Bunks or Rollers???

[57crestliner]

Re: Bunks or Rollers???

If you can handle the weight, the old tilt trailer is still the best bunk trailer for me.

 

[Chris-R]

Re: Bunks or Rollers???

Over the years, I've had both bunk and roller trailers. My newest boat has a roller trailer. I love how quick I can load and unload the boat without having to worry about what time low tide is. I also like the self-centering of a roller trailer. It's so easy with a roller trailer. I'll never go back to a bunk trailer again.

 

[109jb]

Re: Bunks or Rollers???

I don't care to debate this anymore, so I will state a few things and be done with this thread. Chriscraft254 is welcome to come have the last word.

-My roller trailer was set up correctly according to the EZ-loader rep that I talked to and e-mailed pictures. It was also the original trailer that came with my boat when it was new.

-At specific river locations where I launch, the boat would roll backward off the roller trailer far enough that the river current would take it unless the drive was left engaged. Different trailer depths were tried, from fender submerged to tires barely in the water, all with results that did not meet my standards. Walking it on in those locations meant wading to about knee depth to load the boat. It loaded fine from that point, but the getting wet was not acceptable to me. I could have easily loaded the boat and not gotten wet if leaving the drive engaged was an acceptable option to me; however I don't consider this as acceptable either.

-Anyone who says that they can launch and retrieve my boat from my trailer at my locations without getting wet AND without leaving the drive engaged is guessing. I never said I had a location where I couldn't launch or couldn't retrieve my boat when it was a roller, just that the circumstances to do so were unacceptable to me.

-As a bunk trailer I can launch and retrieve at all of my usual ramps without any problems and as fast as anyone else with any kind of trailer. I don't have to get feet wet or leave the drive engaged. The boat doesn't slide backward off the bunk trailer like it does with rollers. I have also not been to a location where I couldn't launch my boat from the bunk trailer. I didn't say those locations don't exist, but I haven't been to one yet. Since that is my experience, what benefit is it for me to have a roller trailer?

-I have nothing against roller trailers. They work well for many people and they excel at some things like shallow water launches. The problem I have is people telling people that they NEED a roller trailer because you can launch everywhere with then. If you don't have to launch "everywhere" then why do you need one. My father in law has a Ford Ranger. I have a GMC 2500HD. I can haul and tow A LOT more weight than he could ever dream of so I should tell my father in law that he needs to get rid of that Ranger and get a bigger truck right?? It's better isn't it?? For me it is because I need to haul and tow lots of weight. My father in law doesn't need to haul or tow that much so the Ranger is better for him. It is all about the situation. If the situation dictates that you need a roller trailer then fine, but my situation dictated a bunk trailer for the reasons specified.

Now someone can come along and ignore what I just wrote again and say I did it wrong or that I wasn't at the right depth, or that my trailer wasn't set up correctly, or I should accept getting wet and buy waders, or I don't know what I'm talking about, or I don't have enough experience, or ............ whatever.

 

[wallychaser]

Re: Bunks or Rollers???

Well I certainly opened up an interesting discussion with this post, from what I read there is no definitive right or wrong answer. I have owned three boats, (glass and tin) all with rollers, also helped my dad with his boats as a youngster, yup, rollers.Thats all I know thus the question. I live in Canada and have launched in lakes, rivers and reservoirs, steep and shallow and never had a problem. I did have one premature launch, not due to inexperience but poor judgment on my part, (pilot error) Practice makes perfect, I have learned to pay attention as to how my boat(s) best comes off and go on in different situations, and repeat. One thing I do is make regular integrity checks of the strap/rope/cable and safety chain to ensure my boat stays on the trailer when it is suppose to, too much investment to have it end up on the launch pad. I see too many people rely solely on the rope/strap/cable when pulling out and up a steep pad, makes me cringe... one of these times.... Thanks to all who participated with their views, now lets getting boating/fishing....

 

[RandyJ]

Re: Bunks or Rollers???

As with many other discussions in this forum, there are too many variables for one size/type to fit all. Type of boat, type of bottom of hull, several things affect the best choice for the trailer. IMO, how the bottom of the hull is structured and it's strength is a serious consideration of which type trailer, rollers or bunks, to have. A thin bottom John boat rides smoother and is less likely to sustain damage from trailering if using bunks and I think this is probably true for about any boat. Too, I think any trailer could be designed or re-designed to accommodate rollers in place of bunkers and still sit as low if not lower than the bunkers. In salt water I'd prefer the bunkers simply because the rollers are going to rust, be more difficult and more expensive to replace. Of course, this may also depend on the size and type of rollers v.s. size and type of bunkers. What works best for your situation, your usual type of launch ramp, and your boat design is going to be the biggest determining factor. If you are lucky enough that you have all the elements working together so you can back the trailer down in the water and float right up to the winch post without powering up to it and still be able to step down from the front of the boat onto dry ground then it really will not matter what's under the boat as long as it carries it safely and securely. One of my boat trailers has rollers. If not in the water deep enough or at the right angle the keel hits the trailer frame if I miss that 4" roller up front.and has damaged the hull from this. I have another small boat trailer that has bunkers and because the boat is a v-hull it also will do the same. But, I have a couple of tri hull type bass boats that are rather flat on bottom and due to the design of their trailers (bunker type) they are very easy to drive up on and can NOT hit the metal frame. All work great in the right condition and with the right application.

 

[gjsullivan]

Re: Bunks or Rollers???

When I grew up my friend had two boats with rollers, Glastron and Regal. No problems most of time, but some time it was hard to get it on straight. Probably due also to v hull.

I have had two Nautiques. a 67 and a 1990 Sport Nautique. Both had bunks and I love them. Launch is simple, after doing all my prep in the parking lot including a quick check that the motor starts, I am in the boat, my wife or son back down to the water, I reach over the bow, unhook the bow strap, they back in and I drive off.

Loading is just as quick. As the trailer backs down the ramp I idle in towards the trailer. When I time it right I am about a boat length away when the trailer stops. I then just drive on the trailer, walk up to the front, lean over, hook the bow strap, crank the winch once and signal to pull it out. No need for anyone to get out on the ramp. Safe and quick. If I can't drive the boat on ( engine died once ) I have 15' of strap on the winch so I can pull it out, hook it up and winch it on the trailer.

When done right, the trailer is only in the water about 30 seconds. I pride myself on figuring out how to do things well, and I enjoy the envious looks of people wishing they could do it that quick and easy.

When I have launched by myself, I back down next to the dock, get out, put a wheel chock behind the rear tire. ( The chock has an eye bolt with a rope and clip on it. I hook the rope/clip to the trailer hitch, this way when I drive the truck out the chock gets pulled up the ramp with me and I don't leave it on the the ramp or have to go back for it ). I tie a line from a boat cleat to the dock about 10 ft back, then back the trailer in. If the boat floats off I get out and pull it to the dock. If not then I back it off and the line acts like a spring line and pulls the boat up to the dock. I then pull the boat out of the way and then drive the truck and trailer out. It takes about 2 or 3 min longer.

Loading is the same as above only I back the trailer down, set the chock, drive the boat on and then get in the truck and drive out.