Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Despite my best efforts, from time to time I have a problem getting my boat square on the trailer the first go-around. I'll get the nose of the tubes on the bunks, but the back end will sometimes be a few inches over to one side or another, causing me to re-float it to get it square. The ramp is kinda steep and I think the boat may be drifting slightly as I am pulling out. I mostly boat on a lake with no current.

I am considering putting on some guides to help out. I know the 4c guides are the nicest out there, but they are too expensive for my needs. I'm torn between the kind that are PVC pipes that go on the outside of the pontoons, similar to these:



And the metal "bunk type" that goes inside of the pontoons like these:



Right now I am leaning towards the PVC type. I think the height will help me judge where the ass-end of the trailer precisely is, and they will serve as a guide as I pull out. But I can't ever recall seeing anyone use them on a pontoon, so I am wondering if there is a good reason nobody uses them.

The metal type cost a bit more, but come with 4 so I could have 2 up front too. I am just afraid that I will not be able to see them under water and tear up my pontoons on them.

Someone give me some guidance! Thanks!

Tim

First, the pvc. 1) Those guides will put you over the legal limit on trailer width. 2) They don't handle abuse well. I've seen multiple of these snap off.

Your second option is better but not optimum. You may get lined up, but once your toons have moved past them, they won't stop your boat from pivoting. Your best option is to take your second option but have wood planks to run about 10-12 ft along the trailer.

C_M_25 wrote:First, the pvc. 1) Those guides will put you over the legal limit on trailer width. 2) They don't handle abuse well. I've seen multiple of these snap off.

Your second option is better but not optimum. You may get lined up, but once your toons have moved past them, they won't stop your boat from pivoting. Your best option is to take your second option but have wood planks to run about 10-12 ft along the trailer.

Just curious how the toon will pivot if there's 4 - 2 in the front and 2 in the back?

When the front of the toons are between the front and rear guides, it could give you fits if there is a cross wind or anything. This also could be made worse depending on the depth of the rear guides. The planks that run the length of the trailer keep the toons from moving around better than the posts.

C_M_25 wrote:First, the pvc. 1) Those guides will put you over the legal limit on trailer width. 2) They don't handle abuse well. I've seen multiple of these snap off.

Your second option is better but not optimum. You may get lined up, but once your toons have moved past them, they won't stop your boat from pivoting. Your best option is to take your second option but have wood planks to run about 10-12 ft along the trailer.

I don't understand the "over legal limit" thing. These surely don't stick out wider than the fenders/wheels/tire, do they? At any rate, this boat is stored at a secure storage area at our lake. It literally only goes about a 1/4 mile from storage to the ramp all on private property. I know, I know... There may be a time in the future where I need to operate it on the road, but in 2 years it's never been outside the lake development. I don't even have a plate on the trailer (I have a valid plate, but I took it off to prevent thievery)

The other issue is certainly valid, but isn't that a good thing? Am I right in thinking that If I hit it hard enough to break them, I'm sure I would have damaged the toons if it was a more sturdy guide?

Tim

C_M_25 wrote:When the front of the toons are between the front and rear guides, it could give you fits if there is a cross wind or anything. This also could be made worse depending on the depth of the rear guides. The planks that run the length of the trailer keep the toons from moving around better than the posts.

Ahhh gotcha.

Those guides stick out wider than your boat, so they can guide it on the trailer. I don't know about yours, but my boat is 8.5 ft. Anything that sticks out wider than that would technically be illegal. Maybe you can pull the pvc off while trailering?

C_M_25 wrote:Those guides stick out wider than your boat, so they can guide it on the trailer. I don't know about yours, but my boat is 8.5 ft. Anything that sticks out wider than that would technically be illegal. Maybe you can pull the pvc off while trailering?

I don't know about that. My brother has a 29' Rinker 260 Express Cruiser with a 8.5' beam. His trailer has those guides and we've never had any issues with the highway patrol or local police. I thought it was standard on cruisers to have trailers with those poles.

C_M_25 wrote:Those guides stick out wider than your boat, so they can guide it on the trailer. I don't know about yours, but my boat is 8.5 ft. Anything that sticks out wider than that would technically be illegal. Maybe you can pull the pvc off while trailering?

I see your point.

If I go that route, I think that yeah, they could easily be removed if I ever need to tow on a public road. I found a set for $65 with free shipping. I think I am going to pull the trigger on 'em. If they work, great. If not, then I am only out $65, or I can probably sell then to another guy at the lake.

I'll mull it over for a couple of days.

Tim

I have many times, when I pull out of the water I can see my toons are liking just a bit sitting in the "V" of the BUNKS I just push on them to get them rocking & they go right in place.

killerkernrich wrote:I have many times, when I pull out of the water I can see my toons are liking just a bit sitting in the "V" of the BUNKS I just push on them to get them rocking & they go right in place.

Me too.

I used to have a similar problem, but it was caused by backing the trailer in too deep.

When unloading the trailer is much deeper...I typically back in deepe enough to get the boat on and then power it on the rest of the way.

This solved my loading problems even in the wind.

Please don't do that on the ramps I use.

this is the only way to go

I have the4c system it is worth it. Even on a windy day there is no problem loading the toon.