Converting a roller trailer to bunks

[Grea5eM0nkey]

Has anyone ever converted a roller trailer to bunks? i dont like the way my boat sits on it and i will be experiencing some shallow ramps and im told bunks are better for shallow launches. Heres a couple pics with the boat on the trailer. Any ideas and pics would be really helpful. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[tazrig]

Re: Converting a roller trailer to bunks

To convert from rollers to bunks just remove the rail (Metal Beam) with the rollers and replace it with bunks, then tilt the bunks in until they lay flat on the bottom of your boat. That being said though, if you are launching in shallow ramps then the rollers are the way you want to stay as you can "roll" the boat off of the trailer. With the bunks you have to get the trailer in deep enough to float the boat on and off of the trailer.

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: Converting a roller trailer to bunks

Whomever told you bunks are better in shallow ramps is way off - Rolling you boat off takes less water than floating your boat off. That being said, Yes you can convert it but I would try adjusting it so it fits the boat better if that is the problem. You might want to try moving the rollers outward as far as you can, that should lower it a little, Try to get the boat as low as possible on the trailer.

LK

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Converting a roller trailer to bunks

You have been given wrong information. Bunks do not work well in shallow water and neither do rollers in very shallow water. How do I know you might ask. Because I've been using a very shallow ramp for years and have used both types of trailers. The ramp I use is so shallow that the only thing that will work is a tilt bed trailer.

Example of this was this past summer when the water got so low that I was grounding the bow of my Lund when there was some one in the front of the boat while approaching the trailer. Nothing but a tilt trailer would have been able to operate under those conditions.

So what is it that you do not like about your set up? Boat looks like it fits and sets fine on that trailer.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Converting a roller trailer to bunks

For shallow ramps I'd Keep the rollers. If you're worried about the transom hanging over the back move the winch post and that front roller up a couple inches. Take the time you'd spend on the conversion and go fishing!

By the looks of it if you put on fenders you wouldn't be able to lower the boat on the trailer more than a couple inches anyways.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Converting a roller trailer to bunks

What the guys above said. You would only drop the boat a few inches by switching, and you would pick up a lot of friction. I would just make sure the rollers are rolling freely.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Converting a roller trailer to bunks

I've swapped out rollers for bunks a few times.
For me, I worked wonders.
Lowered the boat 6"
Flopped the axle mount and went to lower tires and ended up lowering the boat another 4"
The boat floats now, where before it was still 6 inches above the water.
Also tucked the boat down in behind the tow vehicle, out of the wind, which is quite noticeable on the highway.


Give it a try. Looking at your trailer, you should be able to drop it 6".
Will cost you less than you think, 4 brackets, 4 u bolts, 2 2x6's.
Then tinker with the winch post height and angle of the bunks.

Worst case scenario, you don't like the bunks and you put the rollers back on.

If you do like the set up, then carpet the bunks and be done.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Converting a roller trailer to bunks

looks to me like that trailer is a pretty good match for the boat BUT the rollers need adjusted outboard.... that will lower the boat and make it much easier to center on the trailer.... To launch with a roller trailer you only need to get the transom to touch the water and you're golden.... to load you simply put the last roller in the water and winch it up...
You should be able to launch and load in 12" of water pretty easily

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Converting a roller trailer to bunks

One fair warning, if you do lower it don't forget to raise your outboard before pulling it out at the launch! Every time I consider swapping my axle to sit on top of the springs I forget to raise mine on the next trip. My taller trailer has saved my skeg more than once.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Converting a roller trailer to bunks

.... To launch with a roller trailer you only need to get the transom to touch the water and you're golden.... to load you simply put the last roller in the water and winch it up...
You should be able to launch and load in 12" of water pretty easily

Again the advantage of a smaller boat and a tilting trailer. I've launched many times where it's so shallow the prop isn't even in the water when backed in. Now that's fun!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Converting a roller trailer to bunks

Any ideas and pics would be really helpful.

I'm definitely a bunk man. I feel like I can get my boats a lot lower and have more control by floating off rather than rolling off.

Here's some photos for ya:

I took this...

And rebuilt to this...

I also took this roller trailer...

And rebuilt it like this (added guide ons later)...

Cheers:joyous:

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Converting a roller trailer to bunks

Very nice jas! But see post #4, those trailers as nice as they are still wouldn't work for me. Water is too shallow. Might get them off but would never be able to get back on. They are still too high!

How much depth is needed to get the bunks in the water?

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Converting a roller trailer to bunks

How much depth is needed to get the bunks in the water?

Hmmm, dunno? Never thought to measure necessarily as my boats float off right when I need em to, no sweat, no trouble.

I always launch/land by myself (or with youngens which is actually more challenging) and can get on and off the ramp in a flash.

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: Converting a roller trailer to bunks

Just put wheels on the rear of the boat & a hitch out front - That should get you low enough.

LK

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Converting a roller trailer to bunks

The first trailer pictured in post 11 would have easily loaded a boat off of the dry ground before it was modified.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Converting a roller trailer to bunks

The first trailer pictured in post 11 would have easily loaded a boat off of the dry ground before it was modified.

Yah, I didn't go rollers to bunks for shallow water necessarily. My alum boats and I just like bunks better:thumb:

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Converting a roller trailer to bunks

I really have no preference as to bunks or rollers as I've used both recently. My Lund originally came on a trailer simular to the one in your second picture accept it was a tilt bed and worked OK. Was a bit harder to winch on when on a very shallow ramp. I then traded that up to one like the 1st picture which is also a tilt and it works easier when tilted. The new to me Alumacraft is on one like the 3rd picture. It doesn't tilt and as of right now I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to use it on the ramp at the end of our road because I don't think I'm going to be able to get it deep enough. Sad part is this trailer is only 5 years old!

I do have another question though. What brand is that second trailer and does that last rear crossmember piviot?

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Converting a roller trailer to bunks

I do have another question though. What brand is that second trailer and does that last rear crossmember piviot?

I don't recall who built that trailer, sorry.

The rear most cross member did pivot with the roller setup. When I built the bunk setup I bolted it up so it wouldn't.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Converting a roller trailer to bunks

Yah, I didn't go rollers to bunks for shallow water necessarily. My alum boats and I just like bunks better:thumb:

yeah I figured that... I prolly should have been clearer .....my comment was for the O/P ..... his trailer would probably also load from the hard ... might need a couple adjustments tho

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Converting a roller trailer to bunks

.....my comment was for the O/P .....

Ah gotcha!

Yah know, his looks a lot like my first shot in #11. He may be able to get it lower with bunks but the rollers with the swivel rear cross member (pretty sure that's what he's got) might very well easier to launch/land for shallow water eh?