Anyone here had to re-deck their car trailer?


Just wondering what kind of wood you used.


Research shows everyone using everything imaginable, just looking for some first hand experience.


I know a guy who works at a lumberyard and can get anything under the sun, so all options are open.


Depending on the cost, I might go with a 5/4 white oak, but open to ideas.

 

Either 2" green treated or 2" rough cut. If you're hauling cars 5/4 is not sturdy enough and asking for trouble.

I'd vote rough cut it will offer some traction if the deck is slick.

 

you are correct ...


I wrote 5/4, I was meaning 9/4


but i'll look into the 2" rough cut too, I would think that would be plenty. I asked the company that made my trailer and they just use standard 2x8 treated.


I'm not that keen on using the new treated lumber though. I don't think it plays well with steel.

 

If I was in your situation, when I removed the decking I would treat the newly exposed metal for rust and put some bedliner - or suitable finish - on it.

 

2" treated is common. I'd ise rough cut and let it cure a bit on the trailer and use a good coat of linseed oil every six months or yearly.

 

My trailer was built originally for framing lumber, so I put back treated pine 2 x 10's. It's strong and lasts a long time. The trailer was built with one particular piece of steel that I had to remove to do the job, and then weld it back. My trailer was not built with enough space for the thickness of rough cut lumber.

 

Mine wasn't either, I wanted no lip so I routered the end of the rough cut to fit under that piece on the rear. Now I don't catch the steel lip if I drag something off the trailer. The front one I just cut, raised to fit and rewelded

 

that's my plan as well, if I go with the rough cut.


the ends of my boards are capped with angle/strap steel, so I'd have to shave the ends to get the caps back on, but then I'd have to lip which would be nice.


there would be a lip at the outside edges though, but I'm not sure that would bother me. I guess if it did, I could get some 1/8" strap and build up the sides to match the rough cut.


I still need to see how much good rough cut lumber costs. Especially in the 18' length I need for the deck.


I called the manufacturer and he said back then (1999) they just used regular 2x8 non-treated lumber. so for it to last this long with regular lumber isn't too shabby.

 

We have lots of Amish with saw mills around here, so biggest choice was what type of wood. Ended up with Oak

 

Oak is very common. It is often used on flat bed semi trailers.

 

White oak, in particular, is supposed to be one of the best.

If I lived out by your neck of the woods (rapid) id just stop at one of the many lumber mills to the south of you and get what I can find there.

Off topic, but ill be out in Deerfield next week trying to murder a turkey

 

Not a whole lot of white oak is run through the mills around here. The big thing around here is the bug wood. Which is does look neat.

Admiring my trailer, I am in the same boat. The planks are not totall rotten with stuff falling through.

I was up around Deerfield and points south on Sunday. The hunting should be pretty decent.

 

Here's what I did a few years ago: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...y-trailer.html

 

I usually use 2x6 or 2x8, plain untreated. By the time the wood rots, it's so beat up on top it needs to be replaced anyways. I need to do my newest trailer, the previous owner did it in subfloor plywood, and that does not work.