trailer bunk carpet

[2000epic]

well my trailer's carpet is wearing thin and it's time for some new.  I had the boat off the trailer yesterday and was meaning to take some measurements but I spaced it.  Anyone that has done this remember how much material they bought? any tips for installation?

[sailtl]

              http://www.bunkaps.com/
This is what I used on my trailer 3 years ago and they still look brand new. If you need bunk measurements let me know and I will measure up mine. But mine is a single axle and an Epic 21. I changed out the wood at the same time also.

[2000epic]

thanks for the link.  Those look pretty slick, literally and figuratively!

[6t8amxetc]

Hey sailtl, just curious how you are liking these bunkaps? Do they seem to scratch up the hull at all? What kind of wood did you use? I was thinking outdoor wood or treated next time? Thanks for any info...Ty

[sailtl]

Bunkcaps are holding up very well. I do not have scratches in the hull from the bunkcaps. I used treated lumber when I replaced the wood. I have been happy with the product. I ski in a muddy river and had more issues with scratches from the boat rubbing against the carpet than I do with the bunkcaps.

[cyclone]

I got a tip for ya, PAY SOMEONE. It really sucks to replace the carpet on the bunks!!!!  I did it, I used marine carpet from Lowes, can't remember how much but I think I bought it 60" wide and the length of the longest bunk. It was 60$ or so in materials. I second the bunkaps, I'd do that. Plus, Terry prolly has 100k miles on his trailer, and puts in and out more than any 50 members of this site, so I'll always take his recommendation concerning trailer stuff:)

[bmccalla]

For the one axle trailer I have for the 2000 Epic 21, I bought the black outdoor carpet at Lowes also - 120" long. I used treated lumber - 2 2x6 that were 8 ft long and 2 2x4 that were 120" long. I had Lowes cut 6 inches off the 2x4s so they ended up 114" inches long. This matches what was on the trailer. I bought galvanized 1.5" long hex screws (Lowes 67321) to replace the originals but after one bunk, I think I'll go to the 2" galvanized hex screws because with the 1/2 aluminum spacers I have on every mounting point, the 1.5" don't bite much in the wood. I used rustproof T50 staples ($16 at Lowes) in my cheapo PowerPro stapler to hold the carpet down and it worked pretty well. I suggest using a decent pair of Kitchen shears to cut the carpet to avoid strings.

One other tip - If your Lowes still has Gatorade 15 packs left near the entrance, buy this, but pull the $10 off $50 purchase card to use toward buying your stuff on the same receipt, so you get a free case of Gatorade. If you plan to spend $100, it may be worth getting those 10% coupons from Lowes or Home Depot (Lowes will honor 10% Home Depot coupons) from ebay for $2 or so.

[sailtl]

Cyclone peaked my interest about trailer time so I started doing the math about trailer time. The best I can figure is between 40k-50k trailering the 99 Epic 21 with 1,146 hours. I have put the boat in the water  off the trailer between 400 - 500 times over 8 years.
I have never had a trailer failure other than a cut tire from a launch ramp on a private lake. I have a yearly maintenance schedule that I do and I think this is what has saved my ass during the years.
Every spring for 5 years is a 1,000 mile journey to Dale Hollow Lake from NW OH and the rest of the time is to different lakes in SE Michigan and of course home base of the Maumee River at 2 different locations.
Lots of memories and lots of great times with great people.
Thanks Pete for jarring my memories.

[epic_toy]

Terry,

Curious about the annual maintenance you perform on your trailer?

Thanks!

[sailtl]

Every fall new wheel seals, remove bearings, clean hubs, inspect pads and calipers for any seal problems, repack bearings and reassemble with fresh grease, bleed brakes 1/2 pint min. Wheels torqued to 85-95 lbs and tires to 65lbs or max pressure as indicated on tire. I also try to wash & wax the trailer.
In the spring before the Dale Hollow trip check springs, tire pressure, recheck wheel torque and 2 pumps of grease per wheel into hub. New tires every 7 years weather they look bad or not. Of course light check every time the trailer is hooked up, Every 3 weeks wheel torque check and 2 pumps of grease per wheel and tire pressure check. Since I ski in a muddy river I go to the car wash once a month and get the dirt off the trailer. I always wait a min of 10 minutes before I launch the boat after trailering to allow the hubs to cool down some.
Maybe overkill but it works for me.

[cyclone]

That's awesome Terry, I know I've put about the same amount of hours on two Epics, and trailered a lot. My current trailer has been dragged from Kenmore, Wash. to Dallas, back to Kirkland, Wash. and then to Atlanta. It's been to Dale Hollow once:)

I decided to tear down the bearings and seals this year, they still look perfect. I can't find the correct grease seals locally, 32372. Not the same numbers as the trailer docs. I have a 2001 tandem V drive ameritrail. Anyone know a cross reference? I figure that Napa or Autozone might have a cross.

Sorry, thread hijack over.  Still say bunkaps

[lilfoo2225]

i got my seals at autozone. or you can get them here http://www.dhmtrailers.com/online/home.php

[brad]

See Bearing Replacement Maintenance Document:

Replacement Parts
5 lug trailer:
2 - Spindo Spring Seals - 233-168-SP2-1
2 - Spindo Spring Seals - 58846C
4 - Inner Bearing - 68149
4 - Inner Race or Cup - 68110
4 - Outer Race of Cup - 44610
4 - Outer Bearing - 44649

Available at Henderson Parts, 333 North State, Orem, UT 84057, 801 229-2333, 888 586-8774
Full Set - $80.81 plus tax 3/16/2007