best trailer set-up for our starcrafts

[barbosam]

OK guys I've been wanting to give my trailer a rehab, its in pretty good condition but all the rollers are the black rubber type which have become deformed and some are split. The bunk carpeting is looking pretty ragged and I'm ready to replace all of it.

Most of my experience is with fiberglass boats, and my Holiday is the first painted aluminum boat. I am trying to determine what type of rollers and or bunks would be best to make loading and unloading easiest and also protect the paint.

First question is what material would be best for the rollers. I know that the yellow TPR or Poly vinyl rollers are the most durable and would be my first choice for a fiberglass boat but will they damage the paint on my aluminum hull? The black rubber rollers (the softest type) that I have now have already started to damage the paint at the bow, but maybe I just need to tie it down better to minimize vibration?

Second question is about converting the conventional bunks to roller bunks. Anyone ever use these for aluminum hulls? I am concerned that the rollers would be like hard spots with a lot of weight on small points of contact which could distort the hull. I like the idea of how the conventional bunk spreads the load over a large surface but the rollers would make it easier to launch.

Another alternative would be the glide ons that bolt to the bunks and are supposed to be slicker than a carpeted bunk. I've never used these but tie down engineerings website says they are ideal for painted fiberglass or aluminum hulls. This seems counterintuitive to me; seems like the semi-hard plastic surface would scratch the paint, even if it was made from PTFE (teflon).

I'm looking forward to hearing from you guys about what works best!

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: best trailer set-up for our starcrafts

I launch in all types of water Ocean , rivers. flat lakes and sloped ramps. I prefer the rollers as they work with all needs. Bunks can be a problem in some cases, Im sure you will get a lot of advise. I launch my 22ft Holiday and my 16SS with rollers. good hunting

 

[Starman8]

Re: best trailer set-up for our starcrafts

For a tinny, I prefer a 4 bunk drive-on

 

[dozerII]

Re: best trailer set-up for our starcrafts

On the trailer for my 18SS I/O it has five keel rollers and two six foot carpeted bunks now. Once everything was adjusted properly it launches and retrieves perfectly. It took a lot of playing around with a jack and blocking to get it just right. I am going to replace all the rollers with vinyl, I have two now and will add the others when they need it.
Glen

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: best trailer set-up for our starcrafts

I had keel rollers and it loaded horrible also did not have enough support.
I put bunks on mine and it loads fine. The mistake I made was I used composit decking to surface the bunks, thought this would work good, well it started to wear the rivets and wear the paint off the bottom.
I am talking I have probably 19' of bunks on each side of a 21' boat.
So I covered the bunks with carpet and that works ok.
I also have side guides in the back to keep the boat somewhat square on the trailer, then since my front bunks are set low, the boat self centers as I pull it out.

 

[barbosam]

Re: best trailer set-up for our starcrafts

Puget, Have you noticed any distortion on the bottom of you hulls useing the rollers. Thats my main concern with the rollers considering the boat sits on the trailer for about six straight months through the winter with out coming off the trailer once.

Dozer, those vinyl rollers havn't caused any damage to the paint?

I think I will keep my keel roller and bunk setup, I am just trying to decide what material would be best for the rollers and whether there is a better alternative to the standard carpeted bunk (whether it be roller bunks or glide ons).

Thanks for the replies so far!

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: best trailer set-up for our starcrafts

Puget, Have you noticed any distortion on the bottom of you hulls useing the rollers. Thats my main concern with the rollers considering the boat sits on the trailer for about six straight months through the winter with out coming off the trailer once.

Dozer, those vinyl rollers havn't caused any damage to the paint?

I think I will keep my keel roller and bunk setup, I am just trying to decide what material would be best for the rollers and whether there is a better alternative to the standard carpeted bunk (whether it be roller bunks or glide ons).

Thanks for the replies so far!

I have noticed no wear on the boat (except some black color which will wash off ) The boat sat in one place for 8 years and there was no Indication of wear.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: best trailer set-up for our starcrafts

On the trailer for my 18SS I/O it has five keel rollers and two six foot carpeted bunks now.

What he said ^^^

Here's mine:

My trailer came with these side bunks as well. They are the greatest thing ever

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: best trailer set-up for our starcrafts

Nice trailer it sure fits the boat nice. Once it was adjusted im sure it loads fairly easy. How about shallow launches??

 

[ezmobee]

Re: best trailer set-up for our starcrafts

I don't have particularly shallow launches. I will say that if I have the trailer at the proper depth, it loads and retrieves SO EASILY and is always centered and not crooked. I love it.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: best trailer set-up for our starcrafts

I went back and forth a bunch debating a pair of bunks and rollers vs. two pair of bunks and no rollers. In the end I went back to original - pair of bunks and rollers. I was nervous that the bow would crack the cross members on the way in/out at the launch, so rollers it is. Though, I did extend my bunks another 4' to give the hull some more support.

I'd shoot up a photo for ya but it's getting some mods done to it at the moment. The other guys are prolly rolling their eyes as I have spent too much time on this trailer!

 

[barbosam]

Re: best trailer set-up for our starcrafts

Thanks for the pics, that is the same setup I have on there now. I was just thinking about changing the black rollers to the yellow ones because it seems like the black rollers don't last much more than a season.

I forgot to mention that one other concern I have is that I use my boat mostly in saltwater and I am a little concerned about the carpeted bunks trapping salt against the hull. Thats one reason why I was considering changing to roller bunks. Does anyone think this is a serious issue?

thanks for the replies so far its great to see what the rest of you guys are using.

 

[ProMach]

Re: best trailer set-up for our starcrafts

check out this trailer(bottom pic)