Another One For Bunk Vs Roller

[gunplumber7]

Forgive me for going here again. After reading ALL posts on this matter I am asking more opinions on my situation. Got my buddy a 1974 14 ft Ebbtide Tri-haul which we are converting to Bass boat. Came with sea nymph bunk trailer, I believe made for small aluminum v-haul. Has 2 rollers at the keel, bunks in the back. Trailer shaped like horse shoe with no place to put bracket for transome saver. Picked him up a different trailer today. Has been repainted so no manufacturer info, sorry. Has 4 rollers down the middle 3 ft apart. At the back are 2 roller systems 3 ft long (1 on ea. side ) with 4 rollers 9" apart on each tray instead of bunks.

Question 1: Someone earlier stated to make sure rollers are under stringers. How do I locate them? Stud finder?

Question 2: Someone stated as a rule, under 16 Ft, use bunks. Over 16 ft, use rollers, was asked why, but saw no reply. Just one persons opinion, or is there something to this.

Question 3-5: Saw many opinions were based on water level. Does tilt trailer have any play in this? What are the advantages of tilt trailer? Does anyone even use the tilt?

Just trying to decide if we need to transfer the bunks to the replacement trailer. Thanks for your help.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Another One For Bunk Vs Roller

As far as the tilt trailer, you can launch in shallower water. Haven't seen a tilt in a long time. I believe they were used on older trailers. When I had a '70 Crestliner it had one for a 14'. I haven't seen a new one. But that doesn't mean they're not out there.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Another One For Bunk Vs Roller

Question 2: Someone stated as a rule, under 16 Ft, use bunks. Over 16 ft, use rollers, was asked why, but saw no reply. Just one persons opinion, or is there something to this.

Just trying to decide if we need to transfer the bunks to the replacement trailer. Thanks for your help.

Sorry, but if at all possible use bunks. dont know who gave that info, but its incorrect. rollers wear into the hull, causing indents and such. only good thing is if you need them for a steep launch or recovery, but not likely. bunks support the weight soooo much better, its even hard to argue them at all.

 

[OL BLUE]

Re: Another One For Bunk Vs Roller

I've only owned one roller trailer and I will not own another. The trailer came under a 22 foot deep V hull cabin cruiser I bought used. The first thing I was acutely aware of was DON'T UNHOOK THE WINCH CABLE OR STRAP BEFORE YOUR BOAT IS IN THE WATER or it will roll right off the trailer and onto the concrete ramp. I and about 9 other guys once helped someone who did this pick up the stern of his rather large boat so it could be winched back on the trailer. Second, a boat sits higher on a roller trailer than a bunk trailer so it takes more water to float it free (which could mean your tow rig gets pretty wet). Third, as you pay out cable or strap from your winch, your boat will roll right out into the water and out of reach before coming to a stop. So how are you going to unhook that cable or strap now? These are just my experiences. Finally, I just look around and bunk trailers outnumber roller trailers by a huge margin. You and others may have better luck.

 

[mrdancer]

Re: Another One For Bunk Vs Roller

PVC bunks on top of angle-iron. Great support, ultra-low maintenance.

 

[artistwood]

Re: Another One For Bunk Vs Roller

PVC bunks???? sounds interesting....can you give more detail. i'm getting ready to change the bunks on my 28' party hut trailer.....

 

[mrdancer]

Re: Another One For Bunk Vs Roller

Not sure if anyone is making outright PVC bunks, but you can get PVC lumber in 2x4 and prolly 2x6. I know Timbertech has some PVC stuff used for building decks and park benches around saltwater environments.

A lot of folks go with composite, but you need to remember that composite lumber also contains wood, which can easily stain and/or grow mold. PVC is much lower maintenance and, although it looks more like plastic than lumber, maintains a better appearance over time compared to composites.

As with all composite and PVC wood, they do not have the span strength of actual wood lumber; that is why I recommend using angle-iron underneath the PVC. Put the angle-iron on where you would normally put wooden bunks, then place the PVC on top of that so you have the ultimate in strength and low maintenance. Of course, angle-iron, even painted, will eventually rust, so you may look into aluminum as an option. Another option is to go with PVC on top of existing lumber bunks, but then you are raising the whole boat 1.5 inches higher on the trailer and running into more maintenance down the road...

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Another One For Bunk Vs Roller

I've only owned one roller trailer and I will not own another. The trailer came under a 22 foot deep V hull cabin cruiser I bought used. The first thing I was acutely aware of was DON'T UNHOOK THE WINCH CABLE OR STRAP BEFORE YOUR BOAT IS IN THE WATER or it will roll right off the trailer and onto the concrete ramp. I and about 9 other guys once helped someone who did this pick up the stern of his rather large boat so it could be winched back on the trailer. Second, a boat sits higher on a roller trailer than a bunk trailer so it takes more water to float it free (which could mean your tow rig gets pretty wet). Third, as you pay out cable or strap from your winch, your boat will roll right out into the water and out of reach before coming to a stop. So how are you going to unhook that cable or strap now? These are just my experiences. Finally, I just look around and bunk trailers outnumber roller trailers by a huge margin. You and others may have better luck.

I agree with all said here. Over the years, we have had break back (tilt) trailers (A real PITA), electric winches (slower moving than a land tortuise) roller trialers (alot of maint and other issues) and Bunks. My current trailer is a Magic Trail ALS series aluminum Bunk trailer. It is considered a Float on/Drive On trailer. I have never had such an easy time loading and unloading as I do with this trailer. I have an 18' Center Console and in my area, Bunks are 90%of the trailers at the ramp, even up to 34' boats that I have seen...

 

[jkust]

Re: Another One For Bunk Vs Roller

Sorry, but if at all possible use bunks. dont know who gave that info, but its incorrect. rollers wear into the hull, causing indents and such. only good thing is if you need them for a steep launch or recovery, but not likely. bunks support the weight soooo much better, its even hard to argue them at all.

Agree on the rollers leaving marks and wear on the hull and if you don't have a lake home or slip to leave the boat when can you perform the maintenance since the boat is alway on the trailer. That said and having owned bunks and currently rollers...rollers make life a lot easier at the ramp for me.

 

[nitsuj]

Re: Another One For Bunk Vs Roller

The first thing I was acutely aware of was DON'T UNHOOK THE WINCH CABLE OR STRAP BEFORE YOUR BOAT IS IN THE WATER or it will roll right off the trailer and onto the concrete ramp.

Don't unhook the bow until the boat is in the water no matter what type of trailer you have. There's more than enough pics in the SHT forums to back this up. There's just no reason to back down the ramp with the bow not hooked up.