Installing bunks on a roller trailer..

gunner1

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 13, 2006
Messages
375
IS there any special way/location when it comes to installing bunks on a trailer that didn't originally have them? The current set-up I have is two set of rollers on the very back of the trailer- one on the left side and one on the right- and one small set of rollers about halfway up the trailer on each side. The boat ( a 16' aluminum hull ) doesn't seem the sit right on the trailer as it is now. It feels very wobbly and both of the keel rollers are split clean through. For a boat this size would you recommend six foot bunks? Any installation tips/photos would be greatly appreciated.
 

Nova II 260

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 27, 2006
Messages
681
Re: Installing bunks on a roller trailer..

Don't know a thing about roller trailers, but I think on an alum boat they may not be the thing to use, since the rollers have such a small contact area. Bunks maybe a better solution.
Take a look at the trailer mfg's and see where they have them.
Then take a look at Lowe and mgf's or some of he other alum boat mfg's (and eBay) and see how they're sitting on the trailers. Six foot should be OK since the hull is not straight for the lenght of the boat. Be sure and leave yourself a 1" or so under the transom while maintaining your correct load balance.
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: Installing bunks on a roller trailer..

About 80% of the trailers in my neck of the woods are rollers and most of the boats that sit on them are aluminum and I've not seen one that had a hull damaged by a roller. However, some of the older trailers used too few rollers and rollers that are too small a diameter. All of the brackets you need are readily available at Champion trailers.
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: Installing bunks on a roller trailer..

About 80% of the trailers in my neck of the woods are rollers and most of the boats that sit on them are aluminum and I've not seen one that had a hull damaged by a roller including my own that gets trailered thousands of miles each season. However, some of the older trailers used too few rollers and rollers that are too small a diameter. All of the brackets you need are readily available at Champion trailers.
 
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