Easy DIY HD Boat Trailer Step, Pad & Pole - CHEAP!

[@kevinheide7300]

Sir you’ve done a masterful job of assembling a very sturdy step! Nice Video! Any mechanic watching this video, will follow your instructions perfectly! Well done, thank you!

[@gcburkett]

I seen other use this setup but your the first to strenghten the tire bracket. Nice job on the video.

[@markpenley8764]

Great idea. I am disabled and have a hard time getting in and out of my boat. I had looked at some of the factory steps but they are very expensive. I'm going to give this a try. The only thing I would do different is use a piece of metal tubing as a spacer over the 7" bolt instead of the washers and nuts. Great job on the build and video. Thanks

[@dannylang7971]

This is exactly how I done mine. I used 3/4 inch conduit so I can put a bicycle grip on top, only used for balance anyway.😊

[@dannylang7971]

I put my pole under the bottom of the step and attached with pipe clamps and drilled 2 holes through pipe to hold, then bent a elbow on it, and it came up about 30 inches, that’s all I had to go into shop, as far as height, very sturdy i am 210 pounds and it works great.😊

[@garysfishtales]

@dannylang7971 so, I put a note about the conduit in the comments. Mine got a stress fracture. I would use Sch40 steel tube or square tube. I haven't had any issue with the steel pipe. But the aluminum conduit did fail. Thanks for watching.

[@dannylang7971]

Thanks for the info, I will keep check on it. Been using it now for about 6 months, no problems yet. But thanks for the information.

[@ShaneFlintOutdoors]

Very interesting concept will be exploring how to add these steps to my boat.

[@stevenmabry9834]

Great tutorial...Thank you.

[@johnballerino9172]

Where there's a will there's a way. Well done.

[@YourNextCast]

Great DIY set up. Thanks for the tips on properly installing the bolt too.

[@garysfishtales]

Glad it was helpful!

[@allkindsofoutdooractivities]

Very nice economical build! Awesome

[@BigBaitPosse]

Very informative DIY. Great video and good explanation Gary.

[@MrTeamzud]

I just got a new fishing boat and this would be a great add on. Love doing things myself and save $$$$, Great idea and really good instructions. Thanks a lot.

[@garysfishtales]

Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Good luck on the project.

[@thomasrobey9851]

This was great info!!

[@NoBody-vs3lm]

Nice WORK!!!

[@bogolyskeepingitreel]

This was good stuff Gary!! Well done brother!

[@robertpalmisano9516]

looks good nice job

[@GmanfromTexas]

Great instructions. I just ordered the step and tire bracket

[@garysfishtales]

Good luck and Enjoy! Thanks for watching.

[@danbernskoetter]

I couldn't tell on the video, but there is only one place to put the 7" pole? I was think home much stronger two of them would be. Great explanations. Thx

[@garysfishtales]

One 7" bolt. You may be able to do 2, But I just used one.

[@mrb9502]

Thanks for this great vid... @11:13 what is the measurement from the top surface of the tounge to the top surface of the step? Thanks.

[@garysfishtales]

On my trailer, the top of the step is 12 7/8 from the step pad or 13 5/8 to the tongue if you dont put a step pad on. From the step to the top of my bow is 14".

[@mrb9502]

@@garysfishtales Thanks so much!

[@ShockSgt]

Great video and idea and around 33 or so % of the cost of a commercially made one. My kind of an idea.

[@JT_70]

Excellent video, details, design and install. I’d be interested if anyone has done something similar to a Tracker TrailStar Trailer which has a fold-away (to the starboard side) tongue. I added the same step but attached it to the winch post, which is not an ideal location and was looking for something like the Starboard/HDPE for the tongue. I hadn’t thought about using a tire mount along with the step and using EMT for the pole, which are great ideas that I plan on implementing. Thanks!

[@garysfishtales]

Thanks for the nice comments. I only do videos of stuff I actually use. Every trailer is different, so that's where you need to think on how or if it can work on your trailer. Thanks again.

[@JT_70]

@@garysfishtales Checking Amazon right now for the HDPE. It’s gone up $3 since Dec (like everything else) but still not bad. I just need to get to my boat and take measurements before ordering anything.

[@robertnicholson771]

I have been trying to figure out how to add a step to my trailer and this looks like a great solution. Thanks!

[@andrevanheerden4936]

I would have mounted the pole on the other side of the upright just to free up a bit more climbing space.

[@garysfishtales]

It would be in the way of Crank handle. It's actually in a very comfortable position right where it is. Doesn't get in the way of getting up step. Thanks for watching and commenting. Happy New Year!

[@andrevanheerden4936]

@@garysfishtales Thank you for the feedback and happy new year

[@bobfromchicago]

Great job! You sound like an engineer. The 7" bolt setup to reduce the stress on the welds is brilliant!

[@garysfishtales]

Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Goodluck on your project. Thanks for watching.

[@garysfishtales]

UPDATE: Do NOT use the EMT Conduit for the pole. Mine Failed with a stress crack. Use 1 - 1 1/2" schedule 40 Galvanized steel pipe or 1" square Pipe. The rest of the system is rock solid. Hey, and hit that Thumbs Up and Subscribe button! Thanks, Gary

[@littlefishman6767]

Very good info: where did you get the foam for the HDPE?

[@garysfishtales]

I have a bunch left over from doing the front deck. I did get it off Amazon. A roll is $79.99, but if you see an add under "Foam boat decking" that says 9.99 - ??.??, the 9.99 one is for small roll. (Single strip). Same stuff just put 4 strips. Same design. Hope it helps.

[@iwantosavemoney]

Awesome mod

[@DonziGT230]

The long bolt you added might keep the tire carrier from falling off completely, but it won't keep you from hitting the ground. A cheaper, easier, and stronger alternative is to mount the step to the winch stand.

[@mbahlompong]

Mantab SALAM KZbinr 👍👍👍

[@gregstaton128]

If you don't use stainless fasteners you'll never get it off in the future .....rust..

[@garysfishtales]

Everything was a combo of SS and Galvanized. Thanks for watching.

[@fishnwiz]

100 times cheaper and better built than BoatEFX steps PLUS you don't have to deal with the ABSOLUTE WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE in the industry.

[@MrSki-tyvm]

Just find a friend or a friend of a friend that welds. Get scrap metal, paint, bolts, nuts and non-skid tape. That's about $20-30 tops. I literally have made $1,000's by repurposing metal and selling that item. It's hilarious and doesn't take hardly any skill.....just a little practice and you can weld.