How to Replace Boat Trailer Bunks

Replacing your boat trailer bunks should be performed every few years. Keeping those outdoor carpets covered with 2-by-4 or 2-by-6's will prevent the underside of your watercraft from being damaged when loading or transporting the boat. By following a basic procedure this task can be performed in a couple of hours once the boat is removed from the trailer.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Empty boat trailer Tape measure 2-by-4 or 2-by-6 treated lumber Circular saw Outdoors carpet Utility knife Spray adhesive glue Staple gun Socket set Electric drill Drill bit diameter of bolts or lag screws used to secure bunk Bolts or lag screws

1. Remove the boat from the trailer. You can possibly have a friend tie the boat to their dock or rent a space at a public dock for the weekend.

2. Measure the size of the bunks that need replacing. Generally, trailer bunks are constructed from treated 2-by-4 or 2-by-6's. Measure the length and transfer that measurement to the correct sized board.

3. Cut the board to the proper length using the circular saw. Lay the 2 bys on a flat surface so you can perform the carpet layout on the board.

4. Lay the outdoors carpet under the board and wrap the board tightly with the carpet. Leave approximately 3 inches of overhang on the ends of the board. This will be used for wrapping the carpet over the bunk boards.

5. Cut the carpet to the correct width and recheck the fit where the ends of the carpet will match each other end to end. The matching seam should be on the elevation side of the board, not the top or bottom of the bunk. It will be easier to stretch and staple where the carpet has more room to maneuver into position.

6. Refit the carpet over the board, do not cut the overlapping ends for the boards at this time.

7. Remove the carpet from the board and lay the carpet flat, upside down, on a solid surface. Spray both the underside of the carpet and the boards surface with the glue.

8. Fit the carpet to the board once the glue is cured to a tacky feel. Follow the glue manufacture's instructions as some glues may have to be applied differently.

9. Staple the carpet to the board along the mating seams. Allow the glue to fully cure. Depending on the type of glue, this may take approximately 1 to 2 hours.

10. Remove the old bunks from the trailer while the glue is drying and measure the holes for either the bolts or lag screws that hold the bunk to the trailer.

11. Transfer this measurement to the new bunks.

12. Drill the bolt holes in the new bunks using the electric drill and the correct sized drill bit.

13. Cut and fit the end pieces of the overlapping carpet with the end of the boards. You can cut an easy one-sided flap and glue the carpet to the end of the board.

14. Use the staple gun and attach along the seams of the carpet with a few staples.

15. Attach the new bunks to the trailer with the new hardware.

Tips & Warnings

• Carpet remnants are an inexpensive way to go for the outdoors carpet. You can color match the carpet with the color of the trailer or boat.

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