Should I raise my bunks?

[crayfd]

I have a '12 LSV on an EZ Loader trailer. My boat sits super close to wheel well. It is close enough that it has hit the wheel well and chipped the boat when loading on a bad weather day. I fell like if I had 2 more inches it would help a lot.

1 - Should I raise it?

2 - If I raise it, how would it affect the bow roller position?

3 - Should I use some sort of spacer under the bunks, or just run a second 2 x "whatever" under the current bunks?

Am I missing any other concerns with raising the bunks?

[oldjeep]

Question - don't the wheelwells have carpeted boards on them?

[crayfd]

Yes, on the inside. The top is diamond plate. I will try and get some pics.

[CumminsBu]

You might be putting you trailer in too deep when loading. The tops of the fenders should have about an inch out of the water.

[Fman]

I have a '12 LSV on an EZ Loader trailer. My boat sits super close to wheel well. It is close enough that it has hit the wheel well and chipped the boat when loading on a bad weather day. I fell like if I had 2 more inches it would help a lot.

1 - Should I raise it?

2 - If I raise it, how would it affect the bow roller position?

3 - Should I use some sort of spacer under the bunks, or just run a second 2 x "whatever" under the current bunks?

Am I missing any other concerns with raising the bunks?

If you raise the bunks you might have issues with the front bow eye not aligning properly with the roller when cranking it down. My boat sits 2-3" below and in-between the fenders and I have not had any issues with boat hitting the fenders when pulling out. As CumminsBu mentioned you might be going to deep when loading. What I do is initially have fenders just under water, once boat is on front bunks I then back down the vehicle a couple more feet to be able to crank on the trailer. I would also like to see some pictures of your setup.

[crayfd]

I have to go deeper. The lake I go to had a shallower ramp... That being said, I just purchased the boat and the chip on the boat was already there. (I just assumed that is what happened.). Either way it is really close to the fender, is that normal? Pics coming..

[oldjeep]

I have to go deeper. The lake I go to had a shallower ramp... That being said, I just purchased the boat and the chip on the boat was already there. (I just assumed that is what happened.). Either way it is really close to the fender, is that normal? Pics coming..

It is normal that the boat is very close to the fender. I can't stick a finger between the boat and carpet on mine.

[crayfd]

http://rs1072.pbsrc.com/albums/w371/crayfd/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20141111_214158_zpshemarns0.jpg~320x480

[crayfd]

http://rs1072.pbsrc.com/albums/w371/crayfd/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20141111_203853nopm_zpsledpeqfz.jpg~320x480

[crayfd]

http://rs1072.pbsrc.com/albums/w371/crayfd/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150501_093040_zpslguda1l8.jpg~320x480

[crayfd]

http://rs1072.pbsrc.com/albums/w371/crayfd/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150501_092938_zps1jganvuu.jpg~320x480

[wakinvol]

Based on the pics I would say yes...OR an alternative although not an easy one would be to have the fenders lowered. Unfortunately it looks like they are welded so it would be more labor intensive. I couldn't handle my boat striking the fenders like that.

On second look maybe raise the carpeted part ever so slightly to create a buffer between the two. That might be the simplest fix

Edited May 1, 2015 by wakinvol

[WakingMeHappy]

How about adding another set of guide poles on the fender.

[Fman]

After looking at the pics I would not mess around with it, one recommendation would be to pull the boat out of the water slowly. The front keel will drop first into the bunks and align the back automatically. If you come out too fast you could run the risk of the front not aligning quickly enough and causing the transom to shift and then possibly hitting the fender on the way down. I have seen people pull there boats out ridiculously fast before, not sure why they do it but nothing really good can happen from it.

[crayfd]

After reading and seeing a lot of pictures of boats on trailers, I think I am going to leave it as is for this year and see how it goes. I will start by loading with the trailer not so deep and crank it up, then back in further if need be. Thank you all for the replies.

[Punyelroo]

Can't you just move the guards out a bit ? There is usually a fair bit of slop in the bolts ....

I've done it before [emoji16]

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Edited May 3, 2015 by Punyelroo

[macdaddy]

I had the same issue with my 247. I lowered my fenders a strong inch. No more problems. I would do that instead of raising the bunks.