I have noticed several trailers that have guides on the back. I really don't have much trouble loading mine without them, but was wondering if they are worth the money, and which ones are good or bad?
I have noticed several trailers that have guides on the back. I really don't have much trouble loading mine without them, but was wondering if they are worth the money, and which ones are good or bad?
They also work great for backing down your trailer when empty. It allows you to know where the rear end is. I installed LED rope lights down mine on the front side for backing up at night as well when returning home late at night, getting to the campground out of state late at night, etc...........
IF you like driving up the trailer (at manuvering speed) , winch up the last few feet and driving away knowing you boat is sitting properly on the trailer then you will like them. Ive got a Coastal 238 and it loads easier than the checkmate I had as a kid.
I also put put a wrap of duct tape on the guide pipes at the optimum launch depth. I back in till the tape touches the water and I know I'm perfect. It has never not worked and I've yet to get the tow vehicle wheels wet
Have LEDs trailer lights mounted on the top of the poles they have never gotten wet either.
I've got guides at the back and just forward of my front axle. Very nice. I found ones that have full height steel inside of the PVC instead of the crappy Taylor ones and the like that the tubing only goes halfway. Google tailer guides, mine were from a small fabricator (Vee-Vee or something like that) but were the best ones I could find. Very sturdy, easy to install. Relatively cheap at about 125. per pair.
Was that a tongue-in-cheek remark? I always drive on to my trailer at idle, person on the ground hooks up the bowhook, and I put the boat back in gear to pull/push it up to the roller as they tighten the winch.
OP's question has already been answered though... They really come in handy in either rough water or when the wind is blowing. I usually have someone on the boat with me as I ldrive back onto the trailer in rough/windy conditions. They sit in the bow and can grab a trailer guide to help get me straight if I need it.
They are not real tall though, about 20" vs 44" for the white ones. I really wanted them in black since my trailer is black. I know how deep my trailer needs to be by the fenders so that is not a big deal and I can see my empty tailer just fine in the mirrors and also by keeping the back hatch open when backing the trailer down the ramp. Just not sure 20" would even come out of the water though?
What is the actual proper mounting of these guides, I have bunk guides ,and there is always about an inch gap on both sides when boat is on trailer correct, So i considered it the norm, and there is no rubbing on boat, So is this the correct way ,or should they be tight against boat. And if tight does it rub and leave wear marks on the finish surface ?
Was that a tongue-in-cheek remark? I always drive on to my trailer at idle, person on the ground hooks up the bowhook, and I put the boat back in gear to pull/push it up to the roller as they tighten the winch.
OP's question has already been answered though... They really come in handy in either rough water or when the wind is blowing. I usually have someone on the boat with me as I ldrive back onto the trailer in rough/windy conditions. They sit in the bow and can grab a trailer guide to help get me straight if I need it.
You're not a power loader, Guma. He's referring to people who gun it to get the bow eye all the way up to the roller without winching. Power loading has an adverse impact on many boat ramps and is consequently a VERY sore subject among many of our fellow iboaters. There are numerous threads on it, some of which began that way and others of which ended up being inadverdantly hijacked. For that reason I'll let you find them yourself.
you also see trailer guides on larger boats because the trailer goes to far into the water it makes it very difficult to load the boat centered on the trailer without them. In my case i have 30' scarab and an aluminum tri axel trailer. the problem is the trailer has 6 tiers and the trailer is so light that the buoyancy of the 6 tiers actually make the trailer float. Problem is where we launch and load we have a current, so we actually tie a line to the trailer guide and have someone on the dock holding the trailer until we slide the boat onto the trailer, or else it would become all jackknifed. Kind of screwy but interesting...
In my opinion, guides are a benefit for any kid of loading or unloading. For unloading they allow you to get the boat floating without fear of the back of the boat swinging into the dock or the next launch lane. For loading they help to center the boat when bringing it on the trailer. It is a benefit no matter if you float the boat on while loading, drive on under idle power, or power load. If nothing else it helps you recognize where the center of the aft end of the trailer is.
you also see trailer guides on larger boats because the trailer goes to far into the water it makes it very difficult to load the boat centered on the trailer without them. In my case i have 30' scarab and an aluminum tri axel trailer. the problem is the trailer has 6 tiers and the trailer is so light that the buoyancy of the 6 tiers actually make the trailer float. Problem is where we launch and load we have a current, so we actually tie a line to the trailer guide and have someone on the dock holding the trailer until we slide the boat onto the trailer, or else it would become all jackknifed. Kind of screwy but interesting...
'tiers'?? Do 'ya mean Tires? That whole floating trailer scenario sounds scary as hell to me A couple pieces of railroad iron strapped between the axles might help....
