Trailer bunk repair needed. Your thoughts?

Yeah it is clean.
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I really can't shell out the money for another trailer. I'm just going to replace the bunks and make it work. I only live a couple of miles from several boat launches so I don't trailer it far anyway.
 
Here is a pic from the front.
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Also the boat sits at the back about two inches from the back of the trailer and end of the bunks. Does this seem right?
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I would like to know if I should make any adjustments when I replace the bunks this week. Thanks.
 
Take a look at some other boats sitting on trailers and you'll see what we mean by the better roller set-up. The top of the bow eye should touch the bottom side of the roller (there's only one roller, perpendicular to the bow/keel) - I mention that cause you'll likely see some boaters that don't snug it up all the way.

The transom/bunk relationship is OK. But sliding it back a bit is fine, too. How's your tongue weight?
 
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Aha. I see now guys. Unfortunately I am stuck with this trailer. What would you suggest I do as far as a better setup?
 
You could buy a new winch stand. Depending on your degree of "handyman" skills, you could fab just a new roller bracket.
 
I found out first hand that a bow roller is no match for a hard stop even though the bow eye was below the roller and secured tightly against the rollor. Fortunately the boat did not end up in the back of my F250
 

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I have a large turnbuckle that attaches to the bow eye and goes down to the trailer. It prevents the aluminum trailer from flexing and secures the boat to the trailer.
 
I have a 10,000 lbs strap that runs from the bow eye to the trailer frame about 3 feet back. This pulls the bow down and back in hard braking. MM
 
Bustmup: how long ago did that happen? Is that a Shoreland'r trailer? Are you positive that the bow was tight just before the stop? Sometimes (especially if the strap was recently out a distance, or not wound tight) the boat can slide backwards on the trailer as the strap loosens over time.

If it is a Shore, did they help with the R&R? If not, what brand and weight capacity is it?
 
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Monaco Mike,

Great Idea. I will look into doing something similar on my setup.

Thanks,
Jeff
 
Fender damage 1.jpgLazy Daze,

Accident happened about a month ago coming home from the Lake. Yes, I'm very sure the bow was tight against the stop. No, the strap wasn't recently out any distance. Traffic was heavy/stop-n-go and I was trying to merge into another lane. I wasn't moving very fast < 5MPH. After several rude drivers wouldn't let me merge, I ran out of lane. I finally got a decent opening and thought the driver was letting me merge. Much to my surprise, it appears he raced forward as I was coming over and then slammed on his brakes directly in front of my front axle. When I felt us hit, I slammed on the brakes.

Total damage was $+2500, with most of the damage to the trailer. Damaged fender, fender step, axle bracket, bow stop brackets, winch, and front torsion axle bent ($550 for a new axle...ouch!). I ordered replacement parts directly from EZ Loader and completed the repairs myself. Fortunately there was little damage to the boat. I filled the bow gouge with Spectrum Color gel coat patch and buffed the port side were the other drivers car slightly scratched the gel coat. Looks as good as new. All in all, I consider myself very fortunate. Although I was found at fault, but wasn't issued a ticket. Attached is a picture of the damaged trailer. It's an EZ Loader, Dual torsion axle, galvanized, 5200 LB capacity.

Sorry, I didn't mean to hijack this thread...
 
The tie-down strap is a very good idea for an extra measure of safety. On your trailer, you might have to use a "Y" set-up and have two attachment points - I don't fully remember on the EZ, but you may not have a crossmember in the right location - in that case go to each side tube. However, even if you could go straight down, that would be good, as well.

5200 carrying capacity (not to be confused with "gross") should mean that the winch stand is capable.

I'm really surprised that a minor (I know, it certainly doesn't seem minor when it happens) accident caused that problem. With my experiences and the things I've seen come in the shop, I wouldn't have expected that to happen. I wonder if you just had a weak piece of metal. Don't get too worried about this happening again - it really is a rarity that it happened in the situation you described as it sounds like it was at very low speed. Good for you, though, on doing the repairs yourself!

To SF: this is good that Bust shared his pics - this situation, while rare for the setup that he has, for your current setup it is likely. Also make sure your stern tie downs are solid - they will help to keep the boat from landing in the back of your vehicle.
 
Dennis,

Thanks for the feedback. The GVWR of the trailer is 6600 LB. You are correct, I do not have a cross member in the right location to tie down as MM does. I'll probably go straight down...better than nothing.

R/
Jeff
 
BUSTMP, Thanks for sharing. And, you did not hijack the thread. Quite the opposite, very informative. I hope to get the boat off the trailer and at a nearby marina this weekend. While repairing the bunks I will be replacing the tires and working on a solution for the roller bow stop as well. Thanks everyone for your informative input as this was something I never even considered.
 
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