Bunks or rollers for a 245?

[Thornton69]

I have an early 80's tandem trailer that came with a 245 I have purchased. The main frame is in pretty sound condition but the rollers and their supporting framework are desperately in need of some repairs. I am wondering what most guys are using with their boats and if there is any reason why bunks would not be a good idea for this boat? I went from rollers to bunks on a 20' river boat and love them. Even in a cross current, they will self guide and I can just power onto them with little real concern for alignment. Other than the intake for the sea water pump, which I can work around, I don't see any reasons for not switching over. All inputs appreciated.
John

 

[jason78]

When researching for a trailer a couple years ago, the overwhelming majority of articles, posts and direct advice was in favor of bunks. I would also add a set of load guides to help you get it positioned in current or at a steep ramp where the center and stern of the boat may still be freely floating until the trailer is pulled up the ramp a bit.

 

[blaster]

If your launch ramps shallow, you will have difficulty with bunks over rollers, especially with a heavier boat. I like bunks better if its deep enough though.

 

[Creekwood]

Whatever you do, get either aluminum or galvanized steel. If you get a painted steel trailer and use it in salt water, it will not last at all. If someone tells you you can just rinse the trailer after using it in salt, they are wrong.

 

[Thornton69]

Still a little up in the air as to which way to go. It is an old painted steel trailer. Roller supports in the back and the drum brakes are eaten up from the sea water. Main frame, suspension and axels look pretty good. A new aluminum or galvanized trailer in the 8-9000 gvw range seems to run 8g and up in this neck of the woods. A little tough to justify considering my investment so far. Think I will go with bunks though and keep my eyes open for a deal on a newer used one over the winter. If nothing else then new bunks for this one and an upgrade to a disc brake system will probably be the plan. Thanks!

 

[Fly'n Family]

Might take a bit more effort, but once on the trailer the boats kinetic energy potential is lower with bunks versus rollers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zYAwMPZBGU

I'm a bunker.....

 

[Thornton69]

Nice... That's a trailer. Could hull both my boats at the same time with that one.

 

[dvx216]

Bunks are better for spreading the weight evenly over the bunks rather then just on a roller

 

[pvan]

as mentioned bunks distribute weight more evenly for better on trailer storage but rollers are easier to load unload

 

[Thornton69]

I will be going with bunks. Sounds like they are the way to go. Due to a lack of availability of good used and the price of new, it looks like I am going to be farther ahead doing a complete on this trailer from axels up. Am looking for opinions on the brakes as well. Currently, the whole system is shot. Am going to look at the possibility of upgrading to oil hubs and disc brakes with the existing axels. The surge hitch/assembly as well is shot. If I am replacing it anyways, would an elect over hydraulic set up be worth the extra expense or does it just add up to more possibilities for failure? Probably would not use it much for other than testing, but the option to be able to actuate the trailer brakes independently from the truck kind of appeals to me.
Thanks again!

 

[Fly'n Family]

My trailer has EHB on all eight wheels, it's the only way to go as far as I'm concerned.

Here's a decent explanation of why, and some of the different brake systems.

http://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-forum/101903-electric-vs-electric-over-hydraulic-brakes.html

 

[alwhite00]

Bunks are better for spreading the weight evenly over the bunks rather then just on a roller

Depends on if it's a 2x4 on the flat or a 3x5 (or bigger) on edge. I love my Shorlandr' roller trailer.

 

[Thornton69]

There are some good points in that EH link. Thanks for posting. Never really thought about backing up but can see that being a pretty nice advantage especially at low tide on a greasy ramp. Looked at some upgrade kits to disk but think I will stay with the drums. They are a pretty pricey addition.
Thanks again!

 

[Thornton69]

So my trailer was too far gone to justify an overhaul and I could not come up with a decent used, so ended up grabbing a new one. Picked up an aluminum I beam Karavan with bunks and the bells and whistle. The trailer came from out of town so will be looking after the fitting myself. It has 12' main bunks in the rear and some smaller ones in the front. When the boat is at rest in transport position should it only be sitting on the back bunks and anchored to winch? Not sure if the front ones are just for loading guides or if they should be supporting any load during transport? It kind of looks like the last trailer was damaged (broken at reach base twice) from too much weight between the axels and tongue. Don't want to have the same problem with this one. Any help would be appreciated. Going to finish touching up the bottom Saturday and hoping to set her on the trailer Sunday.
T