Bunk Trailer - Bunk length

[phipps]

I have been looking for a trailer for my Sylvan 24' pontoon. I have found a bunk trailer but the bunks are only 20' long. Will it hurt if my pontoons hang a couple feet off the bunks at the front and back?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Bunk Trailer - Bunk length

You want the bunks to extend to the back end of the tube. The front of the tubes are tapered upward and provide no support anyway so move the winch post forward to allow the back of the tube to reach the end of the bunk. That trailer should work ok. The next concern is the trailer weight capacity. Just because the pontoon fits on the trailer does not mean it can safely carry the load. The trailer should have a capcity chart on the frame. Check the tire size and load rating on the tire sidewall. If it's a single axle trailer, double the single tire capacity for total load. Remember, the trailer will weight about 600 - 800 pounds so add that to the pontoon weight.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: Bunk Trailer - Bunk length

My 25' toon has about 2 inches of the logs extending beyond the bunks. As Silvertip stated you only need the bunks up front to extend to the point where the nose cones are welded to the front on the logs. If you rig the trailer correctly 20" bunks may be perfect.

 

[VaGent]

Re: Bunk Trailer - Bunk length

My '86 Riveria Cruiser has 22" of double tapered cones on the rear of the tubes from where they are welded to the main tube & 43" of tapered cone on the front to the weld on the main tube. All together my tubes are 19'-4" total in length. Of that 14ft is the length of the main tube from weld to weld front to rear. I have made my bunks 14'-4" long to make sure I have the main tubes supported. Am I doing this correctly?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Bunk Trailer - Bunk length

You do have maximum support. Tubes need to be supported at every bulkhead. It is not necessary to support the tapered part of the tube (front or rear).

 

[VaGent]

Re: Bunk Trailer - Bunk length

Thanks Silvertip. I was hoping I was figureing it the right way. But you made a statement that makes me have to ask this question. How far apart "normally" are the bulkheads placed? I assume there are bulkheads inside the tubes for strength. And with using continuous bunks, do I need to be concerned about them?

I am running 2 2X6 treated boards that will have a 4" space in the middle for the tubes to ride on. I "copied" this design from a 2006 Tracker trailer over to the EZloader that I am converting. Except for the size of the frame steel they are nearly identical in size. The Tracker is using 2"X3" rectangular tubing for the main frame & 1 1/2"X3" for the cross members & the EZloader has 3"X4 tubing for the main frame & the same for the cross memebers. The Tracker is using 14" tires & wheels whereas the EZloader has 15" tires & wheels. From what I have been reading most of the pontoon trailers are using the wide 10" tires & wheels to lower the CG & giving more stability on the road when trailering. What's you thoughts about the frame on the EZloader & the tire & wheel size? I am really learning a lot from this site & maybe someday I can help give it back to someone.