Adjusting Bunk on EZ Loader Triple Axle Trailer

[Bosn Mate]

I had to remove one of the long (15' length) bunks to replace the carpet. It is obvious that the bunk has changed its pitch.

When the boat is floated back on the trailer, will the bunk adjust itself to the hull contour? Should I ensure that the bracket that is bolted to the bunk and attached to the trailer frame moves freely?

Appreciate any info!!!!!!

 

[scross]

When you removed the bunk, did you move or loosen the bracket that connects the bunk to the trailer frame? Hopefully not. If not, the bunk should rotate along it’s length to line up with the hull. If the bolts connecting the bunk to the bracket are left slightly loose to allow for that rotation that is.

If you moved the brackets between the bunks and the frame themselves you have a much bigger issue.

On our trailer the bolts holding the bunks to the brackets are slightly loose and the bunks automatically rotate, if necessary, or to align with the hull every time we recover the boat back onto the trailer.

 

[tugnnaweigh]

I took a triple axle trailer from a R29 to a R25 and now back to the R29 which was an change to the width of the bumpers and even though I couldn't change the angle of the bumpers by hand or moderate leverage the hulls of the different boats easily imposed their will on said bumpers.

 

[Red Raven]

When you removed the bunk, did you move or loosen the bracket that connects the bunk to the trailer frame? Hopefully not. If not, the bunk should rotate along it’s length to line up with the hull. If the bolts connecting the bunk to the bracket are left slightly loose to allow for that rotation that is.

If you moved the brackets between the bunks and the frame themselves you have a much bigger issue.

On our trailer the bolts holding the bunks to the brackets are slightly loose and the bunks automatically rotate, if necessary, or to align with the hull every time we recover the boat back onto the trailer.

Hi Al,

Thanks for posting this! It just may be the solution to my problem posted on the other thread on single handed launching and retrieval. In that thread I described how my bottom paint gets scraped off because of the angle of the bunks doesn’t match the angle of the boat at the point of initial contact. It matches after the boat is pulled up to the bow roller. If the bunks would rotate to match the contour of the boat I don’t think this would happen. My bunks are fixed tight. I considered loosening them a bit but was not sure if this would be OK. I thought it would put more stress on the bolts and the nuts might possibly vibrate off.

It sounds like you have not had a problem leaving them a bit loose. Do you add an additional nut to lock them together an not let them loosen further?

Curt

 

[scross]

Curt,
The nylon lock nut on the bolt connecting the bunk angle bracket to the bunk support channel going to the frame is torgued at 20 ft/pounds. Loose enough to allow for bunk rotation but tight enough to not vibrate loose. No lock washers.

 

[Red Raven]

Thanks Al, I will adjust mine to the same.

Curt

 

[scross]

I should add that those bunk bolts have about 6 threads showing past the nylon lock but. Makes it easy to see if it’s starting to come loose. On my airplane, the accepted standard is 3 threads sticking out clear of the nylon lock nut. Never had one come loose!

 

[Irish Mist]

When I first got my trailer, I waited for the boat yard to slow down and I had them position the boat over the bunks and adjusted them to fit. I also adjusted the position of the boat to get the tongue weight I wanted.. Money well spent in my mind.

 

[Matty]

fully agree. I did that with previous boat. They recommend we bring it back after several weeks so that most of our personal stuff would be onboard and help to get the adjustment just right.

 

[Bosn Mate]

Thanks for all the info!

Scross - I only removed the bolts that attached the bunk to the angle bracket.

I spoke to an EZ Loader rep today who advised that the angle bracket bolts should be snug but not so tight that it prevents some movement.

 

[scross]

I think your description of snug but not so tight as to prevent movement is about 20 ft pounds of torque. No lock washers and nylon insert nuts will keep things good!

 

[YukonRon]

Last time we pulled our boat out we had problems getting it settled properly, then realized that one of the forward bunks had flipped, and we were resting on the bunk on edge. So I was planning to tighten up the bolts so it won't swivel. My thinking was, once the boat is on and the bunks are positioned for my hull, they should not need to move and why risk having one flip again?
Now I'm re-thinking. Am I wrong on this? Do the bunks need to swivel to change angle each time as the boat moves up and settles onto the trailer?

 

[scross]

When we were having the final fitting of our boat on to our new Tuff Trailer in 2015, I had about four hours to ask questions of the owners and staff while they were working. I had been writing down questions for six weeks prior to that which is when we placed our order. I asked a lot of questions and learned a lot about aluminum boat trailers in that four hours!
Tuff advertises, “Four adjustable pivoting carpeted bunks” as a feature of their trailers. It is my understanding that the pivoting feature is especially important for the forward bunks where the hull rests while being winched forward during retrieval. After numerous launches and retrieves we have one small black spot on the upper rear corner of the left forward bunk where it has rubbed the bottom paint. All the rest of the bunk’s light gray carpeting looks like brand new. I saw no marks from the bunks on the hull’s bottom paint at all when the boat was on jacks last fall.

 

[YukonRon]

We also have the Tuff Trailer.
I thought the swivelling bunks were there so it would conform to different hull shapes no matter what boat you put on it. Once it is set up and dedicated to my boat, I didn't think I needing the swivel feature anymore.
We do try to float the boat as far onto the trailer as possible and minimize dragging over the bunks. However maybe I'll still leave them loose enough to swivel and just keep a close eye on it for now.
That's what I like about this forum; I continue to learn things here I otherwise wouldn't have thought of.

 

[quinsky]

Ive had the bunks fold completely inboard when hauling out on a ramp that dropped off on one side. No damage to hull but I had to relaunch and straighten the bunks. It happened again even after tightening them so I keep them as tight as possible.

 

[tugnnaweigh]

I’m a bit conflicted here, I’ve always felt bunks were supposed to be immobile; that they take the shape of the hull and hold it. But someone mentioned how the angle of where they contact the hull changes as the boat moves forward or back and I think that’s an important point.

I bought a trailer that had been hauling an R29 and adjusted the bunks to carry an R25. To do this I parked the empty trailers side by side and made a bunch of comparison measurements. Ultimately it was much less adjustment than you would think especially in the rear bunk setting, only like around a two inch movement on each in adjusting the width.

Although the bunks wouldn't rotate by any force I could bring to bear on them they did rotate as I had the boat transferred between trailers using a lift and this is why I used a lift. I kept an eye on the bunks to be sure they were going to rotate and kept an ear on them for any symptoms of them taking damage, failing or damaging the hull or bottom paint.

Someone mentioned the nylon washers used in the pivot point assembly and I think that's the key. The washers are in place to provide friction and prevent the assembly rusting into one piece which would prevent the slight rotation needed at each launch and recovery.

So now I think of bunkers themselves as a very very sturdy piece of wood well capable of holding the load distributed along its length with the ability to twist a bit creating that firm embrace to the hull.

The nylon washers themselves allow friction bound movement while preventing rust immobilization which gives bunks a much more active role in the launch and retrieve than I realized, this clearly by design.

 

[William Thomas]

I had same issue, so I tightened mine as well. Has worked well now for two years.

 

[Bosn Mate]

Following up to my initial post.

Today, Tingira came out of the water via travel lift. The lift operator held her lightly on the trailer while I checked positions of the bunks. I was able to make quick adjustments on a few bunk angle bolts to ensure correct fit. Tightened up and I was on my way!!!