Anyone convert their trailer bunks to rollers?? Would seem to solve the variable ramp angle….

[Enduro900]

Hey, anyone convert their trailer bunks to rollers??? Since its been 20 years since i had to put in/take out a boat (been boatless and renting), it seems to be a roller system would make it easier to load and unload, especially as it seems the ramp angles vary quite a bit in our area.

Is there any reason not to replace the bunks with rollers?

Thx

 

[Robconn]

I don’t trailer often. When I was researching boating options as a newbie, I was told you have less friction with rollers than bunks and have to be careful releasing winch strap at ramp. Especially on a slope. And long term trailer usage may lead to dips in the surface of fiberglass boat. In my area rollers are few in number.

 

[2kwik4u]

I don’t trailer often. When I was researching boating options as a newbie, I was told you have less friction with rollers than bunks and have to be careful releasing winch strap at ramp. Especially on a slope. And long term trailer usage may lead to dips in the surface of fiberglass boat. In my area rollers are few in number.

Same here. Rollers are a rarity to see around here.

@swatski got a fancy new boat that has a trailer with rollers that sits beside his AR240 with bunks. He had some great explanation posts somewhere. This post is the only one I can find easily though. Maybe he'll chime in with some details and insights.

 

[Babin Farms]

I would not want rollers on my trailer. It would make it a PITA to load and unload the boat in most situations.

 

[Enduro900]

Same here. Rollers are a rarity to see around here.

@swatski got a fancy new boat that has a trailer with rollers that sits beside his AR240 with bunks. He had some great explanation posts somewhere. This post is the only one I can find easily though. Maybe he'll chime in with some details and insights.

haha, so I just spent over an hour reading about the Parker!

I bumped his thread so maybe we can get some updates lol….

 

[2kwik4u]

haha, so I just spent over an hour reading about the Parker!

I'm sorry......or....You're welcome.....I'll let you decide

It's a really cool boat for certain

 

[Enduro900]

I would not want rollers on my trailer. It would make it a PITA to load and unload the boat in most situations.

Hmmm, isnt it just the opposite? I thought the rollers are easier to load, unload…but the concern is pressure on the hull, and rolling off on the highway?

 

[Enduro900]

I'm sorry......or....You're welcome.....I'll let you decide

It's a really cool boat for certain

“Your welcome” fits lol….

 

[Dough]

Really miss my roller trailer. Never had a single problem in 9 years with mine. Never even had a roller crack, which can happen. Only people I talk with that don't like them, Never had one.

 

[Dough]

 

[viper15]

I've heard rollers are not a great idea on a fiberglass boat, unless you can get them located right where the stringers are. If the rollers aren't where the stringers are, they can put a lot of stress (pressure points) on the fiberglass. An aluminum boat doesn't have that problem. I honestly can't recall any fiberglass boat I've owned that had rollers. They have all been aluminum. All my fiberglass boats have had bunks.

 

[Babin Farms]

Hmmm, isnt it just the opposite? I thought the rollers are easier to load, unload…but the concern is pressure on the hull, and rolling off on the highway?

I guess is what I should’ve said is I’m so used to bunks that’s for me rollers would not be the choice. Loading, I’m too used to running the boat up on the bunks and having it stay put until I winch it the rest of the way on. Offloading would be interesting on some of the steep ramps. The wife would have to get more involved that’s for sure.

 

[Julian]

Family first boat had rollers and they worked fine....until one roller broke and put a big gouge in the bottom of the boat (before I noticed the problem).

Also, you have to be MUCH more careful about when you loosen the straps on the bow and holding onto the handle when you do, as on a steep ramp the boat can begin rolling FAST.

I find bunks to work fine, and I'm used to gauging the depth to put the boat in based on the ramp angle - and I've used both super shallow and super steep (Harbor Towne is pretty steep!)

There is NO WAY I'd spend any money switching one to the other.

 

[Beachbummer]

Empty a spray can of silicone spray in your bunks (while the boat is off the trailer) and for the next several uses it will seem like a roller trailer. And I warn you, don't release the boat until you are ready for it to slide off, because it just might.

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

Lol - follow some boating fail pages. You will never want rollers.

 

[Julian]

Empty a spray can of silicone spray in your bunks (while the boat is off the trailer) and for the next several uses it will seem like a roller trailer. And I warn you, don't release the boat until you are ready for it to slide off, because it just might.

Or Pledge...its cheaper.

 

[drewkaree]

Or Pledge...its cheaper.

Plus, the boat will smell like lemons! Just don't use it if you're selling, folks might get the wrong idea!

 

[NeoBrew]

Our family boat when I was young had as many rollers as my father could talk them into installing! We could roll the boat on with only the back of the trailer barely touching the water. (It was an aluminum boat.) We would also go on some wilderness expeditions and find ourselves launching/loading in some unimproved locations.

When I bought my FSH 210 used and it had a bunk trailer, I assumed at some point I would upgrade to rollers. In two years of ownership I've never had a problem loading the boat. In fact I've come to appreciate the friction so that once it's on it's stuck there.

The only way I would consider it is if you find yourself launching from locations where you can't get a reasonable amount of the trailer under water.

 

[octavio3311]

My very first boat - a Crownline had rollers. On a steep ramp, they can be tricky. I remember 1 time, I almost broke my wrist when the boat started rolling, and I tried stopping the crank.
I’ll never switch back.

 

[Billtex2000]

I just read this post and stumbled on this pic immediately after. Look at the trailer! Half rollers! ?