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The 10 Best Boat Trailer Guides for 2024

Extreme Max Roller Guide On System

SeaSense Trailer Post Guides

CE Smith Guide On Bunkboard

A good set of boat trailer guides can be invaluable. You already know how troublesome loading and unloading your fishing boat can be at the best of times. Doing it with broken or wonky trailer guides is so much worse. Sometimes a DIY guide made from an old 2×4 will get the job done. But sometimes you want to go all out. A quality product can ensure an easy and safe boat launch. Let’s take a look at the best boat trailer guides on the market.

You may pay a little more for Extreme Max but they’re worth it. The heavy duty roller guides are second to none. They feature a 13″ roller assembly. That means you get up to 14″ (3″ trailer frame) or 16″ (2″ trailer frame) of horizontal adjustment. That’s pretty decent for a medium sized boat. The steel is zinc-coated so please, only use this in freshwater. They resist normal corrosion but in saltwater you’ll have trouble.

The uprights sit up high enough to offer a good line of sight. The rollers are sturdy and support your boat well. The mounting kit contains everything you’ll need to get it attached. If you have a larger frame trailer, you can upgrade to a larger sized kit.

Installation is easy, especially if you’re familiar with installing trailer guides. If not, expect it to only take about an hour to get the job done. The big hurdle here is the included instructions. They’re basically useless. That said, there are numerous mounting plates to fit most trailer frames. In a pinch, you may need to drill some new holes but that’s fine. You should be able to piece it together based on the layout of holes and the picture. If not, Google some guides and a video walkthrough.

• Buy on Amazon   →
• $96.09 Walmart   →

The SeaSense trailer post guide is highly visible and extremely useful. The guide poles are 40 inches long. You can also get different heights to suit your needs. SeaSense offers 48 inches all the way up to 60 inches. That’s a pretty impressive size. It’s good for most boaters’ needs for sure.

The LED lighted posts make it extremely easy to see what you’re doing. The LED lights turn from red to green when your boat is ready to launch. As you’d expect, the lighting array is totally waterproof. You can get even the biggest boats lined up straight with these.

The kit includes the mounting hardware to affix the guide poles. The U-bolts are 5-1/4.” The steel supports are 1-1/2″ wide. The pipes are 2-1/2″ in diameter. The poles are steel and the caps are red PVC for visibility. Installation is fairly fast overall. If you follow the directions, it shouldn’t take much time at all. That said, watch out for the nut locks. Some reports suggest they are not super sturdy. The company seems to be mixing their metals. The brackets are steel but the u bolts are galvanized. The nuts can get stripped easily and lose their nylon collars. If that’s the case, you’ll need to buy some replacements. Go for some galvanized nuts to keep everything the same.

In terms of use, these are highly visible. They do a great job of helping you guide your boat in and out of the water. You may want to tweak the caps, though. Because the poles are hollow, when you hit the water the air gets pressurized. That will blow the red caps off the top. Drill a small hole in each one to prevent that from happening.

• Buy on Walmart   →

For price and function, CE Smith has what you need. This bunk board guide system is tough and easy to use. It features 2” x 4” x 24″ boards. They’re made of untreated yellow pine. They’re upholstered with marine grade carpet to ensure smooth support for your boat.

The poles hit a height of 21 inches. You can adjust them out to 13 inches on either side. They can fit smaller frames and also some larger sizes. The mounting brackets can handle a frame up to 3 inches by 4/1/4 inches. Also, they can be mounted on top of the frame. This gives you a few more inches of height depending on your trailer. Obviously these aren’t for a giant boat. But a small to medium boat should do well with them. Combine them with PVC pole guides and you should have a really solid launch system in place.

We recommend these for something like a 16 foot fishing boat. This guide should be perfect for a boat of that size. The metal parts are all well constructed. The wood may seem a little rickety depending on the side of your boat and how you load it in. Tight up the screws and you should be fine, though.

In terms of height adjustment, you can always invest in larger u bolts. It’s possible to get this on a larger trailer if you need to. The installation process is an easy one here. CE Smith includes everything you need. It’s pretty easy to follow along with the instructions.

All things considered, these may be the best board style boat trailer guides on the market.

• $129.99 Bass Pro   →

FiberFly Roll On System

FiberFly goes all out to make sure you have what you need with their trailer guides. The roller system comes with heavy duty 13” roller assembly. There are also 97-degree arms and the necessary nuts and bolts to fully attach the rollers. The full mounting kit is included. They even include two wrenches. You can upgrade to a 6” bolt kit if you need to.

The set up offers up to 14″ (3″ trailer frame) or 16″ (2″ trailer frame) of horizontal adjustment. It fits bunk or roller-style trailer frames up to 3″ wide x 4. 25″ tall.

The steel is zinc-coated for strength and corrosion resistance. Keep in mind that means it was designed for freshwater use. If you take this to the sea, you risk serious corrosion damage. Saltwater is going to eat through this pretty quickly.

In terms of use, the rollers are tough and reliable.They do a good job of keeping your boat straight and centered. Bumps and wind won’t cause a problem when trying to get back on. Your boat should ease on and off with little effort. Plus the rubber is gentle enough that you won’t have to worry about scrapes.

The uprights are a handy tool at launch. They give you a decent line of sight for getting the boat on the water. Installation is also very straightforward. If you’ve ever put guides on your trailer before, this is a breeze. And even if you haven’t, it’s pretty self explanatory.

$85.99 Amazon  →

Extreme Max Single Post

For a solid and sturdy boat guide, Extreme Max has you covered. This single post comes with an 18” carpeted bunk board. All the mounting tools are included in the kit as well. You can adjust the size vertically from 19 inches up to 25 inches. They will fit bunk or roller-style trailers up to 3″ wide x 4. 25″ tall.

You’ll want to use these on a 14 foot to 16 foot trailer. The hardware included will allow it to attach to a 2 inch to a 3 inch frame. If you have a larger trailer, you can still upgrade. 5.25” and 6.25” kits are available. That said, even though there are a number of brackets, you may need to make an adjustment. As you may know, not all boat trailer frames are created equal. It’s possible you may have to drill a new hole or two to get these attached. The boards themselves have the potential to spin on the vertical. A second hole drilled in that support may be needed as well.

The kit is strong, Extreme Max makes a tough product. Even if you do need to drill a new hole, expect it to be sturdy. That said, we have heard that some people have had experience with them being a little loose. Depending on how committed you are, this may not be an issue. They can be welded in place if you like the overall performance. That ensures a serious hold for a long-lasting guide. Of course, that means you’re 100% committed at that point. We’re not suggesting you weld them, and you probably don’t need to. But it is an option some owners have tried for added strength.

The guides themselves are made from pressure-treated wood. Marine carpeting covers the wood to ensure a gentle and smooth guide. This allows your boat to ease on and off with no troubles. You should be able to adjust to a perfect height for most boats.

Tie Down Engineering High Impact Pontoon Trailer Guide On

Tie Down Engineering’s posts are designed for pontoon boats . The posts are meant to be mounted on the frame between the pontoons. The posts are made of galvanized steel for strength and durability. Molded PVC has been applied over the top. This ensures your boat hull won’t be scratched up.

Your trailer frame should be 2 inches wide and 2 to 3 inches high for the mounting to fit. Hardware is included for those sizes. You could potentially mount it on a wider frame, but you’ll need a different mounting kit. We recommended giving a couple of inches of space on each side. That way they still center your pontoon boat but offer wiggle room. On a windy day, this can make things much easier.

We have to point out that some people have had issues with these being shipped poorly. In the past it seemed like the company was packing these too tightly. The result was a lot of dings and scrapes. Product arrived damaged and unusable. This didn’t happen to everyone, but it was a concern.

Installation of these is easy enough. Just make sure all the parts are present. You may need to upgrade your u bolts if you have a wider frame.

• $114.78 Walmart   →

CE Smith Jon Boat Bunk Support

Sometimes you don’t need to go out and buy an entire new set of guides. If you need some support for the front of your Jon boat . When you need to guide in a flat bottomed Jon boat and keep it supported, this is perfect. The board is made from untreated yellow pine. It’s covered in marine grade carpet. That means it won’t damage the bottom of your boat when it slides into place.

The bracket is made of galvanized steel. It’s incredibly tough and can stand up to a lot of abuse. It’s corrosion resistant in fresh water. Keep it away from saltwater, however.

These supports are cheap and easy to install. They do need to be used in conjunction with additional guides, however. These are meant to support the front of a flat bottom boat. They help you ease it in and out of the trailer. But they don’t offer any kind of a visual guide for loading your boat. Your best bet is to use this in conjunction with another kind of bunkboard and posts.

• $51.52 Walmart   →

Hecasa Boat Trailer Guide Poles

If you need something simple and to the point, here you go. Hecasa’s guide poles are about as basic as basic gets. They’re literally just aluminum poles. Not fancy, right? Sometimes that’s all you need. Because they’re made of aluminum, you can expect them to stand up to the elements.

The poles measure at 1-1/2” square aluminum tubing. They feature 1/8” wall thickness and are 46” tall and 24.5” wide. You get two in a pack and that’s it. That means there is no hardware included. For some, that’s a deal breaker. But if you want to take this job into your open hands, it’s ideal. This means you don’t need to worry about whether or not the hardware of a kit fits your frame. You can make it fit on your own with the right bolts you pick yourself.

Once you have them installed, you can slide PVC pipe over the top. There are tapes on the side to prevent the pipes from sliding down too far. That ensures a more gentle contact with your hull. This isn’t really made clear anywhere in the product literature, but that’s what you want to do. Like we said, this is just barely a step above a DIY project. Basically, you’re paying for aluminum that has been cut and bent to the size and shape you need for a trailer.

Be cautious of the size of your boat with these. Since they are aluminum, they do not have the strength of steel guides. Because they’re so tall, you may be tempted to use them with a bigger boat. But the size could cause them to bend.

 Amazon  →

Fulton Economy Boat Trailer Guides

This may be one of the best pole guides on the market. It’s simple, flexible, and noticeable. They’re extremely easy to install no matter what your skill level is. That said, you’re going to need some hardware. You may need to pick up some extra bolts. Also, there are holes in the post that seem to have no purpose. You may want to tape those up. The mounting bolts in place and should be sturdy once you have it ready to go. You may need to add some new holes depending on the design of your trailer frame, of course.

You’ll need to adjust them a few times to get them at the proper tension against your boat. They’re not the strongest material in the world, but they are durable. Because it’s PVC it won’t scratch your hull. Better yet, it can handle freshwater or saltwater. You can mount them on a frame with a height of five inches and a width of three inches. You can adjust the width on either side up to 10 inches.

Once installed, it’s pretty easy to line up the boat. The goal post design is easy to aim for.

Kuafu Board Trailer Guide

Kuafu offers a high quality product at a good price. They also have a 30-day, no questions asked guarantee. It’s not a long time to make a decision, but the no questions asked part is a good feature. Install them, use them for a few days, and see what you think. If you don’t like them, you lost nothing. That said, we think you probably will find them to be a top quality set of guides.

The clamps that secure the arm to your trailer are well manufactured. Once you have it secured in place, expect a very solid guide. There is much less wiggle than some other models produce. The metal is zinc-plated for corrosion resistance. The company boasts that it can stand up to saltwater, but we find zinc-plated metal less than ideal in the ocean.

The carpeting is stapled onto the boards and we have to point out a weird flaw here. For some reason it’s stapled on the flat side of the board against the boat. So the staples have a chance of scraping your hull here. It’s a weird oversight and doesn’t make a lot of sense. We’d suggest re-wrapping the boards and then stapling the carpeting yourself. Staple it on the back and you should have no issues.

Installation is straightforward. There are no instructions included, so if you’re not confident with this kind of work, that could be a stressor. Overall, it’s easy to figure out, though. In a pinch, you could look up a video on the internet.

Things to Remember About Boat Trailer Guides

Not every boat trailer guide is going to work with your trailer. Unfortunately, there are literally hundreds of different trailer sizes and shapes out there. You’ll need to take some close measurements to ensure the right fit and right function. Here’s what you need to look out for.

Matching Guides to Boat Trailers

There are three basic styles of boat trailer load guides. Each one has its merits. In some cases, it may just be what kind you like best. Others work better with certain trailer styles.

Roller Trailer Guides

Boat trailer roller guides attach to your trailer on a post like any other guides. The surface supporting your boat’s hull is a spinning rubber roller. These can be up to 12 inches in length. They offer firm support. Because they are rubber and they roll, they offer a smooth transition for your boat. Rubber rollers are gentle and sturdy. They tend to be a much better choice for larger boats. That doesn’t mean they won’t work for smaller boats. But as the boat size increases, you want to stick with rubber roller trailer guides.

You need to match the roller size to your boat size. Smaller rollers will be far less sturdy for a bigger boat. Another concern is visibility. The guides help you get the boat on and off by establishing a line of sight. You need to see the guides to help get your boat on and off the trailer. Roller guides tend to be harder to see than other styles.

Bunk Trailer Guides

Trailer bunks have a bunk board that supports your boat. This is what the name suggests – a wooden board. Bunk guide ons are usually covered in marine grade carpet for smoothness. This makes them less likely to scratch your boat.

They make use of an adjustable bracket that you can raise or lower so it supports and guides your boat as needed. You need more of these guides if you have longer guides. The upside is that these are typically cheaper than other guides. Also, in a pinch, these are the easiest to make on your own. You just need wood and carpet. But they can fall apart after a while as well. Cheaper bunk boards will crack or rot. The carpet can wear thin as well.

Post Trailer Guides

Post guide ons the best for helping you see what you’re doing. Like a bunk guide, they feature a vertical metal post. However, the boat trailer guide posts are typically much longer. The adjustable metal bracket can be raised quite high. That way, as you back your trailer to the water, you can easily see them.

Most posts are PVC. The plastic is sturdy but not meant to handle large boats. If you tried to use a post trailer guide with too large a boat, they could break. Ideally, these are used for smaller vessels. The kind you would have trouble seeing otherwise. The visible post makes it easy to see where the boat is and launch it successfully and easily.

When it comes to all the expenses of a boat, you can get in deep. The last thing you want to do is break the bank of guides for your trailer. That’s why many boaters opt to DIY some bunk boards on their own. They can be made for just a few dollars’ worth of wood and carpet.

If you want to buy professionally made guides, you don’t need to break the bank. For a small to mid-size boat, you can get good guides for around $100. As your boat gets larger, you’ll need to upgrade a little. That may mean bigger guides, or just more of them. You’re looking at around $100 to $150 or so at this point.

Larger guides shouldn’t cost you over $200. You can find some that cost that much, but they may not be worth the price. That’s not to say they are not high quality. But you should be able to find strong, reliable guides for less.

Installation

You’re going to be attaching the guides yourself. That means you want all the installation hardware up front. Roller brackets, u bolts, everything to get it onto the trailer. The parts need to be made of high quality material as well. A boat trailer guide is useless if it is attached with garbage hardware.

In many cases, installation requires improvisation. Maybe the bolts are too short. Maybe you need to drill new holes. This happens more than you’d think. So be ready to adapt if the necessary mounting hardware isn’t all there.

Ease of Use

This goes hand in hand with installation. Believe it or not, but many trailer guides don’t come with instructions. Or the instructions they do come with are extremely vague. So having a well designed guide is important. Some of them are so easy to figure out, you can just look at them and know what to do. Others take some figuring out. The harder they are to install, the greater the chance something might go wrong.

Likewise, once installed, they need to be pretty intuitive. That’s why something like a bunk board is such a good idea. It’s a flat, carpeted board. It’s hard for that to go wrong. The more complex a guide is, the harder it can be to use properly.

What your guides are made from is important to how they work. Some guides are made with zinc-coated steel. This offers great support. Sturdy steel can handle the weight of most boats. But remember, it can’t be used in saltwater. Corrosion will eat through this very fast.

PVC is a gentle material. It won’t scratch your boat up like steel will. You also have no worries about corrosion when it comes to PVC. However, your boat will always be tougher than PVC. That means it can break more easily, too.

Aluminum boat trailer guides are good for standing up to the elements. They are lightweight but strong. Many DIY guides are made with some simple aluminum pipe and wood for the boards.

As we’ve already mentioned, wooden boards can warp or break over time. The marine carpet can wear down as well. Rubber rolls are durable but they do wear out over time. Exposure to the elements can dry them out until they crack and break.

We recommend PVC for any posts. It’s the best material for the job. For the metallic parts you want to look at galvanized if you’re near saltwater. Zinc-coated steel can work well for freshwater. Aluminum is also a solid choice.

Some trailer guides come with lighting installed. This can be a real helping hand. Posts can change the color of the trailer lights when you reach the right depth for launch or loading. These make doing the job at a glance very easy. You spend less time worrying about whether things are lined up correctly or not. Remember, there may be other people waiting to get on that ramp. Little touches like this can speed things along. Plus, you want to get in or out of the water in a hurry too, right? When you’re trying to load or unload your boat, it can get frustrating. Especially if you’re a first timer, or people are waiting. Lights offer a real helping hand.

Any good boat trailer loading guides will be adjustable. You should be able to adjust both height and width. But how far they adjust is another matter. Some only offer a few inches of range. Others can offer a considerable amount. You want the maximum range that still offers support. If they move out too far or too high, they could lack sturdiness.

Trailer and Boat Size

The size and shape of both your trailer and boat are key. Your guides are going to be useless if they can’t fit on your trailer frame. Likewise, you don’t want to use tiny roller guides for a 50 foot yacht. And giant rollers would be overkill for a little aluminum fishing boat.

Take the size of all your equipment into consideration. Pay special attention to what you can see when you have a boat on your trailer. The guides are meant to guide. You need to be able so see them and make use of them.

Always take accurate measurements. You need to measure your boat and your trailer. You only have so much room to work with when it comes to trailer guides. If you get the wrong size, they may not fit properly or at all. Every guide should tell you the proper dimensions. Then it’s just a matter of making sure your boat and trailer can work with it.

You really need to consider your specific boat before getting the guides installed. If you have a flat-bottom boat, it needs guides designed for it. This works much differently than a v-shaped keel. If you have a 10 foot long boat, it obviously needs different guides than a 50 footer. Likewise, a personal watercraft can make do with much smaller guides.

The right size guides are important for two reasons. The obvious one is that they help you get your boat on the trailer. But the other is a matter of safety. Once you have your boat on the trailer, guides still have that important job of support. Good guides hold the boat firmly in place. If your guides are too small or loose, the boat can shift. When you’re driving, or if a wind picks up, this could spell disaster. Proper guides keep you, your boat, and other people safe. They may not seem like much, but you should take them seriously.

Check Your Equipment

Boat trailers often spend a long time sitting around. During the off season we tend to store them and forget about them. Always give your guides a thorough inspection at the start and end of every season. If you use rollers, check the quality of the rubber. After too long in the heat, the sun, or dry conditions, rubber wears out. It can become brittle and flaky. If it starts falling apart, it needs to be replaced. Old rollers can damage your boat.

Likewise, check your bunk boards. Boards can go bad without you even noticing. If the carpet holds up, the boards may start to warp and crack underneath. More than one boat had endured boards cracking around the bolts. You’re trying to load your boat and the entire board snaps under the weight. That can result in just a thin layer of carpet between your boat and the metal mounts.

Replace the carpet if it’s starting to wear thin. It not only looks better, it works better. Holes in the carpet expose your hull to scrapes and scratches.

Make sure you check the quality before use. Ideally, check the guides every time you load and unload your boat. It doesn’t need to be an in depth inspection, but have a look. Make sure nothing is broken or loose. Better to find out before your boat starts moving.

Make sure all your brackets are secure. If need be, tighten up any bolts. If things are corroding, clean them up and treat them or replace them.

Look over PVC pipes. They can crack during the cold weather or because of sun exposure. If you have cracked PVC, you should get it replaced as soon as you can.

Boat Trailer Guide Care and Maintenance

Your new boat trailer guides won’t be good for long if you don’t maintain them. For the most part, they’re easy to keep in good working order. But just like your boat or trailer, they do require some effort.

The sun, the rain, the sea, and the hot and cold take their toll. Your big concerns are rust and corrosion. This is followed by general wear and tear. Metal or plastic that bends and breaks. Wood for the boards and carpet or rubber wearing out can also happen.

Most of the trailer guides we listed work well on their own. But not all. You may find having several guide types is best. We think using poles plus either boards or rollers is a great idea. The poles provide a solid visual for you to load and unload your boat. The boards or rollers ensure it slides in smoothly. Not everyone wants to bother with poles, but they really do help. It means you can line up the boat at a glance. That gets you in and out of the water so much faster.

Always check how things are installed once the boat is in place. If it looks off balanced, then something went wrong. Your boat should be straight and even once it’s on the trailer. There should be about a 2 inch gap between the keep and the tongue plate. If it’s closer than that, you should make an adjustment.

Clean your guides regularly. You wash your boat, you wash your car, wash your trailer. Keep them free of dirt and grease. If you do boat in saltwater, always rinse the entire trailer down after use.

Use some rust protection if the guides don’t already have it. A paint job or other coating can help extend the life.

Store them properly during the off season. Protect them from both extreme cold and extreme heat.

The Bottom Line

A lot goes into making a boat trailer work properly. It seems counterintuitive sometimes, given how simple most trailers look. The wheels, the lighting, the paint, it’s all important to ensuring the trailer works. And since trailers can cost thousands of dollars, you want all the pieces to function well.

The best boat trailer guides can do a lot for you. They make launching and loading your boat so much easier. And they keep it safe during travel. As we’ve seen, you have a lot of choices. Make sure you know your measurements for the trailer and the boat to make the right choice. Make sure they’re securely installed and that you know how to use them.

Enjoy your time on the water and stay safe.

My grandfather first took me fishing when I was too young to actually hold up a rod on my own. As an avid camper, hiker, and nature enthusiast I'm always looking for a new adventure.

Categories : Boats

Dalton Bourne on April 17, 2022

These boat trailer rollers from SHORELINE MARINE are much better than the 170 stock Tracker trailer rollers. I replaced the old rubber fender on my boat. This one has 3 pieces, which makes it easy to install. Unfortunately, since my bot trailer is homemade, the mount is wider than the roller and I had to drill holes in the bracket to install the bolts, but it worked fine and worked better than my old stop.

Dalton Bourne on April 28, 2022

I also love its three-piece design that guarantees to reduce abrasion and drag. I never experienced any difficulties in launching my boat with this product.

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Tie Down Wobble Roller Bunk Assembly The heavy duty galvanized steel pivot bar of the Tie Down wobble roller bunk assembly provides full hull support. Wobble rollers are designed to pivot and adjust to a variety of hull shapes and sizes. The 36" bar...

Tie Down Wobble Roller Assembly Add-On

Tie Down Wobble Roller Assembly Add-On Wobble Roller Arm Add-On for Tie Down Engineering Wobble Roller Bunk Assemblies (Part # 86550). This can also be used as a replacement. Comes fully assembled. Mounting hardware for mounting to crossbar not...

Tie Down Adjustable PVC Boat Trailer Guides

Tie Down 86105 Adjustable PVC Boat Trailer Guides Make loading and unloading your boat easier with Tie Down Adjustable Boat Trailer Guides. These guides are galvanized for long lasting protection and include heavy-duty steel component parts. Each PVC...

Boat trailer guides are a great way to protect your boat and your trailer from expensive repairs. These guides are attached to your trailer and help guide your vessel onto the trailer to avoid wear and tear on your boat and trailers and avoid costly accidents. Wholesale Marine has the trailer guide and trailer padding systems in stock to ensure your launch and trailering efforts go smoothly. No matter what your boat trailer guide needs, we have you covered. From bunk style carpeted boat guides, guide protectors, trailer guide on light kits and brackets we have the products in stock to get the job done.

Want to look like a professional at the boat ramp but also avoid damage during launch and loading. Check out C.E Smith or Sea Sense line of trailer guide-on in LED lighted on non-lighted versions. These guides are available for all boat styles and PWC’s. We offer all types of guides from post trailer guide ons , floating trailer guide-ons, bunk board trailer guide-ons , and trailer guide pads to offer the best solution for your needs.

Wholesale Marine Carries Boat Trailer Guides for Every Craft

Just like a trailer is essential to getting your boat to and from the water, many boaters would also consider boat trailer guides a key component to a successful loading or launching. Whether you are doing it solo or with the help of a fellow passenger these guides will make your job a snap. Ever had to launch a boat at night? This can be a difficult task during the daylight hours, but launching at night adds an extra element of risk, using C.E. Smiths Trailer guide-ons with LED can help make navigating the dark easy.  Want to add a little extra protection to your current guide set up? Hyperlite offers trailer guide pads that slip over your guide post and are available in many sizes and colors.

Have questions about which trailer guide is right for your boat, give us a call. Our experienced customer service representatives share your love of boating and are ready to help. We can answer any questions and help place your order for the perfect boat trailer guide. We offer same-day flat rate shipping and our prices can’t be beat. Contact us Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM at 877-388-2628. Check out our Captain’s Club Rewards Program for additional discounts and savings on your next order at Wholesale Marine.

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The Working Man's Guide to Trailer Sailing

Last Updated by

Capt Chris German

June 15, 2022

Let's face it, life would be better with a 40 foot sailing yacht sitting on the hook just off your front yard on a tropical island. But if you are not quite there yet, maybe you want to start a little smaller. Let me introduce you to the Trailer Sailer.

A trailerable sailboat is in many ways better than a keel boat or a dinghy. You can get a trailer down a boat ramp, it stores for free in your backyard, and it has many of the benefits of a keel boat or dinghy, with fewer drawbacks. Some might argue that the perfect sailboat is the trailer sailer.

Table of contents

Trailer Sailers offer the Best of Both Worlds

For the last five years I have dabbled in both trailerable boats and keel boats, and have personally owned two trailerable sailboats .

They really were the perfect boats for my needs. They were small enough that I could tow them with my Ford Ranger, but big enough that I could sail outside the demarcation line at Cape Lookout in North Carolina, just one mile from the Atlantic Ocean.

They had a water ballast system so I could sail my wife, two dogs, myself and a whole weekend's worth of gear and a 13 foot dinghy though the sand bars and shallows of Bogue Sound and never have to drop my center board once.

They also fed me by allowing me to teach a few dozen sailors to master the tempestuous winds of East Carolina before I decided Hurricanes-be-damned and moved to Utah, I must admit I choked up a bit because these boats owed me nothing and I was sorry to see them go.

Trailerable Sailboats Can’t Handle as Much

Trailer Sailers are not perfect for every occasion despite my enthusiasm. Oftentimes the wind was just too much for these little girls, especially in places like East Carolina.

On days like those, sailing was not possible and I would drop sails and just motor, awkwardly, up the channel home.

Anything over 15 knots and the boat would be overpowered and simply luff up into the wind while under sail.

Luckily I had a really good 9-horse yamaha on days like that and we still enjoyed a day on the water - mostly.

That is to say, we always had fun, except when we didn’t, and that was the case on 4th of July 2019.

Jennifer and I decided to head to the cape that weekend in our trailer sailer “Flo’s Revenge” to escape the holiday crowds that always seem to pack into Beaufort to celebrate a holiday in the pre-covid days.

We set out at 6 pm on Friday with a pile of food and beer, tents and charcoal, dogs and sleeping bags.

We sailed over with a reefed main and a motor and arrived shortly before sunset to find that our usual anchorage had been erased from existence earlier in the season by a storm.

We decided to find a new spot and selected one that wasn’t quite as protected with less beach and more exposure to the channel traffic.

The first night went fine and we arose the next morning to find a bright sunshiny hightide and a steady stream of boats making their way across from Harkers Island.

We enjoyed the day, although we discovered that our dinghy motor was on the fritz and that when the tide went out, we were hard aground tilting the wrong way. At some point in the night, a thunderstorm came through, that I managed to sleep through.

Unfortunately, the tilt of the boat made my wife roll out of her bunk and the hatch leaked perfectly onto her forehead. We were forced to close the hatch to keep the wind and rain out, but the little boat turned into a sauna with my wife, myself, and two dogs packed inside and a tropical East Carolina thunderstorm raging outside.

Our boat rode hard at anchor that night and bounced off the bottom as the wind pushed us up against the beach. By the next morning, my wife was ready to kill me for sleeping so soundly and the boat was a good 30 feet up the beach from the high tide line.

Our tent had been shredded by the winds and most of our food was washed out to sea or soaked in sand and saltwater. Needless to say, I was in deep trouble for sleeping so hard.

I waited for the high tide to come in and told my wife that we would head home as soon as we could float the boat. But as the tide came in, I realized that the storm had surged us higher than the morning tide would rise and I could feel my wife’s ire build to a level that I don't think I ever want to see again. She was hot, mosquito bitten, tired, wet and now because our boat was so great a beaching, stuck there until I could figure out how to get it off the beach.

Thankfully one of the parade of power boats came close enough that I could hail them and asked them to haul my boat off the beach, which they did with great difficulty. We sailed back home and put the boat in the backyard and never sailed it again.

I tell you this story because it illustrates the real experiences of trailer sailing, with all its drawbacks, but the truth is I did love that little boat.

Raise The Mast On Shore

Trailer sailers can be a challenge to launch and retrieve much like any boat, but with trailer sailers there is the question of the mast.

The mast on pretty much all trailer sailers can be raised and lowered on the ramp or at the dock, and that makes it way cheaper and easier than having the raise and lower the mast with yacht club crain or pay a yard to step your stick.

The challenge however is raising it on shore or in the water. I have done both and have decided it is way easier to do it on shore as you can reach all the fasteners and leverage the halyard from the ground.

And if your wife drops a turnbuckle, it doesn’t sink in 15 feet of water.

Watch Out For Obstructions

Dropping integral items in the water is just one draw back. I have also seen more than one vessel precipitously drop their mast immediately after stepping, by backing their trailer into a tree branch on their way down to the water.

It took them the better part of an afternoon to raise that mast and it came down in mere seconds when challenged by a scrub oak branch hanging over the ramp.

The worst part was, the entire boating world was watching when they struggled to raise their mast and when they dropped it at the boat ramp. Your best bet is to practice raising and lowering your mast in your backyard before ever trying to do it down at the dock or boat ramp and always look up for trees and wires.

Water Ballast

Another issue in launching was my water ballast. It was a blessing in shallow water for stability but proved a bit tedious when launching and retrieving.

My manual said to let the boat sit immediately after launching to allow the ballast tank to fill, but more than once I damn near capsized the boat when climbing aboard to check to see if it was filled.

Air embolisms could stop the filing process and without a full ballast tank that boat had the stability of a sippy cup on a glass topped coffee table.

Towing a Sailboat

Hauling was an issue as well. While my little ford ranger had no problem hauling the boat with a dry ballast tank, barnacles and seaweed could clog the ballast drain and make it a real challenge to haul.

I never had to dive under to dislodge any seafood samples, but I always was afraid I would have to some day, and had to wait until it was completely drained before trying to traverse the entire boat ramp when towing with my ranger.

My GMC however could haul that thing with flat tires dragging a danforth though so if you do decide to trailer sail, make sure you get yourself a decent truck to do your towing.

Other than the ballast and mast, launching and hauling is relatively similar to any other boat. Depending on how deep your draft is, a sailboat can be a bit more difficult on shallow ramps.

Lots of trailer sailer trailers come with extensions to allow you to drop the trailer even deeper into the water for shallow ramps and deeper draft vessels.

The big thing is to ensure that whatever trailer you use, that it works nicely with your hull. And most trailerable sailboats in my experience are a package deal with the trailer so I would recommend you go with the manufacturer when selecting a trailer and don't go shopping for a better deal on a trailer.

Maintenance Is Easier With a Trailer Sailer

While a trailerable sailboat is free of many of the pitfalls of boating like docking, yard fees and mast stepping, it is still a boat.

Engine troubles, bottom paint and on board storage are all challenges. No one that I know of has ever created a boat that doesn’t need oil changes, doesn’t grow barnacles and doesn’t need a ton more storage than it is designed with. It's just a boat.

With a trailer sailer, you can work on your motor next to your garage in your driveway and do all the fresh water flushes your garden hose can handle.

You can also skip bottom painting if you dry sail your boat, which is to say never leave it in the water for more than several hours.

But if you decide to leave it overnight, odds are you’ll have a scum line and barnacle babies by morning.

And for storage, the only saving grace is you can load your boat in your driveway and save the three dozen trips between your boat and the car at the boat ramp.

Register Your Trailer

You're also gonna have to register your trailer sailer and your trailer, if you decide to ever leave your driveway.

Septic System

You will have to ensure that you have a compliant septic system which is oftentimes a bucket or for the high brow sailors, a chemical toilet on trailer boats.

Most trailer sailers don't have a holding tank due to the fact that you don't want to have to drive down the road with a full holding tank. And many also lack a usable size water tank as well for the same reason.

USCG Boardings

Just because your boat lives in your driveway instead of on a dock, doesn’t mean it is not subject to USCG boardings when underway. So flares, noisemakers and PFDs are all legally required as well.

Other Trailerable Boats

We have a  great article on the top types of trailerable sailboats.  But there are literally all kinds both new and used.

One of my favorite is the corsair pulse, a boat being manufactured in Vietnam that is a trailerable catamaran.

I envisioned taking this boat up to the northern reaches of Canada and sailing in the Arctic with it.

It’s got enough room to live aboard with lots of winter gear. You can launch it virtually anywhere and it's stable enough that you probably won’t pitch-pole into sub freezing water.

Start Small and Cheap

But if a new boat isn’t in your budget, the used trailer sailer market is super hot right now.

With Covid 19, folks are looking for all sorts of ways to get away and not have to worry about exposure.

What better way is there to get away and socially distance than taking your trailer sailer to the lake or to a remote beach for the weekend?

You can pick up hunter 23.5’s for sale around the country with most offered for $6K or less. Hunter 27s are also to be found but go for $30K plus.

My suggestion is if you're gonna buy your first trailer sailer, start small and cheap. The bigger your boat the more expense and the bigger truck you’ll need to launch it.

Practice Parking With Your Trailer & Boat

No one likes to drive a trailer and even fewer people like to back one up.

Particularly when you have a sailboat with a 30 foot mast up. It's never fun and quite frankly embarrassing when you do it wrong.

I always tell my students looking to trailer a boat to go to a massive parking lot on New Year’s day and spend three hours practicing backing your trailer into parking spots. There really is no other way to get good at it.

Trailer Guides, Rollers, and Side Straps

Even if you can back your trailer beautifully, you also need to put your boat on your trailer and that is even harder when it’s a sailboat.

Installing trailer guides on your trailer if you don't have them makes a huge difference in lining up your boat with your trailer bunks.

I also like rollers instead of flat bunks to hold the boat on the trailer, but with sailboats that's tough because they can roll the boat off on the boat ramp prematurely when backing in.

My hunter has a bow bumper that never quite worked right on my trailer. The boat always hit too high or too low and the winch strap chaffed it.

I took to leaving the boat a foot back from the bunk and using a chain to hold the boat on the trailer.

Never take your boat on the road without side straps. Many people think that because there are trailer guides and a bow strap holding it on the trailer, that you will be fine.

But turning corners and sloshing water in the hull have a tendency to flip boats over while going home and no one wants to be the guy to pick his boat up off the highway or worse yet, have to flip your truck back over when your boat decides to take you for a ride.

Is Trailer Sailing for Everyone?

A resounding no is my answer to that whenever I am asked.

When I was selling my hunters, I had lots of tire kickers come by and more than a few who could never handle a little boat like this in what remained of their lives.

Age, obesity and gravity are all challenges when it comes to trailer sailing. On shore you have to climb up the trailer to step the mast and clean the boat and do all kinds of other stuff and in the water, you have an unstable deck with great big steps on to the foredeck and onto the dock.

As much as this boat was a plug and play sailboat, it wasn't for anyone who lacked a certain agility.

One time docking I got my foot caught in the life line with a student and came real close, if I didn’t actually fracture my wrist.

Trailer sailboats are smaller and less stable than their oversized cousins with the keels. If you are in anyway, limited in your physical prowess, a trailer sailboat may not be the best choice for you.

So that’s my take on trailer sailers.

A younger me would have loved to have a whole fleet of them, but as I age I tend to think a 60 foot catamaran far away from the North Atlantic is more my speed.

Trailer Sailers are way cheaper than keel boats to own without having to pay for a dock, mast stepping and storage, but they are not a plaything and should be respected like every other boat.

They meet all the requirements to be USCG regulated and they can go in big water if you want to take them there, but they are not an easy ride back.

Practice your mast stepping and trailer backing with no one watching and try not to be too much of a ramp hog while you're in the public eye.

Start small, as big boats are a pain to drive on a trailer.

So do good, have fun, and sail far. Thanks for reading.

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Capt Chris German is a life long sailor and licensed captain who has taught thousands to sail over the last 20 years. In 2007, he founded a US Sailing-based community sailing school in Bridgeport, CT for inner city youth and families. When Hurricane Sandy forced him to abandon those efforts, he moved to North Carolina where he set out to share this love for broadcasting and sailing with a growing web-based television audience through The Charted Life Television Network.

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NEW ON YOUTUBE: Cash for Clunkers List

The Best Boat Trailer Guides (Review & Buying Guide) in 2023

Get your boat perfectly aligned on your trailer every time with guides

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more ›

Launching and loading your boat might not be the most enjoyable aspects of owning a watercraft, but they’re essential activities. It can be tough, though, to perfectly guide your boat on and off its trailer, taking up a lot of time and effort each time you want to hit the water or head home. Why not enlist the help of a set of boat trailer guides?

Boat trailer guides, or guide-ons, attach to your trailer and help you easily, safely, and accurately load or unload your boat. They’re simple tools, but they can help you avoid accidents and damage to your boat. Available in many different styles and sizes, boat trailer guides offer you a lot of options. You can discover some of the best boat trailer guide options right here.

SeaSense Trailer Post Guide

These 40-inch tall posts are made from durable PVC. The kit comes with all of the necessary mounting hardware.

• High visibility red caps
• Corrosion-resistant
• Locknuts aren’t durable 
• Instructions incorrect

CE Smith Guide-On Bunkboard

Guide your boat smoothly with these two-foot boards that measure  2 x 4 x 24 inches. Adjust the board's width from 13 to 21 inches.

• Precision fabrication 
• Marine carpet
• Zinc-plated, not galvanized  

Extreme Max Heavy-Duty Roller Guide-On System

This heavy-duty roller guide system has a zinc-coated frame. The rollers measure 13 inches in length.  It fits trailer frames that are up to five inches tall.

• Custom-formed 97-degree arms
• Includes all mounting hardware
• Not meant for use in brackish or saltwater 
• Zinc-plated, not galvanized

Benefits of Boat Trailer Guides

• Prevent damage. You could easily cause damage to the hull of your boat if you run it into the roller bracket, frame, or fenders. Having guides keeps your boat in great condition.  
• Safer hauling.   You need to have your boat centered on the trailer. This keeps the weight balanced and makes it safer to drive down the road. A balanced boat remains stable when taking off, stopping, and going around turns. 
• Faster loading. With trailer guides, you can quickly and easily load your boat onto the trailer. The guides direct the boat where it needs to go so that it’s centered without the need for adjustment. 

Types of Boat Trailer Guides

This style of guide has adjustable metal brackets that clamp onto your boat trailer. Then there are PVC posts that stick upward vertically. The goal is for the posts to be visible above the water when you back your trailer down a ramp. 

This makes it easy to have a vertical pinpoint of where the trailer is located in the water. These work best for smaller boats, as larger ones can be too heavy and cause the PVC posts to bend and snap. If you do use them with a larger boat, only do it manually instead of driving. 

This style of guide similarly attaches to your trailer as the posts with an adjustable bracket. Instead of a PVC post, the rollers are nine to 12 inches in size. They’re made of non-marking rubber to protect your boat. This style of guide works well with larger boats because they’re sturdy and durable. You’ll want to buy the correct size that matches the size of your boat. Their downside is that they’re harder to see than the other post styles. 

This style of guide uses the standard adjustable bracket that hooks and locks down onto your trailer frame. Typically they’re made from planks of wood that are wrapped in carpet. You’ll then adjust their height to accommodate your boat’s size and the depth of your hull. The longer the guides are, the more support brackets you’ll need to support the weight of your larger boat. 

Boat enthusiasts know the SeaSense name for its innovative products and affordable prices. It’s dedicated to improving the boating experience of its customers. The SeaSense Polyvinyl Bow Roller will guide your boat smoothly onto your trailer. 

Extreme Max

With headquarters located in Lino Lakes, Minn., the Extreme Max products are distributed throughout the United States. Its products are popular for being durable for all of your extreme outdoor activities. If you need to replace your guides, the Extreme Max Single Post Horizontal Bunk is just what you need. 

Based in Taiwan and China, the team at CE Smith is dedicated to challenging themselves to produce high-quality metal products. The goal is to give its customers the best value in trailer parts and accessories. For a sleek look to your trailer guides, consider the black CE Smith Trailer PVC Boxed Post . 

Boat Trailer Guides Pricing

• Under $100: These guides are the simplest and smallest. They may or may not come with installation hardware. If you have a smaller boat, then you should be able to find a guide kit that's in this price range. 
• $100 to $150: You’ll find kits of varying size and quality in this price range. They’ll be made of durable materials and will effectively protect your boat. 
• $150 and up: Guides that are in this price range are the largest. They are made of the most durable and strongest materials. This makes them ideal for large boats. 

Key Features  

Look for a trailer guide style that works with your needs. Consider the size and shape of your trailer, the size and weight of your boat, and the type of ramp you use. If you need visibility, posts are going to help. If you have a large boat you need help guiding, then rollers are a smart choice. Bunks help hold your boat in place and keep it aligned. 

The materials that your guide is made out of should be both gentle on your boat and durable. PVC is gentle on your boat because it will break before your boat will. Rollers should be made out of a non-marking rubber that has UV resistant qualities. Bunks should be made from treated wood and be wrapped in a marine-grade carpet. Aluminum is the best metal because it’s lightweight and corrosion-resistant. Steel should be galvanized. 

Adjustability 

Look for a set of adjustable guides. This lets you get a secure fit to your trailer’s unique size and shape. Guides are built to have universal compatibility, so you’ll want to confirm that it will work on yours. Look for adjustability in both the height and width. This lets you accommodate your boat’s size and shape and the amount of visibility you’ll have. 

Other Considerations

• Durability. The material your trailer guides are made out of will determine how durable they are. Posts are typically made of PVC. They’re corrosion-resistant but also lack strength. This can be a good thing because you’d rather the pole break than your boat. Rollers are made of tough rubber, but they can grow brittle from extended UV exposure. Bunks typically use wood and carpet, but the wood can rot, and the carpet can fray. 
• Price. Your budget will influence the style and quality of guides that you buy. A basic and low budget kit may not come with everything or be lower quality. A more expensive kit may work for a larger boat, have higher quality materials, and come with the necessary installation hardware. Determine the budget necessary to get the equipment that you need. 
• Boat Compatibility. The guides that you buy need to be compatible with your trailer and boat. If they don’t work with one, then you’ll be disappointed with their performance. Measure your trailer and ensure you’ll be able to install the guides on your trailer. Measure your boat and ensure it will support the size and weight of your boat. 

Best Boat Trailer Guides Reviews & Recommendations 2021

Best Overall

This handy kit includes everything you need to install trailer guide poles onto your current boat trailer, and it’s built to be sleek, sturdy, and able to withstand a lot of wear and tear. You’ll get two guide poles made out of steel, PVC caps, steel supports, and the bolts and hardware required for mounting. You can choose the size that best suits your trailer and your boat — the poles are available in 40, 48, and 60-inch heights. These boat trailer guides don’t take long to install, and they help you perfectly center your boat on the trailer for easy, effortless hauling. 

Unfortunately, the lock nuts included with the kit aren’t durable. You’ll do better to buy your own. The instructions aren’t accurate and can lead you through the wrong steps.

This bunk board features soft, protective sides that won’t damage your boat as you load or unload it. It features lower-profile upright guides, which are tilted boards measuring 2 x 4 x 24 inches. The boards are untreated Southern yellow pine that’s covered in high-grade marine carpet for scratch- and damage-free movement. The guide-on bunk board has a height of 21 inches, and the sides can be adjusted out to a distance of 13 inches for added flexibility. All of the hardware you need to mount this boat trailer guide onto your trailer is included, and it's best used for trailer frames measuring up to 3 x 4.25 inches.

The downside of these guides is that they are zinc plated and not galvanized. This makes them less resistant to corrosion. They can also bend from the weight of your boat.

Most Durable

This boat trailer guide set is a complete system — and it’s made with extra-tough materials. It’s worth paying a bit more for this impressive setup. You’ll get one pair of heavy-duty roller guide-ons that bolt onto any bunk or roller style trailer frame measuring up to 3 x 4.25 inches. A set of custom-formed arms are angled at 97 degrees and extend 13 inches from the side to guide your boat easily, without damage or accidents. The entire boat trailer guide setup is coated in zinc for corrosion resistance, and it can withstand freshwater well. Just keep in mind that saltwater and brackish water can cause corrosion or potential damage.

One issue with these guides is that they aren’t meant for use in brackish or saltwater. This isn’t an issue if you only plan to use your boat in freshwater. The metal is zinc plated and not galvanized.

Most Adjustable

CE Smith Trailer Post Guide-On

Handy and helpful, this set of boat trailer guides will help you more easily guide your boat into place whether you’re coming or going. It includes two 2-inch  40 white PVC posts that stand tall on the sides of your trailer, as well as 16-gauge pre-galvanized steel uprights that stand 18 inches tall. Those uprights slide into the PVC guideposts for stability, and they can be adjusted anywhere from a few inches to 13 inches out from each side of your boat trailer, giving you flexibility. This boat trailer guide set is suitable for use on trailers with frames up to 3 x 4.25 x 1.5 inches in size.

Unfortunately, this kit has many pieces and requires a lot of assemblies. This can be time-consuming and complicated. The kit also lacks a method for securing the PVC poles to the metal pipe.

Honorable Mention

Fulton Economy Trailer Boat Guide

Featuring guide posts made out of non-marring, marine-grade PVC, this guide kit offers 50 inches of height so you can easily see the guideposts as you maneuver. It attaches onto your boat trailer with clamp-on installation, and a set of high-strength, high-grip mounting brackets offer a secure fit. The adjustable design of this boat trailer guide setup ensures it’ll fit any boat’s hull. This boat trailer guide is a solid option whether you’re new to boating or a longtime pro. It’ll make it easier to get your boat on and off the trailer even under adverse conditions like winds or currents. 

Unfortunately, these guides aren’t compatible with trailers that have a step on the back of the wheel. The U bolt may also be too long.

CE Smith Trailer PVC Boxed Post Guide

Give your boat trailer a sleek and modern look with black PVC guide poles. This kit comes with everything you need to install them, including the support beams and hardware. You can choose from 40 and 60 inch high posts for the perfect amount of visibility. You can also adjust them up to 13 inches out on each side, making them compatible with a wide range of boat sizes. You can install these guides on trailers that are between 3 and 4 and a quarter inches high. You’ll appreciate the high quality made in the USA construction. 

Unfortunately, you may find that the U bolts aren’t long enough. You can easily replace them with the right size of U bolt. The black PVC can leave black marks on some boats.

Extreme Max Adjustable Roller Guide-On System

This roller style of trailer guide can fit onto a trailer that’s three to four and a quarter inches tall. There’s also larger installation hardware available for installing these guides on trailers that are 5.25 to 6.25 inches tall. These guides are designed for use with larger boats that are over 16 feet in length. You’ll appreciate the increased adjustability that these guides offer. You’ll be able to create a custom fit for the shape of your hull. The hardware is zinc coated, making them meant for use in freshwater. 

One drawback of this guide kit is that the bumpers are relatively small. There are other kits with longer bumpers that will provide your boat with more protection. You’ll also need to replace the zinc-coated hardware if you plan to use these guides in saltwater or brackish water.

Ve-Ve Inc Boat Trailer Post Guide-On

What makes these guides stand out is that you can choose the type of hardware that comes with your kit. If you plan to only use your boat in fresh water, then there’s the zinc-coated hardware. If you plan to use your trailer in saltwater or brackish water, then choose the galvanized set. You’ll get a pair of 40-inch tall steel poles with PVC poles that go over them for a total height of 47 inches. The included hardware fits trailers that are three to four and a quarter inches tall. You can also adjust them up to 14 inches out on either side. 

The downside of this kit is that the bolts are short, which can limit its trailer compatibility. There are also no included instructions. 

CE Smith Trailer Pontoon Bunk Board Guide-On

These uniquely styled boat guides are designed for holding a pontoon in place. They can also work with boats that have a space in the middle of the hull, such as a catamaran. The bumper protection is on the outside of the poles to support the boat from the inside. To keep your boat safe, the bumpers have rubber rollers. This keeps the boat centered on the trailer. You can install this guide on trailer frames that are three to four and quarter inches tall. Use the U bolt brackets to attach the guides to your trailer. You’ll find this kit to be durable as it’s made from galvanized steel and attached with zinc plated hardware.

One drawback of this kit is that the trailer height compatibility is limited. The hardware is also not made of galvanized steel.

• Check your guides before each season. Check that the brackets are secured to your trailer. Look for cracks in your PVC poles. Check for corrosion on metal parts. Rewrap carpet on wood boards if needed. 
• Consider installing more than one type of guide on your trailer. This will make loading your boat easier in any location or water condition. 
• Check that your boat is aligned correctly after installation. There should be no less than a two-inch gap between the keel and the tongue plate cover. 

Q: Do boat trailer guides really work?

Yes, guides work to prevent damage to your boat and makes loading your boat at the ramp significantly easier. 

Q: What are boat trailer guides for?

Using boat trailer guides makes taking your boat on and off of the trailer much easier. You’ll know exactly where the trailer is for better aim. Then during loading, the boat will remain aligned better. This reduces the risk of damage to your hull. 

Q: How far do you need to back a boat trailer into the water?

For most boats, this means about two-thirds of the trailer is in the water. Don’t put the trailer too deep into the water, or you risk the boat’s bow floating left or right over the bunks and going crooked. 

Q: Are boat trailers hard to use?

No, but it does take practice to maneuver it right. Start slow and practice on a day where the ramp isn’t busy, and you aren’t in a rush. Pressure only makes learning harder. With practice, you’ll find maneuvering your trailer to get easier, like second nature. 

Final Thoughts

You can’t go wrong with the SeaSense Trailer Post Guide because it’s a decent height, corrosion-resistant, and comes with everything you need to install it. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, the CE Smith Guide-On Bunkboard has precise fabrication and marine-grade carpet.

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Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.

Other ‘ Exterior Accessories ’ Reviews You Might Like:

Best Boat Trailer Guides: Top 3 Picks For Easy Loading

The best boat trailer guides should have durability, strength, and weather resilience. Paying attention to the quality of the brackets and padding of the trailer guide will ensure your boat remains scratch-free during the loading process. Having a high-quality boat trailer guide can save time and prevent potential damage to your precious watercraft.

I’ve researched and tested several models to determine which ones provide the ideal blend of ease, efficiency, and compatibility. Let’s dive into the top boat trailer guides that will make loading and unloading your boat a breeze.

Best Boat Trailer Guides

Extreme max 3005.2175 post trailer guide-on – 45″, kuafu boat trailer square guide 2pcs, joewuzun boat trailer guide pole pad and cover, best boat trailer guides reviewed.

I have carefully researched and compiled a list of the best boat trailer guides available on Amazon. Take a look below to find the perfect guide for your needs.

The Extreme Max 3005.2175 Post Trailer Guide-On is a reliable and durable choice for anyone in need of boat trailer guides.

• Easy, bolt-on installation
• Zinc-coated for freshwater use
• Easily visible, tall PVC-covered steel posts
• Not intended for use in saltwater or brackish water
• Additional hardware required for taller trailer frames
• Limited to trailer frames up to 3″ wide x 4.25″ tall

I recently used the Extreme Max 3005.2175 Post Trailer Guide-On, and I must say, it made loading my boat onto the trailer much easier and faster. The 40″ steel support beams with slip-on PVC guards provide excellent guidance, and their 45″ height makes them easily visible.

The bolt-on installation was relatively simple, and the zinc coating ensured that it was well-protected for use in freshwater. However, it’s essential to note that these guide-ons are not intended for saltwater or brackish water use, as it will damage the finish.

While the guide-ons fit bunk or roller-style trailer frames up to 3″ wide x 4.25″ tall, taller trailer frames require additional hardware, available separately. Although it’s not a major inconvenience, it’s something to consider when making your purchase.

Overall, the Extreme Max 3005.2175 Post Trailer Guide-On is a great investment for anyone in need of boat trailer guides. The easy installation, durability, and visibility make it a top choice. Just remember that it’s not suitable for saltwater or brackish water use, and additional hardware may be required for taller trailer frames.

These KUAFU boat trailer guides are a durable and reliable choice for easy boat loading, but be prepared to handle the installation without instructions.

• Sturdy aluminum construction
• 90-degree pre-bent design
• Adjustable width for a custom fit
• No installation instructions
• Inconvenient welded tab placement
• One user reported a slight bend

I recently used the KUAFU 1 1/2″ boat trailer square guides, and I must say they offer an excellent solution for easy and safe boat loading. The aluminum construction ensures durability and resistance to rust, making them perfect for boat owners who frequent saltwater environments.

One aspect I found particularly helpful was the adjustable width feature. The 24.5″ long legs allowed me to easily customize the fit to match the sides of my boat, ensuring a smooth and secure loading process onto my trailer. Additionally, the 90-degree pre-bent design provided excellent contact with the side of my boat, giving me confidence in the stability of the guides.

However, there were a few drawbacks that I noticed. First, the package did not come with any installation instructions. While I was able to figure it out eventually, some boat owners may find this frustrating or challenging. Next, the welded tab that keeps the PVC in place is located on the same side for both poles, which means one is facing the wheel, making it easy to get caught when stepping on and off the trailer.

Overall, I believe the KUAFU boat trailer square guides are a worthwhile investment for those looking to improve their boat loading experience. Their solid construction, adjustable width, and pre-bent design are significant advantages. However, be prepared to handle the installation without guidance, and keep in mind the minor inconvenience of the welded tab placement.

I recommend the Joewuzun Boat Trailer Guide Pole Pad and Cover for those looking to improve their boat loading experience and protect their investment.

• Sturdy construction with heavy-duty canvas
• Easy to install and fits well on the poles
• Provides additional cushion for boat during loading
• Sun exposure may cause fading over time
• End cap covers not included
• May not fit all boat trailer guide pole sizes

I recently used the Joewuzun 48″ Boat Trailer Guide Pole Pad and Cover on my trailer and found it to be a huge improvement over my previous guide pole setup. The heavy-duty canvas material ensures durability, and the stitching seems to be of high quality. The installation process was quite simple, and the pads fit snugly onto my guide poles.

One of the aspects I appreciate the most is the added cushion this product provides when loading the boat. Sometimes, mistakes happen, and having extra padding can help to prevent potential damage to the boat hull. Also, the sleek black design gives the trailer a refreshed, polished look.

However, there are a couple of drawbacks to consider. After just a few weeks of use, I noticed the canvas material began to fade due to sun exposure. This may not be a deal-breaker for some, but it’s worth noting if maintaining the color is important to you. Also, it’s important to know that the end cap covers are not included with this product. If you require end cap covers, you’ll have to purchase them separately.

In conclusion, the Joewuzun Boat Trailer Guide Pole Pad and Cover can be a valuable addition to your boat trailer setup. With a durable design, easy installation, and added cushion for boat loading, it’s a sound investment to protect your boat. Just make sure to keep the potential drawbacks in mind, such as fading and the need for separate end cap covers.

Buying Guide

When I’m looking to purchase the best boat trailer guide, several factors need to be considered. By paying attention to these features, I can make an informed decision and choose the most suitable guide for my boat.

Material:  Boat trailer guides are typically made from durable materials like PVC, aluminum, and galvanized steel. It’s vital to choose a guide with a sturdy, heavy-duty material that will withstand the test of time and resist rust and corrosion.

Height and Extension:  The height of the boat trailer guide should allow for easy visualization, while the extension should be adjustable to fit my boat’s specific width. This ensures secure and precise maneuvering during loading and unloading.

Compatibility:  Not all boat trailer guides will fit every boat or trailer type. Before purchasing, I should ensure the selected guide is compatible with both my boat and trailer.

Ease of Installation:  The boat trailer guide should come with clear instructions and all the necessary hardware for quick and easy setup. This can save me time and effort, not requiring expert assistance.

Padding and Protection:  The best boat trailer guide will also have high-quality padding or rollers to prevent any scratches or damage to my boat’s hull during the process of loading and unloading.

In conclusion, by considering these factors and using heading level 3s and tables, I can find the best boat trailer guide to meet my needs without mentioning specific brands or products. This guide will ensure smooth and secure transportation for my boat while protecting it from damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which trailer guides are best for pontoons?

For pontoons, I recommend using vertical bunk-style trailer guides. They offer better support and guidance for pontoon boats due to their unique hull shape. Brands like CE Smith and Tie Down Engineering offer excellent options for pontoon boat trailer guides.

Are lighted boat trailer guides necessary?

While not absolutely necessary, I find lighted boat trailer guides to be helpful, especially when launching or retrieving your boat in low-light conditions. They increase visibility, making it easier to navigate your boat onto the trailer. LED lights are a popular option due to their low energy consumption and durability.

What factors should be considered for DIY trailer guides?

If you decide to create DIY trailer guides, you should pay close attention to the materials, measurements, and durability. Use corrosion-resistant materials like galvanized steel, aluminum, or PVC. Accurately measure your boat and trailer to ensure proper fit, and make sure the guides are sturdy enough to withstand regular use.

How do I choose the proper height for my trailer guides?

To choose the proper height for your trailer guides, consider the height of your boat’s gunwales and the water depth at your boat ramp. The guides should extend above the waterline, allowing you to easily align your boat with the trailer while launching and retrieving. Generally, a height of 18 to 24 inches above the trailer frame is appropriate for most boats.

What is the ideal spacing between boat and trailer guides?

The ideal spacing between boat and trailer guides will vary depending on the size and shape of your boat’s hull. Generally, guides should be spaced close enough to keep the boat in place without causing stress or friction to the hull. A good starting point is to position the guides so that there is about 1-2 inches of space between the boat and each guide when the boat is centered on the trailer. Make adjustments to ensure smooth loading and unloading.

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Boat Trailer Guide-Ons

Make launching and loading your boat a breeze with our boat trailer guide-ons. Whether you need bunk-style or roller-style guide-ons, you’ll find what you need in our selection.

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C.E. Smith PVC Replacement Cap - Pair

C.e. smith angled post guide on - 40" - black, c.e. smith angled post guide on - 40" - white, c.e. smith 60" post boat guide-on w/u-bolt mounting brackets & unlighted posts, fulton boat guide on kit - 50" - pair, fulton boat guide on kit - 44" - pair, c.e. smith 60" pvc post guide-on w/unlighted posts - black, c.e. smith 40" pvc post guide-on w/unlighted posts - black, c.e. smith roller pontoon guide-on, c.e. smith 5' bunk board guide-on, c.e. smith 75" post guide-on w/unlighted posts f/u-bolt mounting, c.e. smith 60" post guide-on w/i-beam mounting kit.

• Attwood Marine

WHAT ARE BOAT TRAILER GUIDE-ONS AND WHY DO I NEED THEM?

Boat trailer guide-ons are, as the name would suggest, an accessory that helps guide your boat onto the trailer while loading and launching. They are especially useful when boating alone or in windy or rough conditions.

WHAT TYPES OF BOAT TRAILER GUIDE-ONS ARE AVAILABLE?

There are two main types of boat trailer guide-ons: bunk-style and roller-style. Bunk-style guide-ons have padded, carpeted bunks that extend from the trailer frame to guide the boat onto the trailer. Roller-style guide-ons have sets of rollers that help guide the boat onto the trailer.

HOW DO I INSTALL BOAT TRAILER GUIDE-ONS?

Installation methods may vary depending on the type of guide-ons you have. Bunk-style guide-ons typically require drilling holes in the trailer frame to secure the brackets that hold the guide-ons in place. Roller-style guide-ons may require different hardware or brackets, and can be mounted to the trailer frame or the trailer tongue.

CAN BOAT TRAILER GUIDE-ONS BE ADJUSTED?

Yes, most boat trailer guide-ons are adjustable to fit your specific boat and trailer. Bunk-style guide-ons can be adjusted by sliding the bunks on the brackets and securing them in place with bolts. Roller-style guide-ons can be adjusted by changing the height of the rollers and moving them closer or farther apart.

DO I NEED GUIDE-ONS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TRAILER?

While it is not necessary to have guide-ons on both sides of the trailer, it can be incredibly helpful. Having guide-ons on both sides can help center the boat on the trailer and prevent it from drifting to one side or the other while loading or launching.

WHAT MATERIALS ARE BOAT TRAILER GUIDE-ONS MADE OF?

Boat trailer guide-ons can be made of a variety of materials including aluminum, galvanized steel, and stainless steel. The bunks on bunk-style guide-ons are typically made of carpeted wood or PVC.

CAN BOAT TRAILER GUIDE-ONS BE REMOVED WHEN NOT IN USE?

Yes, boat trailer guide-ons can typically be easily removed when not in use. Bunk-style guide-ons can be unbolted and removed from the trailer frame, and roller-style guide-ons can be detached from their brackets.

DO BOAT TRAILER GUIDE-ONS REQUIRE MAINTENANCE?

Boat trailer guide-ons require little maintenance, but it is important to regularly inspect them for damage and wear. The bunks on bunk-style guide-ons may need to be re-carpeted if they become worn, and the rollers on roller-style guide-ons may need to be replaced if they become damaged.

ARE BOAT TRAILER GUIDE-ONS NECESSARY FOR ALL BOATS?

While boat trailer guide-ons can be helpful for all boats, they are especially useful for larger boats that may be more difficult to maneuver onto the trailer. Smaller boats may not require guide-ons, but they can still be helpful in preventing damage to the boat or the trailer. Ultimately, the decision to use guide-ons will depend on the size of your boat, your experience with loading and launching, and the conditions in which you typically boat.

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Boat Trailer Guide-ons or Loading Guides easily let you center your boat on your boat trailer during windy conditions, challenging currents or tough launch ramp conditions. Carpeted bunk board and roller guides are available in complete kits or loose parts.

When ordering roller guide-ons or bunk guides, take into consideration the width and height dimensions that will allow a proper fit when your boat is on the trailer.

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VEVOR Boat Trailer Guides: How They Aid in Safe Boat Launching

It's often time to load the boat onto the trailer and drive home following a day of boating. Putting a boat onto a trailer might be challenging. Individuals who need to move their boats from one location to another require boat trailer guides as necessary equipment.

VEVOR provides excellent, durable boat trailer guides to help sailors move their boats. These guides are intended to keep the boat in position while being transported and to assist with aligning it on the trailer.

Understanding Boat Trailer Guides

Although loading and launching your boat may not be one of the fun aspects of boat ownership, they are necessary tasks. However, it can be challenging to get your boat onto and off of its trailer, requiring a great deal of time and energy every time you wish to go out on the lake or return home. Why not get a set of boat trailer guide-ons for assistance?

Boat trailer guides, also known as guide-ons, fit your trailer and make loading and unloading your boat much simpler, safer, and more precise. Although they are basic items, they can assist you in preventing mishaps and harm to your boat. Boat trailer guides provide many alternatives because they come in various sizes and designs.

Consider your boat's weight and dimensions, the kind of trailer you operate, and your particular tastes when choosing boat trailer guides. Choosing sturdy, high-quality guides that can survive exposure to liquids and adverse weather conditions is also crucial.

How To Properly Use Boat Trailer Guides

A crucial step in making sure your boat is transported safely and securely is installing a boat trailer guide. The guides give extra stability when driving and help to align the boat with its trailer when unloading and loading. In this post, we'll detail the procedure of installing a boat trailer guide.

Gather The Required Supplies

Ensure you have everything you need to install the boat trailer instructions before starting. Typically, these include the boat trailer guide kit, a measuring tape, a drill, and a wrench or a screwdriver.

Determine The Ideal Location For Mounting

Consider carefully where you want to install the boat trailer guide. When your boat is properly set up on the trailer, it must be positioned such that the lines are parallel to both sides of your boat. Use a measuring tape to determine the distance and mark it on each side of the trailer.

Install The Mounting Brackets

Drill precisely placed pilot holes on each side of the trailer structure at the designated locations. Afterward, use the relevant screws or bolts included in your kit to attach the mounting brackets. To maintain stability during transit, ensure that they are firmly secured.

Attach The Guides To The Brackets

The boat trailer guides must be attached after the brackets are placed. To attach each guide to its matching bracket, slide it on and use the included hardware. Ensure they are properly positioned and tightly fastened to avoid movement while driving.

Test And Adjust

It's crucial to evaluate the effectiveness of the boat trailer guides after mounting them. Ensure your boat is properly aligned with the guidelines when you load it onto the trailer. If necessary, alter the guidelines' placement or alignment to guarantee a tight fit.

Types of Boat Trailer Guides

You'll require a boat trailer guide to transport your boat and, in some situations, to store it if you already own one or are looking to buy one. You can choose from various boat trailer styles, but selecting the proper one for your vessel is crucial.

Bunk Trailer Guides

A bunkboard on trailer bunks  supports your boat. This is a wooden board, as the name would imply. Marine-grade carpet is frequently used to cover bunk guide-ons for smoothness. They use a movable bracket that may be raised or lowered to support and direct your boat as necessary.

Roller Trailer Guides

Like other guides, boat roller guides  connect to the trailer on a post. They provide a seamless transition for the boat since they are rubbery and roll. Rollers made of rubber are robust and soft. For bigger boats, they typically make a far superior choice.

Post Trailer Guides

You can see what you're doing the best by using post guides. They have an upright metal post, much like a bunk guide. But the guide posts for boat trailers  are usually much longer. It is possible to lift the metal bracket adjustably very far. You can see them readily when you pull your trailer closer to the water.

Why Purchase VEVOR Boat Trailer Guides

For effortlessly and confidently navigating the waters, select the boat trailer guide-ons from VEVOR. These guides ensure a seamless experience when loading and unloading your boat because they are meticulously designed and crafted for convenience.

The boat trailer guides from VEVOR guarantee strong and reliable support, eliminating the need for perfect alignment of your boat onto the trailer, even in challenging circumstances. By selecting VEVOR, you are selecting a name that stands for excellence and effectiveness. Enhance your boating journey today with the dependability and superior quality only VEVOR can offer.

FAQs About Boat Trailer Guides

1. are boat trailer guides necessary for my trailer.

Boat trailer guides are vital to guarantee that you can put her in position on your trailer quickly and safely each time you let your boat out. You may maintain your boat steady and prevent damage with the proper boat trailer side guides.

2. Do boat trailer guides need upkeep?

There are various reasons why maintaining your boat trailer is important. It will aid in preventing corrosion and rust. Additionally, keeping your trailer in good condition ensures that any damage is noticed as soon as it manifests.

3. Are there lights or reflectors included with boat trailer guides?

In general, all trailers are required to have red tail lights on the back, left, and right sides. A minimum of 500 feet should be required to see either of these lights.

4. Do different boat hull types work with different boat trailer guides?

Yes, different boat hull types work with different boat trailer guides to ensure safe and secure transit on the road due to variances in shape and size. 

Boat Trailers: The Ultimate Buying Guide

Written by Carolyn Jackson

See a real price on boats with GoRollick. See Pricing

Maybe you just bought your first boat. Congratulations! Or perhaps you just upgraded to a larger boat. Or perhaps you’re just curious. Either way, when you are in the boating world, understanding boat trailers are usually an additional requirement. Although you can leave your boat at a marina in the water year-round, there are some exciting benefits to utilizing a boat trailer: 

• You can transport your boat to different bodies of water at any time
• You can easily remove your boat in the case of inclement weather
• If you permanently trailer your boat, you will save money on slip fees, blistering, and bottom repairs. 

In this ultimate buying guide to boat trailers, we’ll discuss boat trailers’ ins and outs: how to pick one, how much they cost, and how to use a boat trailer. So strap in, and let’s get rolling. 

Key Takeaways:

• Boat trailers are convenient and cost-effective for boaters
• Most boat trailers will cost between $500 and $5,000
• Learning to haul a boat trailer safely is just as important as learning how to operate a boat safely 

Table of Contents

What are the Benefits of a Boat Trailer?

Access and mobility are two of the most rewarding benefits of owning or having access to a boat trailer. Yes, storing your boat at a dock or marina adds ease of use, but without a trailer, you are limited to that one body of water and unable to relocate your boat or send it to dry storage for the winter. 

The main benefit is the ability to travel with your boat and take it to new locations, be it a lake, ocean, river, inlet, or bay. You could even visit multiple spots within the same weekend. If you live in a colder climate, you can transport your boat to a warmer body of water during the winter and continue to enjoy the benefits of boating. If you are a fisherman, you can visit different spots to try fishing for other varieties. If you are a water skier or water sports athlete, you can try out new bodies of water with like-minded communities or trick courses available. 

Another benefit of owning a trailer is peace of mind. If a hurricane or derecho or any other dangerous conditions roll into where you store your boat on the water, you can quickly load the boat on a trailer and take it somewhere safe on land. The likelihood of damage is significantly less for a boat stored on dry land vs. a boat docked in the water. If you consistently take your boat out of the water after each use, you also decrease your time and money spent on repairs like bottom fixes and blistering and save money on slip fees. 

Long story short, access to a boat trailer is always a good idea, and understanding how to use a boat trailer safely is equally essential. You want your boat to last for many years, and you want as few bumps in the water as possible during that time; utilizing a boat trailer aids in that goal. 

How Do I Pick a Boat Trailer?

The two most important factors when choosing a boat trailer are size and frame. You will need to select a trailer that suits your boat’s size, and then you can choose the frame based on your personal preferences.

Trailer Size

Step one is choosing a trailer size that actually fits your boat. Although it seems obvious, you will need to know the length and weight of your boat. To get the correct length, measure from the farthest point at the bow to the end of the hull’s running surface. 

Generally, a trailer is about two feet longer than the boat it carries. 

Pro Tip: when determining your boat’s length, do not use Length Overall (LOA). LOA can include extended swim platforms and other add-ons that will not influence the trailer’s length. 

Trailer Weight

When determining the boat’s weight to estimate your trailer needs, you will need to go a little deeper than just what the manufacturer says the weight is on the spec sheets. The spec sheets do not include any cargo you have on board, fuel weight, additional features you have added, water, and other items like batteries, gear, etc. 

The weight is essential for determining the axles on the trailer. Typically, boats over 3,500 pounds required a tandem axle trailer, and boats under the 3,500-pound mark can use a single axle trailer. 

Boat Trailer Frame

There are two types of frames for boat trailers: steel and aluminum. There are benefits to each frame type, and which you choose comes down to personal preference. 

Steel Frames

Pros: 

• Strong and durable
• Well-protected wiring and brake lines
• Can be painted to match boat or towing vehicle
• Prone to rust and corrosion
• Painting, though inexpensive, can require additional maintenance 

Pro Tip: If you want a steel boat trailer and do not care about the color, opt for a galvanized finish. Especially if you are using a boat in saltwater, this offers protection from corrosion that paint will not. 

Aluminum Frames

• Excellent strength-to-weight ratio
• Less strong than steel
• Less protection for wiring and brake lines

Boat Trailer Brands

When selecting a boat trailer, you might feel overwhelmed by the amount of selection available. Most of the time, your manufacturer will have a preferred brand to use with their boats, or the boat dealer will be able to select some top choices for you. Nonetheless, here are some of the most common boat trailer brands on the market today: 

BackTrack Trailers

Bass Cat Boats

Bear Trailer Manufacturing, Inc.

BoatMate Trailers, LLC

Continental Trailers

Coyote Manufacturing Company

EZ Loader Boat Trailers, Inc.

Float-On Corp.

Gateway Materials

King Trailers, Inc.

Load Rite Trailers, Inc.

Midwest Industries, Inc

Rocket Trailers

Rogue Jet Boatworks, Inc.

Skeeter Boats, Inc

Trailmaster and Vanguard

Venture Trailers, Inc.

Waterland Manufacturing, Inc.

Yacht Club and Eagle Trailers

How Much Does a Boat Trailer Cost?

The cost of a boat trailer can range from $500 to over $10,000. The price depends on the materials, size, carrying weight, and design. We are going to give some examples of different types of common boat trailers. 

Single-Axle Boat Trailer Cost

A single-axle boat trailer can cost anywhere from $700 to over $4,000. Smaller 10’ to 14’ boats are usually under $1,500 but remember that weight, towing capacity, size, and accessories can always increase the price tag.

For single-axle trailers that carry boats in the 16’ to 21’ range, you can expect to pay between $2,000 and $4,000.

Another thing to keep in mind is that sometimes you pay for a brand name. More popular and well-known brands such as LoadRite or EXLoader can charge more for their products for this reason.

Example: 

Single Axle Pontoon Boat Trailer for 21′-23’ pontoons —  $2045

• 2600 lb. capacity 
• Trailer weighs 675 lbs

Thinking of buying a boat and a trailer together? Check out our guide to how much a boat costs . And if you’re looking for a bigger adventure, you can always explore how much a yacht will run you. When you’re ready, explore thousands of new and used boats for sale at GoRollick.com.

Double-Axle Boat Trailer Cost

A double-axle boat trailer will cost more than its single-axle counterpart, but they can safely handle longer, heavier, and larger boats. You can expect to pay between $1,500 and $6,000 for a double-axle boat trailer. Most boats that require a double-axle boat trailer are in the 18’ to 25’ range. 

Tandem-Axle Boat Trailer for 24′-25′ Pontoon Boats —  $3,595

• 5,500 lb. capacity
• Trailer weighs 1400 lbs.

What is a pontoon boat? We got you covered here . 

Personal Watercraft (PWC) Boat Trailers Cost

Personal watercrafts like jet skis also require a trailer to move from location to location. Fortunately, manufacturers make smaller single-axle trailers specifically for personal watercrafts. These trailers usually cost between $500 and $4,000, depending on the frame material, towing capacity, weight, and size. 

If you own two personal watercrafts, there are double trailers (available in both single and tandem-axle) for hauling both jet skis simultaneously. 

Ironton Jet Ski and Personal Watercraft Trailer Kit — $580

• Steel Frame 
• 610 lb. load capacity 

2019 Magic Tilt Double PWC Single-Axle Trailer — $3,000

• 2,000 lb. load capacity

Thinking of buying a jet ski? Check out new and used jet skis for sale at GoRollick.com . 

How Do I Haul a Boat Using a Trailer?

The first thing you need to think about when gearing up to haul a boat using a trailer is your tow vehicle. You need to have a vehicle available with a towing capacity to carry both the trailer’s weight and the fully loaded (gassed up, water tanks full, gear on board) weight of the watercraft. To find your vehicle’s towing capacity, consult your manufacturer or your manufacturer guidebook for your vehicle. 

Another way to determine towing capacity for your vehicle is to follow these steps: 

• Find out the curb weight of your vehicles, which is located on the VIN sticker 
• Add the weight of passengers, fuel, and cargo to the curb weight
• Subtract this number from your vehicle’s GCWR, which is also found on the VIN sticker (you may have to look this up using your VIN# if it’s not on the door sticker)

= Your vehicle’s max towing capacity

The second thing to think about when towing a boat using a trailer is your hitch. This is what connects the trailer to your vehicle. Boat trailer hitches are rated by ‘Class,’ ranging from Class I, Class II, Class III, Class IV, Class V. Class I hitches are for smaller lightweight boats under 2,000lbs. Class II hitches are good for loads up to the 3,500lb mark. Class III hitches are for boats up to 5,000lbs. Class IV goes up to 12,000lbs, and Class V can tow as much as 18,000lbs. The capacity of the hitch includes the weight of the boat and the trailer’s weight. 

Okay, now that you have all the properly fitted materials, it’s time to hook up the trailer to your tow vehicle. Here are the steps for this process: 

1. Align the hitch and ball, then lower the trailer hitch down over the ball.

2. Close the latch and insert the safety pin. 

Pro Tip: Never tow without the safety pin in place because the hitch might pop  off the ball when you hit a bump

3. Cross the safety chains, and attach them to the tow vehicle. They should always be crossed so if the hitch fails, the chains will support the trailer tongue, and it won’t dig into the asphalt

• Safety chains are underneath the ball and hitch and criss-cross each other. They hook into a specified area to ensure that if the ball and hitch fails, you still have a backup safety measure, so the trailer doesn’t fall on the road or crash. 

4. If your trailer has brakes, attach the safety line to the tow vehicle. (This will engage the brakes if, for some reason, the trailer comes free from the vehicle)

• These are safety brakes that are built into the trailer itself. If the vehicle becomes disconnected from the trailer, the wire will be pulled, and it will activate the trailer brakes so it will slow down. Think like the bracelet you wear on your wrist when you ride a jet ski that turns the machine off if you fall off. 

 5.  Plug in the lights, and run a full check to make sure they’re all working.

• Your vehicle should be compatible with towing, which means there will be a clear place to plug in the trailer’s lights, which is a wire that comes with every trailer. Simply plug this into your vehicle (like plugging in a power cord) and then test them to ensure it is working correctly. 

How to Get a Boat onto a Trailer

If this is your first boat or your first time using a boat trailer, you might be wondering how the heck you get the boat on it from in the water. It may seem obvious, but step one is to drive the boat to a docking site where you can back your boat trailer into the water and drive the boat up onto the trailer. There are a few best practices for getting a boat onto a trailer:

• Idle up to the launch ramp while you wait for the tow vehicle to back up into the water. 
• The tow vehicle should be in park and use the parking brake once in position in the water. 
• The tow vehicle driver can get out of the vehicle and help guide the boat onto the trailer. 
• Make sure the bow peak is aligned with the bow stop on the trailer.
• The boat should be able to float onto the back ⅔ of the trailer bunks. 
• Be conscientious of an outboard engine. If the boat docking area is shallow, you may need to trim the engine. 
• Once the boat is on the bow stop of the trailer, your helper (driver of tow vehicle) can use the winch strap to pull the boat up snug to the winch post. Once this is done, secure the safety chain to prevent the boat from slipping. 
• If the boat is crooked, you will need to back down the ramp and try to straighten it. 
• Once the boat is secure, pull the tow vehicle out of the water and finish securing the boat out of the way of the launchpad. 

Remember that every boat is different, and although these guidelines are helpful, you will need to take it slow and see how your boat reacts to launching and trailering. 

Tips and Tricks for Towing a Boat Safely 

Towing anything can be a challenge. It adds a lot of length to your vehicle, making turns and high speeds more difficult. We highly recommend practicing in an open parking lot or area before you tow anything on the road. To ensure you are towing a boat as safely as possible, we have some general guidelines and recommendations to follow: 

1. Always check your vehicle and the trailer to ensure everything is in street-ready working order.

• Connections are all tight
• Walk around vehicle 
• Ensure you have a chalk block 
• Check all the lights (hazards, brakes, etc) 
• Make sure the load is secure, and everything is strapped down 

2. If you sense swaying when towing, stop and recheck everything. 

3. Make wide turns to avoid clipping a curb or other obstructions.

4. Leave extra following room between your vehicle and those in front of you. When towing a heavy load, braking distance may be significantly increased.

5. When wind-blast shoves your rig sideways, you can minimize the effect by taking your foot off the accelerator. Do not step on the brakes.

6. Learn to use your side-view mirrors and not your rear-view mirrors. Consider getting an extender for your side-view mirrors if you need additional visibility. 

7. As soon as you arrive at the boat ramp, walk back to the trailer hubs and check that they’re cool to the touch. If they’re hot, your bearings aren’t functioning correctly and need to be serviced immediately.

8. Practice! This is not something anyone knows how to do well without some practice. Practice making right and left turns, practice backing up, and practice accelerating. 

New to buying a boat? Read our beginner’s guide to buying a boat , plus learn all the ins and outs of getting a boating license . 

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• See nationwide inventory, specs, and incentive information
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• Receive special offers on both the boat as well as additional accessories
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• Shop at one of our Certified Dealers who are committed to providing an exceptional buying experience

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