trex or similar for trailer bunker?

(typhoon) · (typhoon) **Join Date: Jul 2001** 09-21-2008, 5:42 AM

Has anyone replaced or used trex or a similar synthetic wood product on their trailer? If you used it did you use it uncovered and without carpet? Would it scratch the bottom of your boat too much?

(polarbill) · (polarbill) **Join Date: Jun 2003** 09-21-2008, 8:17 AM

My dad's friend used something like trex for his trailer bunks. He has an older american skier. He left them uncovered. Be warned though, hook your winch up before pulling the boat out of the water. He found out the hard way that trex is slick when wet. There is nothing good about your boat sitting on the launch ramp.

(murphy_smith) · (murphy_smith) **Join Date: Dec 2005** 09-21-2008, 10:38 AM

I have heard that trex is not good to use. The reason is that is does not conform to the shape of the hull over time as natural or treated wood does.

I just did mine with treated 2x6 lumber from home depot. I also took a 1/4" round-over router bit to all the edges.

I got lucky and was able to take my routered and cut to size lumber to a boat trailer manufacturer in town and they carpeted all the boards for $40 bucks and in about an hour. All I had to do was pick up some stainless lag bolts and mount the boards.

(typhoon) · (typhoon) **Join Date: Jul 2001** 09-21-2008, 11:21 AM

Heat treated would probably be the way to fly

(2007_x2) · (2007_x2) **Join Date: May 2007** 09-21-2008, 11:49 AM

Ive heard that trex isnt good because it has to much flex.

(nauty_tique) · (nauty_tique) **Join Date: Nov 2005** 09-23-2008, 7:33 AM

After working with trex on our deck, I can agree with Mike, I'd think it would be ok as long as there wasn't much of the boat hanging off the back past the last support of the trailer. It's to pliable in my opinion for a deck so i'd think it would conform to the boat hull pretty well.

(dscorni) · (dscorni) **Join Date: Aug 2006** 09-23-2008, 7:46 AM

Are you guys still covering the Trex with outdoor carpet or going just with the bare board?
I was thinking about replacing the hydo-hoist boards w/Trex, but if it's pretty slick it could get ugly coming in for a landing.

(formfunction) · (formfunction) **Join Date: Jun 2008** 09-23-2008, 8:37 AM

Trex has no natural grain or strands to support weight over a long distance like you would find on a boat trailor.It's pretty much partical board fragments mixed with plastic.I would be scared a runner might snap under a heavy load.

(ldr) · (ldr) **Join Date: Nov 2002** 09-23-2008, 8:44 AM

I talked to DHM trailers and they basically said the same thing that Brock did. They use it for small stuff but not on the main bunks. I've also heard bad things about using pressure treated wood with stainless staples. I heard that the chemicals in the wood will eat the staples over time.