Question

The Trailer Boat Experts

I'm going to replace my bunks and would like your opinion on the kind of wood I should use. My friends did their bunks with pine and douglas fir and bought it pressure treated and then added a wood preservative. Should I coat this with anything else? T. Karillo, Traverse City, MI

T. Karillo

Answered on: 6/2005

GEORGE: My preference is cypress. It lasts for eternity. Pine is a common wood that is used in bunks but my experience with it is some trailers will actually float when in the water if the bunks are made of pine. And with the humidity that we have here in Florida, pine stands the chance of splitting. MIKE: Either pine or fir would be fine for this purpose. I would definitely recommend purchasing pressure treated wood. I have seen bunks last many years going straight from the lumberyard to the trailer. If you want to see them last for your grandchildren's children, go ahead and treat them with a water sealer such as Thompson's.

The Trailer Boat Expert: Mike and George