Trailer bunk question
 

Has anyone tried non-carpet matereial on their trailer bunks? How about some of the slick man-made material that woodworkers use to line their fences. I believe it is a teflon material.

Has it hurt your hull?

Is it vastly easier to load?

Does the boat want to slide off like a roller bunk trailer?

How has it lasted?

-- thanx

I'm getting ready to change bunks too, sounds interesting.:)

I used to work at a dealer part time. Had a boat owner come in that had the plastic cover on his bunks. I don't think it scratched or hurt the hull any until he backed down the ramp with the winch unhooked and the boat slid off and hit the concrete.

Carpet bunks won't do that.

Eric

I have the nylon covers on my jet ski trailer and they are VERY slippery. You cannot release the boat until it is ready to go in the water-any slant and it slides right off. It will also shift on the trailer when towing unless tied down really well. We have also been looking into buying those recycled 2X4s since they are all plastic there would be no need to cover them. Also watch the screws that attach the covers-I had one come loose and gouge the gel coat.:mad:

I've heard several horrors stories like the ones above. Of course leaving the bow line on would prevent that.:rolleyes: The advantage would that moisture wouldn't be held against the hull for long periods. I've seen hulls blister only where they rest on the bunks.

chart i installed teflon strips on my bunk two years ago, could'nt be happier, yes it's true you do not unhook the boat backin it in, but no scrates or scuffs on hull, fiberglass is harder then the plastic,i got mine at plastics fab. installed my self, boat is a 42' fountain, an myco trailer. gary

Why Wait:

Do you have trouble with your boat sliding around on the trailer like insptech does with his jet skis?

Do you strap your boat down at the transom in addition to the bow?

How far do you trailer, and how rough are your regular roads?

I trailer across several states, and some of the roads are awful. My boat is a 30' Formula on a Myco trailer.

thanx

Do the teflon strips or plastic go on top of the carpet or is a complete covering to replace the carpet? My bunks will need attention soon.

Chart, i don't strap the boat when i stay local about 7 miles to landing. i go to LOTO, then i strap it so it cannot slide forward, thats the problem, siding forward if i have to slam on the breaks.the boat is to heavy to bounce around, even on rough roads. i installed the plastic over the carpit i ordered the plastic 1/2" smaller then the bunks, i think it was 3/8" thick so i counter sunk the stainless screws so not to scratch, i check them every other launch or so, i like it i'm not scuffing the hull from the carpit. i don't have to back the trailer as deep, the boat walks up real nice.

I use a product called Liquid Rollers. Just spray on the carpeted bunks, let dry and it lasts for many launches. It does work so do NOT undo the winch line until the stern is in the water. Makes it much easier to retrieve the boat at shallow launch sites I bought mine at Boat US, (1) can lated all season.

Padraig: Thanks for the info. Sounds like it is worth a try before redoing all the bunks with teflon stips.

Same questions for you: How far do you trailer, what kind of roads, does the boat shift on the trailer, how do you have to strap it down with the slick bunks, ect.

thanks

Last year I applied this coating to the bottom of the hull that was said to increase the speed. Well that stuff works very well when it comes time to land the boat. I got the boat lined up and nestled in the bunks. Then I applied a healthy amount of throttle. The boat took off and it felt like I had slid right over the bow block! I swore that I was going to put it through the back window of the truck! Too say the least, the second try was sucessful with a more deft touch to the throttle.

I was just looking in the Boat US cataloge and they have 10" long teflon/plastic strips you put on your bunks. My concern is that it does not cover the entire bunk so the hull will be placing it weight on these strips. Do they make a longer peice that can cover a 15' bunk completely?

Chart, I tow a 280 Velocity anywhere from 10 miles to 350 miles. No problem. No problems with it moving but on a steep ramp it will slide off the bunks so do not unhook the winch strap until you are in the water!

I use two transom tie downs and two tie downs at the bow, one angled forward and one back. Roads run from good paved to poor, no problems.

Its a good product, try it before you spend money and labor on the teflon strips.

Padraig: Thank you for your information. I think I'll follow your suggestion. I pull a 30' Formula without transom straps. (No good path for the strap from the eyes to the trailer) But use two straps on the bow, like you. Have never had a problem with shifting on carpet, but can be a bear loading the boat on some ramps. (Especially the time we had to load it dead due to an electrial failure:mad: )

Intolerant1: My woodworking catalogs offer these stips in 3-4' lengths a few inches wide. Also hear that plastic dealers might have them in other sizes.

http://www.rockler.com/ecom7/findpro...DID=6&sku=1580

call a plastic fab. dealer, they have the stuff in 4x8 sheets. i measured my bunks, then called them they cut it for me. tell what you are using it for they will set you up. gary

Im going to replace my bunks this weekend and wanted to know what type of carpet to get???
I have seen astro turf used but my boat is heavy so not really wanting to go that route
The carpet that is on there though retains so much water it just rots out the wood bunks and now I have one that is cracked
Going to block the boat thursday and do alot of trailer maintenance and upgrades
How bad is it to get this teflon cover stuff?
Where is it located? How much for how much?
A website that we can see what it is and looks like?
Is it plyable wrap type thing or what?
Thanks for the replies
Jason

Jayl13
Go to Home Depot and get their Fish'n'Skl carpet. It works great, lays very well on the bunks, and is as breeze to install with Stainless Steel staples. I covered all my bunks with it in the Charcoal color. Lever the bottom of each bunk uncarpeted for drainage.

I put new bunks on the Formula trailer last year and was thinking about putting the strips on, but was worried about pressure points and boat shift. I thought I'd give the Liquid Rollers a try before buying the Teflon. I was amazed at how well the stuff works- used only half a can last season.
Try this stuff before committing to the plastic- you can add it on later if you don't like it.

Does that Fish and Ski carpet come in different colors?
was looking for a purple carpet to do my bunks in and sort of match the pin striping on side of trailer to it?
Any ideas?
Jason

Home Depot only had Charcoal, Blue, and Green.
Remember, road dirt and crap will stain anything. I have seen it make nice red carpets on trailers look nasty.

I have the same question as Insptech....Has anyone tried using those gray recycled plastic 2X4's for bunk replacements? I would think they would be a great replacement as they will never rot and don't hold water. The only concern I would have is are they as stron as the real thing?

Any ideas???

Plastic wood?
 

The Plastic wood you refer to is commonly known as "TREX" and it's made close to home. It is not as stucturally strong as wood- for instance 2x6 decking can only be laid on 16" centers where most codes allow 24" centers for treated pine. The boards also have a slightly convex surface so your hull would not be uniformly supported. I do think it's great for decking, especially if you're in it for the long haul.

A concern I have is with dirt, bird droppings etc. If it gets on a carpeted bunk it will have some give or a place to go beneth it. With these alternative bunks it is held firmly against your gel coat where normal wiggling will allow abrasion.

treated wood should last quite a while for trailer bunks.