Four Winns H190 Trailer bunks

Jimwhall

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 6, 2013
Messages
166
My bunks need to be at least recarpeted, but maybe replaced. As they seem to hold a TON of the boats 2800lbs, is there a way to be sure I can get something that won't break? Most seem like they are just 'Wooden carpeted bunks' for like $150. But they don't seem to have a weight range. Can you get non wood?

Can you use the plastic skids for a fiberglass boat?

Thank you!
 

ScottinAZ

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 25, 2009
Messages
831
I usually just replace "like with like".... last one I did was just 2x6 lumber bolted to the trailer and covered with indoor/outdoor carpet. I used stainless hardware, and non-pressure treated lumber from the local Home Despot. If it lasts another 20+ years, ill be ecstatic, but if not, they werent that hard to change. Bring the cordless tools, launch the boat, tie it up (or let the wife/kids take it out for a bit) and replace the bunks with the boat off the trailer. Ive done it with just jacking up the boat, but that was my little 15' Galaxy that weighs maybe 1500# half full of water.

if the trailer is properly designed for the boat, the bunks mostly just provide a surface to interface with the boat and transfer the load.... either way in my case, 2x6 lumber can handle a good bit of weight before issues arise
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
49,403
You can. Use plastic pads vs carpet. But the bunks themselves need to be lumber

Cypress is really good.

Never use pressure treated with aluminum boats
 

Jimwhall

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 6, 2013
Messages
166
The plastic pads don’t scratch the hull?

Why not pressure treated with aluminum?

Thank you!
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
49,403
The plastic pads don’t scratch the hull?

Why not pressure treated with aluminum?

Thank you!
Because the chemicals in pressure treated lumber will dissolve the aluminum in a very very very short time . You will have holes in the hull in a few weeks
 

BillWilliams

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 23, 2021
Messages
76
I replaced the carpet on the bunks on our trailer with GatorBak. The carpet had gotten to the point where it was marring the hull and I had to buff it out. It's expensive compared to carpet but I like the fact it doesn't hold water like carpet, allowing the wood to dry out quicker plus it does make it a little easier to winch the boat onto the trailer. In fact, we have to leave the boat in gear at first; otherwise, it will easily just slip right back down off the trailer.
 

briangcc

Commander
Joined
Jul 10, 2012
Messages
2,331
When I needed to do the bunks on my FourWinns, the boards were in excellent shape, the carpetting was getting thread bare. I just carpetted over top of what was there. Did it under a shade tree in an hour. Held for a few years...I no longer own that boat so can't comment on exactly how long it held up.

I used indoor/outdoor carpetting from a local Value Home Center. Came 12' wide off the roll. Incredibly cheap...like under $20 for the amount I used...and the remnant I used to carpet my stairs leading from the garage to the kitchen.

Should I have the need again, I'll do the same.

My cousin's Sea Ray trailer needed the bunks replaced - one was snapped in two when he bought the boat. Pretty sure he used a 2x4 wrapped in i/o carpetting.
 

JimS123

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Jul 27, 2007
Messages
8,156
The plastic pads don’t scratch the hull?

Why not pressure treated with aluminum?

Thank you!
"EZ Slides" are "plastic" and they make launching and retrieving a breeze. They are a polymer material and the surface acts as a lubricant. Been using them for decades and have yet to see any problem with gelcoat.
 
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