Trailer Guides Worth It?

Pedropup · **Joined:** Sat Jun 30, 2012 10:51 am **Posts:** 104

Two questions...

Is a trailer easily modified to install Trailer Guides?

Is it even worth it?

My thought process is for when the Mrs. Captain has to drive the boat onto the trailer--not often, but often enough, that the trailer guides would be helpful for her.

2012 FW Trailer

230 Mike · **Posted:** Wed Jul 24, 2013 10:26 pm

Depending on where you boat, ramp conditions, etc., they can be helpful. Most of the ones on the stock FW trailers just get bent, rusty, and ugly. I've seen some that appear to be much more useful.

neutron · **Posted:** Thu Jul 25, 2013 7:01 am

I have guide poles but only use them for a guage on how deep to put the trailer. I have reflective tape markers on the poles at the water live when its deep enough

LouC · **Posted:** Thu Jul 25, 2013 7:43 am

They most definitely will help esp if there is wind or current. I have the p v c poles at the rear of the trailer.

john55c · **Posted:** Thu Jul 25, 2013 7:49 am

LouC wrote:

They most definitely will help esp if there is wind or current. I have the p v c poles at the rear of the trailer.

+1 Also make single handing the boat/trailer very easy. They keep the boat centered and straight no matter wind, wave, current, etc. Make sure to adjust them tight against rub rail of the boat. Check out this video on how to launch a big boat solo from a local charter captain. In the beginning, he goes over how to set up a trailer. Very good information IMHO. I have a roller, so cant use all the techniques, but for the guides, he is spot on.

I bought galvanized uprights and then went to home depot for the pvc and caps. Works great!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ajrwuv7aCLw

Pedropup · **Joined:** Sat Jun 30, 2012 10:51 am **Posts:** 104

Great Stuff. Any pictures or well detailed instructions on how one would install some guides?

Jafo4U · **Joined:** Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:33 am **Posts:** 1026

I don't have any on my trailer and I am really wanting them since it can get a bit windy at the lake sometimes and you have to hold the boat in position while it's getting pulled out, I think these would work what do you guys think.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=sma ... edIndex=12

rchamberlin · **Posted:** Fri Jul 26, 2013 9:26 am

I just bought a set from Overtons both to help me see when backing the empty trailer in, and also because of my "takes 9 tries to get the boat on the trailer right" problem. Hoping they work!

Jdpber · **Posted:** Fri Jul 26, 2013 9:32 am

they come very handy when you dont have any power and have to float the boat on all by yourself..

EvilZ · **Posted:** Fri Jul 26, 2013 10:19 am

I use the tall PVC pole guides from Overtons on my trailer also. I feel they help quite a bit in a breeze.

LouC · **Posted:** Fri Jul 26, 2013 11:04 am

rchamberlin wrote:

I just bought a set from Overtons both to help me see when backing the empty trailer in, and also because of my "takes 9 tries to get the boat on the trailer right" problem. Hoping they work!

I put a set of those on probably 10 years ago and they work great. With those, all you have to do, is figure out how deep to put the trailer in for retrieving the boat so that it self-centers on the bunks. Once you get that right mark the water level on the guide poles and you can just back in that far the next time.

Pedropup · **Joined:** Sat Jun 30, 2012 10:51 am **Posts:** 104

Those are enough statements to make me go place my order just now. Sounds like this will be very helpful.....especially as I continue to start to think about quick solo boat rides with my son. After watching that video link, with these guides, launching and retrieving solo will be close to a simple task!

Love this place!!

Thanks again everyone. Always a rookie in mindset and would have it no other way!

ric · **Posted:** Fri Jul 26, 2013 2:44 pm

PVC poles don't do dick in the wind except keep it somewhat on the trailer but you can still get it crooked as heck. Trailer guides is where it's at. One man operation, every time, any condition. Most aftermarket ones just bolt on.

LouC · **Posted:** Fri Jul 26, 2013 3:01 pm

I donno ric, when I pulled my boat out before both Irene and Sandy it was a bit windy and I was glad I had em....the side bunks, might be better still, but they are not always high enough to see em when you are coming in.

john55c · **Posted:** Fri Jul 26, 2013 4:05 pm

On the non-reinforced guides that are just PVC, I agree Ric, they are light duty. However, I disagree if reinforced. The setup I have is solid as a rock. The are the galvanized uprights that I bought is linked below and I slipped on the 2" PVC. I bought a 10' PVC pipe and cut it in half with caps. The PVC pipe has about 35" or so of galvanized steel to support it. Heavy duty for sure.

Most of the time, I walk the boat onto the trailer, as I am taking care of the boat while the admiral corrals our kids into the car. I wouldn't be able to do it without these guides, especially on Bass River, with 5-6 knot current, or typical 15knot SW wind that blows across the ramp that we usually use here in our neighborhood. Below is a pic of the boat on the trailer, where the guides are visible.

http://www.sturdybuiltonline.com/Boat-Trailer-Square-Hot-Dipped-Galvanized-Guide-On-Pole_p_632.html

www.iFourWinns.com

Trailer Guides Worth It?

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