New trailer bunks

[Bakes5]

Time to get new bunks. The carpet is trashed and one of them has mushrooms growing out of it. My local shop says they can do them for ~30 bucks a pop. They said just lag them in. Sound like a reasonable plan? Just want to make sure I attach them properly.

Later

Bakes

[Jason B]

I have always had trouble with the lag bolts backing out. Every single bolt, every single bunk, every single time. i'm redoing mine this year with TREX wood (or whatever that plastic wood is called) and I WILL NOT be lag bolting them! Through bolts only for this kid from now on.

[Joeprunc]

It will probably cost you $40 or $50 just for materials for two (2" x 6"), so having it done for $60 for bunks isn't bad at all.

My old lag bolts didn't back out at all, but after replacing the bunks last year, they are now all backing out a bit...luckly I countersunk one per bunk, so I know they aren't going anywhere.

[petrey10]

yeah thats a pretty good deal... weird how the lag bolts keep backing out... I need to redo my trailer sometime this year and I was going to use the lag bolts.... maybe not now... How far are you counter sinking the bolt heads??

[helmut]

I through bolted mine and was not much more difficult. I stapled on one side drilled the holes bolted it on then did the other side. To me worth it to know it wont back out.

[Waterski-Rebel]

$30 each is a killer deal!! The carpet cost $20 a roll, and that's without the wood, or the hardware.

[Jason B]

I have 8 bunk boards. I can do it with TREXX (plastic wood) cheaper than $240.

[Nobody]

I have 8 bunk boards. I can do it with TREXX (plastic wood) cheaper than $240.

CAUTION!

Trex does not have the structural strength, is NOT intended for load bearing anything. When used on decking, it must be supported every 16" for 2". If it gives out (and it will) as your going down the road, the risers will rip into your hull and you've saving nothing.

The BEST way is to get marine grade #1 timber at your local deck and dock supplier. The lumber at Lowes and HD is truly #3 though they say it's #2. Let it dry out, then seal it. Then get 20 oz marine carpet, not 16 ounce. Secure it with stainless ribbed nails. Fill your lag holes with exterior grade sealant before installing lag.

[Nobody]

hmmm...if true, that is great information. Thanks!

Don't feel bad....I had the same idea.

My trailer is made with 4 x 6 center cut cypress timber. The lags bolts don't back out because of the wood density / quality.

1.5" (#3 grade) boards from HD simple won't do the job. It's junk lumber. Another element to think about with box store timber is the PT quality. They did away with Chromated Copper Arsenate (aka CCA - Chormated Copper Arsenate - aka The good stuff). CCA is still used for marine grade timber at higher saturation levels (.40 and .60 pcf) than residential wood (.25 pcf).

Either way, get a true 2" piece of high quality wood and you won't have loose lag bolt problems. If you use cypress, you have to use center cut. The price difference is about 20% at most, well worth the frustration savings.

[jwanck11]

I used HD PT wood (2X6) with SS carriage bolts, flat and lock washers and have not had any issues.

[Krunchytaco]

Where do you find the 20 oz carpet?

[Nobody]

Where do you find the 20 oz carpet?

http://marinecarpeting.com/boat-trai...x-12-each.html

http://www.cabelas.com/p-0013644015197a.shtml

http://www.k-gripadhesives.com/PONTOON/carpet.html

[Krunchytaco]

THX. Great tip!