Cool Amphibias trailer

[Andrew Gibbens]

Floating trailers seem like such a nice idea - until you get the details, where I don't think they work out so well:

- In fresh water, the trailer running gear may not suffer (much) but the trailer now has to be designed with nothing underneath it, unless you think things like black tanks and piping can be immersed.

- Are you happy to tie your egg up to a jetty with the fiberglass skin rubbing on the timer/metal of the jetty? Sure, you can hang fenders along the side, but how do you do that from the inside?

- A watertight door isn't that far-fetched, but how do you get in and out once the trailer's in the water?

- Few trailers have any 'sitting-out' space that you would want afloat.

- What's the advantage of taking the trailer running gear with you, when you have to leave the tow vehicle behind? I think a simple flat bed trailer with a float-off body would be easier and more useful.

Here are two previous British amphibious trailers and, for the ultimate amphibian, here's a repeat of some photos of an astonishing German folding amphibious one-off.

[Jim Bennett]

That last one definitely has some ingenious engineering going into it.

Still, I think I will stick to hauling my canoe. If I want to sleep out, a tent will suffice nicely.

[Francesca Knowles]

I've long thought that Lil Snoozy is what you might call "missing the boat" in this department. It looks like a boat, its shape would lend itself to handling like a boat, it's mounted on a boat trailer, it has a rear door that could easily be built up above the float line...A little outboard motor would be plenty for pushing it around a lake- I've seen much bigger "BOP"-types propelled by remarkably small engines.

As for "lack of sitting out space": that's what the destination's for- at least for 99.9% of boats that are already on the water!

Some sort of "windshield" up front, a steering wheel...How hard would it be to make what look to me to be very small modifications to allow it to be offloaded from the frame into the water?

Francesca

[Steve Hammel]

I want that German made fold-a-boat!!!!

[CindyL]

That Schwimmer boat looks like a Uhaul. So if I take my Uhaul and hook it to my '69 Beetle which is supposed to float, I am all set up.

Oops, wait, the old Beetle got holes in the floorpans, and Kevin stole my cookie tins to plug them.


CindyL

[Francesca Knowles]

Quick! Cindy's going under for the third time!

Francesca

[Kevin A]

I think at this point, we just her sink. (Happy Monday, Honey!)

[Francesca Knowles]

We just what "her sink"?

And Happy Monday right back atcha, Sweetie Pie!

Francesca

[Kevin A]

LET her sink... All the way to the bottom.

[CindyL]

Gee, and I was the one who suggested we do hotels when Kevin had food poisoning coming back from Disney World.

CindyL

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by Kevin A

LET her sink... All the way to the bottom.

Originally Posted by CindyL

Gee, and I was the one who suggested we do hotels when he had food poisoning coming back from Disney World.

CindyL

Do you two know each other?

Francesca

[CindyL]

Married!

[Steve Hammel]

Sounds like they know each other a weeeeeee bit tooo well!!!!!!

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by CindyL

Married!

About that "Sweetie Pie" thing earlier....never mind!

Francesca