HDPE Trailer Bunk Glides

Cover your carpeted bunks and protect your hull by adding HPDE plastic bunk glides to your trailer.

What is HDPE? 

HDPE stands for high-density polyethylene. It is lightweight, strong plastic with low friction and very good resistanceto damage from sliding wear and saltwater. It’s a great material for trailer bunks, poling platform decks, and several other boat applications..

Halk Marine uses only King Plastic Corporation King StarBoard. King StarBoard® is the original marine-grade high-density polyethylene sheet and the leading brand in the marine industry.

Why use HDPE bunk glides?

1. HDPE will never need to be replaced, unlike carpeted bunks.
2. HDPE makes it easier for your boat to slide on an off the trailer.
3. HPDE will not corrode aluminum hulls.

Pressure Treated Wood + Carpet + Aluminum Hull = A recipe for severe corrosion!

Pressure treated wood contains copper, which is a more noble metal than aluminum. Combine that with an electrolyte like the saltwater trapped in your carpet and you have a perfect environment for dissimilar metal corrosion. This corrosion will thin and eventually eat holes in your aluminum hull. This is not easily repairable, especially if the corrosion happens along the whole length of the bunk. Protect your hull with HDPE glides and you wont have to worry. The aluminum will be isolated from the wood and carpet, and HDPE doesn’t hold water like carpet.

How to install

Simply drill and countersink a series of holes in the bunks, and secure to your trailer bunk wood with 316 stainless steel fasteners.

For the strongest hold, use 1/4-20 x 2-1/2″ Phillips Flat Head Machine Screws 316 and drill all the way through the bunk and HPDE, then secure with a nut and washer on the opposite side. Countersink the hole enough so that the screw is below flush with the bunk.

For lag screws, use a 3/4″ forstner bit to create countersink deep enough to conceal the head of your bolt, drill a small 1/8″ pilot hole into the wood, and tighten down to the bunks. Use only 316 stainless material for longevity. 316 Stainless Steel 1/4 Hex Head Lag Bolts – Marsh Fasteners