is it ok to change from rollers to bunks?

[GlasV162]

I'm considering buying another boat. It's in great shape and has had very little use, which means it's been sitting on the trailer most of its life. It's a roller trailer, and there are no marks, dimples or cracks in the hull where the rollers are. If I buy the boat, I'd probably change the rollers out for bunks, as long as doing so won't cause more harm than good. Any advice as to whether this would create a problem for the hull would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Major Woods]

Re: is it ok to change from rollers to bunks?

No problems for the hull.
Bunks provide more surface area contact than rollers. Your hull will be better supported and not have pressure points created by the rollers.

Adding slicks to the bunks will greatly enhance ease of launching and loading of the boat..

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: is it ok to change from rollers to bunks?

i like to keep center keel rollers on bunk trailers. makes centering when loading a lot easier. i personally like 2 12" self centering rollers, because i drive on my trailer.

 

[GlasV162]

Re: is it ok to change from rollers to bunks?

Thanks--tashasdaddy, how do you distribute the weight between the bunks and the center rollers? More weight on the bunks, or more weight on the center rollers?

 

[Terry Olson]

Re: is it ok to change from rollers to bunks?

I'm thinking about rerigging my roller trailer with bunks too - they're just easier to deal with. I know the advantages a proper roller trailer provides but my problem is that my trailer isn't a good match to my boat even though it's original to the boat. I rebuilt the trailer and have experimented with roller adjustments and launch and loading technique with no improvement so I understand where you're coming from.

The bunks support some of the boat's weight, but the keel is the strongest part of the hull so the majority of the boat's weight should be supported there. I don't know what the boat manufacturers suggest but I'd say the keel should support at least half or maybe even two-thirds of the boat's weight while the bunks share the rest. I soppose this varies from boat to boat depending on the design of the hull but I think it's a safe place to start.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: is it ok to change from rollers to bunks?

this is a strongly debate subject. i now use the keel rollers for centering when loading, when the boat settles on the trailer, i have my bunk set so they are under the stringers,( and i have 7' bunks on a 17' boat.) the keel just touches the rear rollers, and the bow rests on the bow stop and front roller. i found the easiest way to adjust the bunks, is to have the boat and trailer on a paved surface. using a floor jack, jack up the bunk brackets to the height you want and tighten the bolts. you want the boat level side to side, and the bunks to extend at least 2" beyond the tramsom, this supports the transom, and motor weight. recommend the use of a transom saver also.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: is it ok to change from rollers to bunks?

Problem with too much weight on the (keel) rollers is that, since they are made of plastic or rubber, they deform over time and will flat spot and when bad enough will not turn over (roll) .

I too use them primarily for driving on purposes (they don't touch the hull when fully on trailer, but with bunks, you have to float/drive your boat on if it weighs anything at all.

Course if you have your trailer set up right, driving on is a piece of cake. Best to set the bunks just outside a step in the hull and the boat will find center when you drive it on.

Back in the old days when we had 14' alum boats we had pull up rollers and the boat rolled into the water by it'self. With the big (heavy) rigs, that is not practical.

The rollers will help you launch and load at shallow ramps, but I agree that they have pressure points that can damage the hull.

I too have recently added the plastic caps on the bunks and they really help.

HTH,

Mark

 

[JasonJ]

Re: is it ok to change from rollers to bunks?

I have a roller trailer. I adjusted my rollers so they sit under stringer. My trailer is an old EZ Loader, and the rolers could be adjusted more than newer one can. I personally can't stand bunk trailers on anything smaller than a 20 foot boat. If you keep the rollers fresh, and the boat is in good shape, there won't be any depressions. The ease of loading and unloading is well worth it. Of course, the slick bunks work okay, but still not as easy as rollers.

If thats what you want to do, go for it, it won't hurt a thing. The fact that it has sat on rollers for years and there is no damage should not be ignored in your decision making process though, and if a boat is going to go to crap, it will do it on bunks too....

 

[Texasmark]

Re: is it ok to change from rollers to bunks?

Jason, old buddy, I disagree. If you have a non supportive hull, in the area where the rollers touch, the hull will deform it over time. BTDT

Not talking about the roller, talking about dimples in the hull.

Mark

 

[bjcsc]

Re: is it ok to change from rollers to bunks?

I have two sets of bunks on my trailer. The normal high set, then a lower forward set that the keel sits in. My boat loads very easily and laterally is within &frac12" of where it is supposed to be every time.

This is my same trailer (made in SC, too!) Every single fastener is stainless steel.<p><p>

<img src="http://www.wescotrailers.net/images/alumsingle.jpg" />

 

[Texasmark]

Re: is it ok to change from rollers to bunks?

Not hard to see the self centering ability of your bunks. Nice trailer.

Mark

 

[bassboy1]

Re: is it ok to change from rollers to bunks?

Terry Olsen, you said that most of the strength in the boat is in the keel. That is true in Whalers and tinneys. But in most FG boats the strength is in the stringers

 

[Texasmark]

Re: is it ok to change from rollers to bunks?

You know bassboy1, you may have hit upon why you seldom see a (liftable) keel roller trailer like we used to have. back then (wood boats) we had that keel. Today, as you say, most boats don't have one even though the glass is thicker in that area.

Hmmmmm

Mark