Can 4 Foot Bunks be Used in Place of 3 Foot Bunks on a Boat Trailer

Updated 09/27/2016 | Published 09/26/2016

Products Featured in This Question

CE Smith Carpeted Bunk Boards for Boat Trailers - 3' Long - 1 Pair

(751)

$66.02

CE Smith Carpeted Bunk Boards for Boat Trailers - 4' Long - 1 Pair

(751)

$71.23

Question:

I have an 18inch boat trailer with 3foot pivoting bunks that holds a 16foot aluminum trout boat. Im having trouble getting the boat to load up properly in part because of the pivoting bunks. Im thinking about upgrading to 4foot bunks and was wondering if those would work with a pivoting trailer. Also, I hate pivoting bunks.

asked by: Becca

Expert Reply:

You generally see pivoting bunks on boat trailers instead of fixed ones so that they can move a little to better fit against the boat. If you go to fixed bunks using # CE27800 then you have to make sure they are installed in the right positions to make the most contact with the boat so that it sits properly on the trailer. Pivoting bunks can move some with the boat so it doesn't have to be exactly perfect to have the maximum contact with the hull.

Your bunks may just need some adjustment, or maybe they excessively pivot and I can see how that could be a pain to deal with. More to the point though you could use 4 foot long bunks such as # CE27810 or any length provided they will work with the boat and in your case do not interfere with a pivoting trailer. You just have to look at see if the extra foot in length would interfere with anything on the trailer.

expert reply by: Michael H