Rollers Vs Bunks

[xtraham]

Re: Rollers Vs Bunks

if a boat is manufactured as to not withstand it's own wieght sitting on rollers what would happen when rough seas starting pounding the bottom @ 1000 times the psi of the vessel sitting on rollers? if you launch in salt water a roller trailer will roll by you when your axle rust into on a bunk...my 2cents

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Rollers Vs Bunks

Not sure I get the point of launching in salt water but galvanizing is available on both roller and bunk trailers so rust is not an issue in salt water. Actually salt water is an issure with any finish but galvanizing at least slows down the corrosion process.

 

[xtraham]

Re: Rollers Vs Bunks

has noting to do with galvanizing, when you have to submerge a trailer to launch/load it fills with water there is little are no galvanizing on the inside of the frame and axle, but any way roller trailers last alot longer in my neck of the woods because you dont have to submerge them

 

[fstbttms]

Re: Rollers Vs Bunks

if a boat is manufactured as to not withstand it's own wieght sitting on rollers what would happen when rough seas starting pounding the bottom @ 1000 times the psi of the vessel sitting on rollers?

I don't know the physics involved, but I don't think anyone here would claim that Boston Whaler builds an inferior boat. Their liturature warns NOT to use rollers, except on the keel because the pressure of rollers on the outer hull can cause it to separate from the foam that fills the void between it and the inner hull. The strongest point of the Boston Whaler hull is the keel and that is what is designed to support the full weight of the boat.

I also dispute your claim that a pounding sea exerts 1000x the pressure on a hull that a roller does. Where do you come by that figure? And if a wave did exert that kind of pressure on a single point like a roller does (as you seem to infer), why does the wave not simply punch through the hull?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Rollers Vs Bunks

Galvanizing, like any process can be done cheaply or properly. Hot dip galvanizing indeed does get to the inside of trailers -- if done right. I had a galvanized trailer and before buying it I inspected every nook and cranny my little pen light would fit into. My son-in-law now owns that trailer and I had an opportunity to check it over last week. It's virtually as new. I do agree though, roller trailers don't need to be backed in very far. Back ends of the fenders is as far as mine needs to go. They also seem to work better on really steep ramps.

 

[xtraham]

Re: Rollers Vs Bunks

fst: i was going to explain the physics but never mind, look it up, just do not wash your whaler w/a pressure washer if it can not stand setting on rollers

snailman: any trailer that you decide on will do the job properly maintained will last a long time...........good luck

 

[imported_HammerHead1]

Re: Rollers Vs Bunks

looks like the question got lost in the physics, lol
a 26 footer is a fairly large vessel for a bunk style trailer unless towing hight is a concern, I would stick with the roller.
fstbttms, personly I have never witnessed any roller trailer properly set up damage a haul of any vessel in fact with bunks, quite the contrary, but it is not usualy the bunk trailers that cause damage but inexperienced operators,

 

[fstbttms]

Re: Rollers Vs Bunks

fst: i was going to explain the physics but never mind, look it up, just do not wash your whaler w/a pressure washer if it can not stand setting on rollers

So your point is that you can't back up your claims and that Whalers are poorly built boats? Bwhahahahahaha! Brilliant!

 

[Rancherlee]

Re: Rollers Vs Bunks

I see about a 50/50 mix in Northern Minnesota. I prefer my bunk trailer and it the landing is shallow I can grab a jack handle and rotate my rear center roller up and inch or so which allows me to pull it onto the bunks with ease. My parents also ditched there roller trailer for a bunk trailer because the roller trailer was a pain in the butt to try and center the boat.

 

[MrBigStuff]

Re: Rollers Vs Bunks

For me, it's a matter of economics. My boat is worth far more than my trailer. I'd rather have my trailer rot out than to compromise the boat hull, if that was a possibility.

My boat also sits on my trailer alot more time than it is in the water. I go out alot but if you look at the percentage of time in either state, it's on that trailer most of the time. Especially through the winter :'( Therefore, I want the best support possible while it's not being used.

 

[skibug]

Re: Rollers Vs Bunks

My 1997 18 ft Caravelle has been on rollers since new and has had zero problems. My uncle has a 1987 27 ft sea ray that has been on rollers it's entire life also with zero problems. I enjoy the ease of lauching and recovery of a roller trailer. If roller trailers caused so much damage on the hull of a boat, I would think that they would not be sold due to so many people having problems. Any properly set up trailer should support a boat.

 

[rottenray6402]

Re: Rollers Vs Bunks

I am no expert nor do I play one on TV but I believe that Whaler may recommend not using a roller trailer because of the unique hull design. It gets its strength and ability to float by having basically a hull then foan core then hull. It would seem that the rollers may put undue pressure on the outer hull with a chance of damaging the core possibily causing a delamination. I have no scientific evidence to back this up. Personally I have had glass boats and metal boats and roller trailers and bunk trailers and have had no problems. I have seen the bottom of an aluminum boat dented in by the rollers because it wasn't properly strapped down over bumps.

 

[tommays]

Re: Rollers Vs Bunks

i like bunks

Around here the 27' Searay type boats are allways on roller trailers and we have really deep high quality ramps that could easly float off anything


Now on the other hand the big offshore high speed boats are ALLWAYS on bunk trailers even the monster 4 AXLE TRIPPLE DISK BRAKE biggest thing i have ever seen towed to the local ramp thing i saw last week

I wish i had a picture as hard to decide if the trailer was nicer than the boat

Tommays

 

[GlasV162]

Re: Rollers Vs Bunks

Bunks are the way to go, simply because of the larger surface area that the boat sits on. Yes, it may take a little longer to load your boat on the trailer, but the end result is worth it.
Also, look for a trailer with a "C" channel or Mill Channel frame, rather than a box or tube frame. The C-channel frame allows you to see ALL sides of the frame so you can see that it is completely galvanized--something you cannot see on a box frame or tube frame. Few manufacturers make them anymore; probably because they last longer and don't need replacement as often. Try Magic Tilt. One air bubble in a box frame during the galvanizing is all it takes and your trailer will rust from the inside out. Good luck.