Bunk Trailer or Roller Trailer??

[Liv2Fish]

I've always had roller trailers. I've never actually used a bunk trailer but I've seen people struggling with them at the ramps, mostly to get the boat on level.

I've never had an issue getting the boat on level with the roller. 90% of the time, it comes up perfectly aligned. If not, I back down until the transom floats and pull back up slowly and its good.

Pros and conns?

I know there's less maintenance and I've been told it's easier to launch when you get into the longer boats because you can release the crank and it only goes back a few feet before it stops and you can release the strap without having to wade out 10' to unhook it, etc.

Curious what others prefer

[Got Stripers]

My 20 footer with guide on's gets me in and out in minutes, I owned a roller trailer once, I'd never go back. A properly designed bunk trailer is so much better IMHO, especially solo, I unhook everything and can easily get it off with just a touch of power.

[BigBo]

From what I've seen over the years, people tend to back bunk trailers too far into the water causing the transom to swing with any wind or current.

[Raider Ronnie]

What's a boat trailer ?
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[Guppy]

Tough one IMO
On a solo launch with bunks and there is no dock along side (it's further out?) how do ya get into boat,,, bass river CC is one, falmouth another,,,,,

bunks appear to be "splash and dash" with good ramps solo or not

I come in sideways and need rollers,,,, LOL.

[saltyric]

Originally Posted by BigBo

From what I've seen over the years, people tend to back bunk trailers too far into the water causing the transom to swing with any wind or current.

Totally agree.....when I first got a bunk, I was doing the same thing until someone pointed it out. I love the thing now!!!!!!!

[Moses]

I have a 65 Whaler that uses a bunk trailer. Although the boat is only 16' and doesn't weigh much, centering can be a slight challenge.

My previous 22 center console utilized a combo - rollers in back with 2 bunk supports up front. I absolutely loved this combination. As long as you submerged trailer appropriately, the boat would self center itself and if you were solo, the bunks up front aided greatly with launch & retrieval.

My newer 23 center console utilizes all rollers and I'm still getting used to it after 2 years! This self centers also but launching with my family/wife can be challenging at times.

[Fly Rod]

I have had both on a 26 foot 5,000 lb boat....bunks R great once U adjust them...no guide ons.... drive boat on down the center....may have to crank a foot or so....I find that most boaters do not adjust the bunk guides.

Take a rainy day, do not have to worry about boaters... go to ramp have your wrenches to adjust, most of time only have to adjust the rear of the bunks...may have to test in the water a couple of times...

[Piscator]

Had a 20' Mako 201 on a roller trailer and hated it.

I now have a 21' Contender on a Continental bunk trailer and I love it. Easy on and off solo...its easy to center as well, not sure if its due to the Contenders deeper V and chines or not...

[Liv2Fish]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm surprised that everyone prefers bunks. I love my roller with my 21 Keylargo but I've never used a bunk.

I'm looking at new options and being quoted bunk trailers and every time I tell them I prefer roller, they look at me funny and all give the same exact justification, with is the same feedback you guys gave.

Sounds like I'm in for a pleasant surprise. I don't trailer far, Taylor point in B-Bay, Plymouth and Sandwich boat basin on the canal, all great ramps and all within 15 miles of home, sounds like a bunk is the way to go. I'm trying one out tomorrow.

[zacs]

I have had both, and like both. They both have pros and cons.

I think rollers are way easier, and way more consistent, you just have to keep them maintained (keep the rollers rolling).

I am not sure if the advise given here is based on experience, but I can not imagine how anyone would have a difficult time launching solo with rollers. If anything, i find loading a bigger challenge solo. With a second body you can drive almost all the way up, and have your helper clip you in and take up slack, and then you are 95% of the way done. you can't get it that far up if you are by yourself, at least I haven't found a good way yet, so a little more cranking when alone....

would anyone care to expound on why bunks are easier to launch than rollers?

[Got Stripers]

I guess like anything else and as others have eluded to, having a bunk set up for your boat is the first step. For me and being solo a lot, its no worry about the boat rolling off your trailer, so I can unhook everything, back down to just wet the top of my fenders. I hop in my truck bed, step in the boat and just a little reverse and I'm tying up to the floats. Loading is really easy, but guide on's certainly help in that process, but I'm in and out in half the time of anyone I ever see loading on rollers even when they are cranking while I'm just idling into position. No maintenance on bunks other than maybe new carpet down the road.

[Piscator]

I also have heard (no sure how true) that bunks are better for the hull as the weight is across the bunks and not on the rollers themselves. I know for aluminum boats the rollers can crease/dimple the hull, not sure if they are better, worse, same for fiberglass when it comes to bearing weight on the roller vs. bunks

[PRBuzz]

Zach states "drive up" using rollers which means in my opinion POWER loading and basically destroying ramps. Love my bunks for all the reasons Got Stryper mentioned. I fish in my bunked boat alone a lot and easy on most ramps to launch&load solo. No problem with alignment.


BTW: my boat requires a bunked trailer, rollers would deform the ropolene hull.

[jasonsnova]

Bunks all the way....I can load my 10,000 lb Carolina classic as easy if not easier than my last 21'boat on roller trailer by my self.
If I was buying a new trailer rollers wouldn't even be considered
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[TheSpecialist]

Originally Posted by zacs

I have had both, and like both. They both have pros and cons.

I think rollers are way easier, and way more consistent, you just have to keep them maintained (keep the rollers rolling).

I am not sure if the advise given here is based on experience, but I can not imagine how anyone would have a difficult time launching solo with rollers. If anything, i find loading a bigger challenge solo. With a second body you can drive almost all the way up, and have your helper clip you in and take up slack, and then you are 95% of the way done. you can't get it that far up if you are by yourself, at least I haven't found a good way yet, so a little more cranking when alone....

would anyone care to expound on why bunks are easier to launch than rollers?

I never had a problem launching solo with rollers. I have seen plenty of people have issues launching with bunks at low tide though....

[ProfessorM]

My 2 cents I like rollers.

[piemma]

Sorry Paul, I like the bunks better for launching and retrieving alone. Also much less maintenance as all I do is replace the carpet on the bunks every few years.

[wdmso]

When I bought my boat was going to go bunk the owner at eagle marine made a good point He said Bunks are cheaper than roller trailer by around 500-800 buck and most southern states use bunks Butthey have smaller tides 1-2 feet at the ramp in the Northeast ramp tides can be 4-10 feet making it harder to float on a bunk. and steeper ramps I went roller with torsion axles no bouncing flys off and on. the trailer neither is a bad choice

[ProfessorM]

Good point. I use a very steep, greasy, ramp with a 10 plus tide most days. I mostly fish alone and pretty much have effortless launch and retrieve every time. So at this point I am happy. If I was running into issues I would explore something else. Guess that is why they sell both types.
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[jasonsnova]

Originally Posted by wdmso

When I bought my boat was going to go bunk the owner at eagle marine made a good point He said Bunks are cheaper than roller trailer by around 500-800 buck and most southern states use bunks Butthey have smaller tides 1-2 feet at the ramp in the Northeast ramp tides can be 4-10 feet making it harder to float on a bunk. and steeper ramps I went roller with torsion axles no bouncing flys off and on. the trailer neither is a bad choice

that's a very good point....but gotta tell ya no way im reeling up my boat onto rollers on a steep ramp.....just way to heavy.
I think rollers are better for shorter lighter boats.

[zacs]

Originally Posted by jasonsnova

that's a very good point....but gotta tell ya no way im reeling up my boat onto rollers on a steep ramp.....just way to heavy.
I think rollers are better for shorter lighter boats.

if my boat was any heavier I would get an electric winch.

And to Buzz's comment about powering on, I would disagree. I come in at a high idle. if there is someone there, they can clip me on and take up slack before I roll back down. it is maybe 3 seconds of a high idle. can't be done solo.

The guys that I see powering on are guys with bunks trying to power assist because they can't get their boats floated all the way on........ full blast, white water rooster tail.

[PRBuzz]

Originally Posted by zacs

The guys that I see powering on are guys with bunks trying to power assist because they can't get their boats floated all the way on........ full blast, white water rooster tail.

You must go to different ramps, I have never witnessed a bunk guy powering on? I go a lot to 3 different MA ramps with real wooden docks, 8-10ft tidal swings, not RI sand ramps?

[Guppy]

Off topic
You gotta launch Carnegie Abbey at least once,,, it's like belonging to a private club,,, wear a tie

[Fly Rod]

if I powered on to my bunks, I'd be in the back of the truck....twice a year I slid the boat off and on and being handicapped I had no problem handling the 26 footer alone.

when I had rollers and a power winch I had to grab the bow and guide it to center...

[Liv2Fish]

Originally Posted by Guppy

Off topic
You gotta launch Carnegie Abbey at least once,,, it's like belonging to a private club,,, wear a tie

This place? http://carnegienewport.com/amenities-yacht-club.asp

I don't think they'd let me in, certainly not a second time. Although, I did attend a polo match in New Port a few weeks ago, which was actually a very good time and short money. My kids got a kick out of the "sweaty slap".

[wdmso]

Originally Posted by Liv2Fish

This place? http://carnegienewport.com/amenities-yacht-club.asp

I don't think they'd let me in, certainly not a second time. Although, I did attend a polo match in New Port a few weeks ago, which was actually a very good time and short money. My kids got a kick out of the "sweaty slap".

Its a public ramp they don't like to advertise that fact much easier than
carrs point steep ass Ramp

[Guppy]

Wayne is right, just don't believe the signs for parking, as long as you park in the lot for trailers,,, it's like parking on the first t box at willowbed. was quite a surprise at 3AM and never been before

[piemma]

Guppy, was that you I passed in front of Warwick Light the other day. If not we have another twin.

[bassballer]

Originally Posted by Guppy

Off topic
You gotta launch Carnegie Abbey at least once,,, it's like belonging to a private club,,, wear a tie

I told you! somedays you even have your own launch assistant when the gaurd is bored.

Side note I played the colf course on monday

ive always used a bunk trailer. I have the two narow bunks in front and my v hull slides right in with ease and balances the boat everytime. Never really had an issue with that. Ive actually never launched with rollers so cant compare.