Side centering bunks on CW and Ranger boattrailers

[William Thomas]

I currently have side bunks on my trailer to center the boat when loading onto the trailer. Really helpful in winding conditions. Noticed that most CW/Ranger trailers do not have side bunks. Do the thrusters work that well in windy loading conditions? Thinking of buying a CW 28 and wondering if I should add the side bunks.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Wm Thomas

 

[Osprey]

Thrusters are of limited use in windy conditions. If used during mounting a trailer caution would be required as the bow lifter out of the water. Operation of a "dry" thruster for more than a moment to two can damage the thruster. Side centering bunks would be useful.

 

[knotflying]

I have a Float On trailer with the high extended PVC pipes at the rear. It makes the rear of the trailer visible when submerged, guides the boat on to the trailer center and the boat settles in on center all the way to bow as I motor up. The side bunks will do the same. However they may be in the way when washing and waxing.

 

[tugnnaweigh]

As noted above, thrusters provide what they can best when there's no other forces acting on the boat. We put the boat on the trailer with the wife driving and me waiting at the trailer. The goal here is to try settling the approach in a straight line and rudder neutral from a ways out. Corrections just prior to arrival at the rear of the trailer hopefully can be done with thrusters avoiding the stern swing out inherent in rudder use.

The first movement up the trailer should result in the bow entering and being well held by the front bunkers with the strap being attached at this point to prevent any rearward movement. Then you'll need to give the wheel some input prior to powering the rest of the way on the trailer to prevent the the stern moving sideways due to the torque of the power being sent thought the propeller.

I've used both side centering bunks and poles at the rear of other trailers and they were helpful; I'm just wondering if here they could be built sturdily enough to stop vessels of this size and would the trailer itself have the wherewithal to remain stationary?

 

[scross]

Just remember that trailers are typically built to be 8'6" wide. The self-centering bunks can easily exceed this limit if they are placed high in the hull. Unfortunately, if they are placed low on the hull they are not effective. A set of self centering bunks can easily put you at 9 ft plus in width if they are high in the hull.
Some law enforcement folks are very aware of this. I have easily removable PVC poles on the back of my trailer.