replacement trailer bunks material

[bigeasy1]

Originally Posted by Bushwacker

Seems like we corresponded on this about a year ago, but you still don't have that thing sorted out?! I've used a roller trailer for over 30 years and I wouldn't have anything else! Trailer is 31 years old and still has original springs and axle, because I never have to dunk it in salt water! I often go out by myself, and with a powerwinch, it's a piece of cake to load regardless of cross winds, cross currents, etc. NoBones has similar experience with his roller trailer.

Can you post some pictures of your roller set up? Take a look at first picture of my trailer below . . . as soon and the center of hull touches and pushes down on the inner rollers, the outer rollers pivot up and contact the hull, so there is no way it can heal over at that point. The center rollers on aft cross member keep the boat centered for the first few feet but once those outer aft rollers go over the edge of the step between the outer and center panels, the rollers run right along the step and guide the boat perfectly every time, just like it's on rails.

I suspect you may be dunking the trailer too deep instead of winching boat on, so the rollers don't have a chance to "latch on" to the steps and guide boat on trailer. (Notice how dry my trailer is in the loading sequence below . . . only the tires get wet!) Or maybe your trailer doesn't have the EZ-Loader setup with counterbalanced rollers. If you can post a picture of the roller set up, maybe we can figure out the problem. One problem I had when I first got the trailer was that the EZ Loader system has so many degrees of freedom, that if boat isn't balanced and lists to one side in the water, it would tend to come on trailer the same way. But once I got the rollers adjusted correctly so the run right along the edge of the vertical outer step, that problem went away.

Next time I go out, I'll try to take someone along with a smart phone that can take a video of the loading sequence, and maybe that'll make it more obvious how the rollers guide the boat straight up on the trailer. Denny

Denny, you as well as the other members on this site are amazing.The information and knowledge you supply is beyond incredible.I hope you're doing well.

Yes,we did speak about this issue a bit over a year ago. **I have tried everything when it comes to roller placement and weight distribution.**I've tried dunking the trailer and floating the boat on**. I've tried just backing the trailer in partway and even hardly in the water**,I've tried adjusting the spread on the rollers in several different ways**. I've put tall guide ons placed near the stern end,and they work fine in keeping the boat from going off center but don't help in keeping the hull from listing severly to the side(mostly to port)**

I think what I'm dealing with are a few different problems with this trailer. I think that even though its rated as a 6,500 pound capacity it is a little to small. I also think it doesn't have enough rollers.
The arms on the rollers are not very long so I can't get the spread I need.Also the bend on arms that hold the rollers aren't high enough to clear the lips of the steps(panels).so even if I could get the rollers close enough to the lip the arms would dig into the hull.
I gave some thought as to trying larger diameter rollers but with the price. The trailer is a SHORELINE and oem parts are not available.
I thought about buying a new trailer,but I have literally only a 1/4 mile to the launch ramp, so laying out a few thousand dollars for a new trailer seems un realistic.Hopefully the bunks will help.

Thank you all for your help.

[Bushwacker]

Originally Posted by bigeasy1

Denny, you as well as the other members on this site are amazing.The information and knowledge you supply is beyond incredible.I hope you're doing well.

Yes,we did speak about this issue a bit over a year ago. **I have tried everything when it comes to roller placement and weight distribution.**I've tried dunking the trailer and floating the boat on**. I've tried just backing the trailer in partway and even hardly in the water**,I've tried adjusting the spread on the rollers in several different ways**. I've put tall guide ons placed near the stern end,and they work fine in keeping the boat from going off center but don't help in keeping the hull from listing severly to the side(mostly to port)**

I think what I'm dealing with are a few different problems with this trailer. I think that even though its rated as a 6,500 pound capacity it is a little to small. I also think it doesn't have enough rollers.
The arms on the rollers are not very long so I can't get the spread I need.Also the bend on arms that hold the rollers aren't high enough to clear the lips of the steps(panels).so even if I could get the rollers close enough to the lip the arms would dig into the hull.
I gave some thought as to trying larger diameter rollers but with the price. The trailer is a SHORELINE and oem parts are not available.
I thought about buying a new trailer,but I have literally only a 1/4 mile to the launch ramp, so laying out a few thousand dollars for a new trailer seems un realistic.Hopefully the bunks will help.

Thank you all for your help.

Thanks Big. I'm familiar with Shoreline and even have one of their brochures. . . looks like they're sort of a cheap copy of the EZ Loader but without the patented self adjusting roller system, which is the key to a design that works well. Sounds like you've got a pretty good handle on what the problems are. The bunks should be a cheap and simple solution provided you have a good ramp where you can use the float on approach. Regarding parts availability, one option might be to buy EZ Loader type parts from this outfit. I've bought rollers, brakes and lights from them and they seem to have pretty good prices and service.
Denny

[many scalps]

Originally Posted by bigeasy1

Denny, you as well as the other members on this site are amazing.The information and knowledge you supply is beyond incredible.I hope you're doing well.

Yes,we did speak about this issue a bit over a year ago. **I have tried everything when it comes to roller placement and weight distribution.**I've tried dunking the trailer and floating the boat on**. I've tried just backing the trailer in partway and even hardly in the water**,I've tried adjusting the spread on the rollers in several different ways**. I've put tall guide ons placed near the stern end,and they work fine in keeping the boat from going off center but don't help in keeping the hull from listing severly to the side(mostly to port)**

I think what I'm dealing with are a few different problems with this trailer. I think that even though its rated as a 6,500 pound capacity it is a little to ismall. I also think it doesn't have enough rollers.
The arms on the rollers are not very long so I can't get the spread I need.Also the bend on arms that hold the rollers aren't high enough to clear the lips of the steps(panels).so even if I could get the rollers close enough to the lip the arms would dig into the hull.
I gave some thought as to trying larger diameter rollers but with the price. The trailer is a SHORELINE and oem parts are not available.
I thought about buying a new trailer,but I have literally only a 1/4 mile to the launch ramp, so laying out a few thousand dollars for a new trailer seems un realistic.Hopefully the bunks will help.

Thank you all for your help.

I had the same problem with a shoreline trl. years ago. could not correct it sold it and bought a EZ load worked fine Good Luck , Fritz

[Capt Terry]

In early 1970 I saw for the first time a video of a Float-on trailer where they just drove on until it hooked. I thought how cool. Several years later I was with a friend putting his 23' Formula on his brand new Float-on. It was not going well when a guy quickly put his 23' SeaCraft on a Hitchhiker. His response when he walked by was something like I used to have on of those pieces of $&?@!

[Bushwacker]

Originally Posted by Capt Terry

. . . His response when he walked by was something like I used to have on of those pieces of $&?@!

Was he referring to the Formula or the trailer?!

[Islandtrader]

I just used some PT 2x12 and doubled them up...left them un-painted for a few years and then painted them. Notice the PCV Pipes? They act as guides to center the boat on the bunks...even Ray Charles could center the boat.

[abl1111]

I don't have time to take pix of my set up, there should be pix I put on here awhile ago for my 23' Tsunami. I have bunks with keel rollers but the thing I added that makes the boat load like a dream are (2) pcs of 6-8' decking board, held up with galvanized brackets on either side of the hulls "V". It's not meant to hold any weight, just to direct the hull into the right loading position. It does this every time.

[kmoose]

Originally Posted by abl1111

I don't have time to take pix of my set up, there should be pix I put on here awhile ago for my 23' Tsunami. I have bunks with keel rollers but the thing I added that makes the boat load like a dream are (2) pcs of 6-8' decking board, held up with galvanized brackets on either side of the hulls "V". It's not meant to hold any weight, just to direct the hull into the right loading position. It does this every time.

I just got my new trailer in and had the same centering boards added as well. I had the pvc centering V on my last trailer and worked great as well.

[kmoose]

Here are some pics of the new trailer. I ordered the trailer to fit a 26'-28' boat as to accommodate for the new project when it is finished. The trailer is 31' overall but the Tsunami fits it just fine and the added length helps not having to back in so far. I did upgrade to all stainless bolts, HD winch and 5500 lbs 6 lug axles. The torsion arms are massive and should be more forgiving as I bent one my Continental though they were a third the size. The only parts on the trailer that are not aluminum are the axles, winch stand and tongue beam. Everything else including cross supports, guides and bunk brackets are hd aluminum. The I beams are hd 8" as well. LED lighting was standard with a real aluminum tag bracket. And yes, no brakes at this time. Researching the best option if any as I have yet to find a set worth the duty cycle I have experienced in the past.

[kmoose]

6 lug 15 wheels