CE Smith Boat Guide-Ons Recommendation for a Trailer with 3x5-1/2 inch Frame

Question

Question:

I have a 3x 51/2inch I-beam trailer and would like to know if the u-bolts supplied are long enough or do I need to buy longer ones ?

asked by: John C

0

Expert Reply:

I have a solution for you, but the U-bolts included with the CE Smith Post-Style Guide-Ons for Boat Trailers # CE27636 are only good for trailer frames that are up to 5-1/2 inches.

You would also need the CE Smith Extra Long U-Bolt Kit part # CE11416 as this will work on frames up to 6 inches so it would work well for you.

expert reply by: Jameson C

0

Brad

8/16/2026

A 6” u bolt won’t work with a 5.5” frame. By the time you add the tube washers a nuts they will be way too small.

Answer 1

The CE Smith Post-Style Guide-Ons for Boat Trailers - 75" Tall #CE27636 has base bars that are 23 inches long to the outside of the bend. The bars adjusts out to 19" from trailer. I've attached a photo to help.

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Answer 2

The I-beam clamps of the Guide Ons part #CE27635 that you referenced are confirmed as a fit on I-beams that are between 2-1/2 inches and 4-1/2 inches wide so the kit would fit your 4 inch wide I-beams.

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Answer 3

The metal tubes inside the CE Smith Post-Style Guide-Ons for Boat Trailers - 75" Tall #CE27636 are the uprights. These uprights, which are available at part #CE27605PG, measure 39" tall.

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Answer 4

We have the Replacement Upright #CE27605PG which can be used with the 75" CE Smith Post-Style Guide-Ons #CE27636. The replacement upright is a new style and will work in place of the older style which mounted the 2 posts together with a bracket.…

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Answer 5

Hey Justin, the CE Smith Post Style Guide Ons part #CE27635 that you referenced has corner brackets like you mentioned and not bent tube for the 90 degree turn. The one picture shows an outdated version of the guide ons and I just sent an update to…

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Answer 6

As you will be loading and unloading in the stronger river current I recommend using the CE Smith Roller Style Guide-Ons for Pontoon Boat Trailers #CE27672. These use rollers that will allow for your pontoon to load easier onto your boat trailer.…

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Answer 7

The CE Smith Post-Style Guide-Ons for Boat Trailers - 75" Tall - U-Bolt Hardware - 1 Pair #CE27636 has steel that is 39 inches tall. You can see this clearly in the Replacement Upright for CE Smith Bunk-Style Guide-Ons for Boat Trailers - Lanced…

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Answer 8

The CE Smith Post-Style Guide-Ons for Boat Trailers #CE27636 that you referenced has a height of 75 inches and sticks out up to 19 inches from the trailer frame it is attached to.

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Answer 9

The metal uprights in the CE Smith Guide-on set #CE27636 are 39 inches tall. The PVC pipe is 62-1/2 inches tall. There is about 27 inches of the metal upright inside of the PVC pipe when it is assembled.

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Answer 10

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 11

The 5.30-12 tires, being wider, are going to make more contact with the road. This means that the noise, and heat build up will be higher than a 4.80-12 tire but the rolling resistance will actually be less because the tire is larger diameter. The…

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Answer 12

The #84 spindle is just a common way to identify the spindle dimensions typically used for 3,500 lb axles. So instead of listing out the parts, people can just say they have #84 spindles and it's easier to know what fits it. The CE Smith Trailer…

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