DIY trailer uprights? 2024
LadiMopar reply :
Just bought a 14' jon boat trailer to haul my kayak on, (cheaper than one of those specialized kayak/canoe type) and all I can see over the truck bed when backing up is the very top of the seat on the yak.
So, rather than pay close to $100 for a set of 36" uprights thought I would ask what all you DIY folks have done to make seeing those corners a little easier.
Many thanks in advance!
Scott F reply :
I just replaced the trailer guide ons on my boat but I used the store bought kind. There are dozens of DIY videos of people who made their own. Look them up on YouTube.
jbmaine reply :
If you just need something as a visibility marker, I wonder if reflective stakes ( like for marking your driveway in the winter) might work.
Rahlow reply :
Buddy of mine used threaded rod, 3/8” I think, with tennis balls on the tips, another buddy got some driveway reflectors from Lowe’s or Home Depot,, they were only about 24-30” tall
Further North reply :
I can't believe that...unless you like spending your time on stuff like this...that you can do much of anything for under $100 if you add in your time...
Log Catcher reply :
When I am backing my trailer down the ramp I get out and drop the tailgate down. I have a 17' bass boat and I can't tell how far I am backing the trailer in without doing this.
LadiMopar reply :
On 6/7/2018 at 7:31 AM, Log Catcher said:When I am backing my trailer down the ramp I get out and drop the tailgate down. I have a 17' bass boat and I can't tell how far I am backing the trailer in without doing this.
Perfectly logical solution, which someone else also suggested to me, but with one small hitch (no pun intended) I have a pretty hefty bed cover on the truck so I'd have to climb up on the tailgate and roll about 60lbs of aluminium up to the cab and secure it. Then do it all again in reverse before I could head out on the water. All the gear lives under the cover.
Was sort of hoping to avoid that extra maneuver.
Truck also has a backup camera, but it's pretty much pointless for this operation...aside from the fact that I never use it anyway. Kind of an old fashioned girl...
On 6/7/2018 at 5:55 AM, Rahlow said:Buddy of mine used threaded rod, 3/8” I think, with tennis balls on the tips, another buddy got some driveway reflectors from Lowe’s or Home Depot,, they were only about 24-30” tall
This has potential, any idea how the threaded rod was attached? Clamps, welded, gorilla tape? Okay, kidding about the gorilla tape. But seriously would be interested to know their method of attaching.
jbmaine reply :
Do you store the fishing rods on your yak vertically? If so there's your sight guide.
slonezp reply :
What about using your mirrors and paying attention to the trailer fenders?
Scott F reply :
On 6/7/2018 at 10:49 AM, slonezp said:What about using your mirrors and paying attention to the trailer fenders?
I had a small, narrow, boat and the fenders on the trailers were not visible in my mirrors unless I was turning.
LadiMopar reply :
On 6/7/2018 at 11:04 AM, Scott F said:I had a small, narrow, boat and the fenders on the trailers were not visible in my mirrors unless I was turning
Yup, that is exactly the issue...trailer is so narrow can't hardly see it behind me even on a turn. Not even sure at this point if slapping a pair of those clamp on towing mirrors would do the job.
I really want to thank all of you for the input. Its great to be able to reach out and get some honest and useful answers.
I'm really intrigued by @Rahlow suggestion of threaded rod. It's something I can get readily (for free), and have still got a few former colleagues from my wrench turning days who could help me out with attaching it.
I'm still open to any other suggestions any one might have, but think I have a pretty good idea of how to build exactly what I need.
Tight lines everyone! ????????????????????
Log Catcher reply :
I did not know you had a bed cover on your truck. I also thought about a back up camera which you said yours does not help. The only other thing I might suggest would be the reflective markers which Rahlow suggested. I would try to get something that can be clamped on instead of drilling holes in the trailer. That way you could set them up and adjust them however you want them.
Lures'n'Liberty reply :
Do you have a stern light for your 'yak? Do you have something lying around that might fit in the rod holders (broomstick, old fishing pole with a little flag on it, etc.)? Maybe you have an old magnetic CB antenna or two that you can pop on the fenders with a little flag on top (or can find one for $5 at the flea market)? Just a couple things that popped into my head while looking at junk lying around the shop, take it for what it's worth.
There should be quite a few videos on YouTube that will show you how to make some pretty decent guides from PVC that don't cost much or really take a lot of effort to make.
If you have a fishing kayak and you do go out and buy a 10' length of 2 inch PVC for this project, I also STRONGLY recommend finding some of the videos on kayak fishing crates before you head to Lowe's. Assuming you don't have one because you'd probably see it in the mirror. The 3 things that you will need for this project will be - the leftover PVC from your new guides, a milk crate (2 is better), and a pack of zip ties. This extremely simple & Pinterest worthy DIY crate is awesome.
SloppyJ reply :
I have a larger f150 and an older tracker boat. I can't drop my tailgate due to the location of the jack and roller on my trailer and admittedly I strongly prefer to look over my shoulder when I back in. I was essentially in the same position you are.
I went to the hardware store and picked up a stick of 3/4" PVC and some flanged PVC straps. I cut the PVC and screwed those to the steps on my trailer with the straps and they stick up about 3'. I'm not going to win any beauty contests and people probably think I'm a huge redneck but it works and it's cheap. They've held up for 2 years now and I'm to the point where I need to get some new hardware and replace them. Hope that helps.
LadiMopar reply :
Okay, so figured a few pics might help with all these DIY creative juices flowing here...
If you look close at the profile of the truck you'll see the bed cover rolled up, and then the close up behind the cab...this is why the tailgate down idea doesn't fly very well for me. It obscures the view either way, but sure keeps the gear safe!
Then there is the itty bitty Lure 10 yak sitting on the trailer. Usually have the crate behind the seat, but the seat is taller than the crate, so although all those ideas about using old fishing rods etc. are great ones I really think marking out the corners will be the best and safest way to go. They don't call the drivers here "Mass-holes" for nothing! If I could put a flashing neon sign on the back of the trailer inevitably there'd be at least one person texting or something that wouldn't see me. But I digress.... and finally the trailer on the truck so you can see how its constructed at the back for attaching hardware.
Still sort of leaning towards the threaded rod concept, but PVC has a lot of potential too...I don't care about winning any beauty contests, just need function and safety.
Lures'n'Liberty reply :
My buddy lived in Boston, you're absolutely right! Mass Holes can be a real concern. Do you have access to any fiberglass flat bar? https://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?sku=46304&gclid=CjwKCAjwr-PYBRB8EiwALtjbz3u0iNAwQzJ0ujbigtyKxhlwWTHpvQyygm3RYYtgqzyCV_rRqawHdRoCGgwQAvD_BwE - google found me that. I'd bet that you could drill it out in such a way that it could share at least one bolt with a taillight and stick straight up. Reflective tape for bonus points.
My old man had a firewood business when I was a kid and my first car was his dump truck, which often had a log splitter attached. For anyone who doesn't know, a log splitter is pretty much a 6 foot long I beam with wheels, definitely hard to see, impossible when the view out the back window is the front of the dump bed. He put a fiberglass whip antenna on the engine guard in such a way that you could just see the tip of it out of the drivers' mirror. Words alone cannot describe how much such a small reference point helped to back that thing up.
Lures'n'Liberty reply :
PVC has the advantage over threaded rod because it won't scratch your boat. Threaded rod has the advantage of being stronger and I'd imagine it to be easier to work with depending on the skill set and tools.
LadiMopar reply :
On 6/8/2018 at 5:48 AM, Lures'n'Liberty said:My buddy lived in Boston, you're absolutely right! Mass Holes can be a real concern. Do you have access to any fiberglass flat bar? https://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?sku=46304&gclid=CjwKCAjwr-PYBRB8EiwALtjbz3u0iNAwQzJ0ujbigtyKxhlwWTHpvQyygm3RYYtgqzyCV_rRqawHdRoCGgwQAvD_BwE - google found me that. I'd bet that you could drill it out in such a way that it could share at least one bolt with a taillight and stick straight up. Reflective tape for bonus points.
My old man had a firewood business when I was a kid and my first car was his dump truck, which often had a log splitter attached. For anyone who doesn't know, a log splitter is pretty much a 6 foot long I beam with wheels, definitely hard to see, impossible when the view out the back window is the front of the dump bed. He put a fiberglass whip antenna on the engine guard in such a way that you could just see the tip of it out of the drivers' mirror. Words alone cannot describe how much such a small reference point helped to back that thing up.
That fiberglass bar is some really cool looking material...will have to check and see if I can lay my hands on any locally. Grew up here in MA in the city that claims to be "plastics capital of the world" [and as a teen I worked for plenty of plastics factories] so figure there must be a company here that makes this type of product. Maybe there is some scrap to buy cheap.
Hubby works for a company that builds shrink wrap machines, so may be able to get something similar through them as well.
Love the fact that your first "car" was a dump truck. Driven a few of those in my day too, minus the log splitter, but I can well imagine what that was like. Never thought it would be so dang hard to back up an itty bitty trailer; miss the days of rolling on 18 wheels! Who'd a thunk it would be easier to back up a 50 ft. trailer than 14'?
Bass Turd reply :
Bicycle flag pole. $10 each on Amazon. 6' tall. Mount to your trailer with two bolts. Probably removable by pulling the pole out. I don't think they are built for highway speeds though.
Lures'n'Liberty reply :
On 6/8/2018 at 6:21 AM, LadiMopar said:Love the fact that your first "car" was a dump truck. Driven a few of those in my day too, minus the log splitter, but I can well imagine what that was like. Never thought it would be so dang hard to back up an itty bitty trailer; miss the days of rolling on 18 wheels! Who'd a thunk it would be easier to back up a 50 ft. trailer than 14'?
1988 F-350, 460 cubic inches. Wanna keep your kid close to home? Make sure they have to stack a cord of wood before they can borrow the car. Oh, if the "car" gets 4 MPG, never has gas in it, and the kid works part time on a farm for less than minimum wage, this is an effective strategy. Bonus points if the gearshift sometimes breaks off and you have to limp it home by using pliers to put the nub in 3rd gear and going slow.
Bass Turd that flag pole looks pretty perfect, if it's not rated for highway speeds i'd bet the ones for ATV's and dune buggies are.
In Boston you should be able to get the neon reflective stakes that mark the edges of the driveway in a snowstorm for the plow's first run, too.
LadiMopar reply :
On 6/9/2018 at 2:57 AM, Lures'n'Liberty said:1988 F-350, 460 cubic inches. Wanna keep your kid close to home? Make sure they have to stack a cord of wood before they can borrow the car. Oh, if the "car" gets 4 MPG, never has gas in it, and the kid works part time on a farm for less than minimum wage, this is an effective strategy. Bonus points if the gearshift sometimes breaks off and you have to limp it home by using pliers to put the nub in 3rd gear and going slow.
I just have to grin @Lures'n'Liberty ...all that wrenching lingo is music to my ears, or is it eyes?
Sounds like there wasn't a lot of free time for you then, but I'll bet you're glad of the life lessons now.
Gonna slap some temporary markers on the trailer this weekend, most likely some of those driveway markers; took the trailer/yak out today and did okay until trying to get it backed in to its teeny slot at the house. Shed on one side, garden on the other, big tree at the end...maybe 6" of leeway either side.
Will put something a bit more sturdy on when I get a little extra time.
Everybody has had great ideas, and again I thank you all for the input. Will post a pic when it's put together well enough to take on the "Mass-holes" .
Log Catcher reply :
If you have a Cabelas store near you it might be worth it to check out their website. In boating they have trailer accessories. They had some guides for a trailer that had lights on them. They also have others.
Rahlow reply :
On 6/7/2018 at 8:42 AM, LadiMopar said:
This has potential, any idea how the threaded rod was attached? Clamps, welded, gorilla tape? Okay, kidding about the gorilla tape. But seriously would be interested to know their method of attaching.
Mounted thru the top of the fender, drilled a hole in the top of the fender and used nylok nuts on either side of the fender,, the guy that used the reflectors bought some pretty heavy duty angle brackets from Ace Hardware, bolted those to the trailer frame and the reflectors screwed to those.
LadiMopar reply :
On 6/9/2018 at 7:32 AM, Log Catcher said:If you have a Cabelas store near you it might be worth it to check out their website. In boating they have trailer accessories. They had some guides for a trailer that had lights on them. They also have others.
Cabelas was the first place I went to, and unfortunately ours is pretty small so only carries a minimal amount of inventory. Looked at the 36" uprights, basic PVC and some hardware at a pretty big price- almost $100, plus 6.25% sales tax.
I can afford them, but it just seems to be a bit much for what you get which is sort of why I tossed out the DIY question. If whatever I put together isn't quite up to the task I may just take a look at Cabelas online offerings...lights would be great.
Rahlow reply :
Saw one today that had bought some fiberglas flag sticks like go a kids big wheel or go kart, said he got them at Walmart toy department.
LadiMopar reply :
On 6/9/2018 at 7:40 AM, Rahlow said:Mounted thru the top of the fender, drilled a hole in the top of the fender and used nylok nuts on either side of the fender,, the guy that used the reflectors bought some pretty heavy duty angle brackets from Ace Hardware, bolted those to the trailer frame and the reflectors screwed to those.
Thanks Rahlow for doing the extra recon for me, that's incredibly nice and really appreciated.
Rahlow reply :
On 6/9/2018 at 7:44 AM, LadiMopar said:
Thanks Rahlow for doing the extra recon for me, that's incredibly nice and really appreciated.
No problem, we all about diy around here lol
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ventura-2-Piece-Safety-Flag/54013524?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227054090008&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=t&wl3=154910484479&wl4=pla-265725417789&wl5=9010455&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=54013524&wl13=&veh=sem
RUSS9999 reply :
1/2'' PVC, put a male adapter on it, drill hole in finder, put nut on bottom side
Fishing Rhino reply :
On 6/8/2018 at 6:11 AM, Lures'n'Liberty said:PVC has the advantage over threaded rod because it won't scratch your boat. Threaded rod has the advantage of being stronger and I'd imagine it to be easier to work with depending on the skill set and tools.
Simple fix for that "problem". Slide a piece of pvc pipe over the threaded rod.
Lures'n'Liberty reply :
On 6/9/2018 at 7:22 AM, LadiMopar said:
I took the trailer/yak out today and did okay until trying to get it backed in to its teeny slot at the house. Shed on one side, garden on the other, big tree at the end...maybe 6" of leeway either side.
Is there by chance something in the shed with a hitch ball on it? You can probably see it pretty well on the quad or the tractor.
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