Anyone home build Guide on's??

[MAXXIE]

I did a bit of searching & found 1 good idea, (exhaust shop assistance guide on's), but I was wondering if anyone made a set at home. The thread was a year or 2 old so I thought I'd bring it up again. Ya, there will be those who say "Don't be cheap, just buy them". I don't have that kind of extra cash being out of work & in need of tires on my truck. I could really use a set, I'm referring to the pole's on the sides of the trailer that keep it basically centered it wind/current conditions. Anyone DIY with these? If so what did you use? I don't have a welder, so that idea is out. It will need to be bolt on. Thanks for any reply's/help. TANX, MAXX

 

[jm_bullard]

Re: Anyone home build Guide on's??

I built a set out of 1 inch conduit. I bolted a heavy L-bracket to each side of the trailer, bent the conduit, and attached the conduit to the L-bracket with U-bolts. I then slid a piece of 1.5" pvc over each upright, and put a single sheet metal screw through the pvc and in to the conduit to keep it from bouncing off. I use mine more so that I can see the trailer when backing empty. I don't use it to hold the boat. This is on a 14 foot jon boat. Sorry, I can't post a picture right now. It is raining at the moment. Hope this helps.

 

[dmoriarty51]

Re: Anyone home build Guide on's??

These are made from a couple pieces of flat stock that so happened to fit over my frame just right. They are attached by the same bolt that holds the rear crossmember, and have a section of chainlink fence top rail welded to them, and 1 1/2 in pvc slipped over with caps on the ends. The only thing i didnt have on hand was the pvc which was about $10 I have bounced the boat off them pretty hard fighting river currents and they flex but have yet to bend.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Anyone home build Guide on's??

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=329927&page=7&highlight=Starcraft+splashed See post # 167

I had to modify the trailer a bit but these work great!

 

[superbenk]

Re: Anyone home build Guide on's??

There is another thread with some examples somewhere & I posted pics of mine. Can't get to the pics right now but they are just 1" PVC with some aluminum work to mount them. Definitely recommend a metal flexible core rather than just PVC as the PVC will bend and crease easy (or snap off).

 

[snowman48047]

Re: Anyone home build Guide on's??

I bought a nice set from a big store and over the years one side has bent. I used to back in too far allowing the boat to rest on top of the guide, bending it. A cheap solution; run an untreated 4x4 (stain it) under the trailer and attach it with u-bolts. No you can bolt a couple of 3-4-5-6 foot long 2x6's (stained) as guides. Like this; \____/. Best, cheapest, easiest, strongest solution I've seen. You can see the tops with a tailgate up if you go long enough, you can run lights up top, etc...

 

[bucket of rivets]

Re: Anyone home build Guide on's??

I bought a boat and trailer off CL a few years ago that had what I think were tractor trailer mud flap brackets u bolted on each side of the rear cross member with 2" PVC slid down over top. The PVC just sat there, no bolts or clamps. The inner tube fit about 25" or so up into the PVC, the U bolts looked like muffler clamps. The boat was a rather light 15' fiberglass runabout. They worked great, the PVC never moved, and the PVC tubes acted like side rollers.
When I covered the boat, I just lifted the two PVC tubes off and out of the way They were open topped tubes, I made the mistake of capping them and that made them float when in the water. I ended up drilling holes in the caps so they couldn't trap air.