Rollers vs. bunks?

[JohnMickish]

I understand why fiberglass boats have bunks but for aluminum boats why do some dealers put bunks under them and some (most) use rollers? Is it just a cost issue or why would you choose a bunk over a roller?

[HARPOON-OR-BUST]

WELL ACTUALLY I DON'T SEE BUNKS VERY OFTEN FOR AN ALUMINUM BOAT. I HAVE BUNKS ON MY TRAILER WHICH HOLDS A LUND BUT IT IS 20.5 FT LONG. THE ONLY TIME THAT I SEE BUNKS FOR AN ALUMINUM BOAT IT IS USUALLY A 20 FOOTER (2025). I THINK THE EXPLANATION IS AS SIMPLE AS......THE LARGER BOAT WEIGHS MORE, THEN YOU HAVE MORE SURFACE AREA OF THE BOAT BEING SUPPORTED BY BUNK. IF IS WAS A ROLLER TRAILER YOU ONLY HAVE A COUPLE SQUARE INCHES OF SUPPORT EVERY FEW FEET.

[Valv]

I am positive is just a cost issue for up to a certain size.

Also market trend is a factor.

Bunks hold your boat on trailer better, there is no risk to roll it back off, and has slightly better support.

Rollers will let you roll off your boat even in shallow waters, they are easier to load also, but give you slightly less support then (good) bunk trailers.

Price is a factor, bunks are just carpeted wood 2"x4" or 2"x6" on top of a frame, the better build have more supports for bunks so they don't flex much.

Rollers have to have all the components (rollers, subframe, and supports) mounted to the trailer frame, thus a considerable price difference.

Choice is personal and depends on use, I like bunk trailers, when my boat is on the trailer, it's on it, not a chance she's gonna come off. Many people likes rollers so they can load/umload boat easier.

One of the most common accident with boats is to be dropped on ground at landing since they rolled off trailer.

Roller trailer is a trend locally, many other areas don't even consider them.

There are also big boat trailers with rollers, but almost extinct anymore.

[Surface Tension]

I've had roller trailers on boats up to 25' and wouldn't go any other way.

The support issue of bunks being better I don't buy.

Yes the bunks have more surface area but the support is only under the brackets or mounts.

With either type trailer, poor alignment of bunks or rollers can damage your hull.

I prefer the rollers because of ease loading and unloading and quite often I use lake accesses that are very shallow where pushing a boat off bunks would be impossible.

There are those that prefer bunks for power loading, although I haven't seen a access where power loading is prohibited in my area, I know there are some. Whats happens is the props wash scours out a hole. If theres a pad at that launch it leaves a heck of a drop off.

[BarryG]

Down here I can't remember ever seeing a trailer with rollers on it. I think Valv is correct about it being a local thing! When I come up north almost all I see is roller trailers, and I have never seen a boat fall off the trailer!

[JohnMickish]

I just brought this up because when I was at the new Cabela's looking at the Alumacraft boats I noticed that most of the trailers where some brand I hadn't heard of before and bunks. I just figured that the trailer they use is a major factor in keeping the cost down.

[Valv]

Mnfishinguy, I like your signature. I really had a kick since in my house we have a small sign hanging that says:

"The village called, the (Contact US Regarding This Word)'s missing"

[JohnMickish]

Thanks Valv, I saw it on a bumper sticker once and it made me laugh. Right next to it on that car was another one that said "even republicans think GW is an idi0t"

[Animal]

I'm originally from KY where all the boats are glass or lightweight metal john boats. The ramps are paved and some are 5 and 6 lanes wide and lead to deep water. I don't belive I ever saw a roller trailer down there. Up here in northern MN I would bet that only 10% are paved and have deep access. An improved ramp at most landings is some concrete at the waters edge. I have an 18 foot boat and there is no way that I could use a bunk trailer at most of the landings I use. I doubt that I would be able to drive on either. As in most cases with any type of equipment it depends on where and how you are going to use it. I've heard that bunks won't damage the hull of the boat, but I've got 25 years of hauling 7 different boats with a roller trailer and have never damaged a hull.

[brian6715]

I have a 16.5 foot fiberglass bass boat with a bunk trailer. I have yet to have a problem getting it into the water on any lake, although most lakes I fish are in southern minnesota. Unloading it takes as long as it takes to back the truck up and then pull the truck out, as long as you have someone in the boat who can drive it. Loading it we do power load, could literally load the boat and have it out of the water in probably 10 seconds if we tried at it. The longest it has ever taken us to load the boat and get it out of the water is probably 2 minutes on 2-3 foot swells on Mille Lacs.