View Full Version : Trailer Guide-Ons
Right On
03-04-2002, 11:06 AM
I am strongly considering buying a set of Cabala's Bunk Guide-Ons for my roller trailer. I often load in a cross wind and a cross current(River). Do these Guides-Ons really help with straight boat loading? If they do, would I be better off getting the full sized bunks(48") or will the mini's(24")do the job? Thanks for your advice.
I have a bunk with the 24" they work great. My dad has a roller with the 48" they work great also.
i don,t think you,ll go wrong with either set, good luck.
Tom}>
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bountyhunter
03-04-2002, 04:05 PM
I fish alot by myself ,when I load up I push boat out passed trailor and pull it forward the BUNKS DO THE REST go's rite on every time go getthe good one's ,wind is not a problem any more .jim
Robertp
03-04-2002, 04:05 PM
I recommend that you try to determine how much of the bunk is at, or above, the water line on the shorter bunks. The bunks must be able to "catch" the boat or they won't do you any good while loading. In other words if the boat can float over the top of the bunks you're still screwed in a strong cross wind or current. As long as they are at, or near, the waterline the shorter ones should be fine and they will definitely help in loading.
ebexp2000
03-04-2002, 04:23 PM
I have the PVC posts for my trailer. I already have a full roller trailer, and I've been to enough boat ramps to know that some are really steep, and also require going quite a ways in the water. I looked, and found that the bunks wouldn't even catch my boat on these types of landings, so I put on the post guides. They are made of solid steel, and because they are tall, they always catch the front of the boat, as well as help you see the trailer as your backing it in empty. Just my opinion.
mariner227
03-05-2002, 10:24 AM
Right On
Check with your trailer manufacturer for guide on bunks if you want an easy no hassle install. I have a galvanized Easy Loader trailer and the u-bolts supplied from Cabelas were not wide enough. Not a big deal but took a little longer to install. Measure the frame of your trailer to make sure the Cabelas bunks will fit. You will be very happy that you made this improvement to your trailer.
mariner227
bigfish1965
03-05-2002, 10:42 AM
I have factroy installed guide ons with my shorelander trailer. I drive my boat right onto the trailer this way. I turn off the motor, reach over the bow, clip on the winch and give it a crank or two and away I go. Just remember when loading the boat onto the trailer to leave at least 75% of the guides above the water line.
The use of guide-ons depends on the size of boat you have. I have a Tyee and a Shorelander trailer. The guides were factory installed. The problem I have is that the guides don't do anything to move the Tyee if it is off-center. When trailering, the bow of the boat moves up the rollers, the guides are not even close to touching the boat at this point. As the boat moves up the trailer, if it is off-center, the weight of the boat will push against the guide, the guide does not push the Tyee back. This is a frustrating part of the Shorelander trailer, because once the boat is off-center, it must be almost completely pushed off and re-trailered. The only usefullness I get from the guides is once I've powered the boat on, I can look to the guides and tell if I'm centered, if not, one guide is against the boat, and the other side has a gap.
This is my experience, I assume a lighter boat would be easier to center with the guides.
bigfish1965
03-05-2002, 06:34 PM
My boat is a fully rigged 17 1/2 foot Legend. The guides are right up against the boat on either sides. I think maybe your trailer may be set up improperly SW. Try adjusting the guides so that they are VERY close to the boat when it is centered. My trailer is a bunk style, and perhaps the guide ons work better for bunks then rollers.