How I built trailer guide posts (with pics)

[txarmydude]

Well, the temperature finally warmed up enough to do some work on my project, so I will share how I made a set of boat guide posts for my trailer. Obviously, this application will not work for everyone. But it was cheap, fun and hopefully someone else can get some use out of this.

I have all kinds of parts coming in over the next two weeks, so I will be sure to share on other threads. I have new rub-rail, wheels and tires, spare tire mount, and boat-buckle transom tie downs with brackets are all en route to my location! I also plan on posting pics of coloring my vinyl seats and cushions with vinyl paint. I did some of the cushions plus the engine cover before the cold weather rolled in and they really look great!

But anyway, here goes on the guide posts:

 

[txarmydude]

Re: How I built trailer guide posts (with pics)

Here is what I started with. One of these is on each side of the trailer, part of the frame in the rear. The tail lights attach to these brackets.

 

[txarmydude]

Re: How I built trailer guide posts (with pics)

I used a piece of 2" pipe that was threaded on each end, cut it in half and attached it to two flat pipe fittings.

 

[txarmydude]

Re: How I built trailer guide posts (with pics)

After screwing the pipe together with the fitting, the pipe had a slight lean, about 2 degrees. I did this on both sides.

 

[txarmydude]

Re: How I built trailer guide posts (with pics)

Initially, I tried to just stand the fitted pipe on top of the frame bracket. Even with the 2 degree lean, it would not fit because the boat hull was in the way. I had to find some way to make it lean another 11 degrees. How did I figure 11 degrees, you ask??? I downloaded a free app on my android phone called "How Steep" that measures incline, and held it against the side of the boat!

I then made a pattern of the frame bracket and took it with my measurements to a metal fabricator. He made me these wedges out of solid steel. This was the most expensive part of the project; it cost me $20 for the pair.

 

[txarmydude]

Re: How I built trailer guide posts (with pics)

I marked the holes on the frame and drilled them out. I neglected to take a picture of this step. Sorry.

I bought a 5/16" threaded blank that was about 3 feet long and cut it with a reciprocating saw. I then used the blank to go through each hole. I put a 5/16" washer, a 5/16" lock washer and a nut on each end through all 4 holes to affix it to the trailer.

 

[txarmydude]

Re: How I built trailer guide posts (with pics)

Again, the blanks are threaded on both sides: both the top and bottom.

I then cut a piece of PVC pipe and put an end cap on each piece. The PVC goes right over the steel pipe!

 

[txarmydude]

Re: How I built trailer guide posts (with pics)

And here is the finished product:

 

[txarmydude]

Re: How I built trailer guide posts (with pics)

I know plenty of you will wonder, "what's the point." I spent about $40 on the materials for this thing, and a set of professionally made posts are not that much more. The point is, it was my idea, and I decided to roll with it. I like how it turned out (still has to be painted of course) and the bottom line is, I built it myself.

Hopefully, someone out there can get an idea for their project out of what I made for mine. Good luck!

 

[jayhanig]

Re: How I built trailer guide posts (with pics)

Again, the blanks are threaded on both sides: both the top and bottom.

I then cut a piece of PVC pipe and put an end cap on each piece. The PVC goes right over the steel pipe!


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Why'd you use such short pcv tubing? If you make those longer so they're higher than your gunwales you can see them when you're backing your trailer up. I find that useful.

 

[txarmydude]

Re: How I built trailer guide posts (with pics)

I've got some more PVC in the garage. Thanks for the tip. I will cut some longer ones. I have never had this boat in the water, so there will probably be a lot more trial and error!

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: How I built trailer guide posts (with pics)

nice job. I would also make longer so that they would be higher than the gunwhale, so they don't mar the fiberglass and visible to see when backing up. Longer PVC will suffice.

 

[Evinbuck]

Re: How I built trailer guide posts (with pics)

Good job and hope it works out. I gotta say that I used the same pipe flange mount to make side guides on my trailer many years ago although instead of the flange mount laying flat, like your's, I mounted the flanges on the sides of my trailer frame and using an elbow to attach the upright pipe. It worked fine for a couple of seasons but a few hard bumps loading the boat in the wind and the flange cracked right around the threaded center and broke off. It's cast steel and really cannot tolerate hard bumping but hopefully your's will outlast mine!

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: How I built trailer guide posts (with pics)

Good job and hope it works out. I gotta say that I used the same pipe flange mount to make side guides on my trailer many years ago although instead of the flange mount laying flat, like your's, I mounted the flanges on the sides of my trailer frame and using an elbow to attach the upright pipe. It worked fine for a couple of seasons but a few hard bumps loading the boat in the wind and the flange cracked right around the threaded center and broke off. It's cast steel and really cannot tolerate hard bumping but hopefully your's will outlast mine!

An idea... Since he had the metal fabricator make the wedges, for about the cost of the cast iron flanges, he could have had him drill a hole for the pipe and then tap it with a pipe thread tap.

TerryMSU

 

[bigdee]

Re: How I built trailer guide posts (with pics)

An idea... Since he had the metal fabricator make the wedges, for about the cost of the cast iron flanges, he could have had him drill a hole for the pipe and then tap it with a pipe thread tap.

TerryMSU

I agree with Terry......flanges are not very strong. You could also weld them to the wedges

 

[jeeperman]

Re: How I built trailer guide posts (with pics)

Good for you.
There is satisfaction in doing something you think about and actually doing it. Good job.

You will find that you will want taller pvc pieces. Depending on the steepness of your favorite boat ramp, it is likely you will want the pvc pieces a lot higher then the gunnels as the boat will be floating above the trailer.
Oh and drill an air escape/anti-float hole towards the top end of the pvc if they are just setting on the pipe.

 

[txarmydude]

Re: How I built trailer guide posts (with pics)

So, I took ya'lls advice and cut a 10' piece of PVC in half. I think it will work better. I have half a mind to drill some holes through the PVC and pipe and put a bolt through it so it won't fly off going down the road. Maybe that wouldn't happen, but it might. I also did a little touch up paint on the bases of the posts.

 

[rvrlaxn]

Re: How I built trailer guide posts (with pics)

Mine are also 5 feet each. Different setup on the bottom. Plan to mount my lights on the tops of the pvc. they wont get submerged that way.

 

[Guest]

Re: How I built trailer guide posts (with pics)

Hey good work there rvrlaxn. I have a question for you? My boat is 24' long with an 8' beem so that makes is slightly wider then the trailer. If you had to make them with a slight bend out and then straight up to accomodate the boat being wider then the trailer how would you do that and still have the plastic pipe move?

 

[rvrlaxn]

Re: How I built trailer guide posts (with pics)

My beam is also wider than the trailer. Have 1 1/4 inch tubing about 4 foot long on each side. Bend with an electrical conduit tubing bender to about 82* bend radius. Mounted to the inverted U channel of the trailer that runs parallel to the axle with 2 Ubolts per side. What do you mean by having the pvc move? The existing pvc on mine is fixed to the metal tubing with a couple of pop rivets. I am redoing it and plan to fix the new pvc in place also. See no evidence that having it fixed had been a problem. "New, winter project rig for me".