Synthetic bunk covers

[hwhayes]

Need advice on trailer bunk covers.
The carpeted bunk covers on our FloatOn trailer have been discovered by squirrels and they have chewed the fabric. I suspect that even with my rinsing the trailer with SaltAway there is still some residual salt that attracts them.
We presently keep our boat in a freshwater covered slip and store the trailer outside. Occasional trips to the coast using the trailer, hence the salt exposure.
So I wonder if anyone has replaced their bunk carpet with one of the synthetic products like Gatorbac covers? More expensive than new fabric but maybe more resistant to critters?
Thanks

 

[Alpina]

Not sure if resistant to fritters but works nice as they help the boat slide but are not super rigid like the harder plastic variants. Expensive but I’m happy so far.


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[hwhayes]

Thanks for the input.
Based upon cost I think I will try fabric replacement this time.
If critters decide they like non salted fabric then I may go with synthetic next time.
As always TugNuts it the best source of advice.
Thanks again!

 

[S@LTD]

I installed Gatorbaks (will be 4 years this Jan). Sor far holding up well. Bunk carpets simply are not an option for us as it’s not unusual for us to launch and load 2-3 times some weeks during the season. With our boat the carpet would literally start to show spots wearing through after 6-8 times. I will never go back to carpet and in fact put Gatorbaks on my ski Nautique as well.

It’s a bit of a job to do it right as I replaced all the wood at the same time. For our CW add a bit of liquid roller 1-2x a year and it really helps with driving the boat right up to the winch post. Because our Ski Nautique is much lighter no liquid roller is needed. Pics in our album.

 

[bob daily]

Hwhayes, I replaced my bunks and covered with Gatorbaks. What a difference it made to load and offload, no more sanding and stuffing the bottom paint, easier to eliminate evasive marine growth as required by our game department, and less dry-rot due to wet carpet. I don't mind doing a job but if I'm going to do something I want to do it right and not have to redo in a few years. I also replaced the original lumber with treated lumber to last longer.
Just my thoughts! Bob

 

[hwhayes]

Based upon the responses I may rethink and take a look at Gatorbak again.
Regarding instillation. Several reviews I read about Gatorbak mentioned the attaching screws being inadequate or not enough. What was your experience? And, any tips or tricks regarding instillation?
Thanks so much for the additional feedback.

 

[bob daily]

I had more than enough hardware for installation. When you cut to fit the length will change depending on temperature! I cut mine one afternoon and let lay on the bunks to straighten out the next morning they were a 1 inch too short! By mid day they were just right and by late afternoon at 100 degrees they were about a inch too long, since installation (screwed down) have not noticed any of that.
Hope this helps. Bob

 

[S@LTD]

I recall being short a few screws and just grabbed another box at the store. Given the weight of our boat I wanted extras in anyway. Over the almost 4 years I had one head shear off on the front bunk. To me that’s pretty impressive.

I did not run into the shrinking or stretching issue Bob experienced. Perhaps it was because the temperature was just right :lol: