Any experts on trailer decking here?
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 343
Likes: 7
From: Arizona
Any experts on trailer decking here?
I have a 14,000-lb GVWR gooseneck trailer with a 24 foot wood deck. The deck is 2x8's and they are getting to be in pretty bad condition so I want to replace them. At Lowes they have 20 foot Douglas Fir 2x8's for $20, but 24 foot (special order) is $76 each. 
I checked with independent lumber yards and they're even more expensive.
I'm wondering if it's acceptable to use shorter boards and stagger them? Do 53-foot semi trailers have staggered boards, or do they have to use 53 foot long boards?
I checked with independent lumber yards and they're even more expensive.I'm wondering if it's acceptable to use shorter boards and stagger them? Do 53-foot semi trailers have staggered boards, or do they have to use 53 foot long boards?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,821
Likes: 19
From: South Dakota
Stagger the ends every other board end for end and you should be fine.
above ground treated boards are best.
Don’t cheap out with rough cut…all you’ll have is split boards and crappy deck that leaves splinters everywhere in short order.
above ground treated boards are best.
Don’t cheap out with rough cut…all you’ll have is split boards and crappy deck that leaves splinters everywhere in short order.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 111
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I agree with the others. Either 20' and 4', or 16' and 8', staggered.
If you have easy access to a welder, I also like to weld a piece of angle iron to both of the two frame members where the boards will meet. This provides more room where the two boards butt together so the fasteners don't have to be so close to the end of the boards.
If you have easy access to a welder, I also like to weld a piece of angle iron to both of the two frame members where the boards will meet. This provides more room where the two boards butt together so the fasteners don't have to be so close to the end of the boards.
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 343
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From: Arizona
Yeah, that is my main concern, having the fasteners too close to the ends. I don't have a welder, but I could maybe bolt some angle iron to the current frame members.
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