Trailer bunk ideas - Non Scratch

[JoeD]

Looking for some ideas for trailer bunks that don't scratch the bottom. I've used carpet for years and its ok, but still seems to scratch. Thinking of hydro turfing the bunks but worried it might be sticky getting the ski on and off. Anyone using something that works great and doesn't scratch the bottom at all?
dock bumper material, turf..???

thanks

 

[jo5hi3]

2" pvc pipe

 

[JoeD]

2" pvc pipe

Doesn't scratch? My ski bottom never touches the beach...trying to keep it looking new as long as possible.

 

[makejetskiinggreatagain]

My buddy uses pvc and his scratches his ski still. I don't know if there is a good option man. Maybe if you padded some bunks and lined them with micro fiber cloth, but then you would still have to make sure you didn't get sand stuck in the fabric.

 

[DAG]

you could try and turf the bunks and then lay carpet over them? Liquid roller on carpet makes the ski nearly friction less. The problem is at the slightest angle the ski slips off the trailer.. Ask me how I know

 

[IS0LD0UT]

Sometimes you just have to let go. Keep the carpet and focus on enjoying your ski.

 

[JoeD]

Sometimes you just have to let go. Keep the carpet and focus on enjoying your ski.

I agree but sometimes there's a solution out there you just don't know about.

 

[schicks]

what about bolting roller blade wheels to the 2x4 bunks so just half the roller wheel sticks above the bunk. That way the ski only contacts the roller wheels ...ski rolls right on/off. You'd want it strapped down good though and wouldn't provide a ton of cushion for road bumps.

i've also seen people use composite/deck type boards sanded smooth for bunk. This leaves no where for sand to collect and sit which scratches. Still going to get slight scuff marks tho, but will buff out.

If you look at resale prices...a couple scratches/scuffs on the bottom have no impact on value. But I understand the OCD behavior of not scratching anything...i have it too.

 

[JoeD]

what about bolting roller blade wheels to the 2x4 bunks so just half the roller wheel sticks above the bunk. That way the ski only contacts the roller wheels ...ski rolls right on/off. You'd want it strapped down good though and wouldn't provide a ton of cushion for road bumps.

Great idea, some of those wheels are nice and soft.

 

[700Pirate]

thick carpet on shaped bunks. A little more cushioning when towing long distance too. I had a killer paint job on my last ski. Regular surf sessions took its toll on the paint. Beaching, pickup bed rides 100s of miles crossing deserts etc. Just cosmetic. All has to get used. If your on a lake, nice soft bunks and a decent stand will go a long way.

 

[zimmy]

Run it up on the beach, then you won't have to worry about it. I have found the jetlift carts pick up a bunch of sand and have scratched the bottom of my hull pretty good.

Carpet or rollers would be a good option, but if its sliding across anything, you are going to see scratches... Its sad, but damage to a hull that is ridden is inevitable.

 

[High Speed Industries]

A buddy of mine tried the roller blade wheels. They work awesome for sliding the ski, but they actually wore through the paint over time. Each wheel had quite a bit of pressure as compared to spreading the pressure out over a whole bunk. The paint wore out right where the wheels touched, so he had a bunch of bald spots on his hull.

I used these bunk slides. http://www.surfixinc.com/surfix_trailer_bunkslides.html They are a pretty soft plastic. I think they are pretty nice to the hull, but mine is already messed up so it's hard to tell. The slides make unloading and loading way easier. I can push and pull the ski off the trailer with one hand. My only complaint is that I didn't get them sooner.

 

[blaster800]

If you dont want scratches your ONLY option is use the public boat ramps and float your queen upon her throne !! other than that I would try to use soft rubber wheels on the bunks so it rolls instead of drags on the bunks , but then there may still leave tracks left by the rubber which you would have to get some sort of cleaner to remove and then re-polish as needed . I highly recomend riding harder because when your a$$ is really draggin ... you wont care how it gets on the trailer ! have fun !

 

[King Kang]

These wheels from eTrailer look wider than rollerblade wheels so maybe that would help to balance out the pressure? The price is less than $100 for the pair and they bolt right onto a 2x4. I DO NOT have personal experience with them.

http://www.etrailer.com/Boat-Trailer-Parts/Dutton-Lainson/DL21754.html

 

[zimmy]

If you dont want scratches your ONLY option is use the public boat ramps and float your queen upon her throne !! other than that I would try to use soft rubber wheels on the bunks so it rolls instead of drags on the bunks , but then there may still leave tracks left by the rubber which you would have to get some sort of cleaner to remove and then re-polish as needed . I highly recomend riding harder because when your a$$ is really draggin ... you wont care how it gets on the trailer ! have fun !

What he said haha!

 

[Jetfiend]

A buddy of mine tried the roller blade wheels. They work awesome for sliding the ski, but they actually wore through the paint over time. Each wheel had quite a bit of pressure as compared to spreading the pressure out over a whole bunk. The paint wore out right where the wheels touched, so he had a bunch of bald spots on his hull.

I used these bunk slides. http://www.surfixinc.com/surfix_trailer_bunkslides.html They are a pretty soft plastic. I think they are pretty nice to the hull, but mine is already messed up so it's hard to tell. The slides make unloading and loading way easier. I can push and pull the ski off the trailer with one hand. My only complaint is that I didn't get them sooner.

^Thanks Rdrttoy, I've been looking for those, just placed an order.

JoeD, I've got a bedrug in my truck and I place a mexican blanket on top of that, so far no scratches and slides easy.

 

[Half flip95]

i have 2 trailers with soft rollers. they are very nice on the ski and make loading and unloading a breeze. Sometimes they even unload themselves!
I built my new trailer with carpeted bunks...

The worst part about the rollers is that you cannot park your trailer 1/2 in the water and use it as a stand unless you hook the front. and it is a pain in the arse if you don't have a crank or someone to hook the front for you.

 

[Informal]

When your OCD reaches these levels, it's time to build a glass case for your ski and display it in the living room.

As someone who has gone down this same path.. I totally understand, but short of having a lift installed on your truck, and access to fresh water to hose off the bottom just before you lay it on your 1000 thread count down comforter...
It's going to scratch eventually.

 

[Pro-pulsion]

Maybe make up some pivot brackets and have the ski positioned just above the bunks while floating, then jack the trailer bunks up to the ski rather than slide the ski on. That's how they do it with pontoon boats...scissor lift trailers. You would just need to have the bunks pivot up to a few inches higher to catch the ski, not the 28 inches that pontoon trailers go lol.

http://tritontrailers.com/products/subcats.aspx?catid=30

 

[Vumad]

Try one of these.