Changing bunks...Lag bolts or threaded bolts???

[WHALER27CC]

I am changing the bunks on my trailer for the first time for a 16' boat. I was planning on using stainless lag bolts to bolt the bunk to the L-bracket.It seems that the original bunks had bolts that thread into a flat washer with prongs and threads.Which is the best way to do it???I had already wrapped the carpet on the new bunks before I realized thats how the old ones were done. Should I re-do it before a 750 mile run up north , or are the lags ok?? Thanks for your help<br />Peter

 

[MrDumb]

Re: Changing bunks...Lag bolts or threaded bolts???

Well I just re did my bunks on my trailer and I used lag bolts? They seem to be fine, that is what was on them from the factory.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Changing bunks...Lag bolts or threaded bolts???

Lags are good. Be sure to use stainless and predrill the holes about 2/3rd the size of the core bolt.

 

[bomar76]

Re: Changing bunks...Lag bolts or threaded bolts???

Be sure to find some lag nuts for those lag bolts....

 

[WHALER27CC]

Re: Changing bunks...Lag bolts or threaded bolts???

Bomar76.....Whaddya mean? I shouldnt need nuts for lag bolts, they grab into the wood like wood screws would, only bigger.....<br />I was planning on using stainless 1 1/2" bolts going into 2"x4"s bunks with stainless lock washers....??

 

[WHALER27CC]

Re: Changing bunks...Lag bolts or threaded bolts???

Ok ...correction ....LAG SCREWS.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Changing bunks...Lag bolts or threaded bolts???

Originally posted by WHALER27CC:<br /> Ok ...correction ....LAG SCREWS.

Yur ok Whaler, Bomar's just pullin your leg. They are, in fact, called lag bolts ! I would round the tips off the bolts on a grinding wheel.

 

[Formula1974]

Re: Changing bunks...Lag bolts or threaded bolts???

i am in the process of redoing the bunks on my trailer and seeing how bad the old ones rotted away I would think that lag bolts would fall out sooner then bolts with nuts on them would. The wood will split and the lags will fall out before the wood would totally fall apart and the bolts and washers came loose. just my 2 cents worth.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Changing bunks...Lag bolts or threaded bolts???

IMHO, if you treated your wood properly, which manufacturers do not, and chose good cleargrain wood, the bunks would stay together without a problem. Steel lags, however will loose their threads in a few years, allowing the boards to loosen up. That's when they start to break.<br /><br />You could use carraige bolts and nuts, but you may have a hard time finding them in stainless, you'd have to countersink them plus it would not allow you to cover your boards before you bolted them to the trailer.

 

[T S N]

Re: Changing bunks...Lag bolts or threaded bolts???

I covered bunks first, then drilled, nylock nut add bolted together.<br />This wont work if the bolts go thru the bunks from the bottom.

 

[bomar76]

Re: Changing bunks...Lag bolts or threaded bolts???

Originally posted by WHALER27CC:<br /> Bomar76.....Whaddya mean? I shouldnt need nuts for lag bolts, they grab into the wood like wood screws would, only bigger.....<br />

A timeless running joke in construction....send the newbie in to buy lag nuts for the lag bolts.

 

[mr T]

Re: Changing bunks...Lag bolts or threaded bolts???

I just did mine using galvanized bolts and nuts. The carpet go on after the 2x4 is mounted. But that how the trailer was done orignally. I was basicall repeating the same thing. <br /><br />For my trailer I can see the advantage of having the bolts and nuts instead of the lag bolts. The trailer was used in the saltwater for while. All the bolts was rusted and the wood around it was decayed as well. So I would believe that if lag bolt was use it may falls off a while back. I would hate to have the bolts fall off while going a bumpy road.<br /><br />I don't know if stainless lag bolt would do better in this case.

 

[rwise]

Re: Changing bunks...Lag bolts or threaded bolts???

I just pulled the bunks from one of mine, they had carraige bolts (not ss) and were carpeted before bolting down. Verry rotten wood and I had to break the wood in places to get them off. The sides rails had lag bolts with no threads and were the reason to start the project!<br />The galvanized sounds interesting!