Trailer Bunk Cover Alternatives???

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amanphoto

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I'm looking for Trailer Bunk Cover Alternative. First of all. My bunks are 14' long and 2x6's.

I know pressure treated lumber is bad against your hull. If you put carpet on your bunks the pressure treated chemical will leach threw and get your hull. Also Carpet holds water against your hull. That being said. What else can I use?

1. I'm debating about using the back side of a piece of Trex Escapes 1x5 over top a 2x6 pressure treaded board. It's smooth and slippery. But how to hold the two together? Carriage bolts?

Or

2. My other choice is to get some step guard to cover the pressure treated 2x6's. Step Guard is grooved vinyl mat that comes on a long roll. I'm not sure if it's UV safe. But will cushion the bottom.

What are your thoughts?

IMG_2290.jpg
 
Texasmark

Texasmark

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Re: Trailer Bunk Cover Alternatives???

I don't know where I got them but I replaced my bunks a couple of years ago and Prefer treated, non covered bunks for reasons specified. Unaware of any hull damage due to the wood being "treated".

The ramp where I usually boat is shallow and I wanted to improve on the low friction capability of wet wood. I found some plastic strips that attach to the top of the vertical bunk with 2 screws each. They are about 10" long as I recall, so I bought enough to run the full length of the bunk where the hull touched. Work real well.

I usually shop for things on here or via my West Marine catalog. I looked in there and found a couple of things that are intended to do the job but didn't find what I purchased from whomever. Maybe I got them off iboats. I did notice that C.E. Smith and Taco were mftgrs of similar items. Might look them up on www.

Mark
 
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BRICH1260

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Re: Trailer Bunk Cover Alternatives???

I`ve seen alot of treated wood covered with carpet bunks where I go. I did not know that reated lumber was that bad for the hull. That being said the Trex covering should work, just make sure that the carriage bolts are recessed into the Trex, so they do not scratch. Several manufacturers make nylon/plastic coverings specifically made for boat bunks. I would probabaly look into those before using a vinyl runner. I think you will need something more scuff resistant than vinyl.
 
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amanphoto

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Re: Trailer Bunk Cover Alternatives???

I've found several items online that do the job. The problem, is that no one has anything long enough or it is going to cost a fortune to ship it. I found the product I like [http://www.caliberproductsinc.com/m_bunkwraps.htm] but can't get it shipped and they don't suggest butting two pieces together. It will create a high spot and rubbing.
 
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haulnazz15

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Re: Trailer Bunk Cover Alternatives???

Just use the carpeted bunks. They've been working for decades without any harmful effects. You are overthinking this. How long do you think moisture gets retained on a trailer bunk? The hull is made to sit in water indefinitely, I hardly think that moisture on some outdoor carpet for a few days is going to affect anything.
 
Philster

Philster

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Re: Trailer Bunk Cover Alternatives???

Chemicals in the wood would harm the hull? I will need a cite for that.

Further, of all the things to worry about... I am left to think about the chemicals in bottom paint and they seem much worse that anything that might leach out of the PT wood, through a carpet, past a gel and into fiberglass.

This issue goes into the same folder where I keep posts from the Dry Bilge Club.
 
Thalasso

Thalasso

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Re: Trailer Bunk Cover Alternatives???

amanphoto said:
I've found several items online that do the job. The problem, is that no one has anything long enough or it is going to cost a fortune to ship it. I found the product I like [http://www.caliberproductsinc.com/m_bunkwraps.htm] but can't get it shipped and they don't suggest butting two pieces together. It will create a high spot and rubbing.
Click to expand...

Try www.surfix.com Part No. Size Unit Price
BG1.526.5 .5" x 1.5" x 26.5" $ 5.10
BG1.554.0 .5" x 1.5" x 54" 9.80
BG3.054.0 .5" x 3" x 54" 17.85
BG4.054.0 .5" x 4" x 54" 26.85
BG5.054.0 .5" x 5" x 54" 28.65
BGCustom L" x W" x $0.13
 
zopperman

zopperman

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Re: Trailer Bunk Cover Alternatives???

PT wood is bad for aluminum hulls. it will corrode them
I'd use PT wood covered in carpet like people have done for decades. my bunks are 20 years old according to PO. and still working well.
and trex might split.. when I used it for my deck I had to pre drill every hole and use special trex fasteners and sometimes it still broke... it's NOT strong stuff.
 
Texasmark

Texasmark

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Re: Trailer Bunk Cover Alternatives???

amanphoto said:
Why can't I use just plane cedar 2x6's? No covering at all. My boat sits on the trailer for 6 months and the rest of time in the water. I don't take it in and out. Maybe once or twice to clean. Plain wood? Kind of slippery, soft?
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.133710,-77.540830
Click to expand...

#2 Southern Yellow Pine (treated) which is what we get down here has a deflection "moment" significantly higher than cedar. The wood is very slick when wet and you do not want to use it on stars from a floating boat dock to land when it is raining....better have an anbulance and an EMT or two available. I witnessed a senior citizen take a brutal fall when he slipped on slick pine (treated) steps with no anti skid protection. So that has been my preference over the years and it has worked for me very well.

HTH,

Mark
 
cribber

cribber

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Re: Trailer Bunk Cover Alternatives???

I had to rebuild my treated pine bunks after three years use of dunking almost every weekend. I went with cypress covered with marine carpet from here at Iboats and rebuilt the bunks myself. I'm hoping I get more than three years use out of this set.
 
hungupthespikes

hungupthespikes

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Re: Trailer Bunk Cover Alternatives???

They use pin oak around here. would think same in NY. You will need to cover, but will last a looooooooooong time. :D
 
cribber

cribber

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Re: Trailer Bunk Cover Alternatives???

I agree that oak wood do the trick too. Just make sure you wrap it in marine grade carpet and you should be good to go. I used rust proof staples and a bead of 3M 5200 adhesive to nail down the carpet.
 
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amanphoto

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Re: Trailer Bunk Cover Alternatives???

Oak sounds good. But why do I have to cover it with carpet? Oak bunks would looks so cool. View attachment 120935

I need new fenders also. But that's a different thread.
 
hungupthespikes

hungupthespikes

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Re: Trailer Bunk Cover Alternatives???

amanphoto said:
Oak sounds good. But why do I have to cover it with carpet? Oak bunks would looks so cool. View attachment 120935

I need new fenders also. But that's a different thread.
Click to expand...

Wood will splinter and that could cause big problems for the boat. Even pin holes in the gel coat can cause big problems in time.
Pin oak will separate around its pins over time and that will be another problem as the boat goes scraping over the gaps, the gap will act like a wood plane on gel coat. :eek:
If you float the boat on and off the trailer then go for it, but do you really want to take the chance?

Aman', your thinking outside of the box, and that's a very good thing.:D
Good luck on whatever you do.
huts
 
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