Are Trailer guides worth it??

[batman99]

Newbie boat ower. Currently apply a few fixes / improvements before hitting the lakes and rivers. If wondering, just bought a 1996 Bayliner 1700LS Bowrider with 120 HP OB. Boat is loaded on a Capri trailer with bunks.

I seen a few boat trailers with guides (single and dual rails design). re:
http://www.etrailer.com/Boat-Trailer-Parts/CE-Smith/CE27660.html
http://www.etrailer.com/Boat-Trailer-Parts/CE-Smith/CE27600.html

Since I'm a newbie and have less than ZERO trailer loading experince, are "guides" worth having? If so, is rear position single or middle position dual bar guides better?

thanks.

 

[marauder11]

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

Yes

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

If you are having trouble loading the boat on the trailer straight, then they are worth it.
If the boat loads just fine without them then you don't need them.
This is a question that only you can answer base on YOUR own experience.

I also have a Vee Hulled bow-rider and a bunk trailer.
I do not have trailer guides and I also have no need for them based on MY experiences.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

Guides on a boat trailer are like training wheels on a bicycle. . . once you get the hang of it, you won't need them.

 

[delirious]

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

i like the guides for backing the empty trailer down the ramp. the trailer dissapears frm sight when it goes down the ramp n my car is still on the flat, really helps keeping it in sight. use em more for that than their intended purpose.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

YESS!!

I launch/load by myself about 100% of the time and it's a piece of cake. I can make the whole process happen in just a few minutes. Guide On's are a big part of that.

 

[babbot]

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

Try it without guides first before you spend the big bucks. A 17'(assuming a 1700 is about 17') is not that difficult to load. They do help on larger boats and DEFINITLTY help for backing the empty trailer down the ramp.
I would suggest practicing on an off day at the ramp and get the hang of it before you venture on a busy weekend where there will be more pressure for you to move along.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

I like them because it gives me an easy depth gauge when backing the trailer (better than trying to see fender wells). It also gives you a "runway" to tell you where the bunks are as opposed to just guessing. They aren't necessary by any means, and I have easily trailered boats without them, but they do make things easier. . . especially when there's much of a crosswind.

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

If it is often windy where you load they are very helpful but still not necessary. I think its better to have them and not need them than the other way around.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

If you feel like you need them with a deep V boat on a bunk trailer then you might be backing in too far

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

If you have trouble seeing the trailer, and if you have the option...

Drop the Tailgate or open the rear hatch and drop the rear seats.
Turn around and look directly at the trailer and ramp.
With the rear view opened up, backing is easy.

If those options are not available, a simple PVC pipe sticking up can serve as a reference.

 

[BoatDrinksQ5]

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

First year with my boat and at first i thought the guide-ons would be nice to have for all the reasons mentioned above...

After using the boat a half dozen times - i have realized i would definitely not need them.

launching and retrieving has been a cinch - backing the empty trailer is easy also with my rear lift gate open

I would wait at least 6-10 outtings before making your decision. Don't back to far in when retrieving, come at it slow, 'use the force' and use that winch!

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

Jeez folks - learn to use your mirrors Unless you are backing up a jetski trailer, there is no reason that you can't see the fenders on your trailer when backing up.

 

[BoatDrinksQ5]

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

My Tahoe must have a short/narrow trailer... or my Outlook SUV is a fatty.... because with mirrors only i can't see my trailer until it is off course/turning. So i am forced to wiggle my way down the ramp, not that much fun (without lift gate up).

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

My Tahoe must have a short/narrow trailer... or my Outlook SUV is a fatty.... because with mirrors only i can't see my trailer until it is off course/turning. So i am forced to wiggle my way down the ramp, not that much fun (without lift gate up).

Might just be that your mirrors are way too short for towing. Most of the car type suvs have little car mirrors.

(Outlook - had to look that one up, never heard of it before) - and by looking at the pictures, yes the mirrors are way too small to be used when towing.

 

[BoatDrinksQ5]

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

Yeah same 'car' as the GMC Acadia and Traverse - before Saturn bit it. Definitely not your typical 'tow' truck or SUV. But gets er done.

I'll have to give the mirrors another try tomorrow (ramps will be slow with 48?'s) - once is went open hatch - never turned back to mirrors.

Just tough because backing up my dad's small trailer when i was younger was always in a minivan that had good visibility. So grew so acostumed to just looking out the back window.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

Yeah same 'car' as the GMC Acadia and Traverse - before Saturn bit it. Definitely not your typical 'tow' truck or SUV. But gets er done.

I'll have to give the mirrors another try tomorrow (ramps will be slow with 48?'s) - once is went open hatch - never turned back to mirrors.

Just tough because backing up my dad's small trailer when i was younger was always in a minivan that had good visibility. So grew so acostumed to just looking out the back window.

I learned to tow driving commercial trucks, and looking over your shoulder just gets you a nice view of the box/tank on the truck Might want to look into some clip on mirror extensions, I ran those on my wifes Kia Sorrento when we were using that to tow for a while. Its not safe to be towing with mirrors where you have to choose what you can see beside the vehicle/trailer or feel like you need to look sideways to change lanes on the highway.

 

[SDSeville]

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

My local lagoon has a current that runs across the ramp as the tide comes in or goes out. It was pretty tough to load before I got my guide-ons.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

On a boat that size I'd say no unless you have bad cross-current or wind.

Most of the people with small boat who "need" them are simply sinking the trailer too deep. They also don't notice that their winch has a line/strap the length of the trailer and a crank on it.

There are several set-ups for roller trailers but for most, the rollers act as guides (again, if you are not sunk too deep). I can start my 17' semi-v hull at a 30* angle and the rollers straighten it up. But the trailer isn't sunk, either.

On bunks alot depends on set-up and hull design; it's simply a matter of a knife blade fitting in a groove.

with side mirrors you can see a 17' boat on a trailer, and the fenders. it takes getting to know your trailers, but on most of mine I can tell if it's straight when all I can see is the winch.

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

With a 24 foot boat, the fenders are WAY into the water by the time the trucks back wheels are just getting wet. Without the guides, it would be a guess as to where the trailer is.