Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Does anyone know of anyplace that sells bolt-on winch stands with attached steps and handrail? Our winch stand has 3 narrow steps that are welded to the winch stand. I'd like to find a winch stand with wider steps so I'm not catching a bolt from the winch on the side of my leg.

I'll take a couple of pics this weekend of our current winch stand and trailer. I've seen several other trailers in the parking lot with really nice wide steps. But the steps extend down below the frame of the trailer. That won't work for my trailer because of where the trailer frame runs under the steps.

Has anyone modified their winch stand by adding new steps? That may be my best solution to just take some 2" angle and create new steps that I'd weld to the winch stand after I cut the old steps off.

I'd love to see more ideas on winch stand steps that you guys have come up with.

Here's one that we saw that I really liked. If I can't find one like it to buy, I guess I'll just have to weld up my own. This particular one is on a trailer similar to ours in that the steps on the winch stand would hit the trailer frame if they extended down too far.

I beleve those are made by Bear.

I really like that one. Im gonna get working on building that for myself.

Thanks James! I went to the Bear Trailer web site but I could not find anything about those being sold as standalone. I've sent an email to their customer service so I'll see what I can find out.

Worst case, I'll build my own. I've already been in contact with my steel guy to see about making the curved step pieces.

Call Bear directly, it's a lot faster to get them on the phone!

I've seen nice steps online @ $350, and those Bear steps are really nice. Delivery charges are pretty expensive on steps, as they're not light items.

But, if you've got ability to weld, by all means make the changes that suit your needs.

I got a price from Bear on their winch stand with steps. The "half moon" steps like I posted above, would cost $603.75 plus $100 shipping. They also have a winch stand with normal square tube steps that sells for $287.50 plus $100 shipping.

I looked at my trailer again and I won't be able to use the half moon steps due to the shape of the trailer frame. So I think I'm going to just build a new set with a platform at the top and 3 steps -- like this setup.

I have the kind that's pictured above and am wanting to switch to the half moon because the tounge on my trailer is on the short side and I've already got a good size dent in my truck from turning to sharp!

my trailer jack bolts were 3/4" too long and facing the ladder - go figure! I turned them around and cut off the excess. Neater and safer. I don't know if the manufacturer (Shorlander) or dealer pdi was at fault for the backwards install

I would think you could find some plastic caps to go over those bolts or maybe some heat shrink tubing. A lot cheaper than new steps.

This is why I want to replace the steps on my winch stand -- these things are just too small.

We had the same steps on the POS Yacht Club trailer we had. We did turn the winch bolts around, but they still sucked. We had other issues with it too, the frame flexed when going down the road loaded, the bunks wouldnt adjust to fit the PTX package right. Our dealer took it back and got us a Shorelander instead, it has a great set of steps, the frame is rock solid and it adjusted to fit the PTX package perfectly

Looks similar to the crappy steps that I had on my trailer when I first got it...
steps were way to narrow, and the hand grab bar at the top was right in the center which made it a real PIA to climb in the front door if you needed to do anything like put up the mooring cover poles.. "luckily" mine had a manufacturing defect and they sent me out this replacement. When I filed my complaint with the trailer manufacturer I made sure not to take any pictures of the original steps because I hated them and I had hoped to get this style as a replacement..

Wider steps, a hand rail up the outside instead of just the grab bar at the top, and it is lower with a wider flat portion at the top, which has really helped for loading the dog.. The only redeeming quality of the original post versus the new one is that the original had a second downleg welded on that gave a wider 'foot print' for spacing out the bolts that held it onto the trailer. They both only use 2 U-bolts, but wider is better, right?

The original, you can see the extra leg.. The new one has a single plate that accepts both ubolts. -ron

OK Toon wrote:This is why I want to replace the steps on my winch stand -- these things are just too small.

My last toon trailer had the same tiny steps. I built some of the "half moon" type steps myself. Much better, and safer.
I thought I posted some pics when I did it, but I can't seem to find the thread.