Northwest Fishing Reports

Not sure what they are actually called, but I am referring to the wooden 2x4's on trailers, where your boat lays on top of.

My question is, can these be purchased already covered in the carpet looking material which they come with when the trailer is new? I realize it is probably an easy do it yourself to make these at home, but I am not much of a do-it-yourself person. I'd be happy just to purchase them.
In the winter season I try and do a few things like bearing replacement, etc. This year I want to replace these boards. They are 7 years old at this time. I'm sure there is a question of wood rot coming on soon. It seemed like the EZ=loader factory boards were sealed completely with the thin outdoor carpet... not sure how to make a perfect seal with that myself. Not looking for know-how, but looking for pre-carpeted boards.

OK.. well a little Googling tells me that there are actually "Stainless" heavy gauge staples that can be used to attach the carpet to the boards. Obviously pressure treated wood, etc. Curious if anyone has any advice from doing this yourself. I can see now that it is pretty easy. I just figured whatever I put together would rust out or something. Didn't realize there was HEAVY duty stainless staples out there.

Bunks.

The marine grade stainless staples ran around $25 a box for my stapel gun. I got them at Mclendons. I got the carpit at Sportsmans warehouse. I didn't have a lot of time and needed to get it local. I had to replace all the hardware too. So my job was more then just the wood bunks. I did see online the pre-covered bunks avalable, but I don't recall from who. A quick search for trailer bunks would get you there.

Alright, a little Googling and I think I'm doing this myself.
The peeps in the know, say "Monel Staples" better than stainless, as they are made of a Nickle/Copper alloy. Made for marine-salt boat environment. Staples, staple gun...50 bucks. Jack boat up on blocks, get busy..

That is the staples I got. I was in a rush and picked up just what I needed by accident. I didn't even check the price until i got home and was shocked looking at the sales slip. I didn't even think about it and would have put any staples in and been doing the job again in a year or two.

My dad and me just a did up a set for our river boat. I couldn't tell you the details in the materials. I was just handed everything and told how to do it. But on the end of the board leave 6" or so of carpet hanging off. Then cut the end to what looks like a chevy logo. This will give a flap on each side and the bottom to tuck under itself and makes for a nice clean end to staple down.

Amx wrote:Bunks.

good call

Chris, most of the trailer bunks are made out of treated wood and the way they're out there for god and everybody, it takes a long time for them to start to rot. I'd really be surprised if there is a problem in seven years. Now the carpet... About the only thing I would do about the carpet is get some of the uhmw bunk liners. They slip right over the bunks and carpet and with a couple screws, you're good to go. Much easier launching and retrieving with the plastic on the bunks. Big upgrade, little $.

Bodofish wrote:About the only thing I would do about the carpet is get some of the uhmw bunk liners. They slip right over the bunks and carpet and with a couple screws, you're good to go. Much easier launching and retrieving with the plastic on the bunks. Big upgrade, little $.

+1. My trailer came with them from the factory, and after not having them on our first boat trailer, I wouldn't have another bunk trailer without them.

What I did was convert from the usual 2X4 to 2X6 and used the plastic covers. Went from 2 bunks to 4 bunks and now I can just push the boat off the trailer with one hand with only the tires in the water half way. This job you're thinking about doing is easy. Pressure treated and dried wood. I left the bottom of my bunk exposed so it could dry faster. Just stapled the plastic runners on the sides. You need a good staple gun so the staples go completely thru the plastic runners. What I also did was to fabricate a roller at the end of the trailer so the roller took all the weight when loading and unloading so it wouldn't stress the wood bunks. Just take your time, pay attention and you'll be proud of your finished job. Have fun.....

I just replaced the wooden bunks on my ezloader this year. Not hard at all. Just ordered new ones from ezloader, put the boat in the water, unscrewed two bolts, swapped em out, screwed the bolts back on and done. Super easy. Kept the old bunks so I could just put new carpet on them and re use them when the new ones start to wear out.

I have read that you don't want to use treated wood with your aluminum boats.. will cause rust or corrosions or something.. i have not tested this, only read it. i think it was this forum about small boat rebuilds and such http://www.tinboats.net/forum/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I got new slides for my 22' inboard jet here.
http://www.surfixinc.com/surfix_trailer_bunkslides.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
If I don't leave it winched on the trailer it will end up on the ramp when backing in. I highly recommend.
I have metal bunks and just screwed these directly to them. No wood involved for me but they did come with stainless wood screws for the 2x4 or 2x6 bunks.