Time to re-deck my trailer

[coobie]

Didn't know about diesel fuel used for treating fenceposts, although there are a number of compounds that can be used to do that.

I have to confess, though, I would think that a wood deck with diesel or motor oil on it would be FAR more slippery than a deck with paint or stain on it?

Not really,it soaks right in.coobie

 

[Diamondpilot]

Didn't know about diesel fuel used for treating fenceposts, although there are a number of compounds that can be used to do that.

I have to confess, though, I would think that a wood deck with diesel or motor oil on it would be FAR more slippery than a deck with paint or stain on it?

It is really not slippy at all. Put on a light coat then do it again about a week later. It all soaks in real nice. Many guys around here paint entire barns with it and split rail fences with it. Will last for ever that way. The motor oil must come from a diesel engine. Makes a dark black color and then just add enough diesel fuel to allow it to paint/spread easily.

Chris

 

[AKfish]

We used to coat the livestock trailer deck with a mixture of oil and diesel. It works well to preserve the wood and helps slow the corrosion and rot from the urine also. But... it makes the wood softer and it is slick - especially after it gets wet.

Anyone who has washed a deck treated with diesel and oil can attest to the rainbow sheen that's on the surface of the wood - and that's slippery!!

AKfish

 

[EddieWalker]

I still haven't done anything to the wood on the deck. Today, I hauled my Ditch Witch 3500DD with it, which is why I re-decked the trailer. It weighs 7,000 pounds and about the heaviest load that I'll haul on it. My CUT is only 4,000 pounds, so the test was today. As far as I can tell, it worked fine. The wood is still there, there is no cracking and there is no angle iron at the ends.

Tomorrow I'll be hauling pallets of Readi Mix and rebar. Next week, I'll have a couple pallets of blocks and then two pallets of bricks. That should be a pretty good test of abuse.

Eddie

 

[2manyrocks]

Coming soon to a TBN thread near you: Eddie's Over the Top Deck Treatment.

 

[klm]

I re-decked a 16' at least 10 years ago and left that back angle iron off and have always been glad I did. My issue with it was when I unloaded stuff by siding it off it always caught on the angle. Also I have used the used oil method for years and it's the only way to go.

 

[bearmtnmartin]

My big tag trailer, which hauls heavy equipment almost every day, I redecked with 2X10 fir about 7 years ago. I didn't treat the wood, since BC fir is pretty rot resistant, but I covered the entire deck with 3/4" treated plywood. I am just now flipping the sheets upside down because they are getting chewed up pretty good, and the deck underneath still looks like new. I also have a nice Canadian made deckover for smaller gear, and they painted the deck with heavy black paint at the factory. It is a 2005, and it still looks really good too. No shrinkage or cupping. When I bought it, I stayed away from the American trailers because all the decks looked terrible right from new. Also because all the wiring is butt connected together???? Don't you guys get salt in the winter down there? Who wants to buy a new trailer and start fixing lights a year later?

 

[Gizmo2]

It is really not slippy at all. Put on a light coat then do it again about a week later. It all soaks in real nice. Many guys around here paint entire barns with it and split rail fences with it. Will last for ever that way. The motor oil must come from a diesel engine. Makes a dark black color and then just add enough diesel fuel to allow it to paint/spread easily.

Chris

My horse fence and trailers both get done this way, leaves a very nice finish.

 

[BobQ]

I want to put dirt, process, and sand in my trailer and unload it with my loader, I am thinking of sealing the deck and puting a cheep caulk between the boards so I don't loose all the sand while going down the road. I angle the trailer while not in use so the rain can run off. I hope it holds up? I guess if it rots, that's the price you pay, nothing last for ever, I hope it does'nt rot in one or two years. Any thoughts?

Bob

 

[EddieWalker]

Bob,

I thought of doing something similar, but instead of caulking, I was thinking about silicone sold and Walmart. I don't know if it's any different then the $4 tubes sold at Home Depot and Lowes, but it was just over a buck a tube at Walmart the last time I checked. Maybe $1.50 a tube?

I think silicone would have more flex and hold up better, but then I don't know how wide your gaps are or the spacing of your boards.

I'm now leaning to just buying a roll of heavy duty plastic that they sell in rolls from Home Depot and Lowes. It's cheap and will work for one time use. If I do this, it's only once or twice a year, so that will work better for me.

Good luck,
Eddie