bunk or roller

[aatp]

I think this question is going to be like asking what is better Chevy or Ford but here goes any way. Have a new 5100 pound 26 foot Sea Ray 260 Sun Deck on order and I need to think about a trailer. With the boat purchase I have my choice of a Load Rite bunk or roller trailer. This is my first boat that I have ever owned so I do not know what I would prefer. I would only use the trailer for trips and maybe winter storage.

 

[Cobalt232]

Re: bunk or roller

I would only get a bunk trailer. They are easier to load and I can't think of no reason you'd want the rollers. I almost never see anything, but bunk trailers these days. If I were putting the 260 Sundeck on a trailer it would be a nightmare with rollers. My 232 is only a foot smaller and has bunks. You'll be happy with you decision!

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: bunk or roller

LOL classic.... This is completely a matter of preference and you will hear all sorts of absolute answers slamming one or the other by people who really don't know..... I've had over a dozen different boats with both styles and while I generally prefer a roller trailer because they tend to load VERY easy, It really doesn't make a huge difference..... My 5500 lb 26' carver load as easy as anything I've ever had on an ezloader full roller trailer. It went on straight every time no matter what angle I hit the trailer at, and my 28' 9000 lb wellcraft also load quite easily on it's bunk trailer but It WAS a pain until I got bunk slicks and side bunk guides on it.

No matter what trailer you get you will have to figure out what depth to put the trailer for loading.... 99.99% of the time when people think a certain trailer is junk it's because they are backed too far into the water.

 

[Cobalt232]

Re: bunk or roller

Smokeonwater had a very good point about loading the boat. Typically when I use about any bunk trailer if you just barely cover the fenders in the water the boat's Deep V will position itself in the middle of the trailer when you drive it slowly on. By slowly that means taking it out of gear and putting it briefly in reverse to slow it down. Coming in fast whether it be a dock or boat trailer is really bad as your boat is to heavy to stop without the motor. One last thing, on your 260 I would trim the Bravo 3 to about 19-20 (trailer mode) per the smart craft trim gauge before driving it up on the trailer. if you don't you hit your outdrive on the ramp. PM me if you need someone to call for help.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: bunk or roller

I too have owned many boats over the years and have had both rollers and bunks. I much prefer a roller trailer for ease of loading and unloading. In fact if there a ramp has any reasonable slope at all, releasing the winch will result in splashing the boat with no effort. I've seen several instances where the owner removed the winch strap before backing down and dumped his boat on the ramp. My neighbor, a new boater, did just that with a brand new Crestliner. His son was in the boat and felt it leaving the trailer so tilted the motor all the way up before impact.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: bunk or roller

Rollers are only good for shallow ramps where you don't have enough depth to get your boat to float off. Bad side of them is that they are individual pressure points on the hull and can deform it unlike bunks which provide longitudional support along the length of the hull. Don't take my word for it, go around where older boats are stored on trailers and have a look for yourself. If you have a lot of them and the hull is thick you probably won't have much of a problem....but most trailers and boats aren't built like that $$$$$$.

Mark

 

[Monterey10]

Re: bunk or roller

I have a trailer that has bunks along the back and rollers up front to center the boat. I think it about the best of both worlds.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: bunk or roller

Rollers are only good for shallow ramps where you don't have enough depth to get your boat to float off.
Mark

Forgot to mention saltwater as well. Unless you dunk your trailer past the fenders in saltwater.

 

[southkogs]

Re: bunk or roller

The trailer that I have was not the original one for this boat ... but it has been rigged for it now with bunks from the stern to just shy of the bow. I like the complete support from end to end - even pressure all the way down.

Ramps in my area are fairly steep, so it's pretty easy to get the trailer at an angle when launching or retrieving that the boat is actually floating until I tighten up the bow strap. Then she just settles on.

I'd be a little afraid of rollers on the ramps I use.

 

[Philster]

Re: bunk or roller

Some people need rollers; most do not.

For most folks, the best all-around answer is bunks, but there are ramps and conditions, combined with different boat types, that will be far better off with rollers.

 

[Part-time]

Re: bunk or roller

My deck boat's on rollers, no problems, just don't unhook the winch strap before you go down the ramp.
My Sidewinder's on bunks and my Jeeps front wheels are almost at the water before the boat floats.
The ramp is very shallow. (The river is 5' at the deepest in that section)
If the ramp was steeper I don't think it would make a differance.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: bunk or roller

I love my roller trailers, and I have one that is a bunk trailer, 2 are all roller, and one is roller but 3' of bunk at the end--that one also breaks.

The reason (as someone pointed out) that you see more bunk trailers now has absolutely nothing to do with which is better and everything to do with getting the sale out the door cheaper. The typical buyer doesn't buy a boat based on the trailer, and that same guy doesn't ever get to compare them, so bunks it is--unless the buyer knows trailers.

Rollers take getting used to, but comments I hear over and over, once you'er used to it, you never go back, even though you hate it at first.

it is not true that rollers are harder to get the boat on straight. Just not true. What matters is set-up, hull design to some degree, and whether it's used correctly (80% of the time meaning not in too deep. I set my bow on the first roller (the one at the far end of the trailer, sitting just below the surface of the water, or just above) and crank it up; the boat straightens itself.

It is true that some hulls should not be on rollers and some should not be on bunks due to stress while stored. That distinction has to be made at the manufacturer level--it's not a "personal preference" matter.

After years of observation, I conclude that bunks are fine for fresh water applications and should be avoided for salt water. So all you fresh water boaters who prefer bunks are 100% "right." But now that the boats are mostly sold with bunks, inexperienced salt water boaters are jumping on them, clueless to what is happening to their equipment.
Case in point--about 20 years ago I was at a seaside ramp and an inexperienced guy I was with dunked his trailer--it drew a crowd of salty spectators who shook their heads and gave the trailer 2 years. It was a rare sight indeed, for good reason. Now, I see it all the time, no one stares, but we know what's happening. And the only reason I have a drive-on bunk trailer on the seaside is because it cost $500 and is only used at the ramp, no highway, is owned by 7 people, and someone needed a replacement trailer quick. We got our three years out of it.
An exception for dunking a trailer in salt water is those who only do it a couple times a year, hose off the inside, etc. immediately. They'll do OK. But not the weekender.

 

[JimS123]

Re: bunk or roller

Rollers are easy to load and launch, bunks much more difficult.

Bunks are cheaper, roller trailers cost more.

Roller trailers can be used anywhere, bunks require a certain water depth and ramp angle (steep) to get them to work.

Bunks require minimal maintenance, rollers need PM all the time.

With Bunks you get your feet wet, rollers you don't even get the car wet.

With Rollers the boat self centers on the trailer (unless you're in too deep). Bunks you have to launch and reload several times to get it in the middle (unless you have side guides)

With rollers you use the winch to get the boat on the trailer, with bunks the winch is useless until the last 3 feet or so.

Rollers are fun, bunks are a pita.

With bunks you'll look like most others at the ramp. With rollers the other people will look at you with mouth open wondering how you did that so fast.

With rollers the boat will fall off the trailer as you back down the ramp (unless you follow the directions), with bunks you can be sloppy and not cause chaos.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: bunk or roller

Rollers are easy to load and launch, bunks much more difficult.

Bunks are cheaper, roller trailers cost more.

Roller trailers can be used anywhere, bunks require a certain water depth and ramp angle (steep) to get them to work.

Bunks require minimal maintenance, rollers need PM all the time.

With Bunks you get your feet wet, rollers you don't even get the car wet.

With Rollers the boat self centers on the trailer (unless you're in too deep). Bunks you have to launch and reload several times to get it in the middle (unless you have side guides)

With rollers you use the winch to get the boat on the trailer, with bunks the winch is useless until the last 3 feet or so.

Rollers are fun, bunks are a pita.

With bunks you'll look like most others at the ramp. With rollers the other people will look at you with mouth open wondering how you did that so fast.

With rollers the boat will fall off the trailer as you back down the ramp (unless you follow the directions), with bunks you can be sloppy and not cause chaos.

Don't know what kind of bunks you are familiar with but i don't get my feet or truck wet and i only approach the trailer one time and it is on and i dont' have side guides. My boat goes right to the bow hook. All i have to do is snap on the safety chain and strap make a couple of turns and go. My boat is 30 ft
.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: bunk or roller

good analysis, Jim

 

[H20Rat]

Re: bunk or roller

Bad side of them is that they are individual pressure points on the hull and can deform it unlike bunks which provide longitudional support along the length of the hull.

Not debating your point about the pressure points from rollers, i've seen that happen also. The one mistake is that bunks support along the entire length of the hull... 2x4's aren't nearly strong enough to do that. 99% of the support comes from an area +/- a foot or so from the bunk mounting point. On many boats, if you go halfway between mount points, you can bend the 2x4 back by hand and slide a finger in there...

Either way, its still far better than the very small contact area that rollers provide.


Me personally, bunk trailer... I've never had a bunk trailer that was a pain to load, at least that couldn't be fixed with minor changes. I've had some roller trailer/hull combinations that just never seemed to cooperate.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: bunk or roller

Not debating your point about the pressure points from rollers, i've seen that happen also. The one mistake is that bunks support along the entire length of the hull... 2x4's aren't nearly strong enough to do that. 99% of the support comes from an area +/- a foot or so from the bunk mounting point. On many boats, if you go halfway between mount points, you can bend the 2x4 back by hand and slide a finger in there...

Either way, its still far better than the very small contact area that rollers provide.


Me personally, bunk trailer... I've never had a bunk trailer that was a pain to load, at least that couldn't be fixed with minor changes. I've had some roller trailer/hull combinations that just never seemed to cooperate.

Valid point but still at the support points you have a flat surface supporting the hull. Additionally, for deep V boats especially, the bunks are usually located just outboard of the lifting strakes which is one of the stiffest parts of the hull.

My trailer happens to be made from 2x6's set vertically.

Mark

 

[bonz_d]

Re: bunk or roller

For the old guys. think back to the 50's, 60's and 70's. Then tell us how many trailers you remember that didn't have any rollers on them.
I can't remember any! Unless it was a flatbed trailer that had a cradle and an inboard boat on it. Not until the 80's and the intro of Bass boats do I recall seeing a trailer w/o any rollers.

 

[JaseBosto]

Re: bunk or roller

bunk

 

[R Socey]

Re: bunk or roller

I like the bunks for a more even weight distribution, with rollers on the bottom.