Plastic slides for trailer bunks

[89retta]

Would like to add some to my trailer bunks to make loading and unloading easier. Any suggestions on what type of plastic to use. Thanks for any help

 

[ahicks]

The plastic lumber used for trim around garage doors?

 

[89retta]

I found some of this stuff. https://www.kijiji.ca/v-buy-sell-ot...ps/1350274874?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

 

[ahicks]

Geez, that should work!
2 thoughts, that's going to let the boat slide around pretty easily. I'd be reviewing my tie down plans....
Second, that stuff is going to expand and contract a bunch with temp changes. Make sure you allow for that when fastening it to anything. You can fasten securely near the center, but the ends are going to move 1/4" or so from hot to cold when you do that. If it can't expand it will buckle. If it can't shrink it will crack at the mounting holes.

 

[JimS123]

I suppose you could make some out of UHMW, but after you buy all the parts how far are you ahead?

I have tried Glide Slicks and didn't like them. I now have EZ Slides on 3 boat trailers and they are the slickest thing (pun intended) since sliced bread.

They come pre-cut, pre-drilled, countersunk and with all SS self tapping hardware. They even come with end pieces that wrap around the bunk ends to help keep the carpet in good shape.

I installed the last set at the launch ramp last year in about 15 minutes.

 

[JimS123]

I found some of this stuff. https://www.kijiji.ca/v-buy-sell-ot...ps/1350274874?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

A-HA! Now I know why I don't like the Glide Slicks. They are made from PE. I knew they felt different than the EZ Slides, which to me feel more like UHMW. Ironwood uses generic terms in their description, so they don't really specify what the material is. "Teflon infused".

 

[89retta]

Well I got them installed today. And wow what a difference. Boat slid on so easy and the wife was able to winch it up the last foot. Usually I had to get out and winch the boat up the last foot. Wish I did this sooner

 

[Kedwards68]

Plastic slides are great for loading but they are SLICK and tie-down and bow stops/ bow rests should be evaluated. I narrowly escaped disaster when my new-to-me boat on a brand new "dealer set up" trailer with plastic slides, slid forward crushing the bow stop and veering off to the starboard side of the trailer. Transom straps kept it from launching off the trailer. This happened starting down a hill under smooth engine braking. Word from dealer and trailer manufacturer is "bow stops are not meant to keep boat from sliding forward". After my close call I have read about too many accidents under similar situations. Be safe!

 

[89retta]

No problems at all for me.

 

[H20Rat]

I've used plastic slides on heavier glass boats, never again. They WILL scrape up the hull over time, any dust/sand/sediment will get ground into the gel coat and eventually strip it down to bare fiberglass.

EZ Slides in particular come with this warning


RECOMMENDED USES

Fiberglass boats weighing less than 1,500 pounds (boat and motor combined weight).

Fiberglass boats weighing more than 1,500 pounds may experience surface damage to their gel coat finish in those areas coming in contact with the pads.

 

[89retta]

This is what I used https://www.kijiji.ca/v-buy-sell-oth...ationFlag=true.

 

[89retta]

And as for the sand and sediment wont happen. As it all gets washed off in the water , cant hold it unlike carpet that will trap all the sand in it

 

[JimS123]

Plastic slides are great for loading but they are SLICK and tie-down and bow stops/ bow rests should be evaluated. I narrowly escaped disaster when my new-to-me boat on a brand new "dealer set up" trailer with plastic slides, slid forward crushing the bow stop and veering off to the starboard side of the trailer. Transom straps kept it from launching off the trailer. This happened starting down a hill under smooth engine braking. Word from dealer and trailer manufacturer is "bow stops are not meant to keep boat from sliding forward". After my close call I have read about too many accidents under similar situations. Be safe!

My bow stop is only a positioner. My Bow tie down keeps the boat from sliding forward, and the transom tie downs keeps it from sliding back.

I don't need anything to help loading. That's easy peasy even without the slicks. What they are needed for is launching, especially when I'm alone.

 

[JimS123]

I've used plastic slides on heavier glass boats, never again. They WILL scrape up the hull over time, any dust/sand/sediment will get ground into the gel coat and eventually strip it down to bare fiberglass.

EZ Slides in particular come with this warning


RECOMMENDED USES

Fiberglass boats weighing less than 1,500 pounds (boat and motor combined weight).

Fiberglass boats weighing more than 1,500 pounds may experience surface damage to their gel coat finish in those areas coming in contact with the pads.

You are correct re. the specs. I use them on boats that weigh about 900 lbs and 1200 lbs. In both cases they work awesome.

My other boat (the oldest) weighs about 2800 pounds. The trailer is set up with keel rollers and swinging roller bunks under the engine. The remaining 2 bunks have slides and they show a chalking / wear on the surface of the slides. The hull is pristine.

Maybe the secret is to not have only bunks if the boat exceeds the 1500 mark.

 

[H20Rat]

And as for the sand and sediment wont happen. As it all gets washed off in the water , cant hold it unlike carpet that will trap all the sand in it

Those weren't my warnings, that was direct from the manufacturer. Not all sand or dirt will get washed off. In my case, I had a gravel road before the ramp, and dunking the trailer absolutely did NOT clean the glides off. Carpet is a softer surface, so if there is dirt, it gets pushed into the carpet instead of grinding into the hull.

 

[89retta]

Yes carpet is soft and once you load a 2500 pound boat on it its as flat as plastic. So all that hidden sand is now rubbing on the bottom. To each their own

 

[BaileysBoat]

Installed the plastic slides by Caliber. Have to say the boat is a little easier to winch up the last foot or so. The big advantage for me is that the plate alloy hull of my Stanley is not sitting on wet carpet---no chance of corrosion.