It's about time to replace the bunks on my trailer. I was thinking about using trex or some other synthetic wood instead of marine grade lumber and carpet. Has anyone tried this? Pros and cons?
Replacing trailer bunks with trex
- Thread starter Chesapique
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- Dec 30, 2009
- 680
Ches, I am a carpenter and have been using these composite products for years. The marine uses are very good as they are unaffected by water, no rot. The only problem I have had with these products is they don't seem to hold a fastener as well as wood, and u need to use special adhesives. Best way here would be a ss 1/4" thru bolt with washers and nut. Short screws for the carpet wrapped around the back side, with small washers should be fine.
There are plastic covers that can go over the bunk boards which you should find in west marine or a trailer place
So . . . it seems like using composite lumber, bolted down, combined with EZ glide or some other plastic covers might be a good way to go.
Can you find composites in 2x6 or 2x8? Seems like most of it is for decking and only come in 1x6 form.
Can you find composites in 2x6 or 2x8? Seems like most of it is for decking and only come in 1x6 form.
I Gave Up on the Idea
I do not think the stuff is stiff enough. It is going to flex and you will end up with the boat being supported only under the bunk brackets. I just replaced mine with pt lumber. I happened to be at Lowes when they were pulling out the culs and picked up two pieces for .50 cents each. Yeah they were warped and twisted but they have to warp and twist to go on the trailer so it worked out well.
I do not think the stuff is stiff enough. It is going to flex and you will end up with the boat being supported only under the bunk brackets. I just replaced mine with pt lumber. I happened to be at Lowes when they were pulling out the culs and picked up two pieces for .50 cents each. Yeah they were warped and twisted but they have to warp and twist to go on the trailer so it worked out well.
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Most of this composite decking requires that it is supported every 24". If you were using wood lumber it can span 36"-48".
Just something to think about.
Just something to think about.
Composite decking requires 12" centers due to flex. Wood decking (5/4") should be 18" and if you use 2x6 dimensional lumber you can get by with 24".
You can buy composite dimensional lumber (2x4, 2x6, etc) from some lumber yards and all deck suppliers. Haven't seen it at the box stores.
When I did the trim on my boat I read up on the brands offered at HD and Lowes and found that the wood that is used in the "composite" lumber is pulp wood, the kind of leftover crap that is used to make paper and has a tendency to mold and weaken the lumber when, not if, it rots out. I went with a straight PVC product.
That said, I'd use PT lumber for trailer bunks with the plastic caps Crazy Dave recommends.
When I did the trim on my boat I read up on the brands offered at HD and Lowes and found that the wood that is used in the "composite" lumber is pulp wood, the kind of leftover crap that is used to make paper and has a tendency to mold and weaken the lumber when, not if, it rots out. I went with a straight PVC product.
That said, I'd use PT lumber for trailer bunks with the plastic caps Crazy Dave recommends.
- Dec 30, 2009
- 680
Ches, I don't trailer, how long r these boards, between supports, aren't they several short like 2' pieces. First I would stay away from all the stuff at box stores.Even the composite they use called trex, is far inferior to say timbertech composite decking. For all the 5/4" decking in NJ, composite or PT 16" on center is fine, if you r installing in a diagonal pattern, u would go 12" on center. I have never seen a 2x4, 6, or 8" dimensional product in azek or any other composite material in any of the 5 or 6 lumber yards I frequent. Its 3/4" or 5/4", some of the fascia,s are 1/2"... Red
It's a ways to drive but Southern Pine Lumber in Rockledge FL. carries some plastic dimensional lumber and can order whatever they don't stock. The dock places can order it down here too.
The manufacuters websites generally list distributors.
The manufacuters websites generally list distributors.
All of the composite materials I've seen are much more expensive than similar sized wood. I've had the same pressure treated boards on mine for 18 years. Unless I'm missing something, composite seems to be a little over-kill.
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