aluminum boat - trailer question

[cricker]

i just got a 16' aluminum boat that came with a bunk trailer, i called around a little to get a price for a roller trailer and was told rollers aren't recommended for alluminums because they dont support the boat as well and put strain on the rivets, does anyone have any input on this... thanks

[Salty Dog]

You were told correct .Riding over bumps ,with rollers ,will actually put dents in the boat at the rollers .With bunks ,the weight is distributed the full length ,rather than any one given area .Big thing to remember is the mid-boat strap ,that raps around the boat and trailer as well ,to keep it secure ,when riding over those bumps .

[Reckless]

  Aluminum also stretches. Having small contact points like rollers over time I could see a problem.

[Pops Soul]

If your worried about getting the boat on and off easier try these, I have them on my bunk trailer for my 14ft aluminum boat and they really save my back on some of the shallow water ramps I use.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Boating/Boating-Trailer-Accessories/Other-Trailer-Accessories%7C/pc/104794380/c/104781780/sc/104473980/E-Z-Slide-Trailer-Pads/737191.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fother-trailer-accessories%2F_%2FN-1100658%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104473980%3FWTz_l%3DUnknown%253Bcat104794380%253Bcat104781780&WTz_l=Unknown%3Bcat104794380%3Bcat104781780%3Bcat104473980

[Hunter 2]

Also some guys use some kind of Lube on the Bunk carpet to lesson the friction while docking on the trailer.   Astroglide or something like that.

[Hunter 2]

Found it..

[cricker]

thanks for the input, im mostly worried about  having to submerge the trailer in saltwater to get the boat on and off each time and some of the ramps i launch out of are pretty gnarly and im worried about gettin stuck, im gonna give those silicone bunk covers a try and make some boards to back onto for when im goin to the muddier ramps

[Maritime Matt]

As said, bunks are the way to go for tin boats. Make sure the bunks are covered with carpet. I have seen issues of corrosion where pressure treated wood made contact with the aluminum.
As well, if a boat is set up correctly on a bunk trailer, it will roll off nice and easy. Keel rollers of the Stoltz brand are the best out there and well worth the money. Buy them once and never replace them again. Accept no substitute. The boat should rest on the keel rollers with the bunks just offering the slightest support. Obviously this works best for v-hulls with some kind of keel. Flat bottoms may be different.