Homemade Bunk Brackets?

[jloch]

Hi all, I'm looking for some idea's for making my own
bunk brackets. Preferably some off the shelf hardware store item
that can easily be modified for my purpose.
Here's a pic of previous homemades, they are too week and non-adjustable.
Thanks

 

[Scott Danforth]

you can NOT make them as cheap as you can buy them if you pay yourself $2 per hour

http://www.iboats.com/Boat-Trailer-...4388973--session_id.933375213--view_id.238464

the brackets start at under $4

 

[jloch]

Unfortunatly the only ones I've been able to find localy are $19 each x 4 + ubolts = over $100. Also I have to raise the bunks this weekend so mail
order is not an option.
Thanks

 

[haulnazz15]

I agree, you can outfit an entire trailer for less than $50 by getting them online at any number of retailers.

 

[midcarolina]

If I had to make the brackets and purchasing the correct hardware was not an option.......I would be looking in the electrical section at lowes or home depot at the
unistrut and associated hardware...unistrut has elongated holes so it would be somewhat adjustable......and they make all kinds of L brackets and corner brackets to work with it.......

 

[jayhanig]

The difference in price between adapting something that might work vs buying something designed for the job may not seem like such a bargain if the make-do brackets fail. If it just isn't possible to mail order due to time constraints, bite the bullet and pay the money for the real thing.

I have learned this lesson the hard way, though not with my boat. But I learned it. The extra $50 or so that real brackets may cost locally is just a drop in the bucket compared to a punctured hull.

 

[midcarolina]

The PO specifically asked for idea's NOT for our opinions on if he should make them or not............Sometimes I do not think people even bother to read the original post in their hurry to add to the thread.................Just Sayin

 

[haulnazz15]

The PO specifically asked for idea's NOT for our opinions on if he should make them or not............Sometimes I do not think people even bother to read the original post in their hurry to add to the thread.................Just Sayin

He asked for ideas (which is pretty close to opinions). In any case, we pretty much laid out the facts that, short of spending a good chunk of money/time to fabricate a solution, it would be cheaper to just buy the pre-made equipment. Just because someone wants "ideas" on a project, doesn't mean they understand all of the options. The best option in this case, is to buy the correct brackets because they are purpose-built, adjustable, and best of all: cheap.

 

[midcarolina]

No, asking for idea's and getting opinions on buying verse building is NOT pretty close in any stretch of the imagination.......You apparently think the OP is so ignorant that he doesn't understand buying as an option............

Here is a novel idea if you don't have an IDEA to assist in what the OP is asking simply pass the thread on by.

 

[jayhanig]

The PO specifically asked for idea's NOT for our opinions on if he should make them or not............Sometimes I do not think people even bother to read the original post in their hurry to add to the thread.................Just Sayin

I did read the original post. He never said anything about holding back opinions. He wanted ideas. My idea was that it was false economy to try to make your own on the cheap.

 

[midcarolina]

That post was not directed at you........ Just to clarify would I spend 4+ hours in the shop fabricating items that I consider low cost.......nope

Do I think it's wise to tell the OP he's a idiot for asking........ like haulinazz15 basically did........nope

 

[fishrdan]

I agree with buying the brackets as it will be cheaper and easier,

But, if you want to make them, take a trip down to your local metal supplier and see if they have anything in their rem pile (remnant). There are a couple places by me that fill 55 gallon drums with rems, I pick through them once a year so I have stuff for projects. Rem metal is cheap, or free (depends on who's working that day... ) I made a set of bunk brackets for my old boat trailer from rem metal, but it was only 2 brackets, and they fixed height with adjustable angle for bunk. Easy project, but it would have been tougher making them adjustable...

Home De-pot has some zinc plated heavy gauge 2x4 corner brackets that would probably work for the upright to bunk connection.

Do I think it's wise to tell the OP he's a idiot for asking........ like haulinazz15 basically did........nope

I read haulinazz15's comments and didn't find anything questionable, just good advice. Can't we all just get along here...

 

[jloch]

No Title

Home De-pot has some zinc plated heavy gauge 2x4 corner brackets that would probably work for the upright to bunk connection

So I ended up going with something like this (some sort of fence bracket, zinc plated I believe) These brackets are way stronger than what was on there originally, and they lasted 7+ years.

Sorry, I should have included more info in my OP.
This trailer has 3 keel rollers which supports most of the weight (200 lbs, 300 with gear and motor)
so the bunks are more for balance than anything. I did find some real bunk brackets localy at a more resonable price
however they were made for 2x6 bunks (could have modified) but they only had 3 anyway. My bunks are made of 2x2's.
So this will do for now, boat is sitting solid now and I'm pretty happy/confident with the results.When I replace the bunks maybe next year I'm going with 2x4's
and may go with real adjustable brackets then.
I'll try and get a pic up with final results.

Thanks for all the replies.