Opinion: best trailer for 226 seafarer... Bunk or rollers?

[onnoff]

I'm looking at a new trailer... the seller has both, same size and same price. Don't know which one is better. I can post pix if requested but both have a little rust.

does Grady recommend one over the other? Or has anyone heard horror stories about either?

Thanks all.

 

[Parthery]

Re: Opinion: best trailer for 226 seafarer... Bunk or roller

GW is fine with either one...

Depending on the tidal conditions at the ramps you will be using, one may be more advantageous.

I am selling a 3 month old bunk trailer (custom) that is set up for any of the 22' Grady hulls....I have a thru-hull and fairing block that is hitting the bunk. Either the trailer has to be modified with a V crossmember or the fairing block has to come out and the bottom of the boat has to be patched. I'm going to replace the trailer with one that already has V Crossmembers.

Link to my ad here in case you are interested: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=23176

 

[seasick]

Re: Opinion: best trailer for 226 seafarer... Bunk or roller

I'm looking at a new trailer... the seller has both, same size and same price. Don't know which one is better. I can post pix if requested but both have a little rust.

does Grady recommend one over the other? Or has anyone heard horror stories about either?

Thanks all.

Grady officially is OK with roller or bunk trailers. Some manufactures will void the warranty if rollers are used.
Rollers have an edge when using a ramp in shallow water. Bunks are often easier to set up initially and can be easier to haul a vessel. As mentioned, clearances have to be checked. Make sure if you go roller, that you size correctly both for length and for weight. You pretty much can't have too many rollers. My experience is that initial adjusting load on a bunk trailer is easier than a roller. At the same time, rollers offer more fine tuning and potentially better weight distribution

One word of caution: Steel trailers rot from the inside out and it is hard to tell until something breaks. Rust on springs, some bolts and fittings is normal and can start quite quickly even on a new trailer. Rust areas on the main rails and/or cross members might mean deeper issues. Bring along a small hammer and tap the metal to listed for bad areas. Internal corrosion will often occur first where water pools after use.
I have a roller trailer and it offers some advantages since I have been the one who scrapes and paints the hull. Rollers let me get to more of the hull to paint and when I have reached what I can, I slide the hull back a foot to paint the areas under the rollers. You can't do that on bunks. That said, I am getting too old to continue painting my hull

 

[Neyland]

Re: Opinion: best trailer for 226 seafarer... Bunk or roller

I just had a new trailer built for our Islander and went with bunks. We don't see many rollers around here. Normally you can tell a transplant by the roller trailer.

When the current or tide is moving across the launch, the bunks help align the boat for recovery. But, I can see where weight distribution may be better on rollers.

Ours was an aluminum single beam trailer with aluminum bunks and non skid rubber covers, LED lights, and Kodiak disk brakes. I've been real happy with the trailer and it was made locally. I'll PM you their information if you just want something to compare against. I'm not affiliated with them in any way.

 

[gradywhite248]

Re: Opinion: best trailer for 226 seafarer... Bunk or roller

Bunk by far for me. More support across the entire boat not just in spots. Just finish figuring out myself

 

[family affair]

Re: Opinion: best trailer for 226 seafarer... Bunk or roller

I've owned both. I wouldn't take a roller trailer if you gave it to me, unless I had specific needs as already mentioned. With steep/deep ramps in my neck of the woods, I can unload in the time it takes me to back up. Loading is maybe 2 minutes longer and my feet never get wet.

 

[seasick]

Re: Opinion: best trailer for 226 seafarer... Bunk or roller

I've owned both. I wouldn't take a roller trailer if you gave it to me, unless I had specific needs as already mentioned. With steep/deep ramps in my neck of the woods, I can unload in the time it takes me to back up. Loading is maybe 2 minutes longer and my feet never get wet.

Yup. Agreed on steep ramps and deeper water but on not so deep ramps like at my club, the boats often make it 75% onto the trailer and then the winch has to be used to finish loading the boat. With bunks, it can be impossible to winch the boat up. Having that option makes out window for hauling a bit longer, maybe an hour or two on either side of the high tide (depending on hull draft)
Regardless of what type, having the proper sized trailer and having it set up correctly is important. I often see boats on roller trailers where some rollers are not touching anything or are pressing into the sides instead of being under the load. The set up of bunks is a bit easier.

My advice is look to see what the other folks are using at the ramps you will use. Ask them how they feel about their trailers and if you decide on rollers, make sure the hull is OK for them.
Enjoy and good luck