Rollers or bunk, glass bottom?

[SpearRib]

Are glass bottom RIBs ok on roller trailers?

[Poly]

Yes - probably the norm in the UK.

[SpearRib]

mine seem to be well laid out not hitting strakes, but they dont seem to support any weight as such, all the weight appears to be on the keel rollers, most wbobbly ones i can turn (just), so if the boat weight moves they do stop the boat falling off etc but they arent supporting any weight like i imagine bunks do.

[BogMonster]

I have a trailer with keel rollers and bunks and the bunks aren't that effective at supporting weight. I'm about to change it for an all-roller trailer with no keel rollers, which is what I should have got in the first place.

[SpearRib]

Why no keel rollers?

Seems there is so many weighs to do trailers.

If I had an ally floor I prob wouldnt worry so much about wobbly rollers leaving imprint on the glass.

Im going to try and do some research on how to set a trailer up and try to get the wobblies set up a bit better

[SpearRib]

Ive got 4 sets of wobble, 2 each side and 3 centre rollers.

How do I distribute the weight?

[SpearRib]

Are carpet bunks bad for fiberglass bottoms? Thats what originally came with the trailer I think. Considering going back to that as the wobble rollers are troublesome to set up. I realise with bigger ribs rollers are pribably better.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by SpearRib

Are carpet bunks bad for fiberglass bottoms?

No. Somepeople don't like carpet as it can trap sand / grit etc and thus scratch the bottom - but GRP is no worse than any other for this. Never noticed it myself, so maybe depends on where you launch etc. possibly worse if you are trying to "slide on/off" the bunks.

Thats what originally came with the trailer I think. Considering going back to that as the wobble rollers are troublesome to set up. I realise with bigger ribs rollers are pribably better.

Generally you need to go deeper to launch with a bunk than a roller as it has to float off. I think in the time it takes to swap back to bunks and set them up, you could have set up the rollers right - once done its done.

[ShinyShoe]

I'm sure I've also seen people woried about wet carpet staying wet in contact with gel for Ling periods promoting osmosis. Not sure there is any evidence for that...

...clearly people leave GRP boats in water all year round so I'm not sure it would be top of my stress list...

[beamishken]

I think it's a matter of opinion with trailers I've used loads over the years right up to 3500kgs & more & I'd take a properly set up keel rollers & bunks trailer any day over a full roller trailer
Weight is sat on the strongest part of the hull (keel) & bunks stop it rocking from side to side.
Very little to go wrong, no rollers to pop off there axles & no point loading on the flat areas of the hull & a Generaly higher payload as the trailer is lighter which can be a massive issue if your rig is close to 750kg or 3500kg

[Simon666]

I am just about to convert my bunk trailer to rollers.

I agree that bunk trailers are more stable when towing, but my problem is that every local slipway has such a gradual gradient i have to get the trailer so deep only the winch is out the water before she floats off.

Recovering the boat is equally as challenging. I have scratched my hull trying to get her lined up on the bunks.
And recovering requires a 30m length of rope to pull her up the slip.

My plan is to use the new rollers to self align the hull, but leave the keel rollers in place to try to spread the weight 50/50 between the keel rollers and the new hull rollers.

[SpearRib]

Ok so I got 2 sets of rollers each side and 3 keel rollers.

Ill try to lower the keel roller as the back as I cant raise the wobble rollers there (just how its set up). Ill try to jack the wobble rollers in the centre slightly so they cant be turned by hand. Currently if it lists the woblle rollers take no weight whatsoever.