I need to replace the two small front bunks on my shorland’r trailer. The trailer is a roller style but has two bunk “pads” up front that are about 6″X 10″. I assume I should buy some type of treated wood. Is there anything special I should look for to hold up the best? Thanks in advance for any information you can give. Gatorbak - Boat trailer and watercraft lift synthetic bunk covers. Replace your bunk carpet with Gatorbak today!
Well I went ahead and replaced my old carpeted bunk boards with new ultimate bunk boards and all I can say is WOW! I fish mainly by myself and with the old carpeted bunk boards, had to back all they way down into the water and float the boat off the trailer. Now with the new ultimate bunk boards in place, as long as the rear of the trailer is in the water, I can push the boat right on off with very little effort. And loading is just as easy. So much easier to crank up onto the trailer. I have a 14 ft semi v that weighs in at right around 400lbs.
Lumber Bunk Sizes
I only have two bunks and they are stood on long sides, not laying down. Bottom line is they are worth the money and perform better than my carpeted ones ever did. A very good product that works as advertised. I have carpet covered bunks as well that are 2X4s, the wide side up.I believe you can get fairly cheap all plastic planks at Lowe's (1X3.75') in 8 and 10 foot lengths and then attach them into the existing bunk boards with flat head screws (counter sink the pre drilled holes a bit in the plastic boards).
Which would give you a slick surface, be cheap, can be cut to length with a hand saw and you could even round/taper the rear top side to make loading even easier. The plastic boards are solid white plastic with a slick side and a woody pattern side.
Ultimate Bunk Boards are the real deal. They can be mounted vertically or horizontally. There is a 'rigid' side on one horizontal and one vertical side to each board. This is used for the gripping.
You are not supposed to back the trailer as far down into the water, I back down so that the majority of my boat is in the water. I go to the bow and release the hook from the bow eye. I back further in so that there is less pressure on my strap when I release the winch and take off more strap. I'm not sure about others, but DO NOT unhook your boat before you back down the ramp.
Otherwise, as soon as your boat is at an angle, it will start sliding off.I've had these boards on my current trailer for 3 years. Before that I had them on other trailers for a few years as well. They don't rot, split or get weak. I think they are basically the same stuff as TREX like you use for decking your porch, but they are a few differences in the finish. Either way, they are just like a composite, and you can use regular wood tools.There are no mounts shipped with them, they act just like carpeted bunks without the carpet - and much more slick to allow faster loading/unloading of your boat. For as long as these things last, the price is justifiable against carpet. Oh - they haven't scratched the paint off the bottom of my boat.
Ol sarge wrote:Well I went ahead and replaced my old carpeted bunk boards with new ultimate bunk boards and all I can say is WOW! I fish mainly by myself and with the old carpeted bunk boards, had to back all they way down into the water and float the boat off the trailer. Now with the new ultimate bunk boards in place, as long as the rear of the trailer is in the water, I can push the boat right on off with very little effort.
And loading is just as easy. So much easier to crank up onto the trailer. I have a 14 ft semi v that weighs in at right around 400lbs.
I only have two bunks and they are stood on long sides, not laying down. Bottom line is they are worth the money and perform better than my carpeted ones ever did.
A very good product that works as advertised.Thanks for the feedback sarge. I wish those guys would get on here. I would think they could do quite well as an advertiser on the site. Funny thing is, I fished for 3 years in a club with the owner and never knew that's what he didHe probably lives 15 minutes from me.