Trailer guides

[GoVols01]

I need to increase my wife's confidence in loading the boat onto the trailer, so I'm looking into some trailer guides. So, the 2 types I'm considering are the bunk guides and the vertical roller pole.

My preference is to get the horizontal bunk guides, but it looks like most of them are only 5' long, which I don't think is long enough to strattle the twin axles.

The vertical guide will add to the overall width of the trailer, I think and will likely make it more difficult to put the boat in and out of the garage.

What are your suggestions?

 

[0627Devildog]

Love my Veve Guides with C.E. Smith lights on top.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/oh-shit-in-west-marine-with-time-to-kill.1922/page-2#post-30292

 

[Julian]

I had the bunk guides on my first 19' jet boat, and they only work well on shallow ramps. On a deep ramp they disappear and don't work as well. The post style is much better....but yes...they add some width to the trailer.

 

[0627Devildog]

You could always get the horizontal guides and attached some PVC for a visual aide. . . .

 

[Ronnie]

They add about 3" to each side, 5" depending on the guide design. Go as long as you can and add running lights to the tops if you are after maximum visiability, consider adding bright colored covers as well.

 

[Julian]

Yes...you definitely want to cover the PVC....otherwise it will leave marks on your hull if you rub against it!

 

[0627Devildog]

Yes...you definitely want to cover the PVC....otherwise it will leave marks on your hull if you rub against it!

I wonder if this depends upon the model boat and/or PVC length. . . . . as there is literally no conceivable way my guides could hit my hull. They would ALWAYS hit the rub rail before coming close to the hull.

 

[Julian]

I wonder if this depends upon the model boat and/or PVC length. . . . . as there is literally no conceivable way my guides could hit my hull. They would ALWAYS hit the rub rail before coming close to the hull.

Depends on how steep the ramp is. Also, the older boats with rubber rub rails....the PVC would come off on the rub rail too!

 

[0627Devildog]

Depends on how steep the ramp is. Also, the older boats with rubber rub rails....the PVC would come off on the rub rail too!

Ahhhh, ok.

I guess if the ramp was super steep you could conceivably hit the hull below the rub rail. . . . . But that would have to be a hell of a steep angle which none of the ramps I launch from are.

I also only launch and retrieve 3-4 times a year. . . . . .

 

[Ernie]

Ive had a pair of these in my garage for a few years now and just decided to put them on the trailer. How far away from the boat do you guys usually adjust them? I put them at one and half inches from the side, will that be enough?

Thanks for any help.

 

[0627Devildog]

Ive had a pair of these in my garage for a few years now and just decided to put them on the trailer. How far away from the boat do you guys usually adjust them? I put them at one and half inches from the side, will that be enough?

Thanks for any help.

Yes, that should be fine.

 

[jetboater4life]

I have the VeVe guides with smith lights same as Devildog. It's a great combo that has made retrieving the boat much easier.

 

[biffdotorg]

My wife loves the VeVe guides. It was a great investment.

Now she just concentrates on getting the bow between them, let's the boat settle, then can concentrate on how straight it is. As noted above, we did need to leave a bit of a gap as our boat is wider in the middle and figured that out the first time we backed off and the boat stuck halfway off the trailer.

We did go with pads, and the long length. I did try using come black dye this season as they did fade quite a bit. No functionality lost though. I also painted the hardware black to match the trailer.

The VeVe guides have got to be the strongest on the market too. I would say they have been smacked pretty darn hard on certain occasions. Anyone who says they are not needed, has never tried recovering a boat in 2.5ft cross waves or a current in a river.

Good luck!

 

[Slfmde]

What size frame bolts did you guys order for the VeVe guides? I haven't taken delivery yet so I don't know the height of the frame. They come 7"-10".

 

[biffdotorg]

All the hardware came with the kit. No special bolts were needed. They are designed to adapt to a number of different brands of trailers, and mounting styles. You should be good.

 

[JeffVans]

Time to do my favorite thing and resurrect an old post.... Those of you that have the VeVe guides, do you have the part number available? I need to get some ASAP. Also, did you have to get different U-Bolts, I've seen on some that they don't work on some trailers... TIA!!!!

 

[Ronnie]

No part number but here is screenshot of what got from Overtons. Note that they are completely pvc except the mounts. I’ve had them for close to ten years over two trailers now. If they broke today I would not hesitate to buy another set immediately. I recommend that you buy the lights at the same time regardless of what brand guides you get.

 

[JeffVans]

Thanks. I just went ahead and ordered the VeVe, their site was much more helpful than Amazon. I was trying to get on Prime but they weren't available, so it looks like I have to wait. I was trying to get them tomorrow

 

[Betik]

dude I just sold pair for practically nothing. Would have brought them to Bahia Mar for you. oh well.... dont forget to cover them and put a light on top.

 

[JeffVans]

dude I just sold pair for practically nothing. Would have brought them to Bahia Mar for you. oh well.... dont forget to cover them and put a light on top.

Figures!!! Yeah I ordered the Smith lights on Amazon and I'm gonna redneck it up and put some pool noodles on them. lol