Can Dutton-Lainson # DL21754 Roller Bunks Be Used Without Bunk Boards

Updated 04/09/2016 | Published 04/07/2016

Question:

I have a trailer for my PWC that is currently on 5foot long 2x4 wooden bunks with carpet. These bunks are quite old and Im looking at possibly just getting rid of them all together. I am wondering if there is any disadvantages of using the DL21754 with out wooden bunks and just using them with the brackets instead? Thank you !

asked by: Jon

Expert Reply:

In order to achieve their 2500 lb weight capacity, the Dutton-Lainson # DL21754 roller bunks need to be installed to the narrow edge of a 2 x 4 piece of lumber. If the roller assemblies aren't mounted to boards, the weight capacity would be unknown. Granted, a PWC isn't likely to weigh more than 1000 lbs, probably less but because the rollers weren't tested without bunk boards it would be impossible to say how much their capacity would be reduced.

I'd recommend simply replacing the bunk boards and mounting the rollers. When I had my PWCs, I installed the rollers to the bunks, and it worked very well. I used untreated southern yellow pine, cut them to length and installed the rollers assemblies while at home. I took the PWCs to the river, put them in and replaced the bunks in about 30 minutes in the parking lot while some friends were running the PWCs around in the water. The install couldn't have been easier.

expert reply by: Mike L