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Author Topic:   Trailer Bunks: Carpet or Slicks

sjp2 posted 05-19-2014 12:22 AM ET (US)
I just extended the bunks on the 13-footer's trailer. I went to buy some boat carpet to cover them, and I was warned about the abrasive nature of salt, sand, or dirt scratching the hull. I was advised to use the hard plastic slicks, as they are called, on the bunks instead. Ii tended to agree that the carpet would trap a lot more grit than the slicks. Also, traveling on dirt roads might create even more problems. But most of the trailers seem to use carpet. Any thoughts [on whether carpet can be used or slicks are preferred]?
jimh posted 05-19-2014 07:24 AM ET (US)
When the boat is moving across the bunks on the trailer, the carpet is usually wet, and some of the weight of the boat is already removed by the buoyant force of the hull. The reduced weight and presence of water reduces the force of the bunks against the hull, reducing any abrasion that might occur. Given the preponderance of carpeted bunks in use, I don't think there is a great concern for the potential of abrasion to occur.
Once the boat is loaded onto the trailer, I don't believe road dust can accumulate on the portion of the trailer bunks in contact with the boat hull. I don't see a problem developing.
I don't have much experience in repeated launching and loading in saltwater. When I have used my boat and trailer in saltwater, I usually give the trailer and boat a thorough rinsing with freshwater. I believe that any salt residue is washed away by such a rinsing.
contender posted 05-20-2014 09:48 PM ET (US)
Last year when I was redoning a 11 whaler I purchsed two 4inch by 5 ft by 3/4 star board. I counter sunk bolts through the star board on to the bunks, the whaler rest on the star board/wood bunks now, very slick, and I like it, as soon as I get around to it I'll be doing it to my other boat trailers as well...
sjp2 posted 05-22-2014 05:26 PM ET (US)
that is what i have decided to do ,bought 2 x 4 ft length's of boat trailer strip,type of neoprene,and screwed them down on the wood ,that hard part was trying to find a length along the bottom of the hull that i would have the most contact.
so now back to my previous concern of only having 2 keel rollers on cross braces 4 ft apart to take all the weight of the boat and motor ,i would have preferred the trailer to have 3 cross braces 3 ft apart.
Chuck Tribolet posted 05-23-2014 06:44 PM ET (US)
sjp: Can you mount two rollers on each cross brace, one fore,
one aft? I suspect yes.
Chuck
sjp2 posted 05-24-2014 04:09 AM ET (US)
Chuck,done that already ,i am starting to wonder if my concerns about the need for additional keel support are baseless ,i think i might be concerned about it without reason.
Jefecinco posted 05-24-2014 10:52 AM ET (US)
The trailer bunk "slicks" can be useful but they should be used cautiously. I believe the major advantage of slicks is during recovery when using the winch to do most of the work.
When using slicks caution may be necessary when launching on any steep ramp. One may find a boat launched far earlier than desired if the safety chain and winch strap have been disconnected too soon.
After launching my 190 Montauk and parking the trailer I spray the bunk carpets with silicon if the ramp design makes power loading difficult. This greatly facilitates winch recovery even when using the winch in low gear.
I prefer my boat to ride on soft carpet rather than on hard plastic.
Butch

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Author	Topic: Trailer Bunks: Carpet or Slicks
sjp2	posted 05-19-2014 12:22 AM ET (US) I just extended the bunks on the 13-footer's trailer. I went to buy some boat carpet to cover them, and I was warned about the abrasive nature of salt, sand, or dirt scratching the hull. I was advised to use the hard plastic slicks, as they are called, on the bunks instead. Ii tended to agree that the carpet would trap a lot more grit than the slicks. Also, traveling on dirt roads might create even more problems. But most of the trailers seem to use carpet. Any thoughts [on whether carpet can be used or slicks are preferred]?
jimh	posted 05-19-2014 07:24 AM ET (US) When the boat is moving across the bunks on the trailer, the carpet is usually wet, and some of the weight of the boat is already removed by the buoyant force of the hull. The reduced weight and presence of water reduces the force of the bunks against the hull, reducing any abrasion that might occur. Given the preponderance of carpeted bunks in use, I don't think there is a great concern for the potential of abrasion to occur. Once the boat is loaded onto the trailer, I don't believe road dust can accumulate on the portion of the trailer bunks in contact with the boat hull. I don't see a problem developing. I don't have much experience in repeated launching and loading in saltwater. When I have used my boat and trailer in saltwater, I usually give the trailer and boat a thorough rinsing with freshwater. I believe that any salt residue is washed away by such a rinsing.
contender	posted 05-20-2014 09:48 PM ET (US) Last year when I was redoning a 11 whaler I purchsed two 4inch by 5 ft by 3/4 star board. I counter sunk bolts through the star board on to the bunks, the whaler rest on the star board/wood bunks now, very slick, and I like it, as soon as I get around to it I'll be doing it to my other boat trailers as well...
sjp2	posted 05-22-2014 05:26 PM ET (US) that is what i have decided to do ,bought 2 x 4 ft length's of boat trailer strip,type of neoprene,and screwed them down on the wood ,that hard part was trying to find a length along the bottom of the hull that i would have the most contact. so now back to my previous concern of only having 2 keel rollers on cross braces 4 ft apart to take all the weight of the boat and motor ,i would have preferred the trailer to have 3 cross braces 3 ft apart.
Chuck Tribolet	posted 05-23-2014 06:44 PM ET (US) sjp: Can you mount two rollers on each cross brace, one fore, one aft? I suspect yes. Chuck
sjp2	posted 05-24-2014 04:09 AM ET (US) Chuck,done that already ,i am starting to wonder if my concerns about the need for additional keel support are baseless ,i think i might be concerned about it without reason.
Jefecinco	posted 05-24-2014 10:52 AM ET (US) The trailer bunk "slicks" can be useful but they should be used cautiously. I believe the major advantage of slicks is during recovery when using the winch to do most of the work. When using slicks caution may be necessary when launching on any steep ramp. One may find a boat launched far earlier than desired if the safety chain and winch strap have been disconnected too soon. After launching my 190 Montauk and parking the trailer I spray the bunk carpets with silicon if the ramp design makes power loading difficult. This greatly facilitates winch recovery even when using the winch in low gear. I prefer my boat to ride on soft carpet rather than on hard plastic. Butch