I recently bought a Triton FS21 on a 2003 Triton trailer. The bunks are orginal with carpet with no nap left so the boat no lomger glides on and off the trailer very well. Bunk boards appear solid with no soft spotts. So do I recarpet orginal wood bunks, use plastic covers on bunks or repalce bunks with something?????? What's been your experience/
When I re-do a trailer I always use new wood. For no more than the wood boards costs($30-$40 ?) It's much easier to just replace and re carpet with new boards than stripping the carpet and staples off the old ones.
Your old bunks may look solid/dry, but I'll bet the wood is wet mushy in/around the bolt holes.
What do you use for boards?
i agree on wood replacement pt should last longer you can buy marine grade carpet on line apply marine adhesive to wood and also staple with 3/8-1/2 inch stainless staples big help electric staple gun well worth it not a bad job and have a friend help you re install bunks with stainless hardware
New treated boards, SS lags and Gatorbacks !!! No carpet. No worries about blisters anymore.
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I will need to do this soon as well. I had planned to just have new boards with carpet on them ready to swap out at the boat ramp while the boat is beached.
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I would replace the wood using KDAT lumber and replace all mounting hardware with new SS. If not for conditions at my local ramp I would use the newest version Gatorbak bunk covers. If you go with fabric covering there are options other than carpet. It can be found at trailer supply places and I have been using a product called Boat Blanket by Sailrite. These products retain much less water than carpet and the wet bunks are what can cause blisters in the gelcoat. Use Monel staples, they are what Arrow recommends. And a power stapler is highly recommended! Much easier on the hands and it frees a hand so you can pull the fabric tighter. Advantages of KDAT lumber: It will not shrink like regular PT lumber. PT lumber shrinks and fabric becomes loose which can cause wear in the fabric. You can paint KDAT. I do not wrap the fabric around the bottom of the bunk boards so it can drain better so I paint the boars to match the fabric. Also be prepared to address any rust issues on the trailer mounting plates. I like to add a plastic isolator (gasket) between the mounting plate and bunk board.
KDAT boards and Gatorbak XP covers. Clean installation and no moisture against the hull.
What is KDAT lumber and where do you get it?
KDAT=kiln dried after treating, but I don't where you would buy it in your area. In South Florida I have to special order it from a wholesaler out of Miami. Try an online search maybe.Originally Posted by MooMoo
just wondering could you use recycle type material ooutdoor funniture ect. in 2x4 or 2x 6 seems like i saw these on line
I don't know for certain but I could have used any type of wood I wanted and I used P.T.Pine and it has lasted for 10 years with no issues.
2x4 pine from home depot marine glue and ss staples not counting carpet $ 150 max many grades bunk carpet on line ovetons good place for carpet
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