Entending trailer bunks

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rjbachmann
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2007 8:20 am

Entending trailer bunks

Post by rjbachmann »

I am currently restoring my 1965 18' Thompson by Chris Craft. In the process, I am also re-working the trailer bunks. I am planning on extending them to the transom, but have a concern about the unsupported portion of the bunk. There will be approximately 23" of bunk past the last bracket. Is this a reasonable concern? If so, I would appreciate the collective expert advice on how to support the bunk.

Thanks in advance
txcaptdan
Posts: 348
Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2006 2:48 pm
Location: Weatherford, Texas
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Post by txcaptdan »

You should have trailer bunks that extend past transom so that transom is always supported. Keel can rest on rollers but transoms should always have a base support.
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Dan Stober
1965 20' Cruisers Inc. 570 Seacamper
1962 20' Cruisers Inc. 502
1963 16' Cruisers Inc. 202 Seafarer
Weatherford, Texas
John Hart
Posts: 208
Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2006 7:26 pm

Post by John Hart »

Does your boat extend 2 feet past that last trailer cross member?.... Can you add brackets to what you have already...

My transom is about flush with the last trailer member.. I added a bunch of extra brackets to support additional bunks..

John.

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rjbachmann
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2007 8:20 am

Post by rjbachmann »

Yes, the boat extends about 23" beyond the last vertical bunk bracket. So I extended the bunk the same distance, so all of the transom would be supported. However that last 23" (of bunk ) is not supported. I thought about a diagonal support from the end of the trailer to the end of the bunk. Do you think this last 23" needs to have a support under it?
Phill Blank
Posts: 412
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2006 4:20 pm
Location: Hurley, Wisconsin

Post by Phill Blank »

rjbachmann,

Yes you need to gat some type of structural support for the 23" beyond the last support. The ransom is carrying the weight of the motor and if the last 23" are not supports somehow in time the bunk, unless it is made of steel "C" channel or has a steel "L" angle that will support the boat and mottor weight backing it up, will tend to bow downward due to the weight and the hull can hog.

Look at the way the supports are on John trailer above and work out something like you see there.

Good Luck,

Phill
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