Time for a new trailer deck

[andyvh1959]

My 5x10 tilt bed trailer I got used back in 2005 finally gave up the original wood deck boards to serious rot. I pulled off the remaining boards by hand, no tools required. I plan to use reclaimed/recycled plastic composite 2x8 boards from Menards to replace the deck. They are kind of heavy, like a Fir 2x8 versus a line 2x8, but being a composite means no rot up here in the great white north of Wisconsin. Anyone else have a similar option used on your trailer deck? I plan to use seven 2x8 10' boards, gapped about 0.83" between the boards for drainage.

 

[jack stand]

I've never seen a 2x8 composite deck board or lumber, but make certain that it can span the distance of your cross members. They tend to strech them out on trailers.

 

[4x4Pete]

Is there enough support for the composite boards? I know they are supposed to be comparable to real wood but they seem to sag if your beyond 16" centers. Edit- I guess that's what Jack meant.

 

[ipgenie]

I was told to use 12" centers for a composite 'people' deck. 5x10 tilt probably won't have anything heavier than a mower or ATV so 12" centers would likely be fine. I'd bet you have 2' centers now so maybe just add a few.

Most composite decking is only 1" thick but I've seen benches with 2" composite boards so they must be available somewhere. I bet they are stinking heavy though. The 1" stuff is pretty heavy.

I tried 1" composite on my 4x8 Harbor Freight trailer and it sagged pretty bad. I added support and replaced two deck boards with some aluminum planks a friend gave me. The aluminum runs right where the tires go on my mower and ATV. It's been good for the past 15 years now.

 

[Zeke]

Almost 20 years and a used trailer at that? I think I'd grab some wood from CL or marketplace and be done with it.

 

[mike93lx]

White oak is the ticket for a long lasting wood deck.

I bet composite will be slippery.

My next trailer will be aluminum...done with rot and rust

 

[Renegade1LI]

Never seen a composite trailer deck, 5/4 or 2x pt will last & take a beating. Plus you could nail or screw to it, you never know.

 

[asallwey]

So what do you carry in your trailer? Like, how much weight? What is the weight capacity?

Composite is heavy. This came from my first hit on Google, not quite the dimensions you mentioned, but think about total weight and how capacity may be affected.

Treated 5/4 x 6 wood decking on average weighs 1.59 lbs a lineal foot, an equally sized composite weighs 2.3 lbs. Making composite decking on average 45% heavier than pressure-treated wood decking.

 

[65Goat]

I vote for pressure treated.

Penofin for pressure treated wood is good but probably not necessary.

 

[mfs54729]

I have a 5' x 8' trailer that had a plywood bottom that rotted out. I had a hard time finding a 5' x 8' piece of plywood let alone a pressure treated one. I found pressure treated pine porch flooring boards at Menards. They are 3/4" thick and 3 1/8" wide and tongue and groove. It gave me a solid perfectly flat trailer bed, no rounded edges like decking boards.

 

[Walkers]

If you plan on having it ****, then the recycled wood is perfect. Just don’t put anything heavy on it, or use it on the road and it will work great.

 

[Mr.N]

White oak is the ticket for a long lasting wood deck.

x2, if you can season it and soak with used auto oil

 

[ZRX61]

Trailer Decking and Truck Flooring | Wood Brokerage Internationa

We are direct importer/distributors of high performance premium hardwood Apitong trailer decking and truck flooring. Up to 40' lengths. Quotes: 877-453-3554

woodbrokerage.com

 

[mike93lx]

x2, if you can season it and soak with used auto oil

Used motor oil (I don't get why people do this) is not necessary. White oak is naturally rot resistant. I'd choose a stain or sealer that won't make a mess, but to each their own. My oil gets recycled, not dumped on stuff

 

[jrsavoie]

Never seen a composite trailer deck, 5/4 or 2x pt will last & take a beating. Plus you could nail or screw to it, you never know.

Do they sell much 1-1/4 board anymore?

I'm not sure how to tell. Back in the day inch and a quarter board, actually measured 1-1/4" thick.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Used motor oil (I don't get why people do this) is not necessary. White oak is naturally rot resistant. I'd choose a stain or sealer that won't make a mess, but to each their own. My oil gets recycled, not dumped on stuff

What mess? Wouldn't you consider this recycling? Actually I think of it as reuse and avoiding the need for other (possibly more harmful) chemicals.

 

[mike93lx]

What mess? Wouldn't you consider this recycling? Actually I think of it as reuse and avoiding the need for other (possibly more harmful) chemicals.

I consider it spreading something containing heavy metals and all kinds of other bad **** on a tool that I regularly use, plus the issue of run off when it rains.

No, it isn't recycling, it's reusing.

I'm good

 

[jack stand]

White oak is the ticket for a long lasting wood deck.

I bet composite will be slippery.

My next trailer will be aluminum...done with rot and rust

Hot dipped galv. is becoming more available around here from a few different manufacturers.

 

[kwb]

Composite deck isn't going to do well with point loads that are common on trailers.

You got almost 20yrs out of the first go around. That seems like a reasonable life and window for going around the whole thing for a freshen-up. 99% of the trailers I have seen the wiring ***** as far a preventing abrasion points, light housings turn to junk, etc.

New wood deck, new wiring, new paint. Rock that thing for another 20yrs.

 

[Renegade1LI]

If you're really worried put down some PT & spray it with Thompsons every year, should get 30 years out of it. PT is relatively inexpensive & strong, yellow pine will handle abuse no problem.

 

[KansasArt]

Find someone on CL selling used deck lumber. If it’s not rotted, you’re gtg. New composite is probably close to what the trailer is worth.

 

[theoldwizard1]

... but being a composite means no rot up here in the great white north of Wisconsin.

Rough sawn red oak. Find a small saw mill. Full 2" thickness. Yes, it will rot, but it should be cheap

 

[ZRX61]

Do they sell much 1-1/4 board anymore?

I'm not sure how to tell. Back in the day inch and a quarter board, actually measured 1-1/4" thick.

Post #13...

 

[Mr.N]

Used motor oil (I don't get why people do this) is not necessary. White oak is naturally rot resistant. I'd choose a stain or sealer that won't make a mess, but to each their own. My oil gets recycled, not dumped on stuff

Well the spot right under my off road only Jeep where it leaks oil it looks like almost brand new wood. Other areas the white oak has rotten through and I am replacing
Understand your concern and maybe with where you live it is not needed... but I will never go without.

 

[mike93lx]

Well the spot right under my off road only Jeep where it leaks oil looks like almost brand new wood. Other areas the white oak has rotten through and I am replacing
Understand your concern and maybe with where you live it not needed... but I will never go without.

You sure it's white oak and not red oak? They perform completely differently in weather.

I spent the last nearly 40 years living in New England, so snow, salt and rust are not foreign to me at all

 

[theoldwizard1]

You sure it's white oak and not red oak? They perform completely differently in weather.

True, but red oak is much cheaper. White of oak is highly desirable for other purposes.

 

[41plym]

I'm about to re deck my trailer also. I've beed told to use Alaskan yellow cedar. Any thoughts about that?

 

[mike93lx]

I'm about to re deck my trailer also. I've beed told to use Alaskan yellow cedar. Any thoughts about that?

Durable and rot resistant. If it's available, it would probably make a decent deck. About a third less dense than white oak, so it would save some weight