Bent Bunks

[fishingman220]

I have a 2006 Nextrail under my 22ft proline, the dry weight for the boat is 3450, and the trailer is rated for up to 7000 so i know i dont have a weight issue, but i do have a problem. the bunks on it are 2x8s i think and they are standing up vertical with a 45degree angle cut on the side where the boat hits it. well i thought i had it lined up preatty good when i set it up for this boat, but as time has gone by since last july the one side is starting to lay over. i will try to get some pics, but i cant move it out any further or the bottom of the hull will be on the trailer, so i dont know what else to do, i am going to call and get more brackets that are bent i just dont want it to happen again. any thought???

 

[fishingman220]

Re: Bent Bunks

heres a small pic

 

[fishingman220]

Re: Bent Bunks

and one more

 

[capt sam]

Re: Bent Bunks

what exactly is wrong? is the wood rotten, bolts holes wallered out, bolts broken, brackets bent? it's hard to tell but obviously something gave out.


edit: is there one or two bolts thru each bracket?

 

[fishingman220]

Re: Bent Bunks

just the brackets have bent over, the wood is only 2 or 3 years old and maybe 20 dips, and been sitting under cover its whole life

 

[capt sam]

Re: Bent Bunks

do you strap that boat down in the stern when trailering it? Been hitting any bumps? They make cheap brackets and thicker gauge ones, buy the thicker ones.

 

[fishingman220]

Re: Bent Bunks

i use a long strap that goes all the way over the boat because the short ones for the hooks in the back try to cut the swim platform, nextrail sells the brackets??, should i try to move the bunks in or out any or just try the new brackets??

 

[shes a keeper]

Re: Bent Bunks

you say THE bunks are vertical??? That is a heavy boat IF the bunks are verticle the brackets will bend ,if the boat shifts if you lay the bunks flat on the 2 by 8 the brackets will have less strain on shift forces on the brackets but will have more bow in the wood this may be a manufacture question or build stronger brackets the proline is a heavy boat you may think of changing to rollers . Don`t give up someone has the answer good luck

 

[capt sam]

Re: Bent Bunks

the brackets are generic, you could move the bunks in a little, it's hard to tell with those pics though. If you move them in just realize you'll have to back in further to float the boat.

 

[fishingman220]

Re: Bent Bunks

well i will try moving them in and getting some new brackets made with alittle thicker material. this is my tow rig so i dont think i will have a problem going alittle deeper./Users/jesseoverton/Desktop/P1000006.JPG

 

[fishingman220]

Re: Bent Bunks

oops, here it is

 

[capt sam]

Re: Bent Bunks

the tow vehicle is fine, you need to get under the boat and take a good look at how the bunks are setup or take it by a trailer dealer and ask them to take a look and ask their advice. You could flip those bunks horizontally or you could go with wider bunks or you could just try better brackets. It's a big boat but it ain't crazy big, just looking at a couple of pics it's hard for me to tell you exactly what you need to do.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Bent Bunks

To me it seems like simple geometry and physics. With the top of the bunk cut on an angle to match the hull, the weight of the boat will always push the bunks outward. No matter how strong you make your brackets, this will reoccur.
The solution is to angle the BOTTOM of the bunk. That way the downward pressure is directly on the bunk. With the bunk anchored on the angle, nothings going to move.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Bent Bunks

To me it seems like simple geometry and physics. With the top of the bunk cut on an angle to match the hull, the weight of the boat will always push the bunks outward. No matter how strong you make your brackets, this will reoccur.
The solution is to angle the BOTTOM of the bunk. That way the downward pressure is directly on the bunk. With the bunk anchored on the angle, nothings going to move.

yes, get more surface pressure on the wood, i agree. i would lay a boat that big down on the 6" side of some 2x6"s if it was me, though.

 

[capt sam]

Re: Bent Bunks

the lumber's strength is on the vertical side, contact area isn't as critical plus he should have two additional interior bunks to support the load. His trailer is not set up right for that boat, that's his main issue.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Bent Bunks

I had a similar problem a few years ago with one boat I had, what I did was make slightly heavier duty wood bunks and reinforced the bunk brackets.
I took a single pressure treated 6x6 and ripped it in half, beveled the top edges to match the shape of the hull, and covered them in outdoor carpet.
I welded 1 1/2" steel angle iron to the sides of each bunk bracket, this stopped the laying over problem.
I always prefer to keep the boards on end when making bunks, there isn't always enough support or strength in the board when it lays flat unless you add more supports.
Looking at how your bunk brackets are bending over, I'd be just as inclined to just make up a side support for the outboard side of each bracket. But the brackets do look a bit light for that set up.


http://i43.tinypic.com/11l5y5c.jpg

 

[cbavier]

Re: Bent Bunks

fishinman take a look at this thread. He just redone his trailer. Look at his bunks in his finished project.


http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=298768


I am wondering if your boat is resting on the keel bunks enough to help support the weight of the boat.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: Bent Bunks

You could also add some braces to the outside of the boards. Something simple and of course metal but this on the outside would provide additional support.

 

[fishingman220]

Re: Bent Bunks

when we bought the trailer it was set up for a 220 horizon fourwinns. which is about the same weight. but we were able to set the bunks on the flat part where the vhull met the sides, but the hull is to deep to do that on this boat, i think the best bet would be the 45 degree braces. i probably should get that done soon shouldnt i. i have about a 15mile ride to the dock.

 

[Shizzy]

Re: Bent Bunks

is the boats hull 45 degrees? doesnt look like you needed to cut that steep of a chamfer on them. either add some bracing or angle the brackets so the bunks sit flat to the hull.