can I convert a bunk trailer to one with rollers?

[massimofinance]

I hate the bunks. Can I just remove the bunks and add rollers?<br /><br />Thanks,

 

[Silvertip]

Re: can I convert a bunk trailer to one with rollers?

Not economically. You can buy a straight rail that has a series of small rollers attached but they don't conform to the boat and can create serious problems. You'd be wise to trade for a roller trailer. They aren't as expensive as you might think.

 

[EZLoader]

Re: can I convert a bunk trailer to one with rollers?

I don't know what make your trailer is but this is what EZLoader says about converting it's bunk trailers to rollers:<br /><br /> From: EZ Loader Boat Trailers<br />-------------------------------------------------<br />Can I convert my bunk EZ Loader trailer to a roller style?<br /><br />"With few exceptions, yes. There are a few models that would be very difficult to convert, but the majority of the models are easily converted."<br /><br />Contact your trailer manufacturer and ask them.

 

[BillP]

Re: can I convert a bunk trailer to one with rollers?

Add brackets and rollers to the trailer frame along the keel line. Adjust so the boat rolls but still slides on the bunks.

 

[ziggy]

Re: can I convert a bunk trailer to one with rollers?

i'm pretty sure my trailer was a bunk trailer to start with. i have the rail of rollers added as suggested above. along with the bunks still active, just as billp said. it seems to work mighty dandy. mine is a trihull, ya don't say what yers is. i suppose it might make a difference on the hull design as to weather it lends itself to adding the rail of rollers or not. i think the idea of leaveing the bunks there is a good idea too. i feel it helps support it so the rollers don't do all the work.

 

[boater4life]

Re: can I convert a bunk trailer to one with rollers?

You don't give us any details but most likely you don't have the bunks set up right. With a properly set up trailer you'll have more time to worry about other things.

 

[SiggiJo]

Re: can I convert a bunk trailer to one with rollers?

Actually I have done just that - but it took a lot of metal cutting, welding and grinding to get it right. I installed several keel rollers that carry most of the weight of the boat, and bunk roller strips like Upinsmoke mentiones on the sides, but they don´t carry much weight. I bought all the roller stuff on Ebay. The bunk rollers can actually be flexed enough to conform to small curvatures on the boat, but again, it was fiddly and time consuming to get it right, but at least I now have a trailer that conforms perfectly to my boat and almost rolls off and on before I can say Oooops....

 

[Lou C]

Re: can I convert a bunk trailer to one with rollers?

It can be done in most cases, but you are going to have to buy a lot of stuff to make it work, the rollers, pivot bars, mounts, U-bolts, etc. If you want a roller to lauch more easily in low water it might be better and less work to sell your bunk trailer and buy a roller unit. I added rollers to my old 94 Loadrite that was already set up as a roller, and that alone cost about $600 just for the rollers themselves! But now I have 24 rollers and plenty of support.

 

[Bert1]

Re: can I convert a bunk trailer to one with rollers?

Why do you hate bunks so much? From my perspective they are simpler to set up, easier load on/off and provide better support for the boat. Maybe yours need some adjustments.

 

[massimofinance]

Re: can I convert a bunk trailer to one with rollers?

Thanks for all the replies. What does it mean to set these things up? They are just bolted, from what I can see. I launch at a place where there is no possible way to get all the bunk under water without dipping the wheels into salt water, not what I am going to do. I always need to run the boat pretty fast up on the bunks, and never make it all the way. I get the strap out, and start cranking, to pull it up, but the last time I did it, the strap snapped. (Stay away from Petersburg Trading on EBAY, its where I bought that piece of garbage winch -used twice- and they refuse to take it back). Anyway, I want the bunks gone and put on rollers. <br />And I have lots to worry about, but when you can't get the boat out of the lot, thats problem number one!

 

[Lou C]

Re: can I convert a bunk trailer to one with rollers?

Bunk trailers are made to be dunked, you basically are going to float the boat off. So you will have to do more maintenance on the trailer bearings and brakes (if it has them) but that's how it is. Our local ramp is shallow enough that you have to dunk a roller trailer to get the boat off, I have to dunk mine until the fenders are nearly under water! Do you mean the wheels of the tow vehicle? In that case you can look into hitch extenders that will keep the rear wheels of the truck out of the water and allow you to float the boat off. I have a hitch extender that adds about 1 1/2 feet of length and that is enough to keep the rear tires out of the salt water.