bunk vs roller

[stugots]

guys I need a crash course on what the diffrence is, I just bought a 28 foot wellcraft and im going to be launching (for the first season or 2) every time I use it, its not far from my home but it will be on and off ALOT.

I found a local guy thats giving me a great deal on a bunk but I have never owned one, so I figured I'd ask you experts

please help

Thanks guys

 

[solar7647]

Re: bunk vs roller

Well I prefer bunks on a trailer, but the question is whats on the trailer now? It can be tricky to switch a trailer from roller to bunks or vis versa..plus some roller setups can have a lot of moving parts.

The main differance is simple..one has rollers that support the the weight of the boat while the other has wood bunks covered in marine or out door carpet....I find it easyer to load a boat on bunks then rollers..but I like to power load my boat...if you are just wenching it up you are doing the same action on eather trailer but a roller trailer would make it easyer because there is less friction... rather then trying to wench a heavy load across a flat surface you are getting help from the rollers.

 

[stugots]

Re: bunk vs roller

to be honest im not sure what it is, kinda looks like runners?

sorry im SO new to this lol

I just uploaded the pic so hopefully you all can see it

 

[joe009]

Re: bunk vs roller

i have rollers,and was told that rollers give the boat more support.i tow about 45 miles round trip.

 

[stugots]

Re: bunk vs roller

heres the link to the dealers site for the trailer

http://www.trailrite.com/std__9999_tan_.htm


if this helps

 

[fat fanny]

Re: bunk vs roller

Bunks are great especially for the fact you can as said by solar power load. Just line up the point of the bow with the winch (center of trailer and take it slow until you just cross the very back end of the trailer and gun it a little (takes some practice) but it 's basically letting the boat do all the hard work and just connect the strap to bow eye and wheel her the rest of the way up I have gotten to the point where I don't even get wet or have to get out of the boat any more.

 

[jkust]

Re: bunk vs roller

I've seen this go both ways but generally never in regards to such a big boat. I have a roller trailer and the differences I have experienced are ease of loading especially in poor or shallow conditions. Power loading is illegal so that is not in my equation here. Also, the rollers on my trailer have made rubber scrape marks up the length of my hull. The roller trailer has improved my boating experience a lot.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: bunk vs roller

I have an ez loader roller trailer under my 26' 6000 lb carver.... It is the first roller trailer I've ever owned and is the easiest boat I have ever loaded.... It
"powerloads" at just over idle..... the only downside is that I generally load and launch alone and with the size if that boat and the fact that it is a flybridge cruiser I have to launch/load directly next to the dock and I have to start the engine and put it in gear before unhooking the bow eye (tag line in hand in case engine stalls) ..... with two people it's easy as can be

 

[JimS123]

Re: bunk vs roller

There are many other threads re, bunk vs. roller so go do a little searching.

I've been a trailer boater for 45 years and have only owned one bunk trailer. That was for a small fishing boat and the trailer manufacturer only offered bunks. I launched it ONCE, then ordered roller bunks and replaced them. This is a no-brainer no matter where you launch.

Rollers DON'T make dents in the hull, DON'T make the boat slide off on the parking lot, and DON'T make black marks on the hull. The secret is having the proper equipment and having it adjusted properly.

All my rigs are set up for solo launch and load. People watch me launch and scratch their heads. I have people ask me why it goes so easy.

Just go to any launch ramp and watch the morons. See the EasyLoaders and the bunks and make your own mind up. Powering onto the trailer is idiodic. Ive seen props destroyed and stems bashed. Regardless, it goes on crooked most of the time. I never get my feet wet.

Now that I'm old I use a Powerwinch, but for the first 40 years the ole' hand crank worked just fine.

 

[Thajeffski]

Re: bunk vs roller

One is really not that much better than the other, anyone who says otherwise just has a bias.

Rollers are great, as long as you have enough of them on your trailer and have a really strong bow line and two really good stern hold downs.....

I like my bunk trailer, partly because it was free.....and partly because even if my tie downs are not strong enough, the boat really isn't going anywhere. I'm sure I could back down a steep ramp and it wouldn't fall off.

 

[solar7647]

Re: bunk vs roller

heres the link to the dealers site for the trailer

http://www.trailrite.com/std__9999_tan_.htm


if this helps

That is a nice trailer.....Its looks like it would be pretty easy to get the boat on and off...I would say if your getting a good deal go for it...but do some research to make sure your getting a good deal..if its a better price then a roller and thats what counts get it...you will learn the best ways to load/unload as you do it more and more ...so by the end of your first season you will be a pro no matter if its a roller or bunks.....

 

[JimS123]

Re: bunk vs roller

One is really not that much better than the other, anyone who says otherwise just has a bias.

Rollers are great, as long as you have enough of them on your trailer and have a really strong bow line and two really good stern hold downs.....

.

My first trailer was a bought new 1967 Holsclaw with all rollers. Launched like a dream. Unfortunately, I was in a rear end collision at a red light and the whole rig was detroyed, including the back of my car.

I had ordinary transom tie downs and a store bought bow tie down. The boat never left the trailer, nor moved from its adjusted position.

 

[stugots]

Re: bunk vs roller

im geting it from a guy who no longer owns a boat hes selling it for 1500 but because he needs the cash, I dont think I could find a roller for that

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: bunk vs roller

I have owned both and prefer bunks any day.

A set of these on the bunks and it works as well if not better than rollers.
Just remember to never unhook the winch until the boat is in the water.

http://www.surfixinc.com/surfix_trailer_bunkslides.html

 

[stugots]

Re: bunk vs roller

I guess I cant get this trailer for my boat, its only 80" between fenders and my beam is 9'11

 

[solar7647]

Re: bunk vs roller

Jump on it...if its in good condition and you change your mind you will be able to make a profit...1500 is a really good price....I looked into replacing mine last year and every used trailer i could fins that was worth bothering with was twice that!...I say you got lucky..just make sure the boat will fit..

 

[solar7647]

Re: bunk vs roller

That sucks ....but the beam is measured at the widest point at the rim of the boat...there is a good chance it will fit...its worth a try for that price...The beam of my boat is 12inches wider then the trailer its on, but there is about 12inches of creaance between the hull and the inside of the fender and if you look down the length you can see that the boats widest point sticks out past the out side fender but that part it 7 feet off the ground.....your only lookin at being inches wider..

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: bunk vs roller

your boat doesn't go between the fenders..... it goes OVER them

I just looked at the link.... that trailer looks to have non adjustable bunks... the one under my montecarlo is also non adjustable.... I had to use several wood blocks to fit the bunks to the hull and will have to do some cutting an welding to position the bunks correctly for my boat..... another option is to cut off all the bunk uprights and buy all new clamp on hardware to make it adjustable..... just something to check out

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: bunk vs roller

The trailer in the pics look more like it was made for a boat with not much of a V in the hull.
With non-adjustable bunks it may be a real hassle for the boat to set right anyway.

May be best to keep looking...

 

[northernmerc]

Re: bunk vs roller

I've used, and still use, both and prefer the bunks. Unloading and loading the stern drive SeaRay with the bunk trailer is quicker than untying and tying it up at the dock. The lighter and smaller sixteen foot Lund has a roller trailer and takes longer to load and unload than the SeaRay.

Before unloading with the bunk trailer, we undo the tie downs, including at the front, and just back the trailer into the water. The boat floats off and my helper stands on the dock and hangs onto the line to keep the boat from floating away. Try that with rollers and your boat may end up on the ground before you get to the water.

To load, we back the trailer in to the correct depth by watching the fenders' depth in the water, pull the boat into place over the bunks, winch it a foot or two, and drive out. I stand on the trailer tongue, and my feet never get wet. What could be easier?