DIY trailer guide??

[mherndon]

So, big truck, small trailer. I need trailer guides!!

I decided to make them myself, they looked simple. BAD IDEA!

The first ones were all PVC pipe. I got two long pipes and cut them into 4 pieces, (2) 4' and (2) 1' pieces. Then I got (2) 90 degree elbows and some glue. Bought U bolts and went to work. Sawed the 1' pieces in half long ways about 6" down so that it would sit flat on the trailer step. put the whole end that I didn't cut into the elbow and the 4' one into the other side of the elbow. I drilled two holes for each U bolt and then bolted them down. They seemed pretty sturdy. I even put the caps on and some reflective tape!

They both broke off at the elbow.

Next attempt:

I got a fitting that bolts to the trailer. It has female threads so you can screw something into it. I think it was made for like toilets and stuff where the pipe would come straight thru the floor. Anyway, I took that and a 2"-1-1/2? pvc adapter and screwed them together then put the 4? piece in. If felt a WHOLE LOT more secure! I didn?t think that it was going anywhere!! When I got to my destination (~150 miles) I was missing a guide.

Anyone have a better solution than having to go out and buy $100 guides? I want to screw a metal pipe into that metal fitting now and cover it with pvc but if that flies off, it?ll probably kill someone!

 

[dwco5051]

Re: DIY trailer guide??

I have a small 12' aluminum boat I haul now and then with a 2500HD pick up with cap. I can not see it in my mirrors most of the time. Not a problem going to and coming from the lake but a bear to back down the ramp. I had an eight foot piece of 1 by 2 with flagging tape tied on the ends that I would lay across my log splitter and clamp in the middle with the ram for backing it up. Finally it dawned on me that it would be perfect for backing the boat trailer too. I take it with me now and when I am at the ramp I clamp it to the transom with a cheap plastic racheting pliers type clamp. When almost all the way down I get out and take it off and throw it in the bed, and back down the last 8 or 10 feet. I repeat the procedure by clamping it across the trailer frame when when retrieving the boat. Problem solved at no cost.

 

[alilley]

Re: DIY trailer guide??

here a thopught for ya as this is one of my projects that i am working on for my boat...only i am doing side bunks but same princable...............set up an appointment at a ehaust shop that can do custom exhaust work. take the boat with you. tell them you want 2 pieces of pipe bent to go from the trailer frame up to what ever height you want, have the pipe bent to match the contours of your boat. you would only need like 1 1/2 pipe though you could go bigger if you please measure how tall the frame for your traileris and what what ever size pipe you got and ger 4 u bolts to fit. take a piece of flat stock steal and drill it so the u bolts will go through it. the set pipe on (or under your choice) trailer frame and bolt it all together. you easly paint it to match your trailer, add lights to it, or about anything you want........i currently have 30$ wrapped up in 2 piece of 1 1/2 in size that were 10 foot long had the shop cut them in half and put a bend in the middle. if i had my side bunks finished i would post a pic but due to other projects and lack of time i they have not been finished