Types of boat trailers
Feb 14, 2021 14:57:02 #
Some boat trailers have bunks, and some have rollers. What are the pros and cons of each, why would you choose one type over the other? What are your thoughts?
Feb 14, 2021 15:03:27 #
Barnacles wrote:
Some boat trailers have bunks, and some have rollers. What are the pros and cons of each, why would you choose one type over the other? What are your thoughts?
I think the smaller, lighter boats use bunks. The larger/heavier boats need rollers.
Feb 14, 2021 15:06:33 #
Feb 14, 2021 15:12:27 #
Ben Bragg wrote:
I think Saw nailed it.
A bunk is supposed to be better on the boat, from what I hear. I have seen some good-sized boats on bunks. I have rollers on my trailer, but that is what it came with. (IDK)
Feb 14, 2021 15:12:39 #
saw1 wrote:
I think the smaller, lighter boats use bunks. The larger/heavier boats need rollers.
Don't know if that's completely true. I bought a new O Day shoel draft sail boat with factory trailer. There was 1 roller for the bow. With 600 lbs of keel I wouldn't want it on rollers.
Feb 14, 2021 15:17:40 #
Some large boats have several Bunks for the boat to rest on. Rollers are older design. Bunks are much easier to Launch and recover boat from waterbody. Bunks will auto align the boat. Roller Trailers were designed to crank the boat onto the trailer NOT DRIVE the boat onto the trailer. Bunks are designed to power the boat onto the trailer.
Feb 14, 2021 15:24:24 #
Jeremy wrote:
Some large boats have several Bunks for the boat to rest on. Rollers are older design. Bunks are much easier to Launch and recover boat from waterbody. Bunks will auto align the boat. Roller Trailers were designed to crank the boat onto the trailer NOT DRIVE the boat onto the trailer. Bunks are designed to power the boat onto the trailer.
Sounds reasonable to me.
Feb 14, 2021 15:28:50 #
Wind and river current if trying to get boat on a roller trailer make it difficult. I learned the hard way the best way to get a boat on a roller trailer properly is to crank it on. But then it will center itself as designed. The bunk type with the automatic latch is the way to go. Then you don't have to try and stand on head hanging over bow or hurry to get boat latched as it is floating back off the trailer into the lake or river.
Feb 14, 2021 15:29:04 #
I’ve seen boats launch themselves halfway up or down the boat ramps with roller trailers. Less likely with bunks....🐟on
Feb 14, 2021 15:29:42 #
Deep V hulls work better on rollers. The arms articulate to follow the shape of the bottom, from extreme V in the bow to a shallower V towards the stern. A properly set up roller will launch the boat, with only half the trailer in the water, with a one handed shove. I've personally seen 20-30 footers launched that way. I've also seen the same boats driven back on the trailer just as easily.
Feb 14, 2021 15:34:21 #
Jeremy wrote:
Some large boats have several Bunks for the boat to rest on. Rollers are older design. Bunks are much easier to Launch and recover boat from waterbody. Bunks will auto align the boat. Roller Trailers were designed to crank the boat onto the trailer NOT DRIVE the boat onto the trailer. Bunks are designed to power the boat onto the trailer.
That’s how I do it. Using self aligning bunks power on up snug against the bow bumper then snug it up tight with the winch....🐟on
Feb 14, 2021 15:35:19 #
Me too the only thing that sucks is the boat is still on rollers and have to get it connected to strap to hold it in place. Bunk Trailer the boats weight gets on bunks and boat will not usually try to roll back into the lake or river like on rollers.
Feb 14, 2021 17:22:08 #
DozerDave wrote:
I’ve seen boats launch themselves halfway up or down the boat ramps with roller trailers. Less likely with bunks....🐟on
That happened to a buddy of mine back in the 80s on the maiden voyage of his new Sylvan walleye boat. He was launching alone at a crowded ramp ahead of a huge tournament. Halfway down the ramp, there goes the boat. Destroyed the lower unit and cracked the transom. 🤦🏼♂️ You can take the safety chain off, but don’t disconnect the winch strap until you are ready.
Feb 14, 2021 17:55:57 #
On three different occasions over the years, I've happened on a scene along a highway where a boat is laying on the ground and an unhappy man is standing next to an empty trailer, looking at it. All three of those trailer had rollers, I doubt that it would happen with bunks. And I suspect that it's cheaper to build a trailer with bunks.
If I had a car or truck that I didn't want to get wet, maybe I'd choose rollers?
If I had a car or truck that I didn't want to get wet, maybe I'd choose rollers?
Feb 14, 2021 18:24:08 #
Barnacles wrote:
On three different occasions over the years, I've happened on a scene along a highway where a boat is laying on the ground and an unhappy man is standing next to an empty trailer, looking at it. All three of those trailer had rollers, I doubt that it would happen with bunks. And I suspect that it's cheaper to build a trailer with bunks.
If I had a car or truck that I didn't want to get wet, maybe I'd choose rollers?
If I had a car or truck that I didn't want to get wet, maybe I'd choose rollers?
I have bunks and I don’t get my truck wet. I don’t even get my feet wet. And I launch and load all by myself...and that’s with an 18’ deep V...🤷♂️🐟on
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