Old Town Autopilot 120 kayak trailer. Easy how to mod

Continental trailer model number - wc3e12
Just a short video I filmed with my phone to go over the trailer I use for my Old Town Autopilot 120. Super simple, Easy to mod for this kayak.
#oldtownap120 #kayaktrailer #diykayaktrailer

[@ne-phil]

Just bought a trailer for my OT Sportsman 106 PDL and the factory bunks just weren't holding it in place. I found your vid and found that 3" Schedule 40 did the trick. I had to use 2 each 10'' pipes and bend the front section down 20° with a heat gun and a bottle of vodka. 😁 Then added two retractable tie down straps bolted to the frame. The kayak slides on and off like a charm. Thanks for sharing!

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

That's awesome! Glad the video helped out and you're in and out of the ramp with ease!

[@wingbutler2699]

The video I’ve been looking for!! Thanks. Getting my trailer mods in now!

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

Awesome! Glad the video helped out.

[@bottomlinebassin2001]

Solid work Chris, that will definitely help out on the ramp🐟👊🏼

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

Thank you! 👊

[@MoreToExplore2022]

Dude you've helped me out more than you know since I've just bought a used trailer and planning for my AP120.

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

Awesome, glad the video helped out!

[@RadThings]

Nice setup. I’m going to have to do the same. Thanks for sharing this!

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

Glad the video helped out!

[@jcorrales8]

Wow That’s awesome, Fantastic Thank you so much for this Information. I’m going to do the same thing .

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@acjmathis]

Nice clean setup.

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

Thank you!

[@YourNextCast]

Really clever idea with this. I have a rather over-sized kayak that I still haven't really figured out how to move efficiently. You gave me some ideas though.

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

Thank you! Glad it helped out in some way.

[@kimberlyhall5290]

Great mods. As a petite female I believe this will be perfect for me. Planning to get the autopilot really soon.

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

Happy you found this helpful! You’ll have a lot of fun in the autopilot.

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

I know the sound quality isn’t the best but I just made this quick video with my phone. Some stuff I forgot to mention. I position the kayak where the battery box is right above the axel. I travel at speeds 65-70 mph and feel comfortable. Last, the bolts I used to bolt down the pvc pipe are 3/8 x 2” long galvanized hex bolts with washers and lock washers. If you have any other questions, let me know!

[@rubenakacoolerlid2314]

I'm currently use a Harbor freight trailer, I'm gonna do that same thing shopping for a trailer, thanks for the information

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

No problem!

[@robbiejohnson3698]

I just bought a ap136 thanks for the video is ToHO

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

No problem, that’s what’s up! 👊🏼

[@LunkerFishing]

Interesting video!

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

Thanks!

[@medeiros3610]

Thanks for sharing 👍

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

No problem!

[@BoandBeceadventures]

Excellent

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

Thank you!

[@TravisDoesKayakFishing]

Thanks for sharing.

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

No problem!

[@lakiraly]

Chris, very good job, thanks for posting :-)

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

Thank you, thanks for watching!

[@sailfishoneday2145]

Great setup ... can u give me the measurement from the front / tip of the yak to the front of the trailer while the yak is on the trailer plz ... I'm trying to figure out if this trailer will fit in my garage with yak on it . Or just overall length of yak and trailer while yak is on it ..... Need to upgrade the trailer I got . Thanks in advance sir !

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

Thanks! I don’t have that kayak anymore but I do still have the trailer. The trailer itself is 13.3’. They old town hung off the end probably 2-3’ so roughly 16’ for total length. Hope that helps!

[@sailfishoneday2145]

@@ChrisMitchellFishing thanks for the reply man ( Thumbsup).

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

No problem!

[@r0bd]

Super helpful! Did you leave the motor and battery in the boat when driving?

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

Glad it’s helpful! I leave the battery in the kayak and put the motor in the car while driving. Battery is strapped down and never goes anywhere.

[@StaggerLee611]

Chris, great video. What is the brand of the winch arm and winch, thats what i need. Also, are you happy with them?

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

The arm and winch came with the trailer but the Reese brand winch is good and for the arm I think any brand will be good. should be able to get the setup at bass pro or tractor supply. hope that helps!

[@edwardmcgrail167]

Great idea ! Where did you get the brackets?

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

Thanks! I got the brackets from west marine

[@samdelaet3587]

Man spent a few hours trying to find this trailer for my AP 120 locally and just couldn’t connect. I literally want the same one.

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

Sometimes you might have to drive a few hours to get one. If not ask your local trailer retailer if they can order you one.

[@davidwatkins6687]

The long brackets that attached to the 90's that the boards were attached, were they on the trailer or did you have to purchase

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

They came with the trailer. Only thing that I added was the pvc pipe.

[@yakcatdrifter6820]

Do u miss your bonafide I have one and looking to get spot lock minn Kota bow for it can’t really justify getting the old town at this moment but I’d love to see a video comparison what you think and how you think

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

To be honest, not really. It was a nice kayak for sure though! I wish I had it so I could do a better comparison video of the two. Ill add in the comparison in my next video next week for you. I'm gathering up all the photos for references and such.

[@yakcatdrifter6820]

Chris Mitchell Fishing shout me out for the idea

[@Cooklo5970]

Chris, have a question for you. Do you store your kayak on the trailer?

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

Yes not sure if it’s the right way but it seems fine. As long as the bunks are in the tunnel I feel like it’s ok.

[@ricebowl3232]

Wat r the measurements from the center of the trailer to the pvc pipes? I’m trying build one for my ap but can’t seem to get the measurements on point n don’t to start drilling holes on the trailer.

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

Unfortunately I have no clue. I don't have this setup anymore. When I did set it up, I kept the brackets that are holding the pvc on the trailer. I used saw horses to suspend the kayak above the trailer then moved the bunks where they would sit in the groves of the hull. The bars that are holding the pvc pipe can adjust side to side because they are held on by a U bolt type bracket. So you shouldn't have to drill any holes. I hope all this made sense and helps in some way!

[@ricebowl3232]

@@ChrisMitchellFishing yes thank u.

[@craighanly]

Hello.. do you have issues loading and unloading because of the transition on the front. Having to lift it unloading and it dropping inplace loading?

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

Actually yes on the unloading. It would get caught up. That was because the pvc was too short. If you make it longer where it would go past that transition it would be fine. That’s if I can remember that right. It’s been a while so my memory on that is kind of vague.

[@craighanly]

@@ChrisMitchellFishing cool thanks for the reply. I'm gonna add some longer bunks tomorrow and see how it goes.

[@Captain_Kdawg]

Do you see any was you would be Abel to have your motor engaged. To where all you had to do is back up. Let it float off the trailer. Hit the spot lock. Also be Abel to use the remote to drive it on the trailer?

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

If I had the bunks up higher that would be possible. The way they were in this video the bunks were too low and the motor would hit the axle. The one problem with the bunks being high is that you would have to back up further in the water to get the kayak in the water. Every ramp is different so I chose to keep the bunks low so my truck wasn’t half way in the water lol.

[@Captain_Kdawg]

@@ChrisMitchellFishing yea makes since man!

[@Captain_Kdawg]

@@ChrisMitchellFishing or maybe you could extend the kayak trailer make it longer.

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

@@Captain_Kdawg yeah you could extend the tongue to make it longer. It would be easier to back up as well!

[@OutdoorMishaps]

Any issues with road debris damaging your yak?

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

Not that I’ve noticed. Everything looks fine to me!

[@waynet484]

Would bunks work on the trailers or do you prefer pvc? Thanks

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

If I had to do it over again, I would just use the 2x4 bunks that came with the trailer. Launches and loads a lot easier than the pvc in my opinion. Just got to space the bunks just right so the kayak doesn’t slide off or anything.

[@waynet484]

@@ChrisMitchellFishing Hi Chris! Do you suggest the trailer bunks 2x4 wider out to cradle the kayak hull or closer together inward flush with the groove centre underneath the kayak? Thanks

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

I suggest as far apart as possible but inside the tunnel area. Kinda how the pvc is. If that makes sense lol

[@waynet484]

@@ChrisMitchellFishing thanks 🍻

[@jeffrodriguez1275]

How are the pvc bunks holding up

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

They are holding up well. Only thing that has happened so far is one of the nuts came off the bolt at sometime. Definitely need to check the bolts more often lol

[@joshuajustice2787]

Hey man, where did you get the risers?

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

I got them from west marine in their trailer section!

[@joshuajustice2787]

Do you by chance know how many inches they are? I found some but have to choose between 8”, 10”, 12”. Thanks!

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

They are 8”. Luckily I still have the trailer lol.

[@joshuajustice2787]

@@ChrisMitchellFishing I appreciate it man. I tried doing the PVC’s without a riser bracket and it definitely needs to be higher. Thanks tho bud

[@ciscokid2444]

Why would you have stayed with the 2x4 bunks?

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

To not have to deal with installing the pvc lol. Especially if the pvc cracked then it would have been a waste of time. Never had it crack on me but I’ve heard stories of it cracking because the sun makes them brittle.

[@ciscokid2444]

Got it I’m gonna wax mine just finished the install took all day but I think it’s better

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

Nice! The wax should hold it up better and allow the kayak to load and unload easier.

[@DeadPar]

What kind of straps are those?

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

They are the 15 foot Malone load straps.

[@DeadPar]

Chris Mitchell Fishing thanks Chris!

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

Welcome!

[@HickorySticksWoodworksNW]

What’s the diameter of the pvc pipe?

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

Those are 4”

[@jcorrales8]

how much is a trailer like that

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

I got this one from my local Ace Hardware for about 600-800. I cant remember exactly but I know its around that price range. You can fined used ones for about 300-400 sometimes on facbook marketplace.

[@babycheesa8020]

Why couldn’t you use the original bunks

[@ChrisMitchellFishing]

If I had to do it again, I would stick to original bunks. At the time everyone was going pvc so I thought that was the only way. I run the original 2x4 bunks on my PA14 right now and it works fine.