Bunk trailer repair

Well – one of the bunks on my trailer has cracked and is now held together by carpet only.

Question is: Should I stick with carpet over a treated 2 x 4 or should I look at replacing the bunk with a composite 2 x 4?

I am thinking the composite should work as well with possibly a little more “slip” for loading and unloading. Anyone have any thoughts or insights?

I have thought about composite also. I have some concerns with the main one is friction leaving scuff marks. if the boat is fiberglass. Loading wont be so bad as it most likely be lubricated upon loading but as the water dries out going down the road that is a lot of friction created between two similar objects going down the road. Carpet gives a bit of cushion with air trapped in . Plus any dirt or sand gets caught in between 2 semi hard surfaces there will be some grinding going on.
Another concern composite does not seem that strong. I dont know how strong a 2×4 is but I know that composite decking snaps pretty easy.

For me I like the the fact the carpet has a bit of grab power it helps me control when the boat comes off and helps the boat stay on the trailer when loading.

Aluminum or Glass? If glass, I’d carpet the bunk – wood or composite.

-J.

may be off topic but….Do be aware of icing with composite if you fish winter. Even carpet will get icy but do make sure you leave the bow hooked till in the water in winter especially with the comp bunks.

I’d be worried about scuffing if using composite with a fiberglass boat.

I think I’d stick with good old treated. Remember, if using AC2 green treated, all fasteners need to be rated for use with AC2 as well. The new treating chemicals in the wood treatment will corrode fasteners that aren’t of the correct composition.

Grouse

If your boat is aluminum i would also not use ac2 even wrapped with carpet it can and will corrode aluminum. If your carpeting go with marine grade or the best grade pine with plenty of poly on it before you carpet. I redid my bunks on my old boat this spring with pine and polyed them then used 1/2″ plastic used for concrete forms on top. I have no problem sliding the boat off without the bunks being wet now. If you have a riveted boat you might want to look at boat slicks and their warning to not use them on a riveted boat

I would go with 2×6 treated wood. Cabela’s sells carpet made just for bunks. I did mine last year work great. I used stainless staples and marine grade carpet glue.

http://www.cabelas.com/guide-ons-bunks-trailer-bunk-carpet-1.shtml