Swapping out rollers for bunks

[jeffrey.bean]

As the title says, I want to get ride of the rollers.
Please don’t say “ keep the rollers”, every trailer I’ve had with rollers, I always have a problem loading the boat, I switch to bunks, and no problems.
Ok, I have an 18” C-hawk on a loadirite trailer. At the transom, I have 12” from the crossbeam to the hull, the forward roller assembly has 9”.
As the boat sits now, I have about an 1” clearance from hull to fender.
It looks like I can raise the rear crossbar up to another set of holes, that will give me another 1-3/4”.
Can I double up some 2”x12”x 10’ for the bunks?
Any other options???

 

[jeffrey.bean]

Hull to fender

 

[Bt Doctur]

raise the front and rear cradels all the way up

 

[jimmbo]

With all that extra Timber on there, I hope you aren't exceeding the Trailer's Capacity. The
Boat needs to be a few inches further forward as the Rear Rollers should be right under the Transom. That would still apply if Bunks were used
The hull to fender clearance shouldn't be an issue as everything, Boat, Trailer Frame and Boat Supports, including the Fenders, are all one unit, and all move together when the Suspension is active. Granted poor loading Practices, resulting in an off center Loading of the boat could result in contact. If the boat is shifting while trailering, then you likely need to secure the Boat to the Trailer better, to prevent that.

You are likely putting the Trailer way too deep in the water, if you were having problems loading. This was as deep as I went with Rollers. If the boat could float to the Trailer, it could be winched on without a problem. it was a moderately deep vee hull


Even with bunks, I rarely go in deeper than this

I have had to back in further, as far as the rear wheels on Shallow ramps, but have never put the Wheels/Rims in the the water,


Most trailers use 2 X 6s for the bunks, but you will need to jury rig a mounting system to maintain the Current Height, and allow for them to Pivot to confirm to the Hull Bottom

 

[JimS123]

Sorry I can't help you. My lifelong endeavor has been to replace all the troublesome bunks with rollers.

If rollers are problematic, its the age old same problem. Driving in too deep. We call it launching a submarine.

 

[jimmbo]

Driving in too deep. We call it launching a submarine.

That might have been the issue you had, you're supposed to Back in to launch

Peter backs boat down the ramp like a pro

forums.iboats.com

 

[briangcc]

Would it be easier just to sell the trailer you have and replace with a bunk version? I ask as I see every one of those adjustment bolts rusted fairly well. Tack on that you're going to need new brackets to convert to bunks and it adds up fairly quickly.

I'm all for repairing what you got but this looks to be a huge time sink.

 

[JimS123]

That might have been the issue you had, you're supposed to Back in to launch

Peter backs boat down the ramp like a pro

forums.iboats.com

The boat is the submarine, not the truck....LOL.

 

[dingbat]

If your having issues loading a roller trailer, you're too deep.

I see people all the time back in too far in an attempt to float the boat to the post to save time only to have the transom float off center on them.

If you back in just enough to put the last set of rollers under water, then winch the boat on the trailer, the boat centers and loads perfectly every time.

Having said that, winching a boat on the trailer suxs. I looked into converting my roller trailer to a bunk a while ago. You can buy the brackets and such from Loadrite to convert

https://www.loadrite.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Load-Rite-Parts.pdf

In the end it may be cheaper and easier to just sell the roller trailer and a bunk trailer

 

[jeffrey.bean]

Would it be easier just to sell the trailer you have and replace with a bunk version? I ask as I see every one of those adjustment bolts rusted fairly well. Tack on that you're going to need new brackets to convert to bunks and it adds up fairly quickly.

I'm all for repairing what you got but this looks to be a huge time sink.

That maybe the best option

 

[JimS123]

If your having issues loading a roller trailer, you're too deep.

I see people all the time back in too far in an attempt to float the boat to the post to save time only to have the transom float off center on them.

If you back in just enough to put the last set of rollers under water, then winch the boat on the trailer, the boat centers and loads perfectly every time.

Having said that, winching a boat on the trailer suxs. I looked into converting my roller trailer to a bunk a while ago. You can buy the brackets and such from Loadrite to convert

https://www.loadrite.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Load-Rite-Parts.pdf

In the end it may be cheaper and easier to just sell the roller trailer and a bunk trailer

Yupper. Get bunks and then power load. "Everybody does it". No winching needed.

However.....if everybody does that then the end of the concrete ramp gets washed away. Some municipalities frown upon that.

With no end in sight, don't back in too far or the axle will slip off the end and then retrieving will be a real issue. Ever see an axle ripped off?......LOL.

If winching is too hard, get a power winch. Easier than peasy.

It seems like trailer boating is the hardest ever thing to do.

 

[dingbat]

However.....if everybody does that then the end of the concrete ramp gets washed away. Some municipalities frown upon that.

I could see that being a problem elsewhere but not around here.
Tidal water coupled with long shore currents makes for a constant battle to keep channels open and excess sand from accumulating on ramps.

With no end in sight, don't back in too far or the axle will slip off the end and then retrieving will be a real issue. Ever see an axle ripped off?......LOL.

Because of the tidal effect and a building code mandating -4.5 ft. MLW water depth at the toe, ramps are either very long or exceptionally steep.

If you zoom in you will see a striped pole attached to the end of the docks marking the toe (end) of the ramp.
As you can see, you're going to need a "submarine" to get a trailer tire hung over the end of the ramp....lol

 

[JimS123]

There are ramps and there are ramps. We all have to deal with what we have.

There are guideline specs for launch ramps. Not every municipality got the memo. Plus, some are old and built before the standards were written.

Bunk trailers are fine for some, and meet their requirements. On some ramps they won't work. Roller trailers will work everywhere, provided you follow the directions.

I love the pic. Years ago I saw that very thing. The guy went next door and called a tow truck. A cable pulled him and the boat right out. He opened the hood, took off the air cleaner wiped out the carb. Fired her up and drove off red faced. I couldn't believe it but I saw it.

The next day a guy pulled out a 24 footer and put it on a 16 foot trailer. In the parking lot the trailer cracked in half and left a mess.

My amusement is to ride my bike to the launch ramp, crack a beer and enjoy. I swear 75% of trailer boaters are clueless.

 

[jimmbo]

Boat Ramps are Great Entertainment