New England Trailer Advice

jongolds · #1 07-25-2006, 11:06 AM

I finally sold my old trailer and was hoping to get some advice on replacing it. I'm trying to make the decision between rollers and bunks. I know bunks support the boat better are cheaper and easier to maintain but the one I just sold had carpeted bunks and was useless at anything less than high tide. I was planning to go back to rollers but, I keep hearing about bunks made out of various materials that are more slick than the carpet. Has anyone ever tried them up hear. I don't like to power on or off the trailer. I use the winch.

Bottom line, should I go with rollers or bunks? Any suggestions for dealers in the area? Right now my ideal would be aluminum with rollers and disc brakes. I'm worried about finding a brand that uses enough rollers though.

oldfielder · #2 07-25-2006, 11:24 AM

I'm using a venture-I think it's rated to 6600- caries 5400 and has 48 rollers. Handles my 23 cc beautifully.got it from Riverhead trailer out here on the island-great guy to deal with-services the trailer for 3 years no charge and is definitely the best-priced dealer on Long Island. I bet he would be worth the trip for you.

cSickNick · #3 07-25-2006, 11:56 AM

Then why not rollers and bunks?

My friend and I set up my trailer with short bunks to the rear and rollers in the front. I feel it really works great, the short bunks support the real weight and the front rollers make for an easy on/off alignment.

Mine is a 20' boat if it makes any diff.

Just a thought ....

rockdoc · #4 07-25-2006, 01:24 PM

cSickNick- I'd love to see a photo of how you set that up. Sounds like the best of both worlds!

rockdoc

cSickNick · #5 07-25-2006, 01:52 PM

Here is an old pic;

I have a short run to the ramp and need to launch in a puddle. Longer runs i would feel better with a beefier bunk or bunks and more rollers. I also moved the bunks under the stringer area after this pic.

Not sure why trailer manuf don't offer a style on these lines. I recall one having the rollers to the rear and bunks in the front though? Maybe they do, just did not look too hard.

I asked a few dealers at the boat show, they liked the idea and then looked at me funny .... i am getting used to that look with most of my ideas!!

- Nick

jongolds · #6 07-25-2006, 02:15 PM

I do like that hybrid idea. I haven't seen any manufacturer's doing it though and I'm not going to start modifying something that I buy new. Maybe as parts wear out but not something brand new.

Has anyone had an issue with a roller trailer dimpling their hull. I've always suspected that this was much ado about nothing but I'd like to hear from people who've had their SeaCrafts on rollers for a while. I've never had a problem with them on other boats and I beleive the SeaCraft has a thicker hull than either previous boat.

warthog5 · #7 07-25-2006, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Has anyone had an issue with a roller trailer dimpling their hull. I've always suspected that this was much ado about nothing

Mostly you hear about that on Whaler's. The skin is so thin.

Ed · #8 07-25-2006, 06:34 PM

Magic Tilt offers a bunk roller combination on their heavy duty series. If you buy a quality trailer with a lot of rollers, support is not an issue because the weight is distributed over 48-50 rollers and usually a couple of keel rollers too.

I like all roller trailers over bunks....because they give you more versatility. For instance....yesterday when i got back to my very steep ramp after fishing...it was dead low...and I could not back in much because of the drop off. So I just backed in enough so that the rear rollers were wet....and then Iwinched the boat on the rest of the way. With a bunk trailer....I would still be winching.

In the end, they are both a compromise and you need to buy what works best for you and your ramp.

jongolds · #9 07-25-2006, 07:21 PM

Is there any conventional wisdom to how many rollers I'd need to support a 23' Tsunami w/ the outboard on a bracket?

I think I'm sticking with rollers. I'm just not comfortable trying the newer slick bunks. I've never seen one in person and those I've spoken to about them powere launch & load which I can't do. I still suspect that when winching there's no substitute for rollers and if done right they'll do fine supporting the boat all winter.

ScottM · #10 07-25-2006, 07:22 PM

Quote:

I keep hearing about bunks made out of various materials that are more slick than the carpet. Has anyone ever tried them up hear.

My buddy has a Venture bunk trailer with that slick white plastic and it works pretty well. However, as some of the others guys have said, rollers work much better in the Northeast due to greater tide changes and steep ramps.

My dad has had his 23 Sceptre on a ShoreLand'r galvy roller trailer for 5 years now without any hull dimpling issues. Before that, the previous owner had a roller trailer under the boat too.

With rollers, the more the better. Get as many as you can afford, and go with the non-marking, Stoltz-type rollers if you can.