Since changing homeports from Florida to Virginia in 2021, Skipper and I are once again trailering boats to local creeks, rivers, and bays. Our small-craft collection includes a punt, two kayaks, seven sailboats, and a canoe; they range in length from 8′ to 17′ and in weight from 40 lbs to 150 lbs. Rather than buying multiple trailers or committing to the cartop challenge, we found a small, multipurpose trailer with an extensive selection of racks that supports a variety of boats in our fleet: the Malone MicroSport Trailer. We bought it used this year. It had been assembled the year it was built, 2012, by a Malone dealer and was rigged to carry a fishing kayak and sailing kayak.Our 2012 MicroSport Base trailer is built from 11-gauge galvanized steel and has a load capacity of 500 lbs. The overall length, from hitch coupler to aft frame, is 13′6″, allowing for the transport of boats up to 20′ in length. It is equipped with Malone’s retractable tongue kit, and with the tongue retracted the overall trailer length shrinks to 7′4″. Thanks to the rubber bumpers included with the kit and added to the aft frame, the trailer can be stored vertically. The coupler has a convenient handle for lifting to and from the towing vehicle’s trailer ball. The mounting racks are easily attached and can be located in a variety of different positions to offer great versatility. Secured by universal plates and bolts, the racks can also be used on other trailers or roof racks.
Kent and Audrey Lewis
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The spare can mount anywhere, which is one way we can change tongue weight to our liking. We recently moved the spare up to the tongue, which is also easy access.
We didn’t mention it in the article, but Malone sells a basket that fits under those load bars that would good for wet boat gear or the catch of the day. And they also sell a locking drawer to store valuable boat gear.
I would love to have one of these to transport canoes and kayaks, but have not been able to find a dealer in Canada or to import one directly. This is a great shame, because the alternative is cartopping, and at age 74 this is no longer a back-friendly or convenient exercise.
Good morning, please inquire through Malone Auto Racks.com or [email protected] – we do have Canadian dealers through which you can order this trailer, and may also have US dealers whose websites will ship to Canada! Our team will be able to assist you more specifically!
Today we converted the trailer to the LowBed system, which lowers the load bars from 30″ down to 18″ off of the ground. We also added a tongue mount bar, the 30″ height, that fits perfectly under the upswept bow of the Sunfish. A LowBed tongue bar is also available for flat-bottom craft.
With the load bars set at either height, I use our Dynamic dolly to move the Sunfish around to the rear of the trailer and slide the boat directly from the dolly onto the Megawings. It is definitely easy to load the 140-pound Sunfish onto the LowBed bars.
I was in the market this year for a similar trailer. Here in Colorado, skiing and biking are major sports; boating is a minor pastime, and small boat trailers are rare. I found a trailer, but it was 23 years old and equipped for bikes. I had to replace the tires (motorcycle-type), tubes, bearings, and axles plus some wiring issues. This trailer (from California) is no longer made, so I had to make up my own bed to fit our kayaks. Interesting that instead of leaf suspension, this has coil springs which provide a very gentle ride.