Best Staples for Bunk Carpet: Size, Material & Installation Tips
Quick answer: For most boat trailer bunk carpet installs, use galvanized staples with a 3/8-inch crown and 1/2-inch legs. The 3/8-inch crown fits many DIY staple guns, and the 1/2-inch leg is long enough to pass through thick bunk carpet and grip the wood. Use Monel staples only when rust resistance matters more than cost, such as heavy saltwater or brackish-water use.
At ‘Cuda Powersports, we are passionate about teaching people how to wrap their bunk boards properly. In our recent post about the best way to wrap bunk board with a bunk carpet, we noted that all you need is a staple gun and your hands. No templates, cutting, or fancy tools required!
Since our method just uses staples, it is essential that you use the right staples. There are a lot of carpet staples on the market. So, we probably get over a dozen questions a day asking what type of staples to use when wrapping bunk board.
Don’t worry! We’ve got the answer for you, so keep reading.
What size staples do you need to secure your bunk carpet?
The first step is to determine what size staple you need. There are two measurements when selecting staple size.
The “crown” refers to the top of the staple. The “legs” refers to the two sides that go into the wood.
We recommend a staple that has a 3/8-inch crown. That is the size that fits into most DIY-level staple guns.
We recommend staples with a ½-inch leg. Using a staple with a ½ inch leg length will help you get the staple through the thick pile height of our bunk carpet and allow you to get a good hold of the wood.
So, using a staple with a 3/8-inch crown and ½-inch leg will help your bunk carpet keep a solid hold for many years.
Where should you place staples on boat trailer bunk carpet?
Place staples on the underside and lower sides of the bunk board, not on the top surface that touches the hull. Start in the center of the board, pull the carpet tight, then work toward each end. Space staples every 2 to 3 inches along the underside, and add extra staples near the ends where the carpet is folded. Keep the top surface smooth so no staple heads can rub against the boat hull.
Should you use stainless steel or galvanized staples to install bunk carpet?
Whether stainless steel or galvanized staples are better for installing your bunk carpet is an age-old debate. You may find different opinions on this, but we believe that galvanized staples are the best for installing bunk carpet.
Over the years with our boat trailers, we have found both galvanized and stainless steel perform pretty much the exact same.
There is a misconception that stainless steel will not rust, but that is actually not true. Iron is used inside the staples, which will rust in saltwater or brackish water. Many manufacturers even label their stainless steel staples as “not for marine use” because of this.
Since stainless steel costs about three or four times more than galvanized, we recommend you just buy galvanized and put your savings into your fuel tank instead.
If you are really determined to get staples that will not rust, you’ll need a Monel staple. Monel staples will not rust, but they are considerably more expensive at $30–40 per pack of 1000.
Bunk Carpet Staple Material Comparison
| Staple material | Best use | Main downside | Cuda recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galvanized | Most freshwater and general trailer use | Can still corrode over time | Best value for most DIY installs |
| Stainless steel | Some marine uses | Not always rust-proof and costs more | Usually not worth the extra cost |
| Monel | Saltwater or brackish-water exposure | Much more expensive | Best when rust resistance is the top priority |
Key takeaways: What are the best staples for securing bunk carpet to your bunk boards?
We recommend galvanized staples with a 3/8” crown and ½” legs as the best staples for securing your bunk carpet to your bunk boards.
These staples will be the perfect size and material to secure your bunk carpet for years to come. They’re also the most economical choice.
Don’t waste your money on stainless steel or Monel staples. Instead, put those savings in your fuel tank and spend more time on the water!
Need the carpet and install supplies for the job? Compare Cuda bunk carpet by width and color, or build your setup from the carpet install kits collection before you wrap the boards.
Watch our videos if you want to learn more about the best staples for installing bunk carpet and the best way to install bunk carpet to your bunk boards.
Helpful Guide: how to clean bunk carpet