Replacing Trailer Bunks

[Ricky95-196]

I am going to replace the trailer bunk carpet on my 1995 Correct Craft (Ramlin) trailer and possibly the wood as well after I see what shape its in. Has anyone replaced their bunk wood before? I will not have the boat on the trailer therefore I will have easy access to them. Does anyone have any advise on the process of replacing the bunk wood? Are they 1 piece and if so how do you get the curve in them to follow the frame rails? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[xrichard]

I just replaced mine. I measured with the boat on the trailer and then bought heart redwood at HD, drilled the holes and glued and stapled carpet to the bunks (I bought the carpet from Overtons, but there are a lot of sources). The next time I went out, I got to the ramp an hour early, launched the boat and put the new bunks on.

I've read you shouldn't use PT wood as there can be a reaction with the hardware you use to attach to the trailer.

You don't need to get the curve in them...the wood will flex to conform to the shape of the boat.

[Ricky95-196]

Thanks for the info. That helps a great deal, especially the type of wood. What type of glue did u use?

[xrichard]

I used 3M Super 77...but you can use almost any spray adhesive. The idea wasn't that the glue would hold the carpet permanently, it was that the glue would hold temporarily to make it easier to get the carpet smooth/tight/in-place while I screwed around putting the staples in.

I used carriage bolts as on the original bunks...so they are through bolted and counter sunk. Don't use lag bolts (unbelievably, I actually had a boat trailer that used lags on the bunks)...they'll pull out in no time.

[charlesml3]

I've read you shouldn't use PT wood as there can be a reaction with the hardware you use to attach to the trailer.

That's just nonsense. There's nothing wrong with using PT with galvanized carriage bolts. I've had exactly that on my boat lift for more than a decade now. I fail to see how there's any difference between trailer bunks and lift bunks.

-Charles

[runningm01]

I used PT wood on my last boat and had no issues. I actually just replaced by wood and carpet on my current boat and used PT wood again. Both times I used galvanized lag bolts. I know this is not recommended but it makes the job so much easier and I had no problems last time so I tried it again. I just keep an eye on the screws to make sure they are not backing out. Also, do not wrap the carpet around the entire board. You will want to leave the bottom exposed so it will dry out. Have fun getting the old bolts off :-) Took me 2.5 hours to get the old bunks off and 20 minutes to get the new bunks on (Ryan trailer with 2-12' 2x6's and 2-8' 2x4's).

[eyekode]

I have never done this operation myself but I do know wood. Use PT but don't breath the dust. It is economical, available everywhere and outlasts most any other wood in a damp location.
Good luck and post pictures!
Salem

[jonsquatch]

Modern chemicals used since they started regulating the arsenic that was in the old Chromated Copper Arsenate are significantly more corrosive and the industry recommendation is actually you should use hot dip galvanized or 304, 305 and 316 stainless steel fasteners if you have the choice and you should avoid mild steel. Being a boat trailer its probably a good idea for your fasteners to be stainless or galvanized any way.

Where you run into problems is in the staples you use to attach the carpet, if you use standard staples they will fail prematurely. You can get stainless steel staples fairly easily but they call those rust resistant. They make a more expensive (twice the price of stainless) and harder to get monel staple that is usually recommended for marine use as they are considered rust proof, unless you use pressure treated as they (on the box, the internet failed me on that one) warn against use in pressure treated wood as it will corrode, probably due to the copper, as its an alloy of copper and nickel. Might have to just use SS staples which are easier to get anyway.

On my Reinell they used mild steel lag bolts and standard staples with pressure treated lumber and the lag bolts were actually falling out do to deterioration of the threads and the staples were rusted out when I had to replace the carpet on the guide ons after only a couple of years. I used a plain old 2x4 on my uprights because the staples I had special ordered said not to use with the pressure treated I had bought and that was all I had on hand when I was ready to put it back together and it was 20 miles into town to get something else. Sold the boat 2 months later so I guess I will never know how long it lasts.

[TRBenj]

A lot of the advice in this thread makes it pretty clear that the people responding have not replaced the bunks or carpet on a wishbone frame cc/ramlin trailer before. You will get better (accurate) advice on correctcraftfan.com. There are a few good trailer refurb threads over there.

[charlesml3]

Good grief, people. They're TRAILER BUNKS. Otherwise known as PT Lumber covered with a bit of Indoor/Outdoor carpet. A lot of you are making this out to be some kind of surgical operation.

1) Get the old bunks off. Cut the bolts with a Sawzall or a hacksaw if you have to.
2) Measure and cut new bunks.
3) Drill holes for the new bolts by putting the board on the trailer and drilling through the bracket hole.
4) Put the carpet on with some kind of fastener that won't rust. Like galvanized roofing nails.
5) Bolt the new bunks on. Use Galvanized carriage bolts.

That's it. Jeez, it's simple.

[kopp210]

Rickie 95 196. You may want to post some pics, I don't think people are up to speed on what you are really asking.

Most trailers you just buy PT lumber and new carpet, take the old ones off and put new ones on... The older Ramlin trailers are different. There are wishbone shaped bunks that are not a standard 2x6 or 2x4. They are shaped, and curve around the frame of the trailer.

[kopp210]

Like this...

[AirTool]

Good grief, people. They're TRAILER BUNKS. Otherwise known as PT Lumber covered with a bit of Indoor/Outdoor carpet. A lot of you are making this out to be some kind of surgical operation.

1) Get the old bunks off. Cut the bolts with a Sawzall or a hacksaw if you have to.
2) Measure and cut new bunks.
3) Drill holes for the new bolts by putting the board on the trailer and drilling through the bracket hole.
4) Put the carpet on with some kind of fastener that won't rust. Like galvanized roofing nails.
5) Bolt the new bunks on. Use Galvanized carriage bolts.

That's it. Jeez, it's simple.

That's too funny....now...Where is the *ignore* button ?

(OP - be sure to ignore this one....)

[Ricky95-196]

TRBenj and Kopp210, you guys got it. The pic from Kopp210 is exactly what i have. I will visit ccfan and see what i can find over there. I appreciate everyones advice though but this application is quite different than the newer trailers. And im afraid much more difficult. Im hoping the wood is in good shape once i remove the carpet. I already ordered and received the new carpet from Nautique parts. Next step lift the boat off trailer and dig in. Thanks guys.

[jbach]

Good grief, people. They're TRAILER BUNKS.

Pretty much. Regular old pine 2x6 and monel staples. The carpet will be worn long before the lumber, pressure treated or not. If you need to make any serious bends, PT would probably be easier being it's still sopping wet at your local big box store.