Best tralier guides? Please advise

[dmoss8928]

I have a problem with seeing my trailer while backing up to load / unload the boat. I am wanting to add some trailer guide poles. Do you guys sugguest me buying a kit or going to lowes or walmart and getting the parts and doing it myself? Can you point on the web where they sell the kits and whats the proper name for this poles (guide rails, guide poles)? Thanks for the help.....


David

 

[Philster]

Re: Best tralier guides? Please advise

Guide poles or guide-on poles are to assist in loading the boat onto the trailer, but they have the side benefit of better visibility for the driver of the tow vehicle.

Eastern Marine (google them) has a good selection as does iboats.com store.

You can rig something up from a big box store, but the mounting hardware that comes in the guide-on pole kits will fit your trailer frame well and it will be adjustable.

http://www.iboats.com/Boat-Trailer-Guides/dm/view_id.238441

Pay attention to whether you have an I beam frame or box frame on your trailer. Look at what you order and take note of the mounting brackets.

 

[dmoss8928]

Re: Best tralier guides? Please advise

Would this be a I beam or a box frame?

 

[Philster]

Re: Best tralier guides? Please advise

Box frame.

Also, the step behind the wheel could pose a challenge. Take note of how the poles mount to the trailer; most have a bracket that grabs onto (around) the box frame member, right where your step interferes.

Start poking around and see what options are out there.

 

[dmoss8928]

Re: Best tralier guides? Please advise

I found these

http://www.iboats.com/48-Boat-Guides-Tie-Down-Engineering/dm/*******.650137797--session_id.195005251--view_id.40431

They or the Tie Down type looks like it might would fit around the step... what you think?

 

[Philster]

Re: Best tralier guides? Please advise

Look at it again. See the connector that wraps around the trailer frame? The top plate of the step will interfere with that, unless you modify the step. Also, should you be able to modify the step, th poles would be so far out to clear the step they wouldn't help much with loading the boat.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Best tralier guides? Please advise

These might work for you. They are only available from Cabelas as far as I know.
THey are adjustable.
Not very tall though.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Boat...ailer-accessories-guide-ons-bunks/_/N-1100650

 

[dmoss8928]

Re: Best tralier guides? Please advise

I see what you mean with the step now... I have a truck that has a 6 inch lift on it so I manily want the poles for loading and unloading the boat so I can see the trailer.... I do like those adjustable ones tho roscoe they would make loading a lot easier...

 

[sschefer]

Re: Best tralier guides? Please advise

I see what you mean with the step now... I have a truck that has a 6 inch lift on it so I manily want the poles for loading and unloading the boat so I can see the trailer.... I do like those adjustable ones tho roscoe they would make loading a lot easier...

I have the same problem with my F350 and it's 8" lift and 35's. The simple solution is to drop the tailgate and look over your shoulder or use the center rear view mirror. If you have a tall polished aluminum truck box, flip the mirror to night time and that'll get rid of the glare on bright days. Works for me.

P.S. You have to watch tight turns, it's best to line it up close going forward and then drop the gate and back it down.

 

[Philster]

Re: Best tralier guides? Please advise

These might work for you. They are only available from Cabelas as far as I know.
THey are adjustable.
Not very tall though.



http://www.cabelas.com/product/Boating/Boating-Trailer-Accessories/Guide-Ons-Bunks%7C/pc/104794380/c/104781780/sc/104366880/Cabelas-Adjustable-Cross-Member-Guide-On/700805.uts?destination=/catalog/browse/boating-boating-trailer-accessories-guide-ons-bunks/_/N-1100650[/url]

If you look at the trailer, there isn't even a cross member to mount that one either.

 

[dmoss8928]

Re: Best tralier guides? Please advise

sschefer- I didn't really think about simply letting the tail gate down (DUH) thanks for the insight.... I guess thats my only choice I was hoping I could rig something up haha

Good catch Philster...

 

[JimS123]

Re: Best tralier guides? Please advise

PWC trailers are so short you can't see them ever. I had a pair of SS brackets from an old transducer. I mounted one on the back side of both fenders. Then bolted a 2' long piece of polished aluminum tubing and adjusted it upright. Topped it off with a plastic chair leg cap and a few turns of red tape. Cost me nothing - all just junk parts kicking around. Now I can see the scope of the trailer from any car I own.

 

[dmoss8928]

Re: Best tralier guides? Please advise

How do ya'll think it would look like if I mount some poles in front of the wheel? I think any of the mount would work with the box frame there just don't know if it would look right or not haha

 

[90stingray]

Re: Best tralier guides? Please advise

What you need is a dune flag mount... once installed, you could remove and install the flag only when needed.

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=dune...bnh=135&tbnw=180&ndsp=40&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:213

Or something like these... kinda like some cb whips

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/products/13021-trailer-guide-led-light-kit.html

 

[roscoe]

Re: Best tralier guides? Please advise

If you look at the trailer, there isn't even a cross member to mount that one either.

Isn't there a crossmember at the back of the trailer?
Looks like it to me.
It even has some brackets welded to it that support the bunks.

 

[Mikeyboy]

Re: Best tralier guides? Please advise

You could get a liscence plate mounted rear view camera. They sell them at advanced auto for around $100 I think. You would be able to see the position of the trailer and they are also handy for daily driving especially in a large truck.

 

[dmoss8928]

Re: Best tralier guides? Please advise

roscor - there is a crossmember but its so far under the boat the hull would interfere with it

Mikeyboy - I will have to look into the cam but then I would have to get a monitor screen in the truck somewhere and that would get pretty pricie prolly

 

[Jmunk]

Re: Best tralier guides? Please advise

I got a nice set from Bass Pro, and the price was the best I found.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Best tralier guides? Please advise

...I will have to look into the cam but then I would have to get a monitor screen in the truck somewhere and that would get pretty pricie prolly

Camera and Monitor for $60. It's all included.

If you position it right, you can even watch the ball align with the hitch when hooking up!.

 

[Mikeyboy]

Re: Best tralier guides? Please advise

The one I was talking about is also a complete set up with the monitor and everything.