converting a roller trailer to a bunk trailer - The Hull Truth

BigShrimpin · 11-20-2002, 12:08 PM

Does anyone have experience converting a roller trailer to a bunk trailer?

What type of wood did you use for bunks?

Are there any tricks to positioning the bunks and adjusting them to fit the hull?

My boat is 20ft and about 2800lbs with fuel.

gw204 · 11-20-2002, 01:22 PM

Do you have a particular preference for the bunks?

I have rollers under my 20' Grady which weighs in just over 3000 loaded w/ 80 gals. and it launches and retrieves beautifully, even when I'm by myself.

81 CC SEAOX 23' · 11-20-2002, 01:37 PM

Bunk trailers are designed to support your hull a specific way. Before continuing to convert you may find it easier to sell the existing and buy a new replacement trailer. Go see some trailers with a digital camera for 20' boats. You will see the placement of the bunk boards how they are set up. Measure the width and get a real good feel as to how the back section supports mid hull to transom and the front section supports bow to mid hull. Converting the roller system will more than likely require cutting some or all of the wheel supports off and welding on bunk tabs to screw beds to. Think of a rectangle with beams accross the width of the rectangle to have support for the bunk supports. They are very different trailers and as mentioned may be easier to just buy a bunk trailer for $2000.00 to $2500.00. Start with a good aluminum trailer or steel galvanized trailer. Remember if you do weld on a steel galvanized trailer you have to re-galvanize to protect the trailer from rusting.

Good luck tuff job.

BAZ...

SEABAZ is a 2000 26’ Seaswirl Striper W/A Volvo Penta 5.0GI w/DuoProp

BigShrimpin · 11-20-2002, 03:50 PM

I lost (5) 4" poly rollers the last time I lauched my boat at the ramp. People keep stealing them. I am not really partial to either style, but it sure seems more difficult and less attractive to steal a bunk. If anyone has a source of cheap trailer parts please post a link.

bulletbob · 11-20-2002, 04:13 PM

Big Shrimp... I think you'll HATE a bunk!!... I have a bunk and am going to convert it to rollers. I would suggest a more secure launch ramp... What kind of place do you launch at?? The miserable bastards who keep doing that to you should have thier thieving fingers cut off ..... bob

royce binnion · 11-20-2002, 04:51 PM

I just bought a new Cape Horn 24 wich came with a Sportsman Trailer that has two bunks on each side and a nice row of roller's down the middle. Had never seen one like this before until now. I was unsure about it and questioned the dealer more than once. He keep saying trust me, you will love it ( and that made me even more unsure ). He was right, I have flawlessly driven the boat on to the trailer every time, a couple of times in high wind and it works great and supports the boat great also.

Team Binnion
Fish Hard or Go Home

KABOB · 11-20-2002, 07:47 PM

Big Shrimpin,
Try "The Expediter" for cheap trailer parts. Good people, West Palm based. They have poly rollers...and also bunk parts and pieces if you go that route. If you call them they'll fire a hard copy catalog to you. Good luck.
www.expeditor.com

KABOB · 11-20-2002, 07:55 PM

Big Shrimpin,

try www.expediter.com

I don't think you'll find any trailer parts on the first address I gave you!

RoyN · 11-20-2002, 09:34 PM

My current boat came with a bunk trailer. I wasn't too thrilled at first but after spraying the bunks with silicon - the same stuff you get at the automotive store - bunks aren't all that bad. The silicon will allow the hull to slide a lot easier on the carpeted bunks. I need to spray the bunks a couple of times/year.

First year I had a bunk trailer the lift operators almost launched the boat off of the peir without the sling under the boat when they were attempting to move the boat back on the trailer. Put the forward strap under the hull - lifted the bow a foot or two off of the trailer - moved the trolley back a few feet - proceded to move the bow back and forth and the boat imediately moved back. Lift opperator couldn't lower the bow fast enough but the boat did stop and stay on top of the trailer.

tidester · 11-21-2002, 04:04 AM

Another good source for info and parts is www.championtrailers.com They are retailers and you can buy anything you need direct from them.

I have had very good service from them, and they have a very good selection of all the goodies you'll need, including bunks, brackets, hardware, etc.

For my rig, I just made my own bunks and stapled on trailer bunk carpet (tough and doesn't hold water). One trick that I did when I redid the bunk carpets was to take a router and round over the top edges. This kept the carpet tight around the top edges when I stapled it on. If you make your own bunk boards, you can use pressure treated lumber, but staple it on with monel staples - otherwise you will have a rusty mess in one or two seasons.

inkahootz · 11-21-2002, 04:50 AM

Geez, stealing rollers off your trailer. Never had that happen. Had fuel siphoned from my trucks fuel tank once while parked at the ramp though.
How are the rollers fastened? Any way to better secure them?
By the way,were you able to load the boat?

Hmmm, if they are held on by shafts with cotter pins, you may be able to put those push caps on the ends of the shafts instead of the pins. Those things are a bear to remove and I think they are available in SS. Just a thought.

Frank007 · 11-21-2002, 11:17 AM

Interesting. I thought the strong preference on this board was for bunks over rollers.