Convert Roller Trailer to Bunks

[75reinell]

First time caller here.

I have always prefered bunk trailers to roller trailers. I picked up a 1975 19' Reinell with a 302 in it. It is a deep v hull. I had to buy a trailer for this boat and only had a short time to look. The only thing I culd find was a 1972 dual axel ez loader trailer with 24 adjustable rollers. I have decided to convert over to bunks so that I have continous support of the hull instead of pressure points with the rollers. My question is how do you properly set up the bunks. Should they be flat or on edge? This is a heavy boat (not sure how heavy) so do I need multiple bunks (I am assuming I do)? My plan was to do 4 8 or 10 bunks in the back half and 2 bunks up front. How does this sound. Any advice? Thanks in advance.

Todd

 

[redfury]

Re: Convert Roller Trailer to Bunks

It'll depend on where you can mount ( and how often ) the bunk supports as to how long of bunks you can use, but I'm using 4 total bunks on my 17.5ft Glastron. More than enough support. I'd lay them flat for support unless you KNOW you are going to be on the stringers every time.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Convert Roller Trailer to Bunks

actually a picture of your present set with the boat on it would really help.

 

[22E6441]

Re: Convert Roller Trailer to Bunks

I prefer flat, but you need to have more support brackets that way because the wood will flex more laid flat rather than on its side. As for how many...no idea....your boat is a lot bigger than mine. I converted my roller trailer to a bunk, but my boat is only 14' and took two 2 x 4 x 7 bunks with a foot hanging out the back supporting the back of the boat very well.

 

[Tugboatdave]

Re: Convert Roller Trailer to Bunks

If you have no other worry or concern about rollers other than pressure points don't bother, I have a 78 24' Reinell cruiser that came with a bunk trailer and the funny thing is that the bunks were like 2X6's laid flat so that there was little support between mounting points, all 4 of them. That trailer was stolen and in the interim I had the boat sitting on three blocks, 2 on the edges of the transom and one forward about 2/3 to the bow for 1 year with no ill effects. I now have a roller trailer which I love because of easier loading and unloading, I have the trucks adjusted to support the strongest areas of the hull but these boats are pretty tough.