New trailer floor treatment

[Gem99ultra]

I just bought a new trailer with #2 treated pine flooring. Just wondering, so I do anything to it now, such as water proofing, covering, etc., or just leave it alone? I'm really not wanting to replace it in the next 3-5 years and would like it to last for a spell.

Thanks,
Jim

 

[kebo]

I would say leave it alone. In my entire life I think I've seen just a handful a people who treated the wooden deck on a trailer, and most of the time it was for looks rather than preservation of the wood. I've also seen a few that were painted, but again it was done for the appearance value.
I just redecked my 16ft trailer that I bought used about 11 yrs ago, and it's got a 1998 date of manufacture on the nameplate. I'm pretty sure the PT deck on it was original, so it lasted 22 yrs with NO other treatment. Really, it could have gone longer but I went ahead and replaced it because a couple boards had been broken where the supporting angle joists underneath them were bent upwards from getting hung up on a stump.
If you do put anything on the wood, don't use something that will make it slick when it gets wet, that could be a bit unsafe.

 

[Trails2004]

I treated mine- because most of the treated wood that I'm aware of- prevents wood decay from ground contact not UV from sunlight.

 

[oldballs]

I missed this year, but the manufacturer of my tandem trailer (12 ft), recommends a bi-annual treatment of linseed oil (boiled dries quicker but is more expensive)...or a mixture of kerosene and 30 W motor oil on his hardwood flooring. It's 11 years old and looks good except for some kind of rot that is occuring on the underside of some planks. Guess I'll have to replace that one(s).

 

[Runner]

I sprayed mine with Thompson's Weather Seal. Not sure how much protection it really gives, but the water beads up on it. Lindseed oil or motor oil might be cheaper and do the same thing, don't know.

 

[grnspot110]

I try to coat mine with water seal once/year, this year I found a gallon of the old "penta" (no longer available). I think this helps over the long haul! ~~ grnspot110

 

[ElDorado]

...a mixture of kerosene and 30 W motor oil....

Anyone know what kind of ratio to use? Am I just over thinking this? Maybe just a glug of oil and a glug of kerosene and call it close enough. Thanks

 

[weldingisfun]

Anyone know what kind of ratio to use? Am I just over thinking this? Maybe just a glug of oil and a glug of kerosene and call it close enough. Thanks

Don't know about the ratio oldballs uses, but I use a 25/75 mix of diesel and used motor oil. Seems to work pretty well, makes the wood darker and the diesel costs a lot less than kerosene.

 

[oldballs]

Don't know about the ratio oldballs uses, but I use a 25/75 mix of diesel and used motor oil. Seems to work pretty well, makes the wood darker and the diesel costs a lot less than kerosene.

My source never told me the ratio...cause I didn't ask, and never used the oil/kerosene mix. The linseed oil probably is the most expensive. And now that the trailer is older, I'd probably use diesel/motor oil stuff like weldingisfun said 25 diesel/75 motor oil (used). I brush it clean and and then brush the treatment into the wood and let it dry real good. If you did it twice a year (spring and fall), the cheaper method would be easest on the billfold.

 

[Newblue]

I used a 75% used diesel oil to 25% kerosene on my trailer deck and it turned out pretty well. It took about two weeks for the mixture to soak in fully.