Trailer Question,

[seapower]

This may not be the place for this question, but I'd like your opinion's. I trailer a 25 ft DownEaster (simular to a Parker 25), with twin Honda's for my fishing here. I have an old Long trailer, the type with roller's and the "horse shoe" design. The trailer is stong but is absolutely the "ill'est" thing in the world. Loading by myself is a no-go. Here around home do you like roller or float on bunk trailer's? What's your reason's? We have some shallow ramps as everyone knows. I have no experience with float on's. Long trailer is no longer in business,just happened, so parts are going to be an issue. Are there places to get part's for these trailer's? Thank's, Frank, SeaPower

[Proheat]

I have a Loadrite roller style trailer with the newer style yellow rollers and I can say that it rolls so easy that you have to be carefull with loading and unloading the boat. It makes loading and unloading by yourself pretty easy. I had the float on or drive on trailers before and absolutely hated them.

The only thing that I can add is that some boat manufacturers(ex: Boston Whaler) require a bunk/drive on style trailer for the added support to the boat hull or they use that for a reason to void any hull warranties.

[gottaflylee]

Frank, Marine Mart in Wilmington has parts for all trailers and do all the work on mine. Good people and prices. Tell then I said to call. Sorry, I don't have there # in Oriental...
Now. I'm not a fan of roller trailers and mine are bunks. That make a "slick slid" for the bunks that you can screw on so your boat will slid right off and on when dealing shallow ramps. Marine Mart should have that also if you beside to go that way...

[hunt4fish]

Bunks are the only way to go...

[flatbottom]

I have the yellow rollers and enjoy using them. The trailer is a loadrite. I never used a bunk trailer float on before. The ramps up here are short, steep, with a wicked drop off on the off/low tide.

[RWW]

I have a roller but I like the bunks set up with slicks idea Lee mentioned.
At Sandy Point state park, they have 15 ramps.(MD guys know where I am talking about) I have witnessed the winch cable snap as people were driving out (once it was me and a buddy with his boat). My buddy had bunks and it did slide some but I assume the weight of the boat coming out of the water kept her on the trailer. Yes the safety chain was hooked but the hook straightened out! That was a close one.
Another time another person pulled theirs out (roller trailer) and never put on the safety chain and the winch must have not been locked. Boat rolled right off the trailer onto the ramp...

If you ever get bored and need some entertainment sitting at the boat ramp and watch the self proclaimed experts...

[Proheat]

I have a roller but I like the bunks set up with slicks idea Lee mentioned.
At Sandy Point state park, they have 15 ramps.(MD guys know where I am talking about) I have witnessed the winch cable snap as people were driving out (once it was me and a buddy with his boat). My buddy had bunks and it did slide some but I assume the weight of the boat coming out of the water kept her on the trailer. Yes the safety chain was hooked but the hook straightened out! That was a close one.
Another time another person pulled theirs out (roller trailer) and never put on the safety chain and the winch must have not been locked. Boat rolled right off the trailer onto the ramp...
If you ever get bored and need some entertainment sitting at the boat ramp and watch the self proclaimed experts...

The first time with my new trailer with the yellow rollers, I almost dropped the trailer in the parking lot- which in my opinion since Frank is having a hard time loading and unloading by himself, this seems to be an easier way of loading. You just have to remember how easy it rolls.

Also, the new style yellow rollers don't flatten out and get stuck like the older style black rubber rollers.

[Dads Dream]

Bunks are the only way to go...

No expert here myself- but I agree with the BUNK thing.....most manufacturers will report that bunks are best for all boats especially NEW boats since the hull is still setting up

The bunk allows the most surface support on the entire hull

After 4 yrs, the only thing that bums me out is the amount of bunk scratches (not sure thats better than the roller marks & dents, though)

[fmoore]

The first time with my new trailer with the yellow rollers, I almost dropped the trailer in the parking lot- which in my opinion since Frank is having a hard time loading and unloading by himself, this seems to be an easier way of loading. You just have to remember how easy it rolls.

Also, the new style yellow rollers don't flatten out and get stuck like the older style black rubber rollers.

Whatever you do, don't get black rollers. Can't comment on the roller vs bunk, but I do know from some painful experience that they DO flatten and they DO mark up your hull. Not to mention that they dry out and crack...they're just a mess imo. Stay away!

[seapower]

I guess this is why I'm still confused on theis issue. If you'll look it's split 50/50. I guees there's good and bad points for each. Thank's, Frank