Has any one ever converted a roller style trailer over to a

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Has any one ever converted a roller style trailer over to a bunk style trailer?

The 2004, 19’ I/we just purchased came on a tandem, EZ Loader, roller type trailer.

I/we have had both type trailers and much prefer the bunk style trailer.

Since this EZ Loader tandem trailer is a bolt together, my question is;

Is it economically feasible to convert a roller trailer to a bunk style or better to just but a new trailer.

Let me know.

Regards,

Ron Fisher
 
Ron, I too prefer a bunk trailer. Our 22 came with a pretty rough EZ loader roller trailer (galvanized steel, not aluminum) It was a pretty simple matter to add the bunk supports where I wanted them and just weld them to the trailer frame. You have a pretty wide choice as to how many bunks and how you position them.

While I was at it I welded front and rear side guide bars with a 8-10' long carpet covered side board on each side to make loading a breeze.

The local steel supply has galvanized angle iron and square tubing in stock.

Since I had no plans of ever using the trailer for any other boat I had no reservations about welding the supports in place. After cleaning the welds I use a mil spec cold galvanizing compound called ZRC to seal them.

I have over 8 thousand miles on the trailer since the conversion with no issues.

Tex
 
Ron,
I have been looking at replacing my rear side PVC marker posts with some side guides, either bunk or roller, I'm not sure which would be better. I have been on the West Marine web site and they have a great deal of trailer hardware available there. If you check them out you will be able to see whats there and get a good idea of what the conversion costs will be, doesen't look too bad if you order the parts and do the work yourself.
Rich
 
The EZ Loader roller and bunk trailers use the same frame, just bolt the different parts onto the trailer.

To change, sinply unbolt the U bolts holding the roller assemblies on the frame, and bolt on numk supports and bunks.
 
Just received an e-mail from Rene Boyer, Sales and Parts, EZ Loader Midwest (800-323-8190 ext 27).

I called Rene with the trailer serial number/model number, she sent back along with the part numbers needed, an exploded assembly drawing for the bunk trailer as an assembly guide.

If I make the bunks here and buy lag screws at the hardware store, the only parts needed are two brackets at $7.45 each, so figure minimal shipping and that’s it.

All that is needed, is the two front bunk brackets (bolts to bunk/attaches to trailer), everything else needed is already with the trailer.

Of course the bunks at $69.85 each and lag screws at $.85 were also available, but to save on shipping etc., we will come up with those parts here.

Rene, made sure to tell me to NOT use treated lumber to make the bunks.

So now all I have to do, is find someone that wants the perfectly good roller set up that now exists on the trailer.

Regards,

Ron Fisher
 
Rene made sure to caution me about using treated lumber for the bunks, with a following comment that the chemicals in treated lumber is/are not friendly to fiberglass/paint etc.

Regards,

Ron Fisher
 
but arent you wrapping the bunk lumber with carpet? I would think the treated lumber would last longer, not sure what is on my trailer but now I have to know
 
All I’m sharing is what I was told by the factory Tech/Rep.

Yes, the bunks that we will make up, will be covered with carpet, I’ll choose untreated Douglas Fir, which will last longer than I will.

Regards,

Ron Fisher
 
My lumber choices on the east coast at a big box store are kind of limited so I would have just naturally gravitated towards psi treated wood due to cost. There are various hardwoods out there that are supposedly impervious to rot etc that would be a good choice also if they were not so expensive.
 
I rebuilt my bunk trailer, new bunk boards, carpet and Stainless hardware. I took off treated Doug Fir. The boards were still pretty good but the holes had worn through where the lag bolts were. I could lift the boards up off over the bolt tops. No more lag bolts. I bent the tops over into an inverted "L" shape and then routed a slot to sink them into so that they would not turn when tightening the nuts. Worked great.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

January_2010_181.thumb.jpg
 
I know that everyone may have their own reasoning about whether to use treated or untreated lumber for trailer bunks.

So I e-mailed Rene and ask her to again please advise and clarify the EZ Loader factory recommendations on material used to fabricate their trailer bunks and here is what I received in return.

“We advise not to use treated because the chemicals in the boards can damage the hull of your boat.”

I/we will follow the factories direction/s and not use treated lumber for trailer bunks.

Regards,

Ron Fisher
 
Thanks Ron for starting this thread. We may want to convert our roller trailer.
I've noticed some small depressions on the hull where the boat sits on the rollers.
Does anybody have any dimensions on where to place the bunks in relationship
to the centerline of the bottom of the boat -- distances apart ? And length ?
We have a 16' Angler, which spends too much of its time sitting on a trailer.

Right now our closest roller is 18" forward of the transom, and from the sound
of things it may be better to add more support near the transom
 
I was really surprised to find that almost all of the parts needed to make the conversion from a roller type trailer to a bunk type trailer were already there, the only parts needed (besides the bunks, which we will make here) were two each of one bracket (less than $20.00).

In fact the exploded parts drawing that EZ Loader sent (via e-mail) answered all assembly questions, with the final adjustments being made at the last minute/s to match the particular boat.

Maybe the maker of your boat trailer will be as helpful as EZ Loader was.

However another solution, once upon a time, several boats ago, I purchased a 16’ Lund fishing boat and was very unhappy with the roller style trailer, the best way to solve that problem was to buy a new trailer, sell the old one on ebay, and move on.

Never regretted that decision, the immediate gratification of being shed of an annoying problem, justified the cost.

Let us know how this works out for you, since I believe many could be asking the same questions.

Come see us at the Mississippi River C-Brat Gathering in Dubuque, Iowa.

Regards,

Ron Fisher
 
The SOBs at King Trailers in Marysville won't event TALK to owners of their trailers. Their choice, but it guarantees that if I ever get another trailer, it for sure won't be a King Trailer. Read about it here.
 
The genius marine mechanic “Erik”, has finished converting our tandem EZ Loader, roller type trailer to bunk type.

I had to take pictures in a snow shower before they re loaded the 19’ CD.

Eric’s family have built and operated a large marina, boat yard and boat storage facility, along with a service center for over fifty years (Winegar Works Marine Outfitter), they are very reputable and knowledgeable, so I’m comfortable with any information they share as we go along.

By the way, I returned the parts purchased from EZ Loader, since Eric used the bigger roller channels for the front bunk mount connection instead of the smaller purchased parts, made sense.

To clarify and settle the matter about bunk materials, the bunks are 2” X 6” treated, Southern Yellow Pine, held in place with stainless steel carriage bolts.

When ask about the use of treated wood for the bunks, Gary, Eric's Dad says, that the wood treatment chemicals attack any fastener material except stainless steel. They always used treated Southern Yellow Pine and have had no experience with ever having any boat damage caused by treated lumber.

So the real issue, is about the fastener material when used with chemically treated wood.

See the photos where the Stainless Steel carriage bolts are inset, pulled down into the bunks.

Hope this clarifies some questions.

Regards,

Ron Fisher

PS: Anyone need trailer rollers?


The rollers and brackets will

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The 19’ CD came home yesterday, now sitting on bunks instead of rollers.

One advantages or feature of this conversion that we had not considered, is that the boat is now approximately 4” lower to the ground.

Regards,

Ron Fisher
 
I am considering changing my roller trailer out to bunks. This tread seems to indicate that it's fairly easy to do. I am not able to open the photo links of Ron Fisher. Nor am I able to send him a Private Message as he is logged in as a guest on this forum. I would like to view those photos and perhaps if your reading this Ron Fisher, upload the EZ loader trailer part exploded view you were emailed. Thanks,

Grazer
 
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