Trailer Bunk Board - PT or Regular

[Jake007]

Well I searched and read about a dozen of these posts and they all seem to contrdict.

I have a 20' boat and aluminum performance type trailer. I go in saltwater 60% of the time. I read where some say for trailer bunks, definately pressure treated lumber cause it absorbs less water and lasts longer. Others point toward galvanic corrosion. This board would be mounted to a standard bracket (i assume these are steel or galvanized?) and the bracket is what is mounted to the trailer.

Everyone was in agreement on the monel staples.

So PT or regular wood?

HD indoor /outdoor carpet or carpet from a marine supply store?

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Trailer Bunk Board - PT or Regular

PT
Outdoor carpet

 

[Jake007]

Re: Trailer Bunk Board - PT or Regular

Thanks Ted. Home Dep here I come.

 

[I_5320]

Re: Trailer Bunk Board - PT or Regular

I'm somewhat of a newbee but did replace my old bunks twice with pine. Mostly due to drain plug hole being open on uncovered tinny and it was always getting dripped on.

That all being said with my current rebuild research, Cypress came out to be the wood of choice. Expensive up north but you should be able to get in souther states much cheaper. It's not considered a hardwood but I got mine at a Hardwood Lumber store.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Trailer Bunk Board - PT or Regular

I just rebuilt mine out of yellow pine, for a pontoon bunk trailer. It wasn't worth the risk of pin holes in the toons and used bunk carpet.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Trailer Bunk Board - PT or Regular

Have carpeted more than a few bunks using contact cement, no staples, no screws, no problems.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Trailer Bunk Board - PT or Regular

Have carpeted more than a few bunks using contact cement, no staples, no screws, no problems.

I agree. There is no issue using staples where the boat doesn't touch the bunk. Just keep that in mind. I have seen several bunk rebuild trailers parked at the ramp and I can see where people staple on the tops of the bunks.

 

[mrdancer]

Re: Trailer Bunk Board - PT or Regular

You don't want to use PT if your boat is aluminum. If it's 'glass, I wouldn't worry too much. Just be sure to use SS fasteners, or you will lose your bunks in a year or two if you dunk your trailer much. The newer PT is VERY corrosive, even on SS fasteners. You could probably still get the good ol' PT as little as five years ago, depending on your location, but can't get that anymore. The newer PT is a whole different ballgame. Look at the decking industry and consider using their fasteners - they are built to a higher standard since there is much more liability involved.

If your boat is aluminum, go with untreated wood, cypress if available. No carpet is necessary like with 'glass boats. I prefer the bunk sliks on top of the wood.

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: Trailer Bunk Board - PT or Regular

If you're gonna use ACQ-treated wood you should "isolate" the wood from the bracket. Look into something like a window tape or Grace Ice and Water Shield. Direct contact of ACQ-treated wood and galvanized metals WILL corrode the galvanization VERY quickly. Good Luck

 

[Jake007]

Re: Trailer Bunk Board - PT or Regular

Thanks guys for the comments. Hopefully I can get this done in the next couple of weeks.