Trailer guideposts, how close and how far back?

[Recoil Rob]

Installing a set on the trailer of my 180.

1. How many inches clearance on the maximum beam?
2. How far back should they be mounted in relation to the boat?

 

[TommyGirl225]

1” outside rub rail on each side. Install as far back as you can.

 

[Parthery]

Mine have about an index finger width off the rubrail at the stern. Most GWs are slightly wider amidships and you will need to get by the wider spot.

They are tight, but not so tight that they won't give. If I come in hot and bump one of them, I'd rather it bend forward (it still does the job) and then I can pull it back straight once I'm off the ramp. Otherwise they get bent and stick out and I don't like that.......

 

[glacierbaze]

I get the boat centered on the trailer, and snug them up to the rub rail. They have some flex to them, if there is a wide spot forward, but they should settle the boat straight down when you slowly pull up the ramp. If you leave an inch or two gap, you may be one of those guys going down the highway, with some vibration in your trailer, and the guide post slapping the rub rail constantly.
Mine are square tubing, and square brackets, so they don't bend forward, under ordinary circumstances, not to say it couldn't happen

 

[Recoil Rob]

According to GW's drawings the 2004 180 is 7'5" amidships and 7'3" at the transom.

It seems I should snug it up to the rub rail at the transom and hope they'll flex enough, 1-1/5" either side, to let it pass. I was planning to use the 2" PVC pipe rollers on them too.

BTW, Seanah, what model is your boat? Did it come with the bracket and full transom or did you do that? Looks great. I thought if my transom ever rotted out I'd love that kind of setup but then I was told by a dealer a 180 might not sit well with that much weight that far aft.


thanks,

Rob

 

[Shannon C.]

Snug them up!!

 

[Ky Grady]

Mine are about a half inch off and as far back as they will go.

 

[Recoil Rob]

Are yours 1/2" off at the widest point or at the transom?

 

[Ky Grady]

Transom. My boat doesn't flare out midship like some do. Stays fairly consistent width. This is the best shot I have.

 

[ROBERTH]

Mine are just a finger width away from the rub rail. I have the wider midships which will spread them apart a bit as I come in. I did a simple hack to fix the PVC so they would roll instead of carve blue stripes or gouges. Just cut the PVC pipe about a foot or so above the bottom where it wedges on the pipe. It will then allow the top part to roll easily. I also put foam koozies on the top of the PVC so it would stop leaving marks on the bow since the boat is higher than the poles as it comes on to the trailer for the ramp I am currently using.