Installed new Trailer Bunk Guide-Ons and Carpet

KM7

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 14, 2013
Messages
259
I installed new bunk guide-ons and carpet on the trailer for my 20 ft Four Winns. The carpet on the guide-ons was very worn and coming apart.

I did this with the boat on the trailer. That meant I had all my tools, a work bench, power, and I could do it over a few days etc. That worked out much better than putting the boat on the water and working in the parking lot of the launch ramp. It did limit access to the inside of the guides but I was able to work around that.

(I may update this post with pictures when I have more time)

Here were the steps:
1) Measure the existing guides, order new carpet, adhesive and buy new 2x4s.
2) Buy all new stainless hardware with bolts that go through the 2x4s and thread into T-Nuts with prongs that dig into the wood. Buy stainless steel staples.
3) Remove the old guides. This was not easy! The bolts go through the 2x4s from the boat side to the outside with a very rusty nuts on the outside. The inside was a carriage bold that was recessed into the 2x4. That left nothing to grab on to and prevent the bolt from just spinning when I tried to turn the nut. I had to split the nuts by drilling through them to get them off.
4) Measure and cut the 2x4s to length and drill the 1st mounting hole in each.
5) Fit check on the trailer and mark the position of the 2nd bolt hole.
6) Counter bore the holes 1/8" deep to allow the T-Nut to be recessed on the inside.
7) I sealed the 2x4s with Thompsons Water Seal to give them more protection.
8) Trim the new carpet to size. I wrapped the new carpet around the 2x4s starting at the inside and overlapping and ending on the inside with the raw edge facing down to increasing draining.
9) Put in the T-Nuts in place and secure with the adhesive.
10) Leave enough carpet on the ends to fold it over like you are closing a cardboard box.
11) Pierce the carpet with a small sharp screwdriver and mark the position of the hole in the 2x4 by using a felt marker.
12) Spread marine carpet adhesive on the carpet and secure it with a staple gun and stainless steel staples. I pulled tight on the carpet as I stapled it in place.
13) Thread the bolts through the carpet, the 2x4 and into the T-Nuts from the outside facing in toward the boat. Remove the bolts, clean off any adhesive and reinstall them
14) Let the adhesive dry.
15) Install onto the trailer.
 
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