What kind of boards to use to build sidewalls on trailer?

denverdave66 · May 22, 2014

So after spending all that time fixing up my trailer I ended up selling it. I ordered a brand new Doolittle rally sport with a 3000 pound axle. Yeah, my wife thinks I am nuts too. So I am going to build some 2' sides on this trailer, should I just buy 5/8" OSB and paint it, that is the cheapest way to go or buy 5/8" plywood and paint it or 5/8" CCA treated plywood and paint it. I am going to paint whatever I build to match the trailer. I know Marine plywood would be the best but I really don't want to spend $57 a sheet for it. Whats everyone's thoughts.

Diamondpilot · May 22, 2014

Use exterior rated plywood other corrugated steel.

Chris

Brad_Blazer · May 22, 2014

Seems like plywood is poor and high at the big boxes lately. 5/4x6 treated decking boards may work and give a nice look.

Gary Fowler · May 22, 2014

Depending on what you plan to haul, 2x4 standard (uprights) and 1x6 treated planking will work fine and look better than any type of pressed wood. I would for sure stay away from OSB as it is very poor weathering. I have treated outdoor grade plywood on my shop I think it is called T111 but not sure. Anyway it is painted and holding up well but with siding in vertical position there are no exposed edges to catch water.
I think treated boards are the way to go regardless of thickness and anything less than 16 feet of trailer can be made with one board so no splicing except at corners.

breadtrk · May 22, 2014

PT 2x material for the floor

PT 2x material for sides frames

PT 4/5 deck boards for sides

Build it that way and it may outlive you.

schmism · May 22, 2014

is the goal to retain gravel/mulch etc loose material that you need a solid side for... or just to keep bulky material from falling out?

Ive built temp sides for mine several times. Ive used 1/2" osb several times, most recently built an air/rock dam for the front of trailer when my dads 67 MGB took a road trip on the back of the trailer.

5/4 deck boards are a good choice but consider leaving gaps to reduce the amount of material you need. They quickly get so heavy that you need 2 people to get the sides on/off the trailer.

deerefan · May 22, 2014

2x4s and treated fence pickets. The fence pickets are light and cheap, $1.99/ea last time I was at Home Depot.

denverdave66 · May 22, 2014

I am wanting to build sides to haul mulch, dirt for the most part it will be permanent. I have a 16' trailer to haul my mower and big stuff on the trailer I am building the sides on is only a 5x8.

deerefan · May 22, 2014

denverdave66 said:
I am wanting to build sides to haul mulch, dirt for the most part it will be permanent. I have a 16' trailer to haul my mower and big stuff on the trailer I am building the sides on is only a 5x8.

Treated or marine grade plywood. With the fence pickets your soil, etc. could trickle out.

schmism · May 22, 2014

deerefan said:
Treated or marine grade plywood. With the fence pickets your soil, etc. could trickle out.

The amount is negligible. The gaps on the side boards (with say fence pickets or even deck boards) is going to be less than the gaps in the floor likely.

breadtrk · May 22, 2014

Use a nail or screw to space the boards and you will be able to haul sand in it.

cford36 · Jun 16, 2014

Here is what I did. Used PT 2x4 for posts and deck boards. Bolted together. I have an 18' car hauler so it is actually in 5 pieces so I can actually lift them by myself and I didn't have to splice. I used hasps and hitch pins to secure together at corners.

Diamondpilot · Jun 16, 2014

Nice work.

Chris

kf4uda · Jun 16, 2014

Looks great!

Sterff · Jun 20, 2014

I used pt 1'' x6"

nc redneck · Jun 20, 2014

I have one trailer with " green " treated 1/2 plywood sides well over 10 or 12 years old, The sides sit outside when not being used. Labor generally costs much more than materials. However as I get older I start thinking " do I need a 20 or 30 year roof "
As my best friend told me one time. " I hope to die owing AMEX 20 K "