Guide slicks on Trailer

[Matthew Silva]

Hey all

Anyone out there using those guide slicks that you can put on your carpeted bunks to make loading and unloading easier? Any feedback would be great as I am considering putting them on.



Thanks!!

 

[Scott Hammer TOXIC]

Been discussed on here a bunch Matt. As with many things, some use em', some don't, some like em', some don't. Biggest thing is that they work almost too well. Never unhook your bow strap on the ramp and try to back up....even a relatively flat ramp will put your rig on terra-firma if you are not careful!! I think there was an issue with glass boats blemishing from contact with them also. Personally, I have never been to a ramp where I need them. But, like I said, some do like them.



TOXIC

 

[Larry Harp]

I never saw the need for them. What good are they?

 

[William H. (Bill) Barham]

Just what Tox said Matt. Personally, I've seen two mishaps people had with guide slicks on their trailer. I saw one guy drive onto his trailer and then tell his buddy, who was driving, to go ahead and pull out. He almost made it but just out of the water the boat started sliding off the trailer. Luckily only about a third came off and it was a tin boat so a bunch of us could get it back on the trailer. The second time the owner was in the boat with everything undone and his partner started backing down the ramp. Right passed the top where the degree of slope increased, he stepped on the brakes and his truck stopped but the boat didn't. He slid right off with about three feet of the boat in the water and the rest on dry, gravel. To make matters worse it was a single lane ramp to the water and there was about ten boats waiting to launch. Finally a couple of the guys waiting to launch asked him what he wanted to do and he asked if a few of the guys could try to push his boat into the water while another boat tied on to his so he could maybe help by pulling. So everyone grabbed some boat and pulled and pushed it through the gravel and into the water. The sound while doing that was awful and he had a sparkle boat. YOU DON'T NEED GUIDE SLICKS!!!:wacko:



Uncle Billy

 

[Matthew Silva]

nighmare stories.. wow..

Man, I wonder if these guys thought they did not have to keep their winch hooked up until they're partially in the water or they just forgot. I guess not having them gives you insurance if you forget, or dont hook up the bow eye.

I was mainly considering getting them because the back guides on my trailer are pretty short and I have to keep the trailer real shallow in order for them to serve a purpose and keep the back of the boat from sliding out. Especially when I launch at the Cal Delta and there is a cross current or its real windy. I cant drive on when the trailer is that shallow cuz my engine does not have enough juice to go the last few feet, so i figured the glide sliks would allow me to keep the trailer more shallow and drive all the way up without the back sliding off left or right. I launch by myself alot.

 

[Scott Hammer TOXIC]

As long as you know the nature of the beast you'll be ok. I've also seen guys powerload and end up in the back of their truck. If you are going to wench on every time (or powerload very, very carefully) then it is a help.



TOXIC