How to replace the double decker of the trailer.

Most marine trailers use double decking to support the hull during towing and storage. In fact, many boats spend much more time on wooden paving than in water, so these boards should be checked regularly for excessive wear or damage to the wood.

Broken or falling bunks can cause loss of support, which affects the balance of the trailer and exposes the hull to metal beams, axles, bunk supports, and other structures that may scratch or pierce the boat.

If you see signs of damage to the bunk, please replace it as soon as possible. For berths that have been in use for more than a few years, please replace them at the same time. The process is simple, but you need to unload the boat from the trailer to unload the old bunks and install the new bunks.

Read the next article: How to reconnect your boat trailer

One method is to build replacement bunks first, then tow the boat to the launch ramp, pull the boat off the trailer, and then tie it up (if allowed) when replacing the old bunks with new bunks in the parking lot.

Completion time: approx. 1 hour per shop

• Replacement of general-purpose construction timber for old shops (2 x 4 USD per 8 feet, 9.18 USD, lowes.com)

• Marine double-layer carpet for double-layered panels ($64 per roll of black carpet 18 feet 18 inches wide, erailer.com)

• 11/2" long x 5/16" diameter lag screws and washers (for 2×4, 2×6, and 2×8 boards)

• Wood sealant ($11.98 per gallon Olympic Water Guard, homedepot.com)

• Staple gun and 1/2 inch stainless steel staples

• Heavy-duty scissors (trim double-layer carpets)

• Electric drill and 9/64 inch drill bit

• Saw (cut the wood board to the required length)

• Sharpie marker (used to mark the position of the pilot hole)

Make sure the board is 2×4, 2×6, etc. Please remember that the size of 2×4 is 1 1/2×3 1/2 inches, and the size of 2×-six is ​​1 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches ,So on and so forth. Measure the length and pick up the wood at the home improvement center, making sure that each wood is as straight and authentic as possible. I like ordinary mahogany, southern yellow pine or Douglas fir construction wood. Some shops will cut planks to a certain length, or you can use a skill chainsaw or sharp hand saw to trim them into squares.

Applying one or two coats of water sealant to the boards can help extend the life of trailer bunks by minimizing soaked wood and eventual decay, especially because bunk carpets and other coverings tend to absorb moisture next to the wood. Using a product such as Olympic Waterguard transparent wood sealant, apply two layers of coating to the entire board within two days to ensure coverage and good sealing. Let the sealant on the wood completely dry before proceeding to the next step, which requires covering the wood.

Most double-layer berths are covered with marine polyester double-layer carpets, which are available in various widths, roll lengths and colors through marine retailers. This anti-corrosion and mildew-proof covering provides cushioning for the hull while also allowing the boat to slip off the trailer. Use tight gift wrap folds and 1/2 inch long stainless steel staples to cut the carpet to the length required to cover the board. Only bind the bottom and ends, leaving a smooth, staple-free surface on the top where the hull meets the bunk.

Other DIY overlay kits available for double-layer boards include Gatorbak synthetic overlays of various lengths, widths, and colors, some of which have LED lights on the bottom (boatingmag.com/story/how-to/installing-illuminated-boat-trailer- bunks). The kit starts at $43.46. The EZ slip pad (ironwoodpacific.com) is made of polyethylene, up to 10 feet long, and can be fixed to bare wood or carpet. The kit starts at $29.95. Both of these two alternating double-layer coverings have higher durability than carpets.

After unloading the boat from the trailer, remove the fasteners from the old bunk and measure the distance between each mounting hole and the end of the bunk. Measure and mark these points on the back center of the new bunk, and drill a 9/64 inch pilot hole at each location. Do not drill through the top of the bed. Squeeze the silicone sealant into each hole, then place the bunk in an appropriate position on the bracket, and insert the lag screw (the size is indicated in the supply list) into the board to fix the bunk.

You can use carriage bolts to fix the double-layer board with bolts. They must be installed before you spread the double carpet. Drill a hole of appropriate size at the position that matches the mounting hole of the bunk, and then mill a shallow groove on the top of the bunk. Insert the carriage bolt from the top, and use a small hammer to hit the bolt head down, so that the square shoulder of the bolt is in place and make sure that the head is lower than the surface of the wood. Now spread the carpet on the board. When installing, please use flat washers, lock washers and nuts to fix the bed.

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