replacement trailer bunks material

Bushwacker · #1 03-24-2016, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigeasy1

I'm still tinkering around with the trailer(Roller Trailer) that my Tsunami sits on.Loading the boat is a nightmare.So anyway I'm going to add a couple bunks that will line up on the inner step on the outside panel of the hull.
My thinking is the the bunks will act as a guide and will keep the hull from listing(severe tilt) to port like it does now.
We've tried everything to no avail,sometimes we get lucky and it sits perfectly level,but most time we have to make 4 to 5 tries to get it to load correctly with no tilt,and sit right.

Any thoughts are welcomed.

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

TomParis · #2 03-24-2016, 10:09 AM

EZ Loader should use your trailer in advertisements demonstrating how well their trailer holds up to the test of time!

TomParis · #3 03-24-2016, 10:13 AM

Kmoose like this?

Trailer by TomParisOBC, on Flickr

kmoose · #4 03-24-2016, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomParis

Kmoose like this?

Kind of but the v itself was adjustable in height. I think I'm going to like the new centering boards on new trailer. I'll get some pics today of my new set up. The trailer is a Rocket and I am very impressed with how well made the trailer is. The I beams are twice a big as the ones on my Continental. In fact, the reason I had to buy a new one is due to one of my I beams cracking. Certainly won't be an issue on this one.

TomParis · #5 03-24-2016, 11:41 AM

I have read that Rocket Trailers are very good, please post pics when you get a chance, thanks!

Capt Terry · #6 03-24-2016, 04:39 PM

My dear friend, Bushwacker, is very fastidious and fond of the rollers on his trailer and I've observed that he loads Restless Lady easily by himself. In 1978 I took a different direction and purchased a tandem Hitchhiker for my 20' Seafari. I had almost lost a car a couple times due to how far into the water I had to back the original Seminole trailer with big tires on a single axle. The Hitchhiker was aluminum with carpet bunks, like a Float-on, but with a winch and skid pads for the keel. It has smaller wheels and the cross members are V-shaped to get the boat closer to the road. I quickly rebuilt it in 2000 when I decided at the last moment to take it to SC. The rebuild included new bunks which were a little tricky to get shaped right. Fortunately one of the original bunks wasn't too bad so measured from that to build the first one, from PT lumber. The PVC guide poles at the aft end with lights at the top help my wife drive the boat on the trailer in the dark. Still enjoying the trailer. Too bad they don't make them anymore!

Capt Chuck · #7 03-25-2016, 04:17 PM

Don't use that Trex Material. It will wrap and bend on you. Use Cypress.
Also you can make forward and transom V bunks that will settle the Hull in center every time.

bigeasy1 · #8 03-24-2016, 11:34 AM

Quote:

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 · #9 03-24-2016, 11:51 PM

Quote:

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 · #10 03-29-2016, 01:36 PM

Quote:

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