Bunk Bolts

[I_squared_r]

I changed the bunk bolts on my trailer. There was partially threaded bolts that allowed the bunk bolts to rotate a little. I replaced them with fully threaded so the bunks dont rotate, but now the boat sometimes doesn't sit straight on the trailer and it will straighten itself after driving. Sometimes I have to put the trailer back in the water to straighten it out. Well, I just looked under the trailer and some of the bolts had loosened despite the lock washers. I'm likely going to replace them with partially threaded bolts like it had. Anyone else had this issue?

 

[Brad_Ct]

Sounds like you bunk boards need to be replaced if the lag bolts won’t stay tight.

 

[I_squared_r]

Sounds like you bunk boards need to be replaced if the lag bolts won’t stay tight.

Not the lag bolts. Its the bunk brackets that come loose

 

[diehard]

just double nut them so you can leave them loose enough to move

 

[I_squared_r]

just double nut them so you can leave them loose enough to move

Good idea thanks. Thats what I ended up doing with blue loctite. A lot easier than changing the bolts. I'm thinking that it will be easier to load the boat now

 

[drewkaree]

I'm having a hard time picturing what you're talking about - are you talking about the bolts that connect the brackets to the trailer, or the bolts that attach the bunk boards to the brackets?

 

[I_squared_r]

I'm having a hard time picturing what you're talking about - are you talking about the bolts that connect the brackets to the trailer, or the bolts that attach the bunk boards to the brackets?

The brackets to the trailer. The original bolts aren't threaded 100% so the bunks can rotate a little when the bolts are tightened. The original bolts were looking really bad after 8 years of salt water so I replaced them with fully threaded bolts with lock washers and then the bunks wouldn't rotate. But I found all 4 are loose after 3+ trips to the boat launch. My guess is that the bunks tend to rotate and it loosens the bolts.

The best solution was to hand tighten the bolts and then double nut them so the brackets can freely rotate.

I think the free rotating bunk brackets help the boat settle to the center when loading it. Because after I tightened those brackets, the boat would almost always sit on the strake and the boat wouldn't sit level. I would have to back the boat into the water and try again a few times. Or lose my patience and drive until the boat settles into the correct place.

 

[Brad_Ct]

Not the lag bolts. Its the bunk brackets that come loose

Okay, my brackets are welded to the trailer.

 

[adrianp89]

The brackets to the trailer. The original bolts aren't threaded 100% so the bunks can rotate a little when the bolts are tightened. The original bolts were looking really bad after 8 years of salt water so I replaced them with fully threaded bolts with lock washers and then the bunks wouldn't rotate. But I found all 4 are loose after 3+ trips to the boat launch. My guess is that the bunks tend to rotate and it loosens the bolts.

The best solution was to hand tighten the bolts and then double nut them so the brackets can freely rotate.

I think the free rotating bunk brackets help the boat settle to the center when loading it. Because after I tightened those brackets, the boat would almost always sit on the strake and the boat wouldn't sit level. I would have to back the boat into the water and try again a few times. Or lose my patience and drive until the boat settles into the correct place.

Driving over a curb seems to help my boat settle in the right place

 

[scokill]

Mine are welded.

 

[scokill]

Driving over a curb seems to help my boat settle in the right place

Or slamming on the brakes! Who hasn't done that when they came up a little short on the roller and didn't want to go back in the water?

 

[adrianp89]

Or slamming on the brakes! Who hasn't done that when they came up a little short on the roller and didn't want to go back in the water?

I always slam the brakes just to get it it all the way up on the roller.

 

[I_squared_r]

I always slam the brakes just to get it it all the way up on the roller.

I did that once and I think that I sent it a little too hard because everyone stopped to look at me. Now I just winch it up as hard as I can.

I double nut the bolts with loctite and its been fine. I think the boat sits better and they haven't loosened up. I check often, at least until the natural salt water loctite gets in there.