My ride: 2001 Bayliner 215-LX
Single-axle trailer
I want to try and make my angry back a bit happier by trying those bunk glides I?ve seen.
My bunks are a standard 2 x 6 x 11-foot. Buying those pre-made kits can also get expensive. Also, most kits I?ve seen don?t appear to be as wide as my bunks are. I don?t know if that matters or not, but I?m not an expert of trailer bunks either. I?d guess there is a reason the manufacturer made them the width they are.
I thought I read somewhere on the forum that someone used PVC boards or other slick material that they found at a home-improvement store? I?ve worked a lot with HDPE over the years and would rather use it, but it can get VERY expensive, especially in the sizes I need.
So off to the home store? I found some of those simulated siding boards made of solid (white) PVC, or at least that?s what it looks like. They come in various sizes? one of them matches my bunks perfectly (5-1/2? x 12-foot). They are ?? thick, so there?s plenty to counter-sink screw heads. They also have a 9-1/4? wide that I could cut in half and save some money, but that wouldn?t stretch across the entire bunk width. Again, I don?t know if it?s wise to make narrower bunks. That tiny amount probably wouldn?t matter though.
My other concern is the weight. Will the PVC board stand up to my boats? weight?
Full weight w/trailer is approx. 4500 - 5000 lbs. Or at least if memory serves the last time I weighed it. I never have weighted my trailer empty. Single axle ? I?d guess 1000-lb or so?
Anyhow, to summarize:
PVC boards: Will they work for trailer glides?
Durability: Any idea what the PVC weight capacity is? Is it durable enough? How about exposure to the cold climates? PVC does get brittle.
Width: Should I use full-with glides to match the original bunk width?
Apologies for so many questions, but this can be a bit of a task to perform and I want to make sure I?m well informed if I decide to do this. From what I?ve read, the glides make life much more pleasant when loading the boat. And although the PVC isn?t terribly expensive, I want to make sure it?s not something I have to do every few years, or find it cracked and busted the first time I take it down a bumpy road!
Thank you,
H.
Single-axle trailer
I want to try and make my angry back a bit happier by trying those bunk glides I?ve seen.
My bunks are a standard 2 x 6 x 11-foot. Buying those pre-made kits can also get expensive. Also, most kits I?ve seen don?t appear to be as wide as my bunks are. I don?t know if that matters or not, but I?m not an expert of trailer bunks either. I?d guess there is a reason the manufacturer made them the width they are.
I thought I read somewhere on the forum that someone used PVC boards or other slick material that they found at a home-improvement store? I?ve worked a lot with HDPE over the years and would rather use it, but it can get VERY expensive, especially in the sizes I need.
So off to the home store? I found some of those simulated siding boards made of solid (white) PVC, or at least that?s what it looks like. They come in various sizes? one of them matches my bunks perfectly (5-1/2? x 12-foot). They are ?? thick, so there?s plenty to counter-sink screw heads. They also have a 9-1/4? wide that I could cut in half and save some money, but that wouldn?t stretch across the entire bunk width. Again, I don?t know if it?s wise to make narrower bunks. That tiny amount probably wouldn?t matter though.
My other concern is the weight. Will the PVC board stand up to my boats? weight?
Full weight w/trailer is approx. 4500 - 5000 lbs. Or at least if memory serves the last time I weighed it. I never have weighted my trailer empty. Single axle ? I?d guess 1000-lb or so?
Anyhow, to summarize:
PVC boards: Will they work for trailer glides?
Durability: Any idea what the PVC weight capacity is? Is it durable enough? How about exposure to the cold climates? PVC does get brittle.
Width: Should I use full-with glides to match the original bunk width?
Apologies for so many questions, but this can be a bit of a task to perform and I want to make sure I?m well informed if I decide to do this. From what I?ve read, the glides make life much more pleasant when loading the boat. And although the PVC isn?t terribly expensive, I want to make sure it?s not something I have to do every few years, or find it cracked and busted the first time I take it down a bumpy road!
Thank you,
H.
