Bunk or Roller Trailer? 2006 284 Mako

[Chasin_Tail]

Hey there all you who trailer!

I have a 28' Mako and I'm having the darn'dest time finding what works best. I bought the boat this year and it came with a Loadmaster triple axle trailer. Only one axle had surge brakes. Worked ok, braking was not a real issue (I pull the boat with an F250 diesel), launching and loading is where I had the most frustration. I tore the keel up towards the bow. The ramp I use is very nice & deep. I adjusted the bunks so the rode on the 2nd set in from the outside chine. Still tearing up the keel, keel roller helped but not much.

So I said screw it, Mako dealer just shrugged his shoulders, so I went out and bought a Venture triple axle trailer with all rollers and 3 axles with surge brakes. Now the boat loads nice and no keel destruction.

The question is on this size boat (weight in at over 7k Lbs loaded) will the rollers hurt the hull? Meaning can sitting and bouncing while going down the road cause the hull to get soft where the roller sits. The only other draw back is the trailer flex’s a little bit when hitting bumps doing 50-60 miles an hour.

Should I give any weight to the fact that Mako sent the boat with the Bunk? Is there any other advantages/disadvantages?

[BTH284]

Personally I like the bunk trailers for boats. Also, make sure they are cypress bunks. I have seen some major damage come from the rubber padded aluminum I-beam bunks. It only takes one misload to pull that rubber pad off and get a nice tear in the gelcoat from the aluminum beam. Correct loading in my opinion is a slow approach unless in a heavy current area and gently float the boat in place all the way to the jack stand. I personally feel that the bunks provide alot more support to the boat bottom than the rollers.

Although not directed at the author of this thread at all...............FOLKS PULL UP IN THE TIE DOWN LANE AND FINISH GETTING READY FOR THE RIDE, DON'T DO THIS AT THE TOP OF THE RAMP

I cannot tell you how many times I have seen bottom damage on boats from the rollers. Ineveitably one of the rollers is gonna stick and eventually come off and again more bottom damage. Also a ton of maint to keep all rolling correctly.

If your boat does not slide off easy from the carpet bunks, try adding the slide sticks to them. But be cautioned, DO NOT UNHOOK THE BOAT UNTIL YOU ARE IN THE WATER, IT WILL SLIDE RIGHT OFF THE TRAILER AS SOON AS YOU START DOWN THE RAMP!!!!!

The only maint for the bunks is keep an eye on the carpet and re-cover as needed and replace nuts and bolts that hold them to the trailer when worn out. Again this is all preventative maint. Problems being fixed after it causes damage is a no no.

I was swayed this way after talking with many private boat delivery guys who did this for a living. All used bunk trailers with no problems whatsoever.

[Chasin_Tail]

Thanks BTH284,

I really liked the strength of the bunk, but after tearing up the bottom I lost faith.

I have seen bunks with mini bunks forward on the trail to prevent the keel from scarping along one of the beams. Maybe I'll give that a try.

Slow approach is my method as well, If I can't go slow then I jump off and pull the boat up as far as I can w/o loosing correctness in alignment and then wench it up.

You mentioned "slide sticks", are they the white hard plastic pad that mounts to the top of the bunk?

[BTH284]

Yep those are the ones I am talking about. Those sticks work great for some boats. I completely forgot to mention the mini bunks up front. They work great as well. Most have a rubber pad across the trailer frame just under the mini bunks. Guess I need to read more carefully next time in order to answer question completely

[gottaflylee]

Yep, BTH284 is right on with the rollers. they will brake and come off...then things will get bad for your hull. Get a trailer that you can float you boat on with bunks. your dealer should be able to set you boat up so you can do that. If he can't, fire him and find a dealer that can. IT CAN BE DONE!

[chum1up]

I have a 25 Mako with a Roller Trailer, I say go with rollers are way easier; for loading/unloading and painting the bottom

[30' PURSUIT]

I opted for the bunk because I feel the bunks give a more continous support of the hull. 2870 Puruit walk. Probably 9 - 10 grand wet.Tri axle, electric disc brakes on two axles, pull it with a stock Excursion 4x4 power stroke.

Hey there all you who trailer!

I have a 28' Mako and I'm having the darn'dest time finding what works best. I bought the boat this year and it came with a Loadmaster triple axle trailer. Only one axle had surge brakes. Worked ok, braking was not a real issue (I pull the boat with an F250 diesel), launching and loading is where I had the most frustration. I tore the keel up towards the bow. The ramp I use is very nice & deep. I adjusted the bunks so the rode on the 2nd set in from the outside chine. Still tearing up the keel, keel roller helped but not much.

So I said screw it, Mako dealer just shrugged his shoulders, so I went out and bought a Venture triple axle trailer with all rollers and 3 axles with surge brakes. Now the boat loads nice and no keel destruction.

The question is on this size boat (weight in at over 7k Lbs loaded) will the rollers hurt the hull? Meaning can sitting and bouncing while going down the road cause the hull to get soft where the roller sits. The only other draw back is the trailer flex’s a little bit when hitting bumps doing 50-60 miles an hour.

Should I give any weight to the fact that Mako sent the boat with the Bunk? Is there any other advantages/disadvantages?

[Sweet Caroline]

My 25' Shamrock has a bunk trailer and I think that is the way to go. There are a lot of manufactures that will not cover any hull damage if the boat is used with a roller trailer. I was a little skeptical at first to have the bunk with that size boat but it has worked great. Just drop the trailer back guide the boat in easy and driver her on up.