Trailer skids ?????New question (how to)

Bobby Ray · 03-20-2003, 05:37 PM

Hey there everyone,

I want to replace the skids on my trailer and I was hoping to get some opinions on materials, maybe that recycled stuff

. The boat I have is a flat bottom and glassed over so maybe something slick would work best.

any suggestions.

New Question: What's the best way to attach the UHMW to the skids

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks in advanced
Bobby

[ 03-22-2003, 10:24 AM: Message edited by: big n bright ]

nerta · 03-20-2003, 05:41 PM

[img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img] The new fake wood boards used on decks. They are made from recycled material but look like 2x6's. These work great.

1pump · 03-20-2003, 05:59 PM

I've seen a lot of newer trailers that have aluminum channel for bunks, with UHMW on top. Looks like it would last a lifetime.

ampersat · 03-20-2003, 06:01 PM

those recycled boards will warp on you in a few seasons, if not sooner. a lot of the trailers i see these days have aluminum bunks clad with UHMW. you have to be careful not to dump your boat on the ramp or elsewhere. UHMW is really slick stuff.

love2fish · 03-20-2003, 07:03 PM

I'm looking for new skids too, where do you get the aluminum bunks and UHMW? Also, what is UHMW?

thanks,
love2fish

salmonking · 03-20-2003, 07:12 PM

I agree with Amp on this one. Just replace the original equipment format. Use marine grade carpet on the bunks. You can drive up, and launch without worry that your boat will dump off prematurely on the ramp. (It happens) That new material is great, but oh so slippery.
Good luck

1pump · 03-20-2003, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Also, what is UHMW?

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">UHMW is just a hard, slick plastic like you'd see for a cutting board. Pretty easy to work with, since you can cut it with ordinary woodwoorking tools. Most of the airboats in AK have bottoms that are entirely UHMW.
I think there's some issues about the way UHMW reacts with some hull materials or paint. I don't know much about it, so somebody else might want to chime in here.

Fish Hawg · 03-20-2003, 08:33 PM

uhmw stands for ultra high molecular weight, stuff is slick. but my ? is how do you keep it from warping in the heat and cold we had problems with this stuff on the farm machines,

Quick fisher

Mojo · 03-20-2003, 08:44 PM

Go with UHMW bunks, but remember to leave the safety chain and winch strap hooked up when you are backing down the ramp! Bad deal to have your boat laying on the ramp!

crabbait · 03-20-2003, 09:00 PM

I heard that UHMW on trailer bunks tends to "polish" the area it touches repeatedly, eventually wearing through the aluminum. :shocked:

I have also heard that the recycled 2X6 stuff works real well.

I think I would replace with pressure treated 2X6s and outdoor carpeting just to be safe (although the recyled plastic 2X6s should not have any "grain" and should only "cup".

Spoiled Daddy · 03-21-2003, 04:55 AM

In the last couple of years, I have seen 2 boats slide off their trailers at the So. Beach Marina ramp. In both cases, their owners had just put on UHMW on the bunks and did not expect it to be as slick as it was. :shocked: It is great stuff, but you have to remember to keep the boat secured to the trailer until you get to the water, in particular if the ramp is steep.

Good luck! SD

Smj · 03-21-2003, 05:29 AM

When I recarpeted the bunks on my old trailer I went to Home Depot AND Fishermans to compare the outdoor carpet to the socalled marine carpet for about 3 times the price. I decided to use the out door carpet and it worked great. I had it on the bunks for about three years before I sold it and it was holding up fine.

Smj

NETONE · 03-21-2003, 05:30 AM

I in fact just completed refinishing my trailer 3 months ago...It was the older Alumaweld Steel Typw, I sand blasted to bare metal, epoxy paint, new lights, new wiring ...and new bunks..I use new 2x6, treated, marine carpet, then used 3/8" thick UHMW, I used SST Hardware on all connections, countersink all holding holes, then used marine seal to cover over all the heads to protect....Also remover those old wood style side guides at rub up agaist the side of the boat, and fab & welded the chime style. I was able to get all the UHMW at Port Plastic, they also are the suppliers for the side guide 90 deg 3/8" think for Rouge trailers...

Slugranch · 03-21-2003, 06:58 AM

I found UHMW pieces and planks in ebay,,just go to machinist's materials s***** and mats. Have also seen the stuff sold in strips in Cabela's Marine catalog. Is is super slick stuff. Ditto on keeping the boat fastened to the trailer when backing down the ramp. Tap Plastics in Tigard has it and will cut to your dimensions.

Slugranch · 03-21-2003, 07:13 AM

Ebay,,,,Under metalworking tools, raw material and scrap

Bobby Ray · 03-21-2003, 01:25 PM

Thanks everyone

I'm not trying to drop my boat on the ramp so I think I'll stick with the outdoor carpet.

Thanks again
Bobby

SnoSldr · 03-21-2003, 03:48 PM

Does anyone have a local source for sheets of this stuff? (Portland)

03-21-2003, 04:49 PM

Be careful. UHMW needs support the entire length of the bunk, where covered wood typically only needs support on the ends of each bunk. No duh to some, but just in case someone trys to replace end only supports and did not think about it.

Mine were carpet. When they eventually dry rotted and broke in the middle, found one piece plastic bunk sleeves to cover the wood. Top and sides of each bunk are covered in heavy duty plastics skid material, but the bottom of the wood is exposed to drain and dry.

King Trailer will send you the sleeve kit. (No, no the sleeves are good. The trailer stinks, but the sleeve kit for wood bunks is just fine. :smile: ).

Rick

[ 03-21-2003, 05:59 PM: Message edited by: ****** ]

Great White Sturgeon Hunter · 03-21-2003, 07:35 PM

I've got the UHMW skids on my Trailer, and love them. I have a Duckworth custom trailer. Had the skids put on and the trailer body sprayed with Rino Coat, to protect it.
I never un-latch my strap or safety chain until the stern of the boat is in the water. So I don't worry aboat dry docking

my boat. The skids do make it nice getting my 21 ft. duckworth on and off the trailer.
i do get a kick out of people launching, trailering their boats, and backing the trailers at the boat launches. Great stuff for home funniest videos. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

joliver · 03-21-2003, 07:58 PM

I have enough UHMW to do one trailer and I am interested in getting rid of it. It is really easy to work with. The material I have is black 1/2 thick in a sheet around 3' x 4'. If anyone on this thread is interested drop me an email. I will put this on the for sale board later.

Green Machine · 03-22-2003, 07:11 AM

Just replaced my bunks. They were carpeted 2x6's with carpet. The carpet was starting to rip and I personally don't like carpet because it is too sticky. I used Trex composite decking for the bunks and topped it with UHMW. Should last a life time. One thing with Trex, it needs to be supported alot more than wood. I had to run a metal stringer to take out the sag. Personal preference, I like UHMW because you can launch anywhere, even in low water conditions. Just depends if you want the quick release or the more methodical approach. :smile:

Green Machine

Bobby Ray · 03-22-2003, 09:26 AM

New Question: What's the best way to attach the UHMW to the skids?

Thanks again

Bobby

[ 03-22-2003, 10:28 AM: Message edited by: big n bright ]

Captn · 03-22-2003, 10:25 AM

I have a 21' Jet sled with UHMW over the 2X10 bunks. The UHMW was the full width and length of the bunks.
The problem was/is that when the boat is off the traylor, the sun heats up the sheets and they buckle, and over time will come out of what ever is holding them down.
Solution is use the UHMW in shorter lengths, with an inch or so between pieces. That is the way Calelas is selling the kits. The expanson should not be a problem then.
I am in the process of replacing my old UHMW bunks with good outdoor carpeting, both work just fine, the carpeting is just less work (maybe).

Lepper · 03-22-2003, 10:55 AM

This is probably a little late, but I would seriously look at

www.championtrailers.com

lots of stuff at a decent price and they are very willing to work with you if somethign doestn' work out just right.

dave

1pump · 03-22-2003, 03:14 PM

Quote:

I am in the process of replacing my old UHMW bunks with good outdoor carpeting, both work just fine, the carpeting is just less work (maybe).

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">I've done both UHMW and carpet replacement more than once, and the carpet is a far bigger hassle, IMHO. That is if you want to do a nice, pretty job.
I've used bunk slides by Power Madd. They're pretty good and they come in wild colors. They also have grooves in them so water can drain out and they won't trap gravel, sand, or mud. Other than that, there's no difference between them and buying sheets of UHMW at a plastics place.
All ya gotta do to install them is pre-drill and countersink for stainless steel screws. If you're switching to aluminum bunks, this will be a little more involved.

[ 03-22-2003, 04:17 PM: Message edited by: 1pump ]