Bunk Replacement Help

[Mikeymc165]

My 2001 Trailer finally started showing age this past weekend. The bunk gave out and I am looking for the best fix. I can probably do it myself but....... I would like hear from some of you good folks about the repair or the best prefabbed to choose. Tracker trailer 10' bunk looking at replacing both main boards.
Thanks in advance for any help.

[GeoFisher]

My 2001 Trailer finally started showing age this past weekend. The bunk gave out and I am looking for the best fix. I can probably do it myself but....... I would like hear from some of you good folks about the repair or the best prefabbed to choose. Tracker trailer 10' bunk looking at replacing both main boards.
Thanks in advance for any help.

BPS has kits for this made out of the "plastic" wood. I think I'm going to use that stuff and replace mine.

I noticed one was beginning to break the last time I went. FIX it before it becomes a problem though. I learned the hard way, and put a hole in my old boat.

Later,

Geo

[DJD]

I did both of mine a few years ago. I bought some treated 2x4 at lowes and the bunk carpet at stokleys marine which was already cut to the proper width. I prepared the bunks with the carpet using stainless staples. I lifted the whole boat(1448 grizzly) Off the trailer with my floor jack and a piece of wood to help with the stability and got under it. I removed the large screws off the existing bunks removed the bunks lined them up to the prepared ones and pre drilled some starter holes. Got under the boat and lined up the new one zipped it in and then did the other side. Whole thing took 10 minutes once the boat was in the air. Very easy.
I'm thinking of using some of those plastic skids to make it easier to load and unload because I use a 5 hp merc and it doesn't have enough power to do much as far as driving it up the bunks more than a few feet. If I do that I'll have to b careful and not let it slide off but I'll deal with that. Good luck

[billm_usa1]

Ditto on Lowes treated wood, outdoor carpet and the stainless steel staples. An air powered stapler is great for this work.

You can prefab at home then go to the lake tie the boat to the dock and bolt on the new bunks. Battery Drill is great for drilling any holes required at the ramp.

[Mikeymc165]

Thanks for the advice fellas. I think you guys gave me the confidence to build em and take her to the lake, unload, replace bunks, and fish for a few hours. You guys here are an awesome knowledge base to have.

Thanks Again
Mike

[Panfish Man]

You have the right idea. Just use pre treated wood from the hardware store, and get your carpet or whatever your putting on it ready at home. Drop the boat in the water, and replace them at the lake. I did it last year, and it will only take 15 mins. or so.

[WacoWildcat]

One more thing I would add is don't wrap the wood entirely with the carpet. Leave about a 2" gap on the bottom that way the water can escape and not rot out as fast. I did mine a couple of years ago with the treated wood as well. You may want to do some research on treated wood on aluminum (if your boat is aluminum). If I"m not mistaken there were some issues for some reason.

http://www.nitroowners.com/projects....146&WRENCHES=3

[peter]

I did mine early this spring. I remember I could not find lag bolts of the proper length.

My memory may not be exactly correct but seems like I only had the choice (in lenghts of "lag" bolts) going into the wood not quite far enough for all of them to get a good bite in the wood or going in too far risking the point sticking out the other side down the road which would not be good. Try to cut your wood so you don't have a knot in the wood where you want to put your bolt like I did.

Seems like using carriage bolts through mounted (hole drilled all the way through, nut on bottom) with about a 1/4 " counter sink on the top would be best but takes more time.

Over time the threads on those nickel plated Home Depot lag bolts rust away guaranteed. If you use these it is a good idea to put a wrench on them every few years to check their condition.

I'm going to use carriage bolts next time so I don't have to worry about it.