Trailer rollers ?

KineKilla · 03-21-2013, 02:18 PM

I would really like to install trailer rollers or bumpers on my trailer this spring. Anyone ever done this? My trailer has diamond plate steps at the rear where the rollers should probably go. I imagine some drilling would allow me to anchor them to the frame?

I need recommendations on a good strong kit that won't break the bank, and possibly some real world experience with them, install tips, do's and don'ts, etc. My wife is usually the one loading the boat while I operate the trailer, and she gets terrified that she is going to miss the trailer...as do I. I imagine rollers or bumpers would help her line it up and keep it straight.

Dozer · 03-21-2013, 03:30 PM

Mine has tall uprights that just bolt onto the trailer frame. Even lighted at the top and easy to see at night. Not sure where they came from because they were there when I bought it. My wife usually pulls the boat on and never has a problem.

KineKilla · 03-21-2013, 04:26 PM

I had my father measure the distance from the diamond plate to the rubber bumper strip (as it is in his garage, and I am at home) and it was 26".

I went ahead and ordered the CE Smith kit that comes with 40" poles ($71 with shipping). That should be plenty high I imagine, but if not it will be easy enough to buy a length of 2" PVC and make longer poles. I opted to not go for the lighted kit though.

csterner · 03-21-2013, 11:04 PM

Are you talking about trailer guide poles like these? They are just a square channel that is bent and then has a piece of PVC over the top of it. Ours was secured to the trailer with big channel bolts(u bolts) I find ours very useful. We do not power load our boat, so for us it works really good on guiding the boat into the trailer.

KineKilla · 03-21-2013, 11:43 PM

Yep.

I notice the wife struggling to see the trailer when it is submerged as well as having a hard time keeping it centered due to poor handling at very low speed, waves, wind, etc.

I imagine although these are not meant to take a hard impact, they should do what I need fairly well.

csterner · 03-22-2013, 01:08 AM

They are flexible so they do bend, but they should do just fine. And if they bend, just bend them back!

They also work great for backing down the ramp so you can see when the back of the trailer is getting close to the end of the ramp when the water is low. You really don't want to drop the trailer off the end of that ramp! LOL.

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nglauer · 05-28-2013, 07:20 AM

Did you get your guides installed? I had put some thought into doing a roller type system on the back of my prestige trailer and never got around to it. I did notice a guy at the marina with a new Seadoo boat that had the rear uprights - however they were made to snap on and take off when needed. They actually had a storage area built into the front of the trailer. I will have to go take pictures of it next trip.

nglauer · 05-28-2013, 07:22 AM

The current at one of the ramps we use is extremely bad- so getting on the trailer is a pita - you really have no choice but to power load and have someone pull you out.. if not you'll be over on someone elses trailer - so i complete understand why these would make for some extra reassurance when loading.

post up some pictures if you have time, i'd love to see them installed.

KineKilla · 05-28-2013, 01:25 PM

That is the only picture I have since the bars have been put on. I got the chance to use them this weekend and they seem to work quite nicely. The wind was blowing like mad and I got the boat on the trailer in one shot. It helps to have them visible above the water, and they help hold the boat in place while the front strap is secured.

Definitely worth the investment.

My old Sea-Doo trailer never had bumpers, because those things maneuver much better in close quarters and shallow water than a boat. I did bolt a used pickup truck tool box to the front though for storage of the life vests, oil, etc.

nglauer · 06-06-2013, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KineKilla

That is the only picture I have since the bars have been put on. I got the chance to use them this weekend and they seem to work quite nicely. The wind was blowing like mad and I got the boat on the trailer in one shot. It helps to have them visible above the water, and they help hold the boat in place while the front strap is secured.

Definitely worth the investment.

My old Sea-Doo trailer never had bumpers, because those things maneuver much better in close quarters and shallow water than a boat. I did bolt a used pickup truck tool box to the front though for storage of the life vests, oil, etc.

I was actually talking to my wife about how handy it would be to have some sort of box on the trailer - something lockable to throw the straps, cleaning supplies, or other items in. I was looking at smaller boxes thinking that one would be convenient... maybe even work as a step to climb up into the bow of the boat.

Trailer rollers ?

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