' Portabote beneath my RV for about 7 years now without an issue. I just leave the bote beneath the trailer 24/7. If I am going to a destination with water I pull it out.

The OP wanted to attach the boat to the axles. Nothing wrong with carrying a boat under the trailer if it is attached properly and not to the axles.
RedRocket204
Explorer
Aug 20, 2013
mrkoje wrote:
RedRocket204 wrote:
Question: How are you going to get the boat to the water? Seems more logical to use a proper car roof rack that way you already have boat and can go launch almost anywhere you want.

I have my sit-on-top kayaks on top of my trucks canopy on a Yakima kayak rack. Two straps for each...I have put many, many miles on that set-up without bow/stern straps and no problems to note. A useful hint for loading on top of your SUV, bring along a 3' high a-frame ladder or similar. Makes it a lot easier loading/unloading.

It's a porta-boat. You can take that thing anywhere - at least drag it anywhere :) I think they even come with a little wheel so that draging them are easier.

Was just curious as the places I have taken my kayaks have been 5-20 miles on standard roads from where our TT was parked...I like exploring a lot :). If you are launching close to where you are staying then it doesn't seem to be much an issue for you. :)

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Strapping surf board under TT lashed to the axles

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