Help with trailer bunks

[Lil Ronnie]

I am cleaning up and painting an old trailer for my boat. I want to replace the bunks and carpet them. This how the bunks looked when I got he trailer

This is the brackets that held them I place

There is a 2x4 up right in the bracket and a 2x6 screwed down on to the top of it. Is this the correct way for the bunks to be built?

 

[Lil Ronnie]

Re: Help with trailer bunks

Or will the 2x4 be ok alone?

 

[alldodge]

Re: Help with trailer bunks

Need to know what kind of boat the trailer will hold in order to be able to advise.

 

[Lil Ronnie]

Re: Help with trailer bunks

It's a 1538 fisher marine aluminum boat. Not a lot of weight .

 

[Lil Ronnie]

Re: Help with trailer bunks

The thing is the boat has a slight v to the bottom and it looks like it will only rest on somewhat the edge of the 2x6.

 

[alldodge]

Re: Help with trailer bunks

Is this the correct way for the bunks to be built?

Back to your original question: I like working with light boats because they are easier to move around. Build the bunks and then place the boat on them. You can then loosen them and allow the boat to settle. If they turn out to be higher then needed they can be adjusted accordingly. Many boat manufactures inly use outside runners even for very heavy boats. You may be able to get back with shorter risers and this will be better for lower launch ramps. It all comes down to what is needd, then adjusted for what is wanted.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Help with trailer bunks

no a 2x6 screwed to a 2x4 is not right... just the 2x4 will be fine and if you want horizontal bunks you will need different brackets

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Help with trailer bunks

bunk bracket - iboats

 

[Lil Ronnie]

Re: Help with trailer bunks

I see that these are not the correct brackets, but can I use these with just a carpeted 2x4 or 2x6 setting edge ways in the brackets I already have?

 

[Jim Hawkins]

Re: Help with trailer bunks

1 Just have the bunks cradle the boat in a way that vibrations from trailering don't bend the aluminum out of shape.

2 make sure the bunks extend beyond the transom to give solid support to where your weight is, the motor

3 If the bunks are pressure treated keep them away from the aluminum. Don't cover the bunks with carpet that will hold water, make sure it's that plastic indoor outdoor type or use poly skids

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Help with trailer bunks

For around $30-40 you could buy the bolster brackets that would allow you to lay the 2x4 or 2x6 flat against the hull and at any angle you need to match the hull deadrise. That would be my suggestion. You can use the brackets you have and stand the 2x4 on edge, but I recommend the boards lay flat and distribute the load across a larger area.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Help with trailer bunks

Ronnie, being familiar with your boat from the other thread I would say to use 2X4 on edge spaced centered between the keel and chine.
For length I'd go about 1" out from the transom and then up to the last full crossmember of the frame. Then add a spool roller to the short crossmember and one on the tongue if needed.

Yes, do not use pressure treated wood!