Roller bunks

[sweet addiction]

Re: Roller bunks

also bunk rollers create pressure points on your hull and after awhile will create dents in aluminum and holes in fibreglass bunks when setup at the right angle will not.

Do you actually read threads before you comment or are you just repeating what I say to try and sound smart?

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: Roller bunks

Just to preface- I have NOT read thru all the posts, I'm just throwin' this out--

Coming home from a trip to Yellowstone while towing our Sea Ray-- on a bunk trailer-- with our motorhome, we hit some very teeth-jarring road south of Jackson. About 100 miles later we stopped at an RV park for the night. It was then that I discovered that my winch rope was broken, and I'm certain it was during the bad stretch. The boat had slid back maybe a half inch.

This guy's winch strap broke coming up the ramp when he was almost on level ground--

These are thee 2 reasons why you'll never see one of MY boats on a roller trailer...

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Roller bunks

Just to preface- I have NOT read thru all the posts, I'm just throwin' this out--

Coming home from a trip to Yellowstone while towing our Sea Ray-- on a bunk trailer-- with our motorhome, we hit some very teeth-jarring road south of Jackson. About 100 miles later we stopped at an RV park for the night. It was then that I discovered that my winch rope was broken, and I'm certain it was during the bad stretch. The boat had slid back maybe a half inch.

This guy's winch strap broke coming up the ramp when he was almost on level ground--

These are thee 2 reasons why you'll never see one of MY boats on a roller trailer...

Because you don't use additional tie downs and a safety chain?

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Roller bunks

... I discovered that my winch rope was broken, and I'm certain it was during the bad stretch. The boat had slid back maybe a half inch...

That is why you don't rely on the winch strap to hold the boat on the trailer.
The safety CHAIN will save the day.

Because you don't use additional tie downs and a safety chain?

The Safety Chain goes on at the waters edge, but the additional Tie Downs don't go on until I am well up in the parking lot.
Does anyone put on the transom straps while still in the water?

It was not anything unique to a roller trailer.
My carpeted bunk trailer would have also launched the boat onto the ramp with out anything holding it.

The real issue was the winch strap.
It didn't go from new to broken in 50 feet.
I'll wager that the winch strap looked like it needed to be replaced for at least a year before it let go coming up a ramp at 5mph.

 

[Sea-Donkey]

Re: Roller bunks

Does anyone put on the transom straps while still in the water?

Ha, good point.

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: Roller bunks

Taking for granted I don't use tie downs or safety chains? I use both, thank you--

However, if the winch strap breaks and the boat starts moving off the trailer, don't plan on transom tie downs to save the day. They won't. If the strap itself doesn't simply rip, the thread where the hooks are sewn on will. And chain will keep the boat on the trailer, but depending on it's slack and your current journey, you may damage or destroy the winch post, not to mention you might not do your keel any good.

I don't know how many people I've seen back their boats down the ramp totally disconnected from the trailer, but never have I seen a boat on a bunk trailer just slide off.

Only bunked boat I've ever seen separated from the trailer was this one-- pulling up with the drive down, the skeg stuck in an expansion joint, and the guy simply pulled the trailer out from under the boat (his winch strap snapped like taffy)

I'm sure you guys that have roller trailers like 'em, but I won't have one.

 

[littlerayray]

Re: Roller bunks

Do you actually read threads before you comment or are you just repeating what I say to try and sound smart?

i skim through them and read most musta missed yours no i dont need to repeat what people say to sound smart im smart enough as it is

 

[JimS123]

Re: Roller bunks

the guy simply pulled the trailer out from under the boat (his winch strap snapped like taffy)

I'm sure you guys that have roller trailers like 'em, but I won't have one.

The winch strap isn't the only thing intended to keep the boat on the trailer - it's the chain and turnbuckle bow tie down that's there for that job.

As I said in a previous post - you have to follow the book - this guy missed step #1 - raise the outdrive....

However, if what I'm seeing in the pic is correct, looks like he has a whaletail on the O/D. THAT's the likely root cause. So, now we have yet another reason for tabs instead of fins!!!

Regardless, in my old age I won't do anything if it causes me to work too hard. Bunks are simply too much trouble. If my boat won't launch itself, there's fixin to be done.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Roller bunks

if the straps won't hold the boat on the trailer then they aren't big enough
On my 9000 lb boat I use 2 10,000 lb rated strap 1 5,000 lb rated strap 1 3,000 rated safety chain and a 3,000 lb winch cable,

not including the chain that's 28,000 lbs of rated strength and since rated strength is likely less than half of actual tensile strength my boat is NOT going to come off of the trailer short of a crash that destroys the boat truck and trailer.


My 20'er on a roller trailer will likely have 3 5,000 lb straps along with the winch and chain... it won't be going anywhere either

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Roller bunks

Well looks as if this thread has completely digressed. From whether the OP should switch his carpeted bunks to rollerbunks to gee why did my boat fall off the trailer!

Come on folks there are really only 3 reasons a boat would leave the trailer.
1. Operator error or misuse
2. Equipment malfunction
3. Collision into another object.

Straps or chains breaking all fall under the 1st two. It is not the fault of the trailer design. Both designs have logged millions or miles and trips w/o any incident or mishap. If one doesn't know how to properly use their equipment then they really need to learn how. If they then do not want to learn then a disaster at some point is expected.

Same goes along with equipment. I see far too many times were the boat and trailer are mismatched to begin with and one just does not fit well with the other. I too often see trailers with rotted bunk boards, split and cracking rollers, tires that are cracking and rotting, Winch straps and cables that should have been replaced seasons ago. Some in a condition that they should never have been on the road in the 1st place.

Fishin'nut, I've seen were you've decided to try the roller bunks. Can't say as to whether that is the best choice or not because I have never used the plastic strips but in any case I do hope it works well for you.

 

[fishin'nut]

Re: Roller bunks

Thanks again for all the tips. I have installed the roller bunks where the carpeted bunks used to be and am wondering how to distribute the load. I have read many threads here and have no idea where to start. The keel rollers are level. Does the majority of the load sit on the keel rollers or does the weight get distributed evenly? One other question, the roller bunks are located halfway between the keel and sides of the boat, should I move them more to the sides? Thanks for all the help. This forum sure is informative. I have learned so much.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Roller bunks

Thanks again for all the tips. I have installed the roller bunks where the carpeted bunks used to be and am wondering how to distribute the load. I have read many threads here and have no idea where to start. The keel rollers are level. Does the majority of the load sit on the keel rollers or does the weight get distributed evenly? One other question, the roller bunks are located halfway between the keel and sides of the boat, should I move them more to the sides? Thanks for all the help. This forum sure is informative. I have learned so much.

Then you need to read the threads again...

Most of the load sits on the keel rollers and most of the load sits on the bunks. The bunks should be located halfway between the keel and sides and they should be located closer to the sides.

No are you more confused? If I tell you one way, someone likely will contradict that and say just the opposite because that's their way.

PS - here's a pic of my Legend with 25 HP OB - launches and loads like greased lightnin...

 

[fishin'nut]

Re: Roller bunks

Thanks. I was getting contradicting views from reading all the threads. I was confused and that was why I had to ask. I was leaning toward what you have done with your boat trailer and in fact the rollers I bought are identical to yours so that made my decision easier. I look forward to trying it on the water. Thanks again.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Roller bunks

I would recommend getting the weight pretty evenly distributed on all rollers and don't worry too much about where on the hull they fall...

as long as she loads straight ur gtg... BTW look into a self centering keel roller or two... best thing since sliced bread.

 

[JaseBosto]

Re: Roller bunks

I am a bunk man. Might be because Ive never had a good roller trailer but every fricken roller trailer Ive had usually turns a good day into a bad one.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Roller bunks

I would recommend getting the weight pretty evenly distributed on all rollers and don't worry too much about where on the hull they fall...

as long as she loads straight ur gtg... BTW look into a self centering keel roller or two... best thing since sliced bread.

Agree 100%. On mine I have to watch where I place the bunks because of the strakes on the bottom.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Roller bunks

I am a bunk man. Might be because Ive never had a good roller trailer but every fricken roller trailer Ive had usually turns a good day into a bad one.

So stick with your bunks! I've had both and can say the same thing about bunk trailers!