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| Jump to page : 1 Now viewing page 1 [30 messages per page] Muskie Fishing -> Muskie Boats and Motors -> Roller vs. Bunk Trailers |   |
| Message Subject: Roller vs. Bunk Trailers | |||
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| What are the pros and cons of roller and bunk trailers? I will be getting a new boat in the next year and am not sure on which would be the better trailer to get. If it makes a difference, the boat I'll be getting is a Crestliner 1650 Fish Hawk. Would one style trailer better suit the needs of this boat? Of all the Fish Hawks that I've seen out there, I can't remember seeing any on bunk trailers. Is there a reason for this? | |||
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| If you fish alone in not all that great landings, I would suggest a bunk trailer, adjusted to the boat well. The roller trailers are tough to handle alone because the boat rolls off the thing if you cut you motor while loading. Silicone spray will lube the carpet, and the boat will literally FALL off the trailer if you give it a push. The Creasliner will handle very well on a bunk trailer, no problems at all, and it is better for the hull. | |||
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| I'm sure that I'll get different responses to my reply but "Oh well". I don't really like roller trailers for several reasons. One is that yes, as soon as the boat is unclipped, it can roll off the trailer. I've seen boats deposited on the landings, far from the water when people have forgotten this. Also, when trailering the boat, all the weight of the boat is concentrated on the relatively small area of each roller. Most roller trailers don't have enough rollers to distribute the weight out enough and these contact points can create "dimples" in an aluminum hull. I know this because it happened to the last aluminum boat that I owned. Roller trailers can also be somewhat of a pain in the tail when attempting to get the boat lined up correctly. I've seen many people make attempt after attempt to get the boat square and even on the trailer when using a roller trailer. However, if you fish a lot of landings that require you to winch the boat onto the trailer, then a roller is far easier to do this with than a bunk trailer. My ProCraft sits on a bunk trailer and it is the easiest boat to load and unload solo of any boat that I've owned. It's simple to unhook everything, back the boat into the water and either give it a shove or drive it off the trailer. When loading, it's equally simple to back the trailer in until the front step-plates are even with the water, jump in the boat and drive it on. The bunks quickly and easily align the boat squarely on the trailer (even in the windiest conditions) and a little tap of the throttle shoves the boat right up to the winch tower. It's then a simple matter of winching the boat the final 3-6 inches and pull the boat out. Total elapsed time, under 1 minute from the time the trailer hits the water to when the boat is coming out. Bunk trailers support the weight of the boat on 2 - 4 bunks, running usually half to 3/4's the length of the hull. This distributes the weight far more evenly, creating less stress on a concentrated area. Typically, a bunk trailer is also a lower profile trailer, which lets the boat sit lower, enabling me to use shallower landings easier. One of the landings that I frequently use is a constant source of amusement for me when watching guys with roller trailers load their boats. They certainly seem to have more trouble than I or others with bunk trailers do. All that I can tell you is that from my experience, which involves launching a boat in excess of 300 times a year, I love my bunk trailer. Steve @ G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods. http://www.herefishyfishy.com | |||
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| I've got to whole heartedly agree with both Steve's on this one. Bunks are much easier to work with than rollers, easier to maintain, and definitely support the weight of the boat better. My boat is a stepped catamaran tunnel hull, weighing (with fuel and gear) close to 4000 pounds. It drives on the big bunk trailer like a dream, even in a good cross wind. If I was using a roller trailer, I'd still be at the launch ramp trying to get this thing on. I can put the last 12 inches of the trailer under the water, and with that 150, I could easily park that thing in the back of my pick-up truck if I wanted to. The silicone spray idea suggested by Steve Worrall will not only make the process easier by reducing friction, but will also extend the life of the carpet on the bunks. Get yourself a good winch (overweight is always a good idea), and use either a strap or aircraft cable rated for more than the weight of your boat. Don't use poly rope on a winch because it stretches and rots quickly. When it breaks, bad things can happen. Steve Wickens | |||
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