Screws for decking
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
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From: The Big, Oregon
Screws for decking
I have to replace the decking on my car hauler, and I want to do it right this time. I used carriage bolts last time, but they kept working loose. I have seen some newer trailers with square drive or Torx drive screws holding the deck boards in place, where can I find these? I tried some self-drilling screws from Lowes, and they didn't grab the steel.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,676
Likes: 20
From: Pine Level NC
I have to replace the decking on my car hauler, and I want to do it right this time. I used carriage bolts last time, but they kept working loose. I have seen some newer trailers with square drive or Torx drive screws holding the deck boards in place, where can I find these? I tried some self-drilling screws from Lowes, and they didn't grab the steel.
Lowes and Home Depot don't have them either I've tried and the only place I could tell you to get some would be some kind of fastner company.You could try a search on the internet for them.
I worked on trailers for many years and actually with what you are doing why don't you tack weld the decking down.
If you need somemore assistance you can PM me.
The Pacifier
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,245
Likes: 7
From: Cloverdale, BC
Did you try lock washers?
And you might try looking at a trailer builder for deck screws. Most are Phillips or Robertson (square drive) in 1/4" fine thread self tapping. We have a bag of them at work, but I don't know where we got them or who we got them from.
And you might try looking at a trailer builder for deck screws. Most are Phillips or Robertson (square drive) in 1/4" fine thread self tapping. We have a bag of them at work, but I don't know where we got them or who we got them from.
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 24,308
Likes: 42
From: SW Virginia
Hey Jared. You might try this place. They've got stores a little bit of everywhere and carry great stuff at reasonable prices.
http://www.fastenal.com/web/products.ex?N=999600000
http://www.fastenal.com/web/products.ex?N=999600000
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,418
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From: SpringHill,Fl
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
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Take a look at eBay item 270318701532
Trailer Deck "Screw Kit" drill bit, T-30 bit, 150 bolts
Includes:
One T. 30 Screw installation Torx Bit,
150 Deck Screws special plated (for treated wood) self threading deck screws (5 rows of 30 screws) .
High Quality 7/32" Drill Bit; The Same Fast Cutting Bit Used By Trailer Builders.
Plated For Use on All Treated Wood Including New ACQ Treated Wood.
Screws are 1/4" by 2 1/2" so they should go through most decking lumber, and are flush when installed. These will cut threads into 1/4" steel.
This should be enough screws to do a average 18 foot flat bed trailer
Trailer Deck "Screw Kit" drill bit, T-30 bit, 150 bolts
Includes:
One T. 30 Screw installation Torx Bit,
150 Deck Screws special plated (for treated wood) self threading deck screws (5 rows of 30 screws) .
High Quality 7/32" Drill Bit; The Same Fast Cutting Bit Used By Trailer Builders.
Plated For Use on All Treated Wood Including New ACQ Treated Wood.
Screws are 1/4" by 2 1/2" so they should go through most decking lumber, and are flush when installed. These will cut threads into 1/4" steel.
This should be enough screws to do a average 18 foot flat bed trailer
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,737
Likes: 179
From: Western Mass
Wood swells and shrinks with the weather, which is why the carriage bolts came loose. Lock washers may help, but probably won't do much. Use nyloc nuts or jam nuts, they won't loosen up no matter what happens.
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Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 13,589
Likes: 2
From: NW burbs of chicago
we used this type of screw on our flatbed, works great
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
I use jam nuts on 1/4 bolts, washer under the bolt and nut. Tighten to about 15 pounds (using grade 8) until it makes a depression. Once the PT wood dries out, tighten, and then put a tack weld on the nut/bolt. I really do not care about the bolts sticking up a bit, they provide traction when the wood is wet, so I put them on nut side facing up and that makes the tack weld easy. If you care about how it looks or carry fragile stuff, then put the nut on the bottom of the trailer cross member.
When I replace a board I just grind the head off.
When I replace a board I just grind the head off.
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