Trailer Bunks - sticking

[totally tyee]

I have a new (to me) 2004 21 foot fiberglass boat. The trailer that came with it is a 2004 Aluminum EZE Loader with carpeted bunks. The boat slides off the trailer and into the water with a little help no problem. The first time out I had a hell of a time winching the boat back onto the trailer and its seemed to want to stick to the carpet.

I went and purchased some of the slides for the bunks. I purchased a pack of 10 that go on my 2x6 bunks (about $80). They are about 10 inches long so I stagered them 5 on each side and about 10 inches between them (to fit more in if needed). I started at the stern end and made it about 3/4s of the way up. It seemed to help a little bit but still seemed a bit difficult winching it.

Yes I am sinking my trailer deep enough. Actually too deep for my liking. Any deeper and I will need to wear waders to crank the winch.

A friend of mine recommended the product "liquid rollers" to me, to spray on the bunks. I can't seem to find it anywhere in Canada and was told by West Marine that it appears to not be sold in Canada because of the lack of Frech labelling. I tried to order it from BassPro Shop but apparently they cant ship this product to Canada. Same story with Amazon.com.

I will give it another go this weekend but before I buy another set of those strips does anyone else have any suggestions? I shouldnt need an electric winch for a 21 ft.

TT out

 

[AlK]

I put a set of Surfix Trailer bunk slides on my previous trailer. They worked very well - for some people they are to slick. With these you never unhook the strap or the safety chain until the trailer is in the water. I will probably get them again for the boat and trailer that I now own.

http://www.surfixinc.com/surfix_trailer_bunkslides.html

 

[tightlines]

Follow these steps and you should have no problem:

1) Back the trailer into the water to wet/dip the carpeted portion of the bunks to reduce friction.

2) Now pull the trailer forward so 2/3 of the bunks are submerged and 1/3 out of water.

3) Now literally drive the boat under power right up to the winch. (I usually trim the engine up as I get get closer to the winch) You shouldn't have to do much hand cranking at all with the bunks. Let the engine do the work.

4) A couple cranks of the winch, safety latch, trim up, away you go.

Sent from my SGH-I727R using Tapatalk 2

 

[totally tyee]

Tightlines I can't do that when I'm with my kids.

 

[reelfast]

i have the 'slick pads' on my ez loader. here is how i do it: back in but leave the top of the fenders OUT OF THE WATER, about 4" out of the water; line your boat up and DRIVE ON; i winch approximately 2"; easy as pie. i will never go back to a roller bunk trailer. most people back their trailers too far into the water. the boat needs to make contact, wiggles from side to side a bit as it lines itself up and then zip right out of the water. give it a try and stop sweating cranking.

 

[Degree of Freedom]

Tightlines I can't do that when I'm with my kids.

why not? I do it every weekend with my kids....unless maybe the ramp you use doesn't have a dock?

Is there anywhere locally to buy the bunk slides, or are they mail order only?

 

[reelfast]

mine say 'ezloader' on them so i would check with a dealer who handles their trailers. a word of caution, however, be careful on your launching as the boat is going to come right off as easily as it goes on

 

[Red Monster]

Use Liqued Rollers once a year or so, and you will have NO PROBLEMS. It's sold only in the States now. I was having the same issues (and also considered sliders or new carpet, don't waste your time and money) but not any more. I bought some in Blain. You can then power your boat onto your trailer with minimum winching. My boat is the same size as yours.

Cheers

 

[wolf]

Ive seen dish soap used lathered on... make sure its biodegradable...

 

[Finished Business]

My aluminum EZloader with bunks has a sticker on it recommending putting vaseline on the slides....not something I do but its what the factory sticker says...

 

[Jammer]

I think Industrial plastics and paints sell the UHMW for making the sliders yourself, if you are in Victoria.
Do you have a 2 speed winch on your trailer? I winch my Striper 2300 on fairly easily using one, and I don't have the slides or spray anything on the bunks.