Bunk Carpet

[medicmoose]

On my 2008 trailer, the front-most bunks (the small ones that sit right on the bow) are chewing through the bunk carpet like a fat kid with a cheese cake! There is thick plastic under the carpet that has a curve to it and the carpet gets cut along the line of that curve. This will be the second time in 2 seasons that I have to replace this carpet. It's a small piece of carpet so not real labour intensive but just a pain in the rear.

Is anyone else experiencing this and if so...what is the fix?

[fentong]

Stop trailering!

I have a similar issue on my 2002 trailer. I find it's more of a factor on steeper ramps.

[Thrall]

I know what you're talking about. Next time you take it apart, mark where the hull is pressing into the bunks and grind out some of the plastic to make it fit the hull better. Same problem on my 06 and that fixed it.

[rgardjr1]

I'm getting ready to re-carpet all the bunks on my trailer this weekend. Man those stainless steel staples aren't cheap. I hadn't really noticed this issue on mine, but I'll be taking a much closer look in a couple of days. Thanks for the heads up.

[medicmoose]

I know what you're talking about. Next time you take it apart, mark where the hull is pressing into the bunks and grind out some of the plastic to make it fit the hull better. Same problem on my 06 and that fixed it.

That's a great suggestion....I'll give it a try. Fentong....I wish I could stop trailering but my anal retentiveness just won't allow me to keep it in the water :D I guess I have to choose the lesser of two evils!

[fentong]

Medicmoose, I was just yanking your chain. I did the exact same thing with my boat and it's a lot older than yours. I wanted to keep the hull pristine (no osmosis blisters and no lake scum). It was just such a hassle to trailer on and off every weekend that I finally decided to install the lift so I could 'stop trailering' and save my marriage!!

If you're ever in Gravenhurst let me know.

[medicmoose]

Medicmoose, I was just yanking your chain. I did the exact same thing with my boat and it's a lot older than yours. I wanted to keep the hull pristine (no osmosis blisters and no lake scum). It was just such a hassle to trailer on and off every weekend that I finally decided to install the lift so I could 'stop trailering' and save my marriage!!

If you're ever in Gravenhurst let me know.

I would love to come to Gravenhurst....what an awesome area! Was there last summer for the first time and, well if I had the funds, would move there in a heartbeat!

[MotoCraft08]

Did you end up re-carpeting your trailer bunk? If so, what carpet did you use? Any tricks to ensure a longer lasting carpet? I will plan on grinding down the sharp points. I have an 08 and the carpet is totally worn through in several spots.

[cf_koch]

Have been told to carpet over the old carpet (one layer) to help act as a pad between the wooden bunk and the boat. I have yet to try this, but it does seem to make some sence.

[east tx skier]

It works very well. The first layer doesn't need to wrap all the way around the wood. Just get it over the corners. Then, wrap with the second layer and secure.

[medicmoose]

So, the problem isn't the plastic under the carpet causing the problem....it's the boat contours itself. So, no, I can't grind that down :confused:

There is a very distinct line on the hull of the boat (on both sides of the bow) that start to cut up the carpet over time. I've had the boat for 2 seasons now and have already placed one layer of carpet over the original layer. So now...two layers have been cut through.

With this being a result of the boat design I guess I will have to resign myself to replacing that piece of carpet annually....or getting some water front property and leaving the boat on a covered lift :D

[Thrall]

So, the problem isn't the plastic under the carpet causing the problem....it's the boat contours itself. So, no, I can't grind that down :confused:

There is a very distinct line on the hull of the boat (on both sides of the bow) that start to cut up the carpet over time. I've had the boat for 2 seasons now and have already placed one layer of carpet over the original layer. So now...two layers have been cut through.

With this being a result of the boat design I guess I will have to resign myself to replacing that piece of carpet annually....or getting some water front property and leaving the boat on a covered lift :D

That's what I was saying, it's the hull contour that digs into the carpet/plastic, but if you grind a groove in the plastic where the hull hits it, then re-carpet, the hull will not rub so hard where the sharp contours are. No need to even measure where to grind because the plastic pad will be indented where it's hitting.

[rgardjr1]

Any hints on getting the bunks off? The carriage bolts we just spinning under the carpet when I tried to get the bolts off last weekend. I hit them with some WD-40 before I left for the week so maybe the nuts will come off. I was going to redo all my bunks, but I only have one that really needs it. I was just going to go over the top of the other bunks without taking the old carpet off, but if I have to start grinding off carriage bolts/nuts to get bunks off I'm going to have to tear the carpet.

[blount59]

Has anyone tried ultimate bunkboards? I saw it somewhere, but wasn't too sure about them.
Www.ultimatebunkboards.com

[jconover]

Yuck. I like my bunks to be nice and sticky. I don't want the boat accidentally sliding off the trailer if I have a latch failure or otherwise

[Thrall]

Any hints on getting the bunks off? The carriage bolts we just spinning under the carpet when I tried to get the bolts off last weekend. I hit them with some WD-40 before I left for the week so maybe the nuts will come off. I was going to redo all my bunks, but I only have one that really needs it. I was just going to go over the top of the other bunks without taking the old carpet off, but if I have to start grinding off carriage bolts/nuts to get bunks off I'm going to have to tear the carpet.

If it were me, I'd just redo them all at the same time, but as far as getting the nuts off without getting into the bunks....Is there enough thread that you could get a visegrip on the end of the bolt, loosen a ways and then get it above the nut?
Other option is take the grinder and split the nut then you could re-use the bolt without removing it.

Your trailer is like mine I assume, so not too old, wood should be in decent shape, but I'm not real fond of only ahving 2x4s holding up a heavy boat like the X2. I'd use it as an excuse to get some 2x6 or possibly 2x8 bunks if you use the trailer for long distance drives. Even my 190 had 2x6 bunks which I didn't feel was overkill.

[macattack]

Similiar product called Bunknaps, but not as slippery.

"When wet, BUNKAPS trailer bunk covers provide an excellent sliding surface. When dry, they act to help grip and hold while cushioning the boat during towing or storage on the boat trailer."

http://www.bunkaps.com/index.html

[medicmoose]

That's what I was saying, it's the hull contour that digs into the carpet/plastic, but if you grind a groove in the plastic where the hull hits it, then re-carpet, the hull will not rub so hard where the sharp contours are. No need to even measure where to grind because the plastic pad will be indented where it's hitting.

I gotcha now! Yeah, that sounds like an idea worth looking at. Thanks.

[east tx skier]

Having recently gone from a 2 bunk trailer to a four bunk trailer myself, I think there is a real difference in how they load. The four bunk trailer seem to have flatter (less twist) bunks. I have found that it is much better to float on to a four bunk trailer rather than drive on. I have no science to back up this logic (and I am no fans of that black plastic stuff that makes up the v-bunk). But the bunks and carpet seems to be much better for the wear if you float on and winch tight rather than drive on. Just my experience.

[Bert]

Having recently gone from a 2 bunk trailer to a four bunk trailer myself, I think there is a real difference in how they load. The four bunk trailer seem to have flatter (less twist) bunks. I have found that it is much better to float on to a four bunk trailer rather than drive on. I have no science to back up this logic (and I am no fans of that black plastic stuff that makes up the v-bunk). But the bunks and carpet seems to be much better for the wear if you float on and winch tight rather than drive on. Just my experience.
My four bunk is super easy to drive on. I never touch the guide poles. Unlike the two bunk MC trailers I see with bent guide poles