replacing bunk on trailer?

robdew · **Joined:** Thu Mar 15, 2012 9:20 am **Posts:** 36

Can I replace a bunk with the 'toon on the trailer? Carefully jack it up while on the trailer?

Untreated lumber, right? Any reason NOT to use something like Trex? Seem like it might be hard to staple but would never rot.

jimrs · **Posted:** Wed May 23, 2012 3:08 pm

Trex is not used because it has no ability to support any weigh.

Heatman · **Posted:** Wed May 23, 2012 3:19 pm

Be careful using treated. Something in the new treated lumber can attack the aluminum. It's the copper I remember correctly.

Drago · **Joined:** Sat Nov 08, 2008 5:00 am **Posts:** 257

I considered replacing mine while on the trailer but gave up the idea as too risky. I think if just replacing one, it might be less of a risk but why not do it at the launch after the boat is off? You might discover that when one bunk is needing replacing, the others are getting near end times too.

badmoonrising · **Posted:** Wed May 23, 2012 7:27 pm

Can you do it ? Yes. It's ALOT easier and safer if the boat's off the trailer though.

Bamaman · **Posted:** Wed May 23, 2012 7:29 pm

You could use staples, but stainless staples are very expensive. Regular off the shelf staples won't last.

I use roofing nails on my bunks, and they hold well and last long.

Ron Burgundy · **Posted:** Wed May 23, 2012 7:31 pm

Heatman wrote:

Be careful using treated. Something in the new treated lumber can attack the aluminum. It's the copper I remember correctly.

Yup, it's the copper. :nutkick

crspang · **Posted:** Wed May 23, 2012 8:27 pm

If you're covering the bunks with carpet, then using treated is fine. Use carriage bolts (galvanized) instead of lag bolts too.

BobbyW · **Joined:** Sat May 08, 2010 6:32 am **Posts:** 3

Bamaman wrote:

You could use staples, but stainless staples are very expensive. Regular off the shelf staples won't last.

I use roofing nails on my bunks, and they hold well and last long.

Roofing nails work great as they are galvanized. It is not like they spend much time in the water.

GregF · **Posted:** Thu May 24, 2012 4:59 am

If you are in salt water the more stainless you use the less trouble you will have. They make stainless roofing nails and for the number you need, they are not that expensive, Dock supply places have them for putting on piling wrap. (a couple bucks a pound), I also have stainless staples for my T-50 that I got at Lowes for about $8 a box, not horribly expensive.

robdew · **Joined:** Thu Mar 15, 2012 9:20 am **Posts:** 36

crspang wrote:

If you're covering the bunks with carpet, then using treated is fine. Use carriage bolts (galvanized) instead of lag bolts too.

I read somewhere that the chemicals leech through the carpet.

GXPWeasel · **Posted:** Fri May 25, 2012 12:41 pm

robdew wrote:

crspang wrote:

If you're covering the bunks with carpet, then using treated is fine. Use carriage bolts (galvanized) instead of lag bolts too.

I read somewhere that the chemicals leech through the carpet.

This may be, but I can tell you that after 3 years of ownership, and using treated lumber on the bunks (the previous owner) that is covered by carpet, there are absolutely no ill effects or evidence on my logs. :donno

Ron Burgundy · **Posted:** Fri May 25, 2012 3:09 pm

In fresh water you will probably never have a problem, but if you have carpet covered pressure treated wood bunks in salt water it will be an issue.

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replacing bunk on trailer?

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