Bent guide posts-help! - The Hull Truth

yellowdog7 · 01-18-2009, 05:45 AM

The tall galvanized guide posts on my trailer are bent slightly. Any idea how to bend them back? I 've tried a couple of things but they don't budge. Maybe heating them.

rwidman · 01-18-2009, 07:18 AM

Hey, I'm a "senior citizen" and I bent mine back several times.

You have PVC pipe on them right? It gives you leverage. Still can't bend them? Get a longer piece of pipe. It's easier to bend them back when the boat is off the trailer.

Cousin Eddie · 01-18-2009, 07:19 AM

Try a come-along.

mjkten · 01-18-2009, 12:49 PM

Be careful trying to bend them back. You don't want to break whatever holds them in place. The design of my trailer has them slid inside a square tube that runs across the back and holds up the rear end of the main bunks. One side of that tube is broken. I am going to have to replace that piece or find another way to mount it. Just a heads up.

axetogrind · 01-18-2009, 05:12 PM

I got several pairs of these things if you want them. New, never used. I don't need them, in GA

yellowdog7 · 01-20-2009, 06:44 AM

Thanks guys. I stuck a piece of pipe in the top end of the uprightsand was able to get them close to normal. Harder to bend than you would think. Did notice that the u bolts that held them were a little loose so I tightened them. Snapped one of the bolts off! Now I'm sure that'll be easy to find!!!!!
Axetogrind, where in GA are you located? Do you have the tall guide posts? Might be interested in taking them off your hands. Here's a pic of mine.....

mjkten · 01-22-2009, 03:31 PM

I was able to find u-bolts that I needed at a local hardware store (we live near a lake) and the local Boaters World. I also have the WESCO mfg. trailer plant nearby, and that feels like cheating!

cWICKBERG · 01-22-2009, 06:00 PM

If you need longer guide posts, just add some more PVC pipe to them...

DrJim · 01-24-2009, 08:29 AM

I need to bend one too. I tied up with the bow line looped over the guide pole

and proceeded to pull the trailer up the ramp bending the pole. They are very hard to rebend and I have put it off til spring.

mjkten · 01-24-2009, 08:33 AM

Quote:

DrJim - 1/24/2009 7:29 AM

I need to bend one too. I tied up with the bow line looped over the guide pole

and proceeded to pull the trailer up the ramp bending the pole. They are very hard to rebend and I have put it off til spring.

I did the very same thing with mine. I got it most of the way back, but it was bent in two different planes, and I'll probably just end up replacing them. Plus the aforementioned square tube running across the back of the trailer. It seems my best learned lessons are expensive...

Bigger Hammer · 01-24-2009, 08:49 AM

If you've got a friendly exhaust/muffler shop nearby they should be able to help you out.

Bill

get2 · 02-02-2009, 03:05 PM

does anyone have a good suggestion for obtaining the square tubing that the guide poles slide into? Mine is cracked on both ends and the guide poles don't guide very well under this circumstance. thanks

rwidman · 02-02-2009, 05:04 PM

Quote:

get2 - 2/2/2009 5:05 PM

does anyone have a good suggestion for obtaining the square tubing that the guide poles slide into? Mine is cracked on both ends and the guide poles don't guide very well under this circumstance. thanks

I faced the same situation and determined that the easiest solution was to just buy new ones.

A home center might have it, a welding shop probably will have it or can get it.