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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
    Posts
    388

    Lightbulb Houseboat Trailer

    I am looking for a 42-46' houseboat trailer or some other kind of tri-axle trailer or sorts that can be modified for a 42' Gibson houseboat. I've been looking for a while but I need to look a little harder. I've found some mobile home trailers and other types of trailers but they were not quite what we were looking for. If anyone has any ideas please let me know!



  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    PITTSBURGH, PA
    Posts
    400

    Default Trailer

    Mike,
    Good Luck Trying To Find Something That Is Worthy Of Buying. There Is A Lot Of Junk Out There, So Be Careful In Your Search. A Yard Trailer At A Marina Would Work, But Very Hard To Find.
    Where Would You Pull The Boat, And Where Would You Keep It During The Off Season?



  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Allison Park, PA
    Posts
    315

    Default

    If someone finds two trailers let me know - that way I won't have to borrow Mikey's trailer to pull my nautaline!!!!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    23

    Default

    I'm still looking Mike. If I come across something I'll let you guys know.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
    Posts
    388

    Default

    yeah I appreciate it, just keep your eyes open - i'm not in a rush for this season any more



  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    23

    Default

    I got a bunch of Gibson stuff i don't need, see me before you take your boat out of there- maybe you can use it.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Glenfield
    Posts
    104

    Default

    how much do you think your boat weighs mikey? I know where you can some axles and have some one weld somthing up for you.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Greensburg
    Posts
    13

    Default

    I am looking at buying a gibson that is on a trailer, i was thinking of finding a truck that can tow it from ohio to pittsburgh but i have yet to check the bearings and tires because i could just float it to pgh and leave the trailer in ohio with a for sale sign... i need to replace the decks and paint it so im not sure what to do yet, any ideas?

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Churchil
    Posts
    18

    Default Wide Load Permits

    Check for the problems with towing anything over 8 ft + in width. there are a number of details you will have to deal with. You can't just jump on the road with a wide load.



  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
    Posts
    388

    Default

    Adam, what length is the boat you are looking at. I would definitely be interested in the trailer. I only need a yard trailer specifically, not necessarily a road trailer.

    Burns - how's that gibson stuff coming along



  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Greensburg
    Posts
    13

    Default

    im not sure, i need to go check... its got 3 rooms and im guessing around 40 ft, i think i remember it having 4 axles... my cousin works with caterpillar equipment, he has a 454 dually but i dont know if it can tow it. I was thinking i would be able to use the trailer again to pull it out and dry dock in case of a flood but i don't know if the trailer is worth keeping and paying storage on just for that..

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
    Posts
    388

    Default

    there are different schools of thought on the houseboats, the are better supported in the water, with every inch of the hull being evenly supported in water... but then there is the possibility of ice and flooding which makes it less favorable to leave it in. I would like to get a trailer to be able to pull mine, work on it, etc every other year or so... but I can definitely see leaving it in the water more than 50% of the years to save money and save hassle. It has been in water for the last 2 winters.

    Let me know if you do consider selling it or find out the length etc... Thanks!



  13. #13

    Default

    Don't know if you have found a trailer or not.
    I looked at a nice trailer in Kittaning last fall.
    It was a real nice design made for a large boat.
    I forget the owners name. He had it listed on Craigslist.
    The trailer was located at the marina in Kittaning.

    Width and transport costs is the only reason I did not buy it.
    I ended up building a trailer. Over did it on weight capacity and
    construction budget.

  14. #14

    Default

    mikey if you can get axles i can get steel we can build 1



  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
    Posts
    388

    Default

    Nice well thanks - I have been keeping an eye out for steel and/or axles and/or a whole trailer put together already, ha.. Just haven't been looking that hard due to being busy at work. Hopefully by fall I have something together for next winter.

  16. #16

    Default

    Ad Details From classifieds boatpittsburgh.com
    Houseboat Trailer -

    Price: $1,500.00
    Location: Beaver County

    Tri axle houseboat trailer. Previously used with 43 ft boat. Set up for pintle.

    Photos:




    Contact Seller:

    Dave
    412-860-4769



  17. #17

    Default Pictures of construction of HB trailer

    Took two of us two weeks of 8 plus hours to build.

    http://s964.photobucket.com/albums/a...uction%202009/

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
    Posts
    388

    Default

    That is really impressive.. looks like you guys did a great job. That also looks like the way to go. Just need steel, time, some expertise and a large garage



  19. #19

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeyJ View Post
    That is really impressive.. looks like you guys did a great job. That also looks like the way to go. Just need steel, time, some expertise and a large garage
    Thanks, It ended up being a bigger job than planned. We kept making revisions as we went along. I am real happy with the results. Boat floated on and rode just like the trailer was made for it. It always helps to have a buddy that had space and a welder/fabricator a

    valiable in his machine shop.
    Last edited by orboater; 03-29-2010 at 07:45 AM. Reason: Added picture



  20. #20
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    NW PA
    Posts
    191

    Default

    Awesome fabrication job. How did you come up with a design (look at other trailers?),location of supports (was boat dry docked so you knew where the boards needed to be spaced so the rudder height etc was clear)?

    Any part the hardest or needed redone the most to get it right?

    Why the trailer guide on the one side only? Down current side of the trailer?

    No wonder it took 2 weeks. 1 working while the other took all the pics.

    Fantastic!
    2004 Supra Launch SSV
    Indmar 5.7 L 320 HP





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