How to completely replace your boat trailer bunk carpets
At a glance
Take the boat off the trailer, remove the bunk boards, pull the old carpet and every staple, check the wood, then wrap new marine bunk carpet over the top and sides and staple it on the underside.
- Replace carpet when it is torn, worn thin, or pulling away, or when wood or staples show.
- Use marine bunk carpet and stainless steel staples, not regular household carpet.
- Check the wood for soft, split, or crumbling spots before recovering any board.
The right tool for this job
Boat Trailer Bunk Carpet for Bumpers
1/4 inch thick black carpet in 13 foot rolls, 9 inch or 12 inch widths, 1 pack or 2 pack. Includes a glue spreader for lining up, gluing and stapling.
View productContents (7 sections)
To replace boat trailer bunk carpet, start with the boat off the trailer, take the bunk boards off the trailer, pull the old carpet and every staple, check the wood, then wrap new marine bunk carpet over the top and sides and staple it down along the underside. The full steps are below.
In this video, Owl's Nest Outdoors completely replaces all the carpeted bunks on his trailer, including all new carpeting. Don't wait until the carpet is torn and the wood is exposed. This is an easy job a boat owner can do at home. Watch the video, then use the steps below as a checklist.
When to Replace Bunk Carpet
Carpet is the cushion between the hull and the bunk board. Replace it when the fabric is torn, worn thin, matted flat, or pulling away from the board, or when bare wood or staples show. Worn carpet can let the hull rub on wood or hardware every time the boat is loaded, launched, stored, or towed. A quick look at the bunks before each season shows what needs attention.
What Type of Carpet Is Best for Boat Trailer Bunks
Use purpose-made marine bunk carpet sized for the bunk boards. It needs to handle repeated soaking, sun, and sliding contact with the hull. The Boat Trailer Bunk Carpet for Bumpers is 1/4 inch thick black carpet that comes in rolls 13 feet long, in 9 inch and 12 inch widths, with 1 pack and 2 pack options, so the roll can be matched to the boards and the number of bunks.
Can You Use Regular Carpet for Boat Trailer Bunks
Regular household carpet is not a good choice. It is not made to stay wet, sit in sun, or take the constant sliding of a hull, and it tends to break down sooner. Choose carpet sold for marine or bunk use instead. The same goes for the fasteners. Rust streaks and loose staples cause trouble at the hull, so stainless steel staples are the better pick.
Better Boat pick
Stainless Steel Staples for Staple Guns, 3/8 Inch Crown
304 stainless steel staples that resist rust and corrosion in marine, outdoor, and wet environments.
View productTools and Materials
| Item | Why it is needed |
|---|---|
| New bunk carpet | Wraps the top and sides of each bunk board. Measure the boards first so the width fits. |
| Staple gun | Holds the carpet to the board. Check which staple size the gun accepts. |
| Stainless steel staples, 3/8 inch crown | Made of 304 stainless steel so they resist rust and corrosion in wet conditions. They fit T50 style staple guns, and leg lengths of 3/8 inch or 1/2 inch are available. |
| Wrench or socket set | Removes and reinstalls the bunk board hardware. Check the trailer manual for the hardware size and tightening specification. |
| Marker and masking tape | Marks each board's position and orientation so it goes back in the same place. |
| Flat pry bar or pliers and a flat screwdriver | Pulls old staples and lifts the old carpet. |
| Utility knife and tape measure | Cuts the carpet to length and checks the fit. |
| Adhesive and spreader | Holds the carpet flat to the board before stapling. Use an adhesive the maker approves for the carpet backing, the wood, and wet marine use. The Better Boat bunk carpet includes a glue spreader, but the adhesive is bought separately. |
| Safety glasses and work gloves | Protect against loose staples and sharp edges. |
| Trailer wheel chocks | Help reduce unwanted trailer movement while working. |
How to Replace Boat Trailer Bunk Carpet Step by Step
Bunk carpet replacement at a glance
- UnloadTake the boat off the trailer and chock the wheels.
- Remove boardsMark each board, then take it off the trailer.
- StripPull the old carpet and every staple.
- Check woodReplace soft, split, or crumbling boards.
- Cut and glueMeasure, cut, center, and glue the carpet.
- StapleFold under and staple the underside only.
- ReinstallPut boards back in marked positions and tighten.
1. Park the trailer and unload the boat
Work on level, firm ground and chock the trailer wheels. The safest and simplest method is to take the boat off the trailer first, so the bunks carry no weight and can be reached on all sides. Follow the boat and trailer manufacturers' instructions for where the boat should sit while it is off the trailer. Never work under or beside a hull that is held up only by a jack. Doing the job with the boat left on the trailer is only appropriate when the boat and trailer manufacturers approve a support procedure for it. The complete on-trailer support steps, along with replacing the boards themselves, are covered in the guide on replacing trailer bunks with the boat on the trailer.
Better Boat pick
2 Wheel Chocks and Wheel Dock
Two chocks help limit tire movement while the wheel dock supports the trailer tongue jack wheel. Fits tires up to 26 inches.
View product2. Mark and remove the bunk boards
Before loosening anything, mark each board's position and orientation with tape and a marker, and note which bracket goes with which board. Take a few photos of the setup as well. Remove the mounting hardware as the trailer manufacturer directs, then lift each board off and set it on a stable work surface such as sawhorses. With the board off the trailer, the carpet can be wrapped and stapled all the way around the ends and underside without brackets in the way. Keep the hardware together and in order for reinstalling later.
3. Remove the old carpet and staples
Start at one end and peel the old carpet away from the board. Pull every staple with pliers or a flat pry bar, along with any other protruding hardware. Scrape off leftover glue or fabric so the board is smooth. A staple left in the wood can cut through new carpet, corrode under it, or scratch the hull. If a fastener cannot be removed or made safely flush without weakening the board, repair or replace the board before recovering it.
4. Check the wood
This is the best time to inspect the board. Press a screwdriver tip into the wood along the top and sides. Wood that feels soft, crumbles, or is split deep needs to be replaced rather than recovered. Also check the brackets and bolts that hold the bunk to the trailer, and look for sharp edges or rust. Solid, dry wood can be recovered. For more on bunk board repair, see how to recover boat trailer bunks.
Wood check before recovering
- Press a screwdriver tip into the top and sides
- Soft or crumbling wood means replace the board
- Deep splits mean replace the board
- Check brackets and bolts for sharp edges or rust
- Solid, dry wood can be recovered
5. Measure and cut the new carpet
Lay the carpet next to the bunk and measure the length of the board. The carpet should wrap over the top and down both sides, so use a width that covers the sides and leaves enough to fold under. Cut the length with a utility knife, leaving a little extra at each end to fold over the board ends. It is easier to trim extra than to fix a piece that is too short.
6. Line up and glue the carpet
Center the carpet on the board with the pile facing up. Spread the adhesive on the board with the spreader, then press the carpet down so it lies flat without wrinkles. Work along the board so the carpet stays straight. Follow the adhesive maker's directions for working time and dry time.
7. Staple the carpet down
Pull the carpet tight over the top and sides, then fold it under and staple it on the underside of the board only, where the hull cannot contact the fasteners. Place staples every few inches and keep them in a straight line. Start in the middle and work toward each end, pulling the carpet snug as you go, so it does not bunch up. At the ends, fold the carpet neatly around the end of the board and staple it on the underside as well. If the trailer or bunk manufacturer specifies a different pattern, follow that instead. Pick a staple leg length that holds in the wood without poking through the other side. Make sure every staple sits flush and none stand proud.
8. Trim and inspect
Trim loose edges and look the carpet over closely for raised staples. Wearing gloves, feel along the carpet to check. Pull out or properly reset any staple that sticks up rather than only tapping it down. Then repeat on the remaining bunks. Let the adhesive set as directed before reinstalling the boards.
9. Reinstall the boards
Once the adhesive has set, put each board back in its marked position and orientation, using the photos and notes as a guide. Reinstall the mounting hardware and tighten it to the trailer manufacturer's specification. Check the trailer manual for the correct hardware and torque values. Only then load the boat back onto the bunks.
Final Check Before Launching
- Run a gloved hand over each bunk to confirm there are no raised staples or sharp edges.
- Confirm the bunk brackets and bolts are tight.
- Check that the bunks still line up with the hull. Bunk position and trailer setup vary, so check the trailer and boat manufacturer's manual.
- Load the boat slowly at the first launch and watch how the hull rides on the new carpet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of carpet is best for boat trailer bunks?
Purpose-made marine bunk carpet is the best choice. It should be thick enough to cushion the hull and sized to fit the bunk boards.
Can you use regular carpet for boat trailer bunks?
Regular household carpet is not recommended. It is not made for constant water, sun, and hull contact, so it wears out quickly. Use carpet sold for bunks or marine use.
What is the best covering for boat trailer bunks?
Bunk carpet stapled over solid wood boards is the most common covering. 304 stainless steel staples resist corrosion and help reduce the risk of rust streaks. Some owners also look at bunk slides, covered in the guide on boat trailer bunk slides.
How do you carpet a boat trailer bunk?
With the boat off the trailer, mark and remove the bunk boards, strip the old carpet and every staple, and check the wood. Then cut new carpet to length, center it on the board, wrap it over the top and sides, and staple it on the underside. Adhesive approved for the carpet and wet use can help hold it flat before stapling. Reinstall the boards in their marked positions once the adhesive has set.
How often should bunk carpet be replaced?
There is no set schedule. Replace it when it is torn, worn thin, or coming loose, or when wood or staples show. Check the bunks before each season.
Should the wood be checked when replacing the carpet?
Yes. Pulling the carpet is the best chance to look for soft, split, or crumbling wood. Boards in poor shape should be replaced instead of recovered.
What to buy for this job
- Boat Trailer Bunk Carpet for Bumpers. When bunk carpet is torn, worn thin, or pulling away.
- Stainless Steel Staples for Staple Guns, 3/8 Inch Crown. When fastening carpet to the underside of the board.
- 2 Wheel Chocks and Wheel Dock. When working on a parked trailer.
Quick quiz
Tap a question to see the answer.
Where on the bunk board should the carpet be stapled?
On the underside of the board only, where the hull cannot contact the fasteners. Stainless Steel Staples for Staple Guns, 3/8 Inch Crown
What should you do if a bunk board feels soft or crumbles when tested?
Replace the board rather than recovering it.
Why mark the boards and take photos before removing them?
So each board and bracket can go back in its same position and orientation when reinstalled.
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