Trailer guides

[redneck joe]

I've had bunks not poles. Any appreciable difference in how they operate? I would not think so but wanted to check.


Also just saw rollers on the guides. Thoughts on those as well please.

 

[dingbat]

I've had bunks not poles. Any appreciable difference in how they operate? I would not think so but wanted to check.


Also just saw rollers on the guides. Thoughts on those as well please.

The primary difference that I see is that “fixed” side boards are used to guide and center the boat on a pair of bunks.

In my case, I have two sets of bunks. The usual square, weight bearing bunks and a set of “contoured”, target bunks (set forward and much lower) that captures and centers the boat on the trailer as it moves forward.

In this scenario, the poles are used primarily for visual alignment. Contact is incidental and the poles flex to allow for it

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Adding target bunks to your boat trailer makes loading a breeze for boaters of all skill levels

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[tphoyt]

I have rollers on guides and they are great.
I have a flat bottom 18’ skiff so there is nothing to hold me in place. I most often launch solo so having the guides especially on a windy day is perfect for me.

 

[redneck joe]

OK didn't think to mention mine is a roller not bunks.

 

[airshot]

Unless you launch and load in a very calm wind and current free ramp, the side guides are a must in my book. As I launch and load by myself, I don't want or need any hassle. Our ramps allow power loading as long as it is done properly, with my setup ( full roller trailer with side guides, self centering roller) my boat can't go on crooked even if I tried !

 

[FLATHEAD]

I’ve got bunk style guide ons about 4 feet long for my 16 foot Crestliner. No matter the conditions I’m centered every single time.
I’ve got pole PVC style for my 15 foot Jon boat. I much prefer the bunk style.

 

[redneck joe]

I’ve got bunk style guide ons about 4 feet long for my 16 foot Crestliner. No matter the conditions I’m centered every single time.
I’ve got pole PVC style for my 15 foot Jon boat. I much prefer the bunk style.

Why so?

 

[FLATHEAD]

Why so?

With the pvc poles your boat can still pivot off center if your not careful or not deep enough. Seen it happen a bunch at the ramps.

 

[rolmops]

I use bunk type guides while my trailer has rollers.
Bringing the boat onto the trailer is still not perfect, but being alone in the wind and the current gives me the control I need. Sometimes I back the trailer down a bit farther to get the boat in perfect position, but the side bunks make it all possible in this one man show.

 

[redneck joe]

Bunks it is , mainly because that is what i know i guess.

I got them for the Carver because I also do solo most of the time even when I have company it's my job to do the work and their job to have fun and relax.

Also my preferred ramp is the most usually affected by wind and boat traffic. I do adjust weather dependent sometimes but this saves me a few minutes to get to by land and it's on my preferred end of the lake as well so that saves some time (and fuel).

 

[bajaman123]

I use them for a visual aid when backing the trailer without the boat on it. My boat does not touch them as it is coming onto the trailer though I know some setups they do, in which the roller style would aid in not marring the boat's finish.

 

[mike_i]

I like my side rails, they center/guide the boat right onto the trailer.

 

[redneck joe]

So got the side bunks on today. Pleasantly surprised they carpets part is galv steel with threaded insert.

So back story....
Since I was about 8 years old my job was to drive the boat onto the trailer. Ez loader roller trailer, started with dads MR 210 the to a nearby SRV 190. We used to see how fast we could land and go and laugh at the others chest deep for 20 minutes trying their best, bless them...

So dad moved away and left me in MO, went boatless a couple three years and at 21 or so I bought my first adult boat, bunk trailer. Easy enough and all the boats since have been bunks until this one and I've been having trouble loading like I know I can do.

Welp, inputting the bunks on I have discovered the back set of rollers are three inches off center. I got the tape to the front set and they are off almost an inch. I think i know rollers are more forgiving than bunk generally, set up dependant but could this be the reason I've been challenged?

 

[redneck joe]

Oh and apparently my trailer is wider than most as I have a total of 8.5" from the bunks touching the boat when adding up both sides. So there will be some rednecking happening. I want them about half inch from the boat.

 

[tphoyt]

I remember when I put mine on. I also left about 1/2” of space. The one thing I forgot was my boat is wider in the middle and I got stuck trying to to unload. Bonehead move on my part.
Speaking of bonehead the other day a buddy asked me to move his trailer to his house.
It turned out to be a tiny little 4x8 garden trailer.
What a **** show trying to back down his driveway. It’s the first time I backed up a small trailer and I was lost. Turn the wheel a little bit and the trailer moves in feet instead of inches.
On top of that I couldn’t see the trailer until it was jackknifed.
I felt like a complete failure .

 

[redneck joe]

I HATE small trailers i could back my 30 foot no problem. I have gotten decent with my 8 footer that has three foot tongue.

I think I'm smae width all the way but thanks for the heads up I'll double check.

 

[cyclops222]

Short necked trailers are very steering sensitive.
I have never shortened a trailer with side marker lights.

 

[airshot]

Yesser, short tongue trailers can make a guy look really bad ! I take great pride in my ability to back up a trailer. Over 300' to back in my drive to my barn where the boat is stored. Plus two curves to swing trailer around so not a straight back in. Borrowed the neighbors short tongue small trailer some time back to help the grandaughter and her husband move some small things. How embarrasing backing down the drive !! I normally don't need to stop and go forward, but the short trailer made me stop so many times, I was getting pissed ! Finally slowed to a crawl and regained control. Almost like learning all over again......