[JohnZ202]

Thought I'd share this ... One of my trailer bunks came partially off during launch. Discovered that the lag bolts were rusted beyond recognition (galvanized). Emergency fix was, of course, duct tape. Bought 5/16"x 1 1/2" stainless lags and washers and went under to replace all of them (boat on the trailer). Backed out the old ones with vise grips (not fun) and spun the new ones in. Of course there wasn't enough 'meat' left in the bunk for a secure connection. Rather than drill new holes in the brackets, I wet down the existing holes, put a glob of gorilla glue on the ends of the new lags and gently wound them in. The glue is moisture activated and foams during the curing process. Next day I crawled underneath to test the strength of the repair and couldn't break them loose with a standard 3/8 ratchet handle. Glue claims to be waterproof after curing. Half dozen dunks later still going strong.

Might want to have a look under your bunks and change out the lags before they get too rusted.

[WetWilly]

That's great advice JohnZ202!

So many of us remember the hubs but we forget to check the rest of the trailer every season for the dreaded rust and corrosion..... so get out there and check all those fasteners, including the axle mounting hardware, the frame, the lights and wiring, the winch post and brakes too (they go in the drink every time you launch and retrieve..
(which is why I go with galvanized trailers, not as pretty, but last a lot longer especially around saltwater)

Glad you caught those bolts before they completely failed, especially if it had been while towing, otherwise, that could have turned into an expensive lesson!

WetWilly

[otisroy]

Let us know how the SS lags hold up. I covered new treated lumber and replaced all my bunks last month but being from a small town I had to settle for using galvanized hardware as SS wasn't easy to come by. I had planned to use SS staples but after talking to Taylor Marine in Albuquerque I opted for galvanized. They said they don't use SS on the trailers they build because they said the carpet will rot off before the staples rust through. They tend to overbuild a bit so I'll take their word for it.

An aside to this was my brother-in-law shaking his head because my 18' boat has six bunks plus the two panels on the inside of the fender. His 22.5' Bayliner sits on two bunks.

-Chris

[mfitz62]

I am always a day late. I just replaced the bolts on my trailer bunks yesterday, after one of them fell off in the driveway, and read this today. Well my fix wasn't intended to be permanent but yours sounds like it is. Back out there next week to use Gorilla glue.

Thanks for the post.

[JohnZ202]

Chris,

They are using a new formula to pressure treat wood and it will eat galvanized for lunch. When building decks you have to use stainless or a fastener with a special coating. I'd do the same as you with staples but swap to SS lags on the bunks. You can easily see the condition of the bunk carpet but the bunk lags are out of sight, out of mind.

John

[mikeyt]

Originally Posted by otisroy

An aside to this was my brother-in-law shaking his head because my 18' boat has six bunks plus the two panels on the inside of the fender. His 22.5' Bayliner sits on two bunks.

-Chris

Bayliners are better off left sitting on the ground.....

[94z190talari]

Originally Posted by mikeyt

Bayliners are better off left sitting on the ground.....

[otisroy]

Thanks for the good advice John. I'm in Albuquerque this weekend so I'll pick up some 3/8" SS lags this weekend and swap them out. I'll add a squirt of Gorilla Glue to them before I thread them in for extra insurance.

[LHC Kirby]

I have a couple of loose ones I found the other day while doing some winter work on the boat - this sounds like a quick easy fix.....Thanks