Bunks or Rollers???

[bonz_d]

Re: Bunks or Rollers???

People have a certain mindset and nothing will change their mind. The problem is that 80% of the trailer boaters, no matter what kind they use, don't even have half a clue how to launch a boat. I wonder if there is still a "book" in print?

Hi JimS, Sense we last chatted I have switched trailers from that old GATOR roller bunk to a newer Spartan full roller.
80% might be stretchin it a bit though I know sometimes it sure seems like it!

As stated in my above post all I ever need to do is back in far enough to get the axle wet in either direction. Yes this setup that I use was put together for a single purpose and it fits it just fine. Shallow water! Another point I left out in this is that I launch this rig on average 2 to 3 times every week during the season and that is including those days that I stay home. So for me this procedure has to be as simple and easy as possible.

The only time I have any difficulty is when I'm solo and there is a quartering wind blowing the stern of the boat off line while trying to get it started on the trailer. Also there is no pier at the ramp I mostly use. Heck, most people wouldn't even call it a ramp!!!

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Bunks or Rollers???

Yeah, although I'm pretty new to this forum, I'm not new to roller trailers. I use to help my friend that had a custom trailer shop do set-ups for different boats. My rant might have gone on and on, but I just hate when I hear people that think they have the knowledge, mislead people that are actually trying to make a good buying discision.

I agree with you that most people don't know how to use there trailers properly. It goes along with the people that usually know nothing about there boats. It amazes me and always has that you have to take a test to drive a car but anyone can go out and purchase a 10,000 lbs boat and not have a clue as to what to do with it. People should be tested on trailering also imo. How many people have you seen that just bought there first boat that can't even back it down the ramp. I know everyone has to learn, but learn from someone experienced.

I agree that going to the ramp and watching people can be benificial, but be careful on who you choose to watch. There are definately more people out there that don't know how to properly use there trailer than there are that do.

I may have come out a little strong on my previous posts, but what was being said was the exact opposite of how a roller trailer works. Anyway, I hope I was a help to some that needed the information.

Wow Chris...I guess you really like roller trailers....LOL. I couln't agree with you more.

The posts that you commented on raised the hair on my neck as well. The only reason I didn't reply myself was because its a losing proposition. People have a certain mindset and nothing will change their mind. The problem is that 80% of the trailer boaters, no matter what kind they use, don't even have half a clue how to launch a boat. When I go to the ramp I'm usually met with 3 or 4 others at the same time. My facility can launch 6 boats at a time. If there are 4 others there, its certain that 3 are clueless. Not just the new boaters, but the old farts as well.

When I got my first boat in the 1960's I read a book how to do it. Then I spent countless hours sitting at the ramp watching other before i tried it myself.

In 45 years I only had a problem ONCE. That was the first time i used a bunk trailer. It never went back to the ramp again. The bunks were ripped off the next day. Actually, it wasn't a real; "problem". Its just that I couldn't do it by myself so easy, I had to get my feet wet, and I had to back the car in too far.

I wonder if there is still a "book" in print?

 

[109jb]

Re: Bunks or Rollers???

Ok, so I am going to point out more bad info. Show me the posts of people that don't like there roller trailer?

Post #9. Or did you miss that one.

One of ramps I launch at has no dock or pier next to the ramp. The dock is located about 50 feet away from the ramp. I guess this is to prevent people from tying up the ramp loading the crap they didn't load before backing down. So walking the boat on using lines isn't an option. Driving on a roller trailer, as you pointed out, requires leaving the helm with the engine running and the drive engaged. I see people there doing just that. Well that is something I'm not comfortable with, just like I don't leave the mower blades engaged and step onto the lawn when mowing, or leave my truck in gear and just set the parking brake when driving, or leave my airplane engine running and step out on the tarmac when flying. With bunks I can drive up onto the trailer and don't have to leave the drive engaged to go hook up the winch strap. Before anyone flames, I don't powerload and only coast onto the trailer in neutral.

When my trailer was a roller, I had no real problem launching or retrieving the boat except that I'm not going to leave the engine running and drive engaged to load which meant that I had to get wet a few times to walk it on. That is why I converted to bunks. Now that my trailer has bunks, I still have no trouble launching and retrieving at the 15 or so places I like to go. Sure there is probably a real shallow ramp somewhere that would cause me trouble launching, but I don't go there so I could care less. Where I do go I can unload and load my boat as fast as anyone out there including anyone with a roller trailer. I launch and load alone most of the time because I fish.

I've got nothing against people who like their roller trailers, but saying that a roller works in EVERY situation is stretching it. Just like anything, it depends on the situation. You like your roller trailer which is great for you. Well, I like my bunk trailer and have never had any problem launching or retrieving my boat using it. The bunk trailer is better for my situation.

 

[kahuna123]

Re: Bunks or Rollers???

I guess it is different depending on where you live. In Florida bunks only

 

[roscoe]

Re: Bunks or Rollers???

Check out my post above, you are wrong on many accounts.

Most roller trailers should have the rear rollers in the water when loading. The rest of the trailer should be out of the water.
You drive the boat onto a roller trailer, thats whats nice about them. If you changed over three trailers to bunks because you didn't know how to use the trailer, I feel bad for you. No offense!

The good thing about a roller trailer is you won't have to push or pull the boat of the trailer ever. Ohh and you will never have to add wd-40 or vaseline, or plastic strips, or all the other BS people try and add to make a bunk trailer work in all conditions.

I'm not bashing you so please don't take it that way, I just want to make sure that the Op has the correct information about roller trailers. You simply were not loading your boat correctly. By the way, as I stated above in my earlier post, that way of loading will also work on your bunk trailer as long as it is somewhat self centering.

Sorry, but powerloading is illegal at many ramps around here. Not an option.

Newer roller trailers work fine, where you have the water depth to use them. But not so well with a trailer from the 60's or 70's, when the frame rails were only 50" apart and the bottom of the hull sat 27" off the ground.

I have converted 3 trailers because I boat in extreme conditions.

Less moving parts means less to break.

I like being able to see over my boat while towing, and being able to climb into the boat without a ladder. The wife is 5'3" and dad is almost 80.


Also, we beach launch/load in soft sand, usually 12" of water, powerloading isn't an option. Can't back in deeper without sinking the truck wheels in a foot of loose sand. There are no docks. Help is not available if you get stuck or break down.

I won't even try to describe the rock ledge we launch off of where the tires don't get wet.

The abandoned logging roads are also real rough on trailers. Have seen many roller assemblies and even cross members break in the 15 years we have been running these roads. And several of these were on brand new rigs.

Also, can't reach the bow eye from inside my boat, so hooking up a safety chain or winch is impossible.

At any real "normal" boat launch, my trailer means its an easy float on, float off, without getting my shoes wet.

The 2 most common problems I see with people at the ramps is people not knowing the depth to back in their trailer, and trailers that are not sized or rigged properly for the boat.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Bunks or Rollers???

See post #2.

This discussion always turns the same way. Personally I do not believe either design is better or worse than the other and it mostly comes down to personal choice. All have advantages and disadvantages as people point out and each appears to be better suited to differing situations and preferance.

1st of all I do not want a trailer that I have to fight with because it is not a good match for the boat or what I am trying to do with it. In my case a bunk trailer will not work the way I need it to and as I've stated I use mine a lot! If I wasn't putting in or taking out every time I used my boat it would be different. If it were a 2000# boat it would be different and then again I probably wouldn't be trailering to the water 3-4 times a week at times and doing what I do.

The biggest concerns anyone should have is does the trailer I have fit the boat properly. Is it the correct lenght? Capacity? Is it set up correctly? Then does it perform the way I'd like? I say this because I've seen some really junk setups at the ramps and in pictures posted here. Both roller and bunk trailers!

 

[kahuna123]

Re: Bunks or Rollers???

I use mine alot!! That is a big sentence. In Florida professional guides that use their boat as a living 300 days a year have bunk trailers and power their boats on. I think our ramps must be different than up North. Look at any high dollar boat down here and you won't see a roller trailer. Not saying its bad or good.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Bunks or Rollers???

I use mine alot!! That is a big sentence. In Florida professional guides that use their boat as a living 300 days a year have bunk trailers and power their boats on. I think our ramps must be different than up North. Look at any high dollar boat down here and you won't see a roller trailer. Not saying its bad or good.

And many people only use their trailers twice a year so what's your point?

 

[109jb]

Re: Bunks or Rollers???

I agree that the choice is a personal one that is also dependent on the boat, the ramp conditions, the quality of the setup of the trailer, etc. The problem I have is that people on both sides argue that their idea is the best and there is no other intelligent option. Some people are so zealous about it that to disagree with them brands you as a idiot that just doesn't know what he is doing. Well that is a bunch of crap from both camps as far as I am concerned. No one type of trailer is perfect in all situations. As I stated before, my bunk trailer serves me perfectly for the boating that I do and the ramps that I use which makes it a good choice for me but does not make it the best choice in all situations.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Bunks or Rollers???

Roller trailers work 100% of the time 100% of the ramps you have available to you. Bunk trailers work most of the time at most ramps. When I say "work", to me that means launching and retreiving right the first time every time. Getting your feet wet or having to back in so far that the rea end of your car is in the water is unaccepatable to me. Also not being able to launch or load single handedly is unacceptable.

There is a right way and a wrong way to use either type of trailer. Uninformed people can screw up no matter what. Thus, if you do it wrong you may favor one type over the other with no good reason.

My feeling is that rollers are the only way to go. I'm willing to pay whatever it takes and I'm also willing to do the maintenance. If you don't want to accept the cost and responsibility (line one of my buddies), then very simply buy hip boots and take the easy route. But don't complan!

 

[109jb]

Re: Bunks or Rollers???

Roller trailers work 100% of the time 100% of the ramps you have available to you.

Read my post right above yours. This type of attitude is narrow minded in my opinion. I can show you ramps where a loading alone on a roller trailer absolutely means getting wet unless you drive on and leave the engine running and drive engaged to hook up the winch strap. Leaving the engine running with the drive engaged is more unacceptable than getting wet in my opinion. Unless there is a dock next to the ramp how do you load without getting wet otherwise when you are alone? I can load my bunk trailer at those ramps by coasting onto the trailer without having to leave the drive engaged to hook up the winch strap. Again I've got nothing against roller trailers, they just don't work for me. I never get wet when I launch or load either. What I do have something against is an attitude of "I'm right and everyone else is wrong."

 

[roscoe]

Re: Bunks or Rollers???

Roller trailers work 100% of the time 100% of the ramps you have available to you. Bunk trailers work most of the time at most ramps. When I say "work", to me that means launching and retreiving right the first time every time. Getting your feet wet or having to back in so far that the rea end of your car is in the water is unaccepatable to me. Also not being able to launch or load single handedly is unacceptable.

There is a right way and a wrong way to use either type of trailer. Uninformed people can screw up no matter what. Thus, if you do it wrong you may favor one type over the other with no good reason.

My feeling is that rollers are the only way to go. I'm willing to pay whatever it takes and I'm also willing to do the maintenance. If you don't want to accept the cost and responsibility (line one of my buddies), then very simply buy hip boots and take the easy route. But don't complan!

Come on vacation with me next year. My gas, your boat and trailer. I want to see you get your boat on the trailer, and keep your feet dry, and powerload where the entire boat is in only 12" of water.

For the typical boat, 15' to 20' in length, if you can't launch and load with a bunk trailer, the trailer to not set up correctly, or you have the wrong trailer. Boat manufacturers, boat dealers, and boaters, usually skimp on the trailer to lower costs.
IMO, its the wrong thing to skimp on.

 

[109jb]

Re: Bunks or Rollers???

Never mind. I replied to a post I read incorrectly and can't figure out how to delete this entire post.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Bunks or Rollers???

109jb, Who said you have to leave the boat in gear to power load a roller trailer?? I said thats the way I have done it and do it when loading my boat alone! I could simply back the trailer a little further in the water and load my boat the way you say you load your bunk trailer, by coasting in or I could float it on if I wanted! Leaving the boat in gear is safe as long as you have practice doing it, The reason I do it this way is because I can keep the boat tight against the bow roller while I crank the winch line in with no resistance at all. Its very easy to do, and I have been doing it that way for about 25 years now.

The reason I responded to your rant in the first place is because you were giving wrong information about how to use a roller trailer.
If your not proficient in the use of a roller trailer, maybe you shouldn't give technical detail of what you think is the way people use them. I am proficient in using roller trailers and bunk trailers. Working in boat yards half my life, I got plenty of experience with both.

You have complained about people coming on here and voicing there opinions just like I have. But the difference is I know what I'm talking about. If you would like to continue floating/driving your boat on a bunk trailer, That is just fine with me, just don't tell the ones that know how to use a roller trailer that there wrong in the way they use them when you really don't have a clue!

Roller Trailers IMO Are going to work 99% of the time, is that better for you? Because yes, there is probably somewhere, in some state, in some back woods a place that my trailer would not work as well as someone elses set-up. But in the approximate 15 different states I have lived in, there has not been one ramp, or one boat that I have towed and launched that I could not get in and out of the water safely using a roller trailer.

The biggest difference I see in bunks and rollers is the way a boat will lead itself to the finish. The boat comes off and goes on a properly set up roller trailer everytime if you know what you are doing. I have not had the same experience with bunk trailers. There very easy to get off center for one, if properly mounted, the bunks should be contoured to the hull, which most are not. I could go on, but you probably get the idea.

You almost sound like your feeling are hurt anytime someone mentions a roller trailer. Don't be, both styles of trailers will get the job done if set up properly and has the right operator at the controls of the boat and the truck/trailer. Enjoy your boating!

Ohh and by the way, I have gotten my feet wet a few times over the years. Didn't seem to bother me since I was out playing on the water all day anyway.

Also, if your talking about loading a boat 16 feet long, I could load that in the bed of my pick up with out getting my feet wet. I have trailered boats all the way up to 38 ft. I launch and load my 25' 8000 lb rigg every week atleast 3 times.

 

[109jb]

Re: Bunks or Rollers???

109jb, Who said you have to leave the boat in gear to power load a roller trailer?? I said thats the way I have done it and do it when loading my boat alone! I could simply back the trailer a little further in the water and load my boat the way you say you load your bunk trailer, by coasting in or I could float it on if I wanted! Leaving the boat in gear is safe as long as you have practice doing it, The reason I do it this way is because I can keep the boat tight against the bow roller while I crank the winch line in with no resistance at all. Its very easy to do, and I have been doing it that way for about 25 years now.

The reason I responded to your rant in the first place is because you were giving wrong information about how to use a roller trailer.
If your not proficient in the use of a roller trailer, maybe you shouldn't give technical detail of what you think is the way people use them. I am proficient in using roller trailers and bunk trailers. Working in boat yards half my life, I got plenty of experience with both.

You have complained about people coming on here and voicing there opinions just like I have. But the difference is I know what I'm talking about. If you would like to continue floating/driving your boat on a bunk trailer, That is just fine with me, just don't tell the ones that know how to use a roller trailer that there wrong in the way they use them when you really don't have a clue!

Roller Trailers IMO Are going to work 99% of the time, is that better for you? Because yes, there is probably somewhere, in some state, in some back woods a place that my trailer would not work as well as someone elses set-up. But in the approximate 15 different states I have lived in, there has not been one ramp, or one boat that I have towed and launched that I could not get in and out of the water safely using a roller trailer.

The biggest difference I see in bunks and rollers is the way a boat will lead itself to the finish. The boat comes off and goes on a properly set up roller trailer everytime if you know what you are doing. I have not had the same experience with bunk trailers. There very easy to get off center for one, if properly mounted, the bunks should be contoured to the hull, which most are not. I could go on, but you probably get the idea.

You almost sound like your feeling are hurt anytime someone mentions a roller trailer. Don't be, both styles of trailers will get the job done if set up properly and has the right operator at the controls of the boat and the truck/trailer. Enjoy your boating!

Ohh and by the way, I have gotten my feet wet a few times over the years. Didn't seem to bother me since I was out playing on the water all day anyway.

Also, if your talking about loading a boat 16 feet long, I could load that in the bed of my pick up with out getting my feet wet. I have trailered boats all the way up to 38 ft. I launch and load my 25' 8000 lb rigg every week atleast 3 times.

On my boat, no matter how deep or shallow I tried the roller trailer, I could not drive on and take the boat out of gear without the boat rolling far enough off the trailer that the river current at two of my frequent spots would just take it down the river. These spots have no dock next to the ramp and walking it on required getting wet. Not something I want to do when fishing in 40-50 degree water. I don't mind getting wet when pleasure boating in warm water, but not in cold water when fishing. The only thing I want to get wet when fishing is my hand when I'm taking my catch off my line.

You say it is safe to leave the boat in gear. That is YOUR OPINION. That is an opinion not held by everyone, and with all due respect, you have absolutely no right to dictate to me what I feel is safe.

Also, as pointed out by others, If the drive is engaged in some states when the boat is on the trailer it is considered powerloading and WILL get you a ticket if DNR or local law enforcement see you. I know people that have gotten these tickets.

I don't complain about people voicing their opinion. I complained about people stating that they are 100% right 100% of the time. There is no absolute in this no matter what you think. Thinking there is an absolute answer is arrogance and that is what I complained about. I complained about it coming from both sides and I never said bunks were the only opton

Have you launched my boat at the location where I launch my boat? Obviously the answer is no, so how can you state that you know 100% that you can load my boat on my roller trailer at my location and not get wet and not have to leave the drive engaged to do it. You can't. Like I said, leaving the drive engaged is not an option as far as I am concerned and you can't dictate to me that it is an option.

I feel like my feelings are hurt? They aren't. Read my posts again. I said that rollers are fine if they work for you. I never said that bunks were the only option or that they were even the best option for everyone. I only stated that bunk was the best option for me and my reasons.

By the way, as I see it, all trailers work pretty much 100% of the time, it is just a matter of how well they work. My trailer when it was a roller worked 100% of the time but not to my satisfaction in some aspects. Now that it is a bunk trailer it still works 100% of the time but the difference is it works to my satisfaction now.

How the hell do you know if I was using my roller trailer correctly or incorrectly? Where you there watching me? What were you wearing when you were watching me? If you weren't there you can't say I was using it incorrectly. As I said, I had no "problem" ever loading my boat when it was a roller trailer, just that It would roll of if not kept in gear and hand loading meant getting wet in some cases. It always loaded fine and always loaded straight. I never said I couldn't load the boat on the roller. I even said that my reason for not liking the roller was because of a somewhat unique situation.

As for giving advice on using a roller trailer, show me the post where I did that?? I only told why a roller trailer didn't work for me and the reasons it didn't work for me.

I also never told anyone that they were using their roller trailers wrong. I don't know where you are getting this crap. I only told the situation with my trailer. YOU are the one telling me that I was using my trailer wrong as if you were there when I was doing it. Unless you were there, how can you say I was wrong, or if it was that I just didn't like some aspects of it.

I simply pointed out that there could be situations where a roller trailer doesn't work under certain parameters (drive not engaged, no dock, not having to get wet).

I don't know or really care how long you've been doing whatever it is you do, or how long your boat is. What I do know is that YOU have not launched my boat at my launch locations, using the desirable and undesirable parameters I have set forth, so you saying anything about that is simply speculation.

Obviously you are a know it all and refuse to admit that there may be conditions and parameters where a bunk trailer may be more desirable. Maybe not more desirable to you, but you are not me or anyone else. You don't get to dictate what is more desirable to me. This is the narrow mindedness I was referring to.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Bunks or Rollers???

On my boat, no matter how deep or shallow I tried the roller trailer, I could not drive on and take the boat out of gear without the boat rolling far enough off the trailer that the river current at two of my frequent spots would just take it down the river. These spots have no dock next to the ramp and walking it on required getting wet. Not something I want to do when fishing in 40-50 degree water. I don't mind getting wet when pleasure boating in warm water, but not in cold water when fishing. The only thing I want to get wet when fishing is my hand when I'm taking my catch off my line.

I also don't want to get wet and don't using my roller trailer. I also use a ramp sometimes that has alot of current (ohio river) that has no dock or tie up point close. I still don't get wet! It makes me beleive your trailer wasn't set up properly or the trailer was to far in the water.

You say it is safe to leave the boat in gear. That is YOUR OPINION. That is an opinion not held by everyone, and with all due respect, you have absolutely no right to dictate to me what I feel is safe.

No, I said thats the way I have done it and do it when loading my boat alone! I could simply back the trailer a little further in the water and load my boat the way you say you load your bunk trailer, by coasting in or I could float it on if I wanted! Leaving the boat in gear is safe as long as you have practice doing it, The reason I do it this way is because I can keep the boat tight against the bow roller while I crank the winch line in with no resistance at all. Its very easy to do, and I have been doing it that way for about 25 years now. I don't see anything in there that is trying to force upon you my way of doing it or trying to make you feel unsafe doing something.

Also, as pointed out by others, If the drive is engaged in some states when the boat is on the trailer it is considered powerloading and WILL get you a ticket if DNR or local law enforcement see you. I know people that have gotten these tickets.

Its not illegal here, and shouldn't be in other states either imo. More gubment control. Guess you always follow the rules.:facepalm:
I also have had freinds get tickets in other states and they one in court that it is indeed not on the trailer until fully attached. I'm sure every case doesn't go that way though. Like I said, if need be, I can load onto a roller trailer w/out power loading. Guess you missed that part!

I don't complain about people voicing their opinion. I complained about people stating that they are 100% right 100% of the time. There is no absolute in this no matter what you think. Thinking there is an absolute answer is arrogance and that is what I complained about. I complained about it coming from both sides and I never said bunks were the only opton

I guess I just don't see where people have said its an absolute in either direction. I see people voicing there opinions on the basis of what they know and have experienced.

Have you launched my boat at the location where I launch my boat? Obviously the answer is no, so how can you state that you know 100% that you can load my boat on my roller trailer at my location and not get wet and not have to leave the drive engaged to do it. You can't. Like I said, leaving the drive engaged is not an option as far as I am concerned and you can't dictate to me that it is an option.

Based on my experience, yes, I could come to your ramp based on what you said and load your boat. And there again, I have not tried to dictate anything to you. Matter of a fact this is what I said, both styles of trailers will get the job done if set up properly and has the right operator at the controls of the boat and the truck/trailer. And, Who said you have to leave the boat in gear to power load a roller trailer?? I said thats the way I have done it and do it when loading my boat alone! I could simply back the trailer a little further in the water and load my boat the way you say you load your bunk trailer, by coasting in or I could float it on if I wanted! Leaving the boat in gear is safe as long as you have practice doing it, The reason I do it this way is because I can keep the boat tight against the bow roller while I crank the winch line in with no resistance at all. Its very easy to do, and I have been doing it that way for about 25 years now.
Again, told you how I do it, didn't say you had to do it that way!

I feel like my feelings are hurt? They aren't. Read my posts again. I said that rollers are fine if they work for you. I never said that bunks were the only option or that they were even the best option for everyone. I only stated that bunk was the best option for me and my reasons.

I am very releived that your feeling aren't hurt!

By the way, as I see it, all trailers work pretty much 100% of the time, it is just a matter of how well they work. My trailer when it was a roller worked 100% of the time but not to my satisfaction in some aspects. Now that it is a bunk trailer it still works 100% of the time but the difference is it works to my satisfaction now.

Fantastic The trailers are usually not what has the issue, it is usually the operator/loader that has the issue.

How the hell do you know if I was using my roller trailer correctly or incorrectly? Where you there watching me? What were you wearing when you were watching me? If you weren't there you can't say I was using it incorrectly. As I said, I had no "problem" ever loading my boat when it was a roller trailer, just that It would roll of if not kept in gear and hand loading meant getting wet in some cases. It always loaded fine and always loaded straight. I never said I couldn't load the boat on the roller. I even said that my reason for not liking the roller was because of a somewhat unique situation.

I based my (opinion) on your statements because those things that were a problem to you, could have been resolved probably by adjustments on the trailer, adjustments on how you load, many different things. Never claimed to be there and never said you were doing it all wrong.

As for giving advice on using a roller trailer, show me the post where I did that?? I only told why a roller trailer didn't work for me and the reasons it didn't work for me.

This is true, got you confused with someone else, like you did earlier!

I also never told anyone that they were using their roller trailers wrong. I don't know where you are getting this crap. I only told the situation with my trailer. YOU are the one telling me that I was using my trailer wrong as if you were there when I was doing it. Unless you were there, how can you say I was wrong, or if it was that I just didn't like some aspects of it.

Refer to same answer, 2 spots above.

I simply pointed out that there could be situations where a roller trailer doesn't work under certain parameters (drive not engaged, no dock, not having to get wet).

This is where your experience with roller trailers comes into question, because I and many others disagree with your statement and don't have the same issues you were having loading on your roller trailer. I load and unload all the time at ramps with no dock and high current. No problem. If your bunks work better for you in that situation then great!

I don't know or really care how long you've been doing whatever it is you do, or how long your boat is. What I do know is that YOU have not launched my boat at my launch locations, using the desirable and undesirable parameters I have set forth, so you saying anything about that is simply speculation.

Didn't ask if you cared, I was stating how long I had been doing this and what I do so people less experience at doing it may learn something. Do I know it all, nope, but
I also don't turn my nose up to someone that knows more about something than I do. If someone came on here with 40 years experience, I would be listening to what he has to say also. Just like when eletrical experts, plumbing experts, financial experts, etc etc come on here and make comments, I listen to what they say because I just might learn something.

Obviously you are a know it all and refuse to admit that there may be conditions and parameters where a bunk trailer may be more desirable. Maybe not more desirable to you, but you are not me or anyone else. You don't get to dictate what is more desirable to me. This is the narrow mindedness I was referring to.

Obviously you don't read, or maybe you just missed it. I said that roller trailers will work 99 percent of the time. To add to that, bunk trailers would probably also. But in my experience, the roller trailers do it better, quiker, and easier. I think like one other person had said, loading into 12 inches of water from a beach, now that would be tricky for any trailer. And as far as knowing it all, Nahh, I wouldn't be hanging out on this forum if I did! I like debating when I think I am right! You shouldn't take it personal. Nothing on these forums is worth getting your panties in a bunch. Good day and enjoy your boating. Sorry, don't want you to think I'm forcing that onto you to! If you don't want to enjoy your boating, its fine with me.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Bunks or Rollers???

This discussion always turns the same way. Personally I do not believe either design is better or worse than the other and it mostly comes down to personal choice. All have advantages and disadvantages as people point out and each appears to be better suited to differing situations and preferance.

The biggest concerns anyone should have is does the trailer I have fit the boat properly. Is it the correct lenght? Capacity? Is it set up correctly? Then does it perform the way I'd like? I say this because I've seen some really junk setups at the ramps and in pictures posted here. Both roller and bunk trailers!

I still stick with these statements and belive it completely. I see and hear on this forum and at ramps people complaining that their trailers are junk when in fact all one has to do is look at the setup as a whole and then realize that it's not the trailer that is junk it's the setup and fit! Trailer is too small, trailer is too big, trailer capacity is wrong. Bunks are misaligned or not enough. Rollers are out of position or not enough. Bunks or rollers are just plain worn out!

Roscoe, 109jb and myself are all using our trailers in unique extreme conditions. Ones that few others find themselves in on most occasions. The 3 of us also all have different rigs with boats and trailers. Though Roscoe and I find ourselves at very very shallow launches that are unimproved we each go about it a different way and the way we are doing it each works for us and the rigs we are using. I'm not going to argue with him that his setup is all wrong. How can I? It works very well for him as mine works for me!

If 98% of the boaters can sink their trailers on concrete ramps up to the trailer ball then in my opinion it really doesn't make a difference which kind of trailer one uses as long as it will safely hold the boat and get it from point A to point B. Which is the only reason one uses a trailer. Then if one wants to complain about getting their feet wet then either add a catwalk or find a different trailer or ramp.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Bunks or Rollers???

Read my post right above yours. This type of attitude is narrow minded in my opinion. I can show you ramps where a loading alone on a roller trailer absolutely means getting wet unless you drive on and leave the engine running and drive engaged to hook up the winch strap. Leaving the engine running with the drive engaged is more unacceptable than getting wet in my opinion. Unless there is a dock next to the ramp how do you load without getting wet otherwise when you are alone? I can load my bunk trailer at those ramps by coasting onto the trailer without having to leave the drive engaged to hook up the winch strap. Again I've got nothing against roller trailers, they just don't work for me. I never get wet when I launch or load either. What I do have something against is an attitude of "I'm right and everyone else is wrong."

You just made my point. Driving on or powering up and leaving the engine running is dangerous imo. From what i see at the ramps, there are 2 common misconceptions. First that you need a lot of water to launch or load, and second that the winch is only there for holding the bow down.

Also, its not about right or wrong, and you're right in principal in your previous post. Ramp conditions are everything. If your facility is good and bunks work for you, go for it. You just saved money on your trailer purchase. But if you ever have to use an unimproved ramp that is shallow and powerloading is illegal, then you're screwed.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Bunks or Rollers???

Come on vacation with me next year. My gas, your boat and trailer. I want to see you get your boat on the trailer, and keep your feet dry, and powerload where the entire boat is in only 12" of water.

For the typical boat, 15' to 20' in length, if you can't launch and load with a bunk trailer, the trailer to not set up correctly, or you have the wrong trailer. Boat manufacturers, boat dealers, and boaters, usually skimp on the trailer to lower costs.
IMO, its the wrong thing to skimp on.

If all you got is 12" of water, I would never try it with a bunk. That's the perfect example of where rollers shine.

OH yes, don't forget about the winch!

 

[dingbat]

Re: Bunks or Rollers???

Wish I had pics or remembered the mfg, but I saw a trailer a lot last year for a bass boat. It had conventional bunks, but also had a set of rollers that would cantilever up, raised by a second winch up front. Best of both worlds! The boat would rest on the bunks, but if you needed to do a shallow launch/recovery you could turn it into a roller trailer.

Loadrite makes that trailer, or at least used too

In Florida professional guides that use their boat as a living 300 days a year have bunk trailers and power their boats on. I think our ramps must be different than up North. Look at any high dollar boat down here and you won't see a roller trailer. Not saying its bad or good.

You don't get the tidal swings they get up north. Our tides are not as bad as further up the coast yet on low tide it's sometime rough to get a boat on a trailer even with roller bunks.