Keel Roller and Mounting Bracket Setup for a 3 Inch Boat Trailer Tongue

Updated 08/26/2026 | Published 08/19/2026

Products Featured in This Question

Yates Side Guide Roller for Boat Trailers - Heavy-Duty Rubber - 12" Long - 5/8" Shaft

(384)

$24.00

CE Smith Universal-Fit Split Panel Brackets for Boat Trailers - Galvanized Steel - 1 Pair

(62)

$23.77

Roller Shaft with Cap Nuts for Boat Trailer Rollers - Zinc-Plated Steel - 12-3/4" x 1/2"

(870)

$14.58

CE Smith U-Bolt - Zinc Plated - 4-1/4" Long x 3" Wide x 1/2" Diameter - Qty 1

(191)

$12.50

Question:

Im purchasing a CE Smith Side Guide Roller for Boat Trailers - Heavy Duty Rubber - 12 Long - 1/2 Shaft. It will be used as the keel roller for a flat-bottom jon boat and mounted on the 3x3trailer tongue tube, near the winch. Do you have a mounting bracket for this use?

asked by: Tom H

Expert Reply:

Hi Tom, for what you’re doing, I’d actually step up to the Yates 12 inch Heavy Duty Rubber Roller part # YR12243-5. Since you’re using this as a keel roller to support your flat bottom jon boat rather than as a side guide, I like the heavier 5/8 inch shaft better than the 1/2 inch shaft used with the CE Smith roller you were originally looking at.

To put the setup together, you’ll need the CE Smith Universal Fit Split Panel Brackets part # CE10500G and the CE Smith Roller Shaft with Pal Nuts part # CE10705A. Then, to mount those brackets around your 3 inch wide trailer tongue, you’ll need the CE Smith U Bolts part # CE15274A. These measure 3 inches wide by 4 1/4 inches long with a 1/2 inch diameter, so they’ll give you the hardware needed to secure the brackets around that 3 inch tongue.

I like this setup a lot better for actually supporting the boat because you’re getting the heavier roller and shaft while still being able to position everything right where you need it near the winch. Are you mainly adding the roller to make loading the jon boat easier at the ramp?

expert reply by: Heather A

Steven

8/26/2026

I'm not sure how that would work for a keel roller. I bought it for a side roller guide application on an Easy Loader trailer and an 18' deep v boat. They are solid rubber though with no inner steel bushing, easy to shorten with a hack saw if you need to, might work