Trailer staining

[katmat]

I know this is of topic but I'll ask.
I just bought a new 18' tilt trailer & it has a wood deck, 2x8's treated. I'd like to put a stain or sealer on the wood for looks & to help protect the lumber.
Any good ideas?
Thanks,
Matt Murphy

 

[crewchief888]

all our trailer decks on our eqipment tarilers are untreated oak.
they last for years without any stain or sealer.

 

[PassnThru]

I just use a regular deck stain on mine. It's only a few years old but holding up well.

 

[eddyyy302]

I have always used thompsons water seal and have never had any problems with my equipment trailers, I usually reapply every 4 or 5 years when the trailers are due for a good powerwashing.

HTH
Dan

 

[cyamaha2007]

I stained mine with deck sealer

 

[Keith_MN]

I used the same stuff that I put on my backyard deck. That way, I will be reminded to seal the trailer when I seal the deck.

 

[84scrambler]

I got a gallon of some standard deck sealer from Home Depot. Nothing special. I have applied it twice over the past 3 years. I have heard lots of good things about using diesel fuel/oil mix. When my can runs out I think I will give it a go, I'm just not looking forward to the smell.

 

[katmat]

Thanks for the replies & pics.!

 

[audio_mekanik]

I think most of the stuff I haul around drips its own waterproofing liquid onto the boards

 

[the forgotten man]

ive used thompsons water seal on my trailer, our dock and every thing else that sits out in the winter weather.... the trailers 20 years old... still functional

 

[Mikea57]

My son in law was telling me this morning that on one of their work trailers they were fixing to refurb, they were going to put new wood on, seal it with a sealer, then spray it with bed liner coating. I'm not sure why they're going to that trouble or expense...

 

[38Chevy454]

When the wood rots out, convert it to steel deck. I did this to my car trailer, cost a bit more than replacing the wood, but it will never have problems now.

 

[PassnThru]

When the wood rots out, convert it to steel deck. I did this to my car trailer, cost a bit more than replacing the wood, but it will never have problems now.

Until it rusts out.
For a car hauler probably a good choice - for a light duty trailer I think wood is easier to care for than steel. You probably aren't going to haul dirt, rock, mulch etc. on a car hauler so you aren't scraping the paint off with a shovel.

 

[cyamaha2007]

metal tracked machines like skid loaders **** at driving on metal trailers. I prefer wood. but to each his own.

 

[D KRAGER]

If the wood is really dried out.... I use used motor oil - slather it on thick with an old broom or paint brush. We use on our farm trailers and flat bed wagons. Works great and it's free, lasts several years.


If I were doing something new or for looks, I think I'd go with the deck stain and water sealer.