Here is what I did. One of my bunks broke so I went and bought some treated 2 x 4,s and put carpet on them. Work pretty good except I found out that you are not suppose to use treated wood on aluminum, it will eat a hole in the aluminum. I found out about untimatebunks which is some kind of plastic wood. Ordered them and put them on, super easy to do. You can drill it just like wood. Bad part, they were pretty high, $44 for 8 foot piece, good part, they are guaranteed for life. They work great for unloading but like you said you have to have your boat where it will hit water when you unhook really no problem. I found it hard to load the boat because when you pull up it will slide down. You can either drive it on and leave it in gear and then go hook up. What I have learned to do it have the winch hook ready and pull in on the trailer and hook it pretty fast. After a few times I got it down where it is no problem. I assume the glide pads will work similar.