If you are going for functional convenience or need to change your trailer bunk carpets quickly on a budget, changing your trailer bunk carpets in your driveway with your boat still on the trailer is possible.
During storage, loading, and unloading of your boat, the hull of your boat will most likely be cushioned by something known as bunks. These bunks are usually wooden planks that are covered with carpeting. Even though the carpet is resistant to mildew and mold, it will eventually wear out and need to be replaced. This means that at some time in the future, you will be responsible for replacing the carpet that is found on the bunks of your trailer.
Change Your Boat Trailer Bunk Carpets
Changing the bunk carpeting on your boat trailer has the potential to be a walk in the park or a serious pain in the neck. It is also possible it could be on the far more affordable side.
What You Need To Change Trailer Bunk Carpets
You will need the following components to replace your trailer bunk carpets in your driveway:
- Trailer bunk carpet – SeaSense is a nice brand and has great quality material.
- Medium sandpaper.
- A decent staple gun with half inch marine grade stainless steel staples.
- Needle nose pliers.
- A utility knife.
- A tape measure.
When You Can't Offload Your Boat
The most ideal scenario involves taking your boat to a marina or the closest boat ramp along with the supplies for changing your boat trailer bunk carpets, launching the boat, and then replacing the carpets using a trailer that is convenient to access.
On the other hand, you probably don't live in close proximity to the water, and parking lots near boat ramps are known for being overcrowded almost all of the time. In addition to that, what happens if you run out of staples, forget a tool, or hit a snag in the process or need some additional material to finish the job?
Change Trailer Bunk Carpets In Your Driveway
Let's say you're going to be the only person working on this project and you want to replace the carpet on your trailer bunks in your driveway. We're also going to assume that you want to wrap the new trailer bunk carpets over the current carpets. This is something that some folks do not like to do, but if the previous trailer bunk carpets are thin and you take some time to trim and clean them up, the end result can provide some more padding for your boat.
If you have a boat that weighs 5,000 pounds or less and is of a medium size, it should not be difficult to lift it off the bunks far enough to change the carpets. However, the trailer must be placed on a surface that is entirely level and stable.
To elevate each side of your boat using weight that is distributed evenly, use a jack that is positioned beneath a piece of 2×4 that is around 2 feet long to lift your boat near your trailer wheels. Lifting the boat one side at a time just a few inches should be enough to slip each trailer bunk carpet roll over the length of the bunk. Slide the new carpet from front to back and then looping downward. You will be able to lower the side of your boat after the carpets have been properly positioned.
You can now slip under your trailer and fold your new bunk carpets inward on the underside of the bunk and fasten them with your staple gun by sliding under the trailer and using it.
Overview
- Yes, you can change your trailer bunk carpets in your driveway while your boat is still on the trailer.
- Changing your trailer bunk carpets in your driveway is useful if you want to save money or need to change bunk carpets quickly.
- It's best to take your boat to a marina or the closest boat ramp with the supplies you need to change the bunk carpets on your trailer, launch the boat, and then change the carpets using a completely accessible trailer.
- If your boat is medium-sized and weighs less than 5,000 pounds, it shouldn't be hard to lift it off the bunks far enough to change the carpets.
- Changing your trailer bunk carpets with your boat still on the trailer should only be attempted on a completely stable and level surface.
