Wouldn’t it be great if you could find something more long-lasting and durable than a carpet for your boat trailer bunk?
Owning a boat trailer has its toll; replacing bunk carpets is one of them. Since carpet is a soft material, it starts tearing up shortly.
But replacing it is not an easy task. That’s why many people are going for the alternative of bunk carpets. Here- in this write-up,
I’ll show you some of the best alternatives to carpets that will last longer, and you won’t have to take the hassle of frequent replacing.
Trailer Bunk Carpet Substitutes For Your Boat Trailer
Here is a list of those alternatives I am about to talk about:
- Surfix Slicks
- Gatorbak
- Caliber Wraps
- TACO Marine Premium Trailer Glyde Slicks
- Attwood Trailer Bunk Padding
- Trailer Glyde Slicks
A boat trailer is a must-have thing for people owning boats. You need it for launching your boat, carrying, retrieving, and even storing it.
But it needs regular maintenance; you will have to change its bunk carpet quite often.
So, here are some alternatives that do not require frequent replacement and generally last longer than carpets. So, let’s dive deeper and learn about them.
Also Read: HDPE And StarBoard Trailer Bunks.
- Surfix Slicks
Surfix Slicks is one of the most widely used alternatives to trailer bunk carpets.
Because it’s easy to glide on, people have taken an interest in this bunk strip. All its edges that meet with your boat are rounded.
The glides are made from 0.45 inches thick marine-grade solid polymer.
Its smooth and flat surface distributes your boat’s weight evenly.
You can directly apply it to the bunk hardwood or attach it to your old carpet. Besides, you can easily cut this product using regular tools.
Surfix has no hidden hollow spots. On top of that, Surfix protects your wooden trailer bunk from sunlight, harsh weather, and seawater. So, both your bunk and bunk carpet will last longer than you anticipate.
- Gatorbak
Gatorbak is a synthetic bunk cover that works excellently as a replacement for carpets.
It offers a soft cushioning while hulling your boat.
This product has many good features. Because of its deep ribs- water, salt, and debris easily flush away, keeping the cover and bunk safe.
Its synthetic compound has a thick and soft construction. As a result, the cushioning retains for a long time.
Besides, it’s a non-permanent marking and 100% virgin material. With anti-microbial protection, you won’t have to worry about any bacteria or fungal attacks.
On top of that, the Gatorbak bunk cover is UV-resistant. All these features make it a great alternative for bunk carpets.
- Caliber Wraps
If you want a permanent solution against your old and shaggy carpeted bunk, Caliber wraps can be a pretty good alternative. It simply eliminates the need of changing carpet each year.
That’s why people are using it in great numbers. It’s an innovative product and good for both your boat and the environment.
Caliber BunkWrap does not allow the invasive species to spread. You can attach it directly over your bunk hardwood. But do not install it over carpets. It has fewer strains on arms, ropes, and bow eyes.
Plus, it reduces the electrolysis breakdown of aluminum.
But this bunk cover is only compatible with raw aluminum boats, watercraft boats, and pontoon trailers. So, you can’t apply it for trailers that carry fiberglass, gel-coated, or painted aluminum boats.
- TACO Marine Premium Trailer Glyde Slicks
You can apply Taco Marine Premium trailer Glyde Slicks to your bare bunk hardwood or on the old carpet.
It evenly distributes the weight of your boat and will help you load and launch your boat without any trouble.
Its design allows you to load any boat be it wood, aluminum, or fiberglass.
The Trailer Glyde Slicks helps eliminate friction between your boat’s bottom and the runners.
As a result, you can easily load and unload your boats. Its evenly distributing feature makes the trailer easier to carry your boat.
You will get stainless steel screws and necessary installation instructions with this product. However, it can only take loads up to 2,000 pounds. So, do not use it for heavier boats.
- Attwood Trailer Bunk Padding
This is another example of a pretty good alternative for trailer bunk carpets. It is weather-resistant and polypropylene marine-graded carpet material that can cover the trailer bunks as well as the rails.
Because of its soft surface, you can easily load, carry, and launch your boat without any scratches or damage.
Besides, it’s very easy to install. This charcoal color padding has an acrylic back that offers a good grip on the trailer bunk surface. Attwood trailer bunk padding is very durable and requires less maintenance. They come as 12-foot-long rolls. Plus, the width is 12 inches.
- Trailer Glyde Slicks
This is another bunk carpet alternative from Taco Marine. But these slicks are only suitable for boats that weigh 600 pounds or less.
It comes with anti-friction additives, which will help a boat glide into the water without scratches, damage, or marring.
These 24 inches strips are available for 12 inches and 16 inches boats. They are corrosion-resistant and durable. Most importantly, it will carry your boat safely and securely.
Is Trailer Bunk Carpet Worth It?
Trailer bunk carpets are soft and deliver comfortable cushioning while carrying your boat. One of the most important features of carpets is that you can carry any boat on them.
So, you won’t have to worry about whether it’s a wooden boat or aluminum.
These carpets generally come in 12 inches and 24 inches width options. They protect the bunks quite well. However, most carpets require frequent replacement.
You have to replace them almost every year. But changing these carpets is pretty easy. So, still, it’s a pretty good choice for trailer bunks.
Also Read: Substitutes For Coosa Board.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
The boat trailer, more preciously, the trailer bunk needs to be sturdy so that it can bare the load of your boat. The strongest and best material for trailer bunks is pressure-treated pine wood. Apart from that, oak, cypress, other woods, composite boards, etc., are also pretty good.
Trailer bunks are made from either hardwood or composite wood materials. But you need to cover them well so that your boat does not get any scratches. As a general rule, people use carpets for covering the bunks. You can also use alternatives like polypropylene carpet material, Surfix, etc.
There are two ways to fasten the carpet on trailer bunks. You can either glue them or staple them. Glue offers a tight and secure seal between the wood and the carpet. On the other hand, staples keep some space so that the wood does not tear up.
Generally, a trailer bunk carpet should be 12 inches to the very least for 2 by 4 bunks and 16 inches for 2 by 6 bunks. To be on the safe side, you must keep 7 inches of extra carpet for each bunk while measuring.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know about the alternatives to trailer bunk carpets, you can easily compare them with the carpets. Some of the alternatives are more convenient than carpets. But not all of them are compatible with all types of boats.
Considering this, carpets are still a good option for trailer bunks if you want to keep your options open on boat type. So, if replacing it doesn’t make you bother, you can always give it a go.
