Bunk versus Roller trailer

[muskyjim]

Which is the better trailer, Bunk style or Roller. I currently have an old bunk trailer. I have an opportunity to buy an old roller trailer that needs a little work. Probably lights and bearings. My old bunk trailer has served me well but I've always been afraid it was a little under-sized.
I'm trailering a 16 foot aluminum, 1979 Starcraft with a 70hp motor. She's pretty heavy.
I'm looking for a little education.

Thanks.

Jim

 

[flounderman]

Re: Bunk versus Roller trailer

I have a roller but wish it was a bunk. The ramps here are steep, this is good for bunks. If your ramp is flat a roller may be better. No matter which way you go you will make it work. I know this didn't help - - - - but.

 

[rndn]

Re: Bunk versus Roller trailer

Your boat is not what is considered heavy. My 21 foot Crestliner is on bunks and is very easy to load and unload. I would guess that people who boat in areas of very low water they may prefer a roller trailer for ease of loading and unloading.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Bunk versus Roller trailer

I've had both. Two Bunk's and Two Roller's. I prefer what I have now. A Roller trailer. The Boat centers itself every time. therefor it seems easier to load. All but one I had were float ons. I used to think the Boat sat higher on the roller trailer but not any more. The keel sets on lowest part of the trailer so the rest of the boat wouldn't matter. There is no difference.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Bunk versus Roller trailer

i have had both, will not go back to rollers. use guide ons, self centering keel roller.

 

[burroak]

Re: Bunk versus Roller trailer

If everything is equal between the two types of trailers that you are considering, you may want to read the following thread:

forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=238901&highlight=ramp

 

[redfury]

Re: Bunk versus Roller trailer

All depends on how well the trailer is matched to your boat. Set up is everything. The roller trailer my friends glass boat is on goes up and off very easily, but doesn't always get centered because the hull design and the roller design really aren't optimal. It ends up rolling over the strakes on the front rollers and gets off center in the back often. There really isn't a way to adjust it without throwing more problems into the mix.

I will have to say, we did a shallow retrieve on sand with his boat ( 16ft and heavy ) and it did a nice job with the tilt trailer, but it took a bit of effort to get it up.

I'd like to see what the difference would be with bunks that have the plastic skids on them to make them slipperier.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Bunk versus Roller trailer

Like bunks myself, but it mostly depends on the launch..both have + and -
I like the third option..a Slip!!
(or 4th..HOUSE on the water, electric lift in a covered slip)

 

[Morecoffee1]

Re: Bunk versus Roller trailer

I have a trailer with bunks now and find it ok, many years ago I had a trailer with rollers and a different boat, it would quite often load crooked. It rolled off and on easily though.

I have only launched my new boat twice and found I had to back the trailer in a long ways to get the boat off and on the trailer. The wheels were completely submerged and it was quite difficult to wind on. Perhaps I need to put it in even further, although I was standing in the water the last time I loaded it.

Cheers

 

[djvan]

Re: Bunk versus Roller trailer

I have a roller and haven't had anything else. I love my roller trailer though. I used to have trouble not centering and then with the advice of another started not loading as deep and the boat centers a lot better.

DougV>

 

[ebry710]

Re: Bunk versus Roller trailer

All depends on how well the trailer is matched to your boat. Set up is everything. The roller trailer my friends glass boat is on goes up and off very easily, but doesn't always get centered because the hull design and the roller design really aren't optimal. It ends up rolling over the strakes on the front rollers and gets off center in the back often. There really isn't a way to adjust it without throwing more problems into the mix.

I will have to say, we did a shallow retrieve on sand with his boat ( 16ft and heavy ) and it did a nice job with the tilt trailer, but it took a bit of effort to get it up.

I agree, but I feel at a certain point the match between boat and trailer is personal. My trihull likes rails, but I am going to install alignment rollers and I have poles from the previous owner. I am not done yet, my motto has always been modify until it works great.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Bunk versus Roller trailer

I have a trailer with bunks now and find it ok, many years ago I had a trailer with rollers and a different boat, it would quite often load crooked. It rolled off and on easily though.

I have only launched my new boat twice and found I had to back the trailer in a long ways to get the boat off and on the trailer. The wheels were completely submerged and it was quite difficult to wind on. Perhaps I need to put it in even further, although I was standing in the water the last time I loaded it.

Cheers

I think there are many factors. One the match as you said between the boat and the trailer itself and how well they are set up. The other is the Boat Launch itself. Considering incline, concrete or gravel and the water depth and length of the trailer tongue. Also how far you back into the water and one other major factor being either current and/or wind. Once you learn your rig There usually isn't a problem loading. I usually load and unload alone. In fact I almost prefer doing it alone because then I don't have any side distractions, at least the launching. 4 - Winns Horizon 190 21 ft overall. One time I remember trying to retrieve the boat, the cross current was strong, cross winds was strong it took four of us to retrieve and load it on the trailer. Whew!!! I try not to get caught in that situation again. I would not try to launch on any thing except a concrete ramp. I think I would bury the truck. I have the Shorelander roller trailer. 36 rollers I think? Boats still in Hibernation for three more weeks.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Bunk versus Roller trailer

guide ons are great for current and cross winds, these are great for those shallow ramps. http://www.xtend-a-hitchnorthwest.com/

 

[cbavier]

Re: Bunk versus Roller trailer

guide ons are great for current and cross winds, these are great for those shallow ramps. http://www.xtend-a-hitchnorthwest.com/

My trailer does have an extra long tongue "Two feet" longer than standard in fact and that does make a tremendous difference than my old trailer . I was wondering about the Guide On pipes and if they were really worth the $90 some bucks?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Bunk versus Roller trailer

http://www.iboats.com/48_Boat_Guide...06446191--**********.895921619--view_id.40431

are worth there weight in gold imho. i also mount my lights on them, cuts down on maintenance. i space mine 1/2 inch away of each side of the widest part of the boat, and with a self centering roller, at the spot where the bow usually make 1st contact with trailer. some of mine are the last roller, some are second to last roller.

http://www.iboats.com/Self_Centerin...06446455--**********.895921619--view_id.56624

 

[cbavier]

Re: Bunk versus Roller trailer

Tashasdaddy:

Thanks! I don't ever have a problem centering unless I get in a bad cross current or cross wind. The lake I usually launch at often has a heavy cross current and the Dock is only accessible from one side. The wrong side. Everybody that launches and retrieves there fights those two elements. I've not seen anyone with the Roller Guides but have been considering them. I assume they must be high enough to catch the boat at the rub rails. I'd probably need the highest they make. I can't do anything now. the Boat is still in winter Hibernation. Coming out the 19th of April and I plan first Splash the 20th of May. I can't hardly wait.

 

[Jarhead44]

Re: Bunk versus Roller trailer

I've had both too. Iprefer the buks. But i did buy a can of this stuff called liquid roller to spray on the bunks. It makes launching and retrieving alot easier.

 

[tommays]

Re: Bunk versus Roller trailer

Well from what i SEE rollers need a LOT of upkeep in SALTWATER to keep rolling as soon as the roller chews through the galvanized shaft it is rust festival

That said i also see a LOT of roller trailers and many of there users try to NOT submerge the trailer when lauching which would you cold not do with bunks

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Bunk versus Roller trailer

I wish I had a set of those roller bunks instead of carpet.

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: Bunk versus Roller trailer

As a newbie, I struggled with this question for months before ordering our 17 1/2 foot Lund. At first I wanted bunks because 1) the boat won't accidentally roll off if you inadvertently unhook the winch hook too soon while launching, and 2) the boat would "stick" better when recovering.

But then I visited the ramps we would most often frequent. They all had fairly mild descents; not steep at all. And last summer the lake levels were low until mid-August when we finally had some decent rains and they came back up.

I also noticed that the distance between the rear wheels of my 4Runner weren't all that far from the hitch. I watched and found that those with rollers didn't have to back in as far as those with bunks.

So, I decided to go with rollers. With loading guides. And brakes.

Now if I can just stop having nightmares about unhooking the winch line too soon and having the boat fall on the ramp...