Trailer dealers that ship??

[chumbucket]

I've had both roller and bunk trailers over the years. Roller trailers are definately nice for the ease of loading and launching, but a heck of a lot more maintenance and cost over bunks. Anything much bigger than a V20, I'd probably go roller. btw; I don't know about youz guys, but I've always had to dunk my trailers the same amount wether roller or bunk. With a bunk trailer, I've found that you back them in until the fender is sticking out of the water approximately 3" and you're good to go every time. Every boat is slightly different though and after a few trips you'll soon learn the sweet spot. Then mark the front of the fender or upright guide posts with reflective tape at the waterline. That way, if you're with someone else and they back down the trailer for you, just tell them to back it down to the tape line. The reflective tape will help out at night for the darkness fishing trips. Most of the local ramps around here do not allow power loading, but if there's no one on duty, I'll periodically do it just to save time. Just drive it up on to within 12" or so, leave it in forward gear with slight power, go up and hook the strap, shut it down, then winch the last little bit. ;)

[reelapeelin]

Don't allow power loading?... ???...CB, tell me it ain't so... ::)...that's the ONLY way boats get loaded down here... :)...

[Mac_Attack]

I ramp I use up here allows power loading. *CB I like the idea of using reflective tape. *Thanks! *Bill Mc ;D

[chumbucket]

Most around here that are staffed with a town or Harbormaster personnel don't allow it. It eventually erodes the sand at the end of the ramp, then people end up getting their trailer stuck at low tides. ::)

I've never used a bunk trailer, but I'm pretty confident that rollers won't do much damage. Been sitting on the trailer for 20 winters (that's mid oct-early june, and a foot or two of snow on the tarp) without any noticable damage. On power loadings, I'd just recommend that you don't pretend you're James Bond. I once watched a smart man get confused about his identity, misjudge the current, and ended up parking his boat next to his truck on dry concrete ramp. I think the trick is to keep it under 30 mph.

[willy]

Under 30 mph :o :o :o :o :o :o Oh My ;D

[macojoe]

I have had both, and I have had the some of the worse $hit trailers you see on he road!!

I love my brand new Load-rite!! I think it depends were and how your water is, on what trailer you use.

If you have a small tide change and a flat ramp then bunks work great.
Here on Cape Cod the Tide on the N side can be as mauch as 15 feet different!! Which leaves you on a step ramp with not much water atlow tide.
I see guys with bunks that have to sit and wait 2 hours for the tide to get there boats in.

They really hate it when I back down with all my rollers and just drive it on, lock and load and I am gone!!

I love rollers and would have nothing else! The scary thing for me is that just a small incline my boat wants to fly off the trailer!! I have almost lost it on the ramp before!
Now I wait till I am at the water before anything gets unhooked.
right CB!! :o

[willy]

You got that right MJ Saw a guy drop his newer Angler CC right on the concrete ramp, did not sound or look good, I was already in sitting on the side dock waiting to go and BANG. The guys told me he used his power winch to pull it right back on but it had major grinding of hull :(

[reelapeelin]

LONG time ago, I went fishin' w/a PRO-BASS ANGLER...by the end of the day, he was so drunk, when I backed his trailer down (w/my '74 Riviera), I looked up in the mirror and saw him comin' at the trailer so fast, his bow went sideways PAST the winch-stand and stopped 1/2'' from the trunk of my car...never went w/him again... ::)...

[willy]

Did you have some dampness in the pantess