Four Winns H190 Trailer bunks

[Jimwhall]

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]

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]

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]

The plastic pads don’t scratch the hull?

Why not pressure treated with aluminum?

Thank you!

 

[Scott Danforth]

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

 

[Jimwhall]

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

Holy crap!!!!

 

[BillWilliams]

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]

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]

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.