Are Trailer guides worth it??

[theBrownskull]

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

Y E S THEY ARE WORTH IT. Great for loading and unloading, you can see the trailer when backing it up empty and you will like them when the wind is blowing.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

front of my boat which is a v can get between the bunk and the bumper in a cross current which i found that out the hard way, lucky there was no damadge other than a black mark of the bumper roller :facepalm:. i think bassboats are worse than cc as you are sitting on the floor so the trailer center point can get lost in the last few feet. that and the wife can not reverse in a straight line so that makes engaging the trailer all the more fun. im either installing guides or a center line flag in the future as its a horrible felling that can ruin the whole day when loading goes wrong.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

I load alone 100% of the time, usually at ramps with no dock. I don't have guides. I agree with those above, in most situations if you need them it's because you're backing in to far, but on windy days or in current they would definitely be helpful. I've considered adding them because, aside from being one more thing to break, I can't see where they would get in the way.

 

[ronboonville]

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

Get them, buy them, build them. makes everything easier. Yeah, I could load my 24' pontoon on a windy day or my 16' bass boat, but I got wet, in the water, and other, if you have a dead boat, it's a plus. Also I can't see trailer withou them. saves time and hassle.

 

[Boats-A-lots]

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

There is a company that offers free shipping and they are cheaper.. but there must be a block from posting this site. I have tried twice and it wont post. Send me an IM if you want the name.

 

[Grandad]

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

batman, I found guides to be the single most effective assistance when trailering to different ramps with varying conditions. Well worth the investment. - Grandad

 

[belairbrian]

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

I have guides the long ones, they came with the boat. I also have a shallow vee hull which is more prone to wander off in a current.
I too load and unload by myself. Thus I find them helpful.

When towing the Grumman (63 inch beam) I cant see the trailer in the mirrors when backing because my dually is 8 ft wide. Looking back through a crew cab, over a tool box and passed a 5th wheel hitch doesn't help much either. Luckily I have a backup camera above the hitch so i can see the trailer when empty

 

[T_Herrod]

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

I like mine but the choice is 100% yours.

 

[BoatNoobie]

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

I have guide posts on the rear of the trailer and the side guide bulks on the side halfway up. My boat was like this when I bought it used. I'm thinking the previous owner installed the posts and moved the original side bulks forward towards the middle.

Anyways, the guide posts are great, since I fish 98% of the time myself. I like them when I retrieve, especially on those breezy days.
Also, I can have a reference if my boat is centered on the trailer or not. For some reason, my boat likes to shift over to the left a little whenever I load. Sometimes, I have to push it by hand on the loading zone to try and get it as centered as possible. I have to try and shift it about 3/4" over to the right... It's a 16.5' deep V with a Merc 60 4-S on the back. So it's not super light, but a push and shakey with the trailer will do. But if I pay attention, I can usually fix it while I'm still on the ramp, as long as I'm not too far into the water or it's really windy. Or the ramp is crooked.
I do hate how they've scratched up the paint on my tinny.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

I have a set of guide posts (somewhere) from my 24' trailer in case anyone wants them . . .

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

I have a set of guide posts (somewhere) from my 24' trailer in case anyone wants them . . .

Do you recall what size frame rails they will fit? My rails are 2" wide x 5" tall. There are times when I launch / retrieve in river current when they would be handy.

Thanx
Pops

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

Do you recall what size frame rails they will fit? My rails are 2" wide x 5" tall. There are times when I launch / retrieve in river current when they would be handy.

Thanx
Pops

I should put this in the classifieds section, BUT . . .

The guides are 1-1/2" square galvanized with PVC covering that extend up about 5 feet.



Never been used.

 

[batman99]

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

Thanks for everyone's feedback. Since "majority rules" (and newbies like me love traing wheels - LOL!) I'll get them for my boat trailer as well. To keep costs low, I'll get my local welder buy to make the steel part. And, I install the wood with covered out door turf rug. Thus, creating something like: http://www.etrailer.com/Boat-Trailer-Parts/CE-Smith/CE27660.html For my DIY skills, this will be a every simple "low cost" creation (once the welder guy creates the steel parts). Thanks for everyone's feedback....

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

I should put this in the classifieds section, BUT . . .

The guides are 1-1/2" square galvanized with PVC covering that extend up about 5 feet



Never been used.

Sent PM

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Are Trailer guides worth it??

Sent PM

OK.