Brackets & Bolts
Many boat owners take for granted that their trailers will get them where they’re going. But the fact is that boat trailers require regular maintenance, including replacing the brackets and U-bolts that hold the bunks or rollers in place. » Read More
Learn More About Brackets & Bolts
Contents
- 1. Trailer Brackets for Boats
- 2. Bunk Trailers vs Roller Trailers
- 3. Aluminum & Galvanized Boat Trailer Frames
- 4. Galvanized vs Stainless vs Zinc Trailer Hardware
- 5. Boat Trailer Spare Tire Brackets
- 6. Selecting Boat Trailer U-Bolts
- 7. Selecting Boat Trailer Bunk Brackets
- 8. Types of Trailer Brackets
Trailer Brackets for Boats
Over 80 percent of the boating population trailer their boats, as opposed to keeping them in the water at a marina or private dock or in dry storage. For many, very little thought goes into the looks and performance of a trailer besides basic function.
However, trailer failures can stop a day on the water before it even begins and even causes damage to your boat. There’s a lot to know about the different types of trailers and trailer hardware, as well as the proper maintenance to keep your trailer towing smoothly.
Bunk Trailers vs Roller Trailers
There are two main types of trailers: the bunk trailer and roller trailer. They are classified as to what method they use to support the boat. Bunk trailers have at least two fixed bunks that support the hull on either side of its keel. Roller trailers have multiple rolling wheels that support the hull, as opposed to fixed bunks. Read More
Aluminum & Galvanized Boat Trailer Frames
The frames of boat trailers are typically made of two different types of metal, aluminum, and galvanized steel. Aluminum is a lightweight and corrosion-resistant metal, while galvanized is much heavier, but much stronger. Galvanized steel is a variant of steel that has been dipped in molten zinc, creating a corrosion-resistant layer of zinc. Read More
Galvanized vs Stainless vs Zinc Trailer Hardware
The components that attach to the frame of boat trailers to support bunks, rollers, and other accessories are typically made out of galvanized steel, zinc-plated steel, or stainless steel.
Zinc-plated steel is similar to galvanized in that both types of steel are coated in zinc to protect from corrosion. Zinc-plated hardware typically possesses a much thinner layer of zinc coating than galvanized. The coating of zinc on galvanized trailers is typically 1 mm thick while zinc plated is 0.2 mm thick. This results in the galvanized hardware being more corrosion-resistant than zinc plated. Read More
Boat Trailer Spare Tire Brackets
How you stow your spare is something to consider. There are different styles of spare tire brackets, and it is important to find the best kind that suits your needs and how you plan to launch your boat. Pedestal-style mounts hold your spare tire up above the frame and well out of the way. The U-bolt style mounts around the trailer frame and through the mounting holes of your spare. Read More
Selecting Boat Trailer U-Bolts
U-bolts are the most common way of fastening items to your trailer. Since every boat fits differently on the trailer, U-bolts allow for adjustment to different boats without having to purchase an entirely new trailer. They are used to hold the axle, rollers, guide posts, and almost any accessory mounted to your trailer. Whether you’re mounting additional accessories or replacing worn-out hardware, U-bolts are straightforward to replace. Read More
Selecting Boat Trailer Bunk Brackets
Boat trailer bunk brackets are another type of bracket on your trailer. As the name implies, they are used to secure the bunks your boat rests on. If one of your brackets needs to be replaced, be sure to note the height and angle of the bracket you're replacing. Some bunk trailers utilize a bow roller to protect the keel. Read More
Types of Trailer Brackets
Trailer brackets come in various types, each serving specific functions to ensure the proper support and alignment of your boat or watercraft on the trailer. With these various bracket options, you can customize your trailer setup to suit your boat's needs and ensure safe and secure transportation. Read More
Trailer brackets come in various types, each serving specific functions to ensure the proper support and alignment of your boat or watercraft on the trailer. With these various bracket options, you can customize your trailer setup to suit your boat's needs and ensure safe and secure transportation.
- Keel Roller Brackets — Keel roller brackets attach keel rollers to the crossmembers of the trailer. They may be panel style, which accommodates a specific roller width, or split, which are in two pieces to fit any roller width.
- Vertical Bunk Brackets — Vertical bunk brackets attach to the trailer frame with U-bolts and hold vertically oriented bunks “sandwich-style” between two brackets.
- Swivel Bolster Brackets — Swivel bunk brackets are typically used to attach horizontally oriented (“flat”) 2 x 6” or 2x4” brackets to the trailer. Their design allows the angle of the bunk to be easily adjusted.
- Regular Bunk Brackets — Typically used for vertically oriented (“on edge”) 2 x 4” bunks for small watercraft trailers.
- Double U-Bolt Brackets — Like swivel bolster brackets, double U-bolt brackets are used to attach flat 2 x 6” or 2 x 4” bunks to the trailer. They attach to the frame with two U-bolts instead of one, though, making them stronger and more rigid.