Rollers Vs Bunks

[Martin Berend]

I just bought a brand new 26' Center Console.<br /><br />The trailer that came with the boat is one with carpeted bunks.<br /><br />I talked the dealer into giving me a trailer with rollers instead at no extra charge but he still tried to talk me out of it.<br /><br />The dealer said that the roller trailer doesn't support the boat as well.<br /><br />I chose the roller trailer because the ramp that I use isn't very good and at low tide sinking a trailer with bunks would sometimes be impossible.<br /><br />Anyone have thoughts on this? Did I make the right choice? I the dealer right? Do roller trailers not properly support the boat?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Rollers Vs Bunks

I've owned both and much prefer a roller trailer. There will obviously be others with opposing views but this is another personal choice issue. If you find a roller trailer works best for you at the ramps you use most you made the right choice. I would suspect the bigger the boat the more important a roller trailer become for ease of launch and retrieval -- especially on shallow ramps.

 

[ztim]

Re: Rollers Vs Bunks

I saw on another post something about teflon strips to go on top of the bunks. <br /><br />Anyone ever try it?

 

[woodduck17]

Re: Rollers Vs Bunks

i sprayed my bunks with "Liquid Rollers" and it works great. They mean it when they say Don't unhook your boat until it is in the water. I use a shallow ramp all the time and this stuff lets me push my boat off with one hand.

 

[Major Woods]

Re: Rollers Vs Bunks

I have owned both roller and bunk trailers and prefer the bunk for sereral reasons.<br />More surface area to support the boats hull.<br />Less maintenance.<br />Lower cost, initial replacement parts.<br /><br />I currently have a 26'WA and can push off the boat (not float off) all by myself very easily. I have the teflon bunk covers (no carpet) they are slicker than sh!%. Do not unhook until ready to launch or the boat will end up on the ramp instead of in the water <br />I have not come across a launch that only roller trailers could use and I could not due to shallow water. In fact most roller trailers sit the boat up highter than mine<br />

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Rollers Vs Bunks

Guess that's why they make both styles. My roller trailer gets wet only to the rear tip of the fender. I drive on attach the strap, and pullout. The ramps I use are 80 unimproved so getting the trailer level is rare. The boat always self centers and levels itself at pull-out. That was never the case with my bunk trailers and they were fitted with the glide strips out of frustration. Those trailers are now someone elses problem.

 

[Dead Eye]

Re: Rollers Vs Bunks

I read somewhere storing a heavy boat on rollers may void a warranty. The weight on the rollers are concentrated to a too small area and may put small depressions in the hull. Some manufacturers state bunk trailers are a must. Bunks distribute the weight across a longer plane.<br /> Dead Eye

 

[ztim]

Re: Rollers Vs Bunks

Major Woods..are those teflon bunk covers the commercial name?<br /><br />They look like something I could use. I tried to fine the liquid rollers at the local marine store, but didn't. I did find it here at iboats. Too bad the shipping is 2/3 the price of the can.

 

[Pogo123]

Re: Rollers Vs Bunks

I agree that the nylon pads are waaaay better than carpet. If you install nylon pads ... do NOT unhook your boat until you are fully ready to launch. It will slide off the trailer with the most gentle of pushes.<br /><br />Last year I found that Rubbermaid produces the very same nylon in a "Commercial" cutting board (15 X 20 X 1/2") for about $11.00. You can cut it on a saw, counter sink the mounting holes and have a complete set of pads for far less than pre-made ones.<br /><br />In bigger cities, I've seen the Rubbermaid boards at several stores, but around here Sam's Club is the only source and the model number is: 70-9789-71 ... "Commercial - Restaurant Quality" on the label.<br /><br />One tip you may find useful ... you can heat this stuff with a heat gun or a torch (paint remover fan tip) and bend it. I taper the last 6 inches of the rear bunk end from 2" to about 1 1/4 (makes a short angled ramp), screw the strip to the short end (it's now pointing straight up), then heat it and bend it forward over the bunk before putting in the rest of the screws. That way, there are NO sharp edges to catch your hull.<br /><br />The average cutting board will NOT work, by the way. Try to cut it on a saw and all you do is melt it to the saw blade. The Rubbermaids are like sawing wood.

 

[Pogo123]

Re: Rollers Vs Bunks

By the way ... I just noticed that, after all that, I didn't answer your question.<br /><br />Both rollers and bunks work fine in most applications ... it appears to me more a matter of choice than functionality. <br /><br />I've never heard of any boat warranties being voided by using one over the other (nor has anyone I talked to - including boat manufacturers) and see both being used on the same boat models all the time.<br /><br />If you're happy, then I think your boat will be too.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Rollers Vs Bunks

That's an "old wives tale" usually told by someone who has a bunk trailer because that's what came with the boat. A boat manufacturer in the midwest would have a tough time selling boats if they stipulated it couldn't be carried on a roller trailer. If rollers are doing damage they are set up wrong and/or the boat is structurally inferior. Roller are adjusted laterally at the longitudinal stringers with additional support to the keel by keel rollers. Here in the midwest about 9 in 10 trailers are rollers. You see a few glass boats and most small tinnies on bunks. My boat is trailered at high speed and on some pretty ugly secondary roads. There is not a mark on the bottom that the trailer made.

 

[Martin Berend]

Re: Rollers Vs Bunks

That's exactly why I LOVE iBoats forums!<br /><br />You guys went at this from every angle and helped me make up my mind!<br /><br />I'm going to go with the roller trailer. The hull has a lifetime guarantee that is not voided by a roller trailer.<br /><br />As for ease of use... I think I'm going to prefer the rollers.<br /><br />Thank you all very much!

 

[woodduck17]

Re: Rollers Vs Bunks

ztim, shop around there may be better prices. i did---

 

[ztim]

Re: Rollers Vs Bunks

Thanks Woodduck.

 

[woodduck17]

Re: Rollers Vs Bunks

you're welcome

 

[pooldoo73]

Re: Rollers Vs Bunks

There are many boat manufacturers that will void hull warranties if the boat is kept on a roller trailer. The Regulator manufacturer highly recommends that the boat be kept on bunks rather than rollers, just to name one high end builder.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Rollers Vs Bunks

Glass Boats??

 

[jake069]

Re: Rollers Vs Bunks

fiberglass,

I'd say its a tossup , a 50/50 mix at the ramp I launch at, in the midwest

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Rollers Vs Bunks

I just spent 10 days fishing in northern Wisconsin and I saw one bunk style trailer. Ranger boat/Ranger Trailer. All the aluminum boats rode on rollers. I've owned several bunk style trailers and I will go back to one under only one situation -- purchase of a glass boat which is not likely.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Rollers Vs Bunks

There are many boat manufacturers that will void hull warranties if the boat is kept on a roller trailer. The Regulator manufacturer highly recommends that the boat be kept on bunks rather than rollers, just to name one high end builder.

Same with Boston Whaler:"Boston Whaler does NOT recommend using an all roller trailer. Side rollers can cause a ripple effect on the fiberglass. This could disrupt the bond between the fiberglass and the foam core, causing potential hull problems." source:http://www.whaler.com/REC/default.asp?content=maintenancefaqs#5