Trailers: Bunk v. Roller

[kodacachers]

Hi All,
I pulled the trigger on a new boat (hurray for me). The dealer will be providing the trailer and is recommending an EZ loader roller. I've always had bunk trailers so I'd appreciate your advice. Boat is a 23 foot fiberglass walkaround. Fully loaded it'll be around 6300 pounds. I looked at other forums and the east coast guys love bunks for any size boat except those who launch in shallow water. Around here I've only had a problem at really low tide at Everett, otherwise never had an issue dunking the trailer deep enough. (And I'm still remembering a guy in Edmonds who took the bow strap off his roller trailer too soon!).
Appreciate your views. Thanks.

[18ftTrophy]

I've changed both of my trailers to roller. Having to launch by my self it's so much easier. Just my 2cents.

[Sideburns]

Bunks are what I'm used to... 3rd year of using a roller trailer, I still don't like it. All of my ownership experience has been with 1000-2000 lb boats though. With the small boats, I like to untether the boat and back in to float it off of the trailer, pull forwards slowly to pull the boat in by the bow rope that is tied off to the truck and gently beach the boat ..... none of which probably applies to a 6000 lb boat! I have to get wet in so many places that I didn't have to with the bunks.

I can see the positives of rollers with a boat that size, but a bunk trailer that is properly set up can work great too. I have repositioned many bunks and rollers for friends boats that were never set-up properly when new. Asking for them to keep the boat as low as possible on the trailer would be a huge help which ever way you go. (dont have back in as far)

Congrats on the new boat!

[hewesfisher]

I'd go with bunks unless you're loading/unloading frequently in areas where roller would be beneficial.

[Mike Carey]

I much prefer the bunks for my new boat vrs. the rollers I had on my old boat. Removing is no issues even in shallow launches (although I do have to get the truck wheels wet, think Lake Cavanaugh launch). Driving on for retrieval is a breeze!

[downriggeral]

I switched my 18' StarCraft aluminum from a roller to bunk trailer last fall. I think each trailer has advantages but I like power loading the bunk trailer. An electric winch is a HUGE help on the roller trailer. By the way I have a 18' EZ loader trailer with rollers and LED lights for sale $500

[Sideburns]

I switched my 18' StarCraft aluminum from a roller to bunk trailer last fall. I think each trailer has advantages but I like power loading the bunk trailer. An electric winch is a HUGE help on the roller trailer. By the way I have a 18' EZ loader trailer with rollers and LED lights for sale $500

What aspect of the bunks do you find easier to power load? Is it the "stick" of the bunks? I certainly haven't mastered the loading or unloading of the roller....

Ive been thinking about some kind of automatic bow latch for the trailer, does anything like that even exist?

[Mike Carey]

I'll jump in on this. Having driven on both rollers and bunks, bunks are IMO far easier. I have mine half out of the water and the boat centers itself very nicely, then just "power" (slowly accelerate) up the rest of the way. My trailer does have centering side rails. Once you're on, you're on. You can throttle back and come forward and secure your chains. With rollers you have to keep applying throttle. If you let up you'll roll back.
I do my whole retrieval by myself in no time at all .

[18ftTrophy]

I power on with my roller trailers and never get my feet wet. I have a remote power winch that I poll out the cable before I put the trailer in the water. After I power on I leave the motor in gear to hold the boat. I go up to the bow attach the hook, take out the slack , shut down the motor, tilt it up and then finish winching on to the trailer, hook on the safety chain then in to the truck and drive clear of the ramp.

[downriggeral]

I switched my 18' StarCraft aluminum from a roller to bunk trailer last fall. I think each trailer has advantages but I like power loading the bunk trailer. An electric winch is a HUGE help on the roller trailer. By the way I have a 18' EZ loader trailer with rollers and LED lights for sale $500

What aspect of the bunks do you find easier to power load? Is it the "stick" of the bunks? I certainly haven't mastered the loading or unloading of the roller....

Ive been thinking about some kind of automatic bow latch for the trailer, does anything like that even exist?

I found the boat needed to be winched up on the roller trailer to go on straight. The power winch can certainly do this as 18 ft Trophy has said.

[BARCHASER]

I have an 18' North River Seahawk. Its my 5th trailer boat and all have been bunks. There is something about the covering they put over the bunks these days. The hull just seems to slide easier. I get the boat about halfway up the trailer to where it is mostly out of the water. The rest of the way it is very easy to hand winch it and I'm 74. It is a lot easier than my prior glass boats which were obviously heavier. Always centers nicely. I've never considered rollers.

[18ftTrophy]

Aluminum boats slide on bunks easily but not Glass boats. It's hard to compare the two.

[Onmygame]

I've had both and prefer bunks.

Rollers do wear out over time, and if gone unnoticed can wreak havoc on the bottom of your boat when being trailered.

I myself have been fortunate, but having looked at hundreds of boats over the years, it is one of the things I check for when considering one for purchase, and I've seen plenty of messed up bottoms and hulls from rollers gone bad.

onmygame

[Larry3215]

Bunks with "slicks" slide just as easily as rollers and they dont have bearings to rust up or jamb or break off. Also rollers will leave dents in your fiberglass hull over time.