Metal deck trailer?

[Big Bri]

Is there any reason i would NOT want a metal deck trailer. . .am looking at one that has a metal deck instead of wood. other than weight i can't think of any thing. just wanted to make sure before i pulled the trigger.
thanks
brian

 

[Big Bri]

if it matters its a 22' goose with 7k axles and the deck is FULL metal not split on the sides.(center is NOT open)
thanks again

 

[Scooby074]

Besides added weight, about the only other issue would be slipperiness. Sometimes metal decks can be slipperier than a wood one especially if wet / oily. Also wood is easier to replace when damaged. which is one of the reasons its still used in heavy trailers.

I assume your talking about checker plate and not metal grating for the deck?

 

[Big Bri]

yes checker plate. . .thanks

there asking $2600 looks like a nice trailer i think it's a steel at that price

 

[Diamondpilot]

Like mentioned the metal is slick, especially after a little hydro fluid or oil is on it. I personally do not care for metal. All the trailers I now have are wood. Much easier to replace, does not weigh a ton, and not a slipping hazard.

Chris

 

[zukota]

For what it's worth, metal is much louder when chaining up a load. Not sure if that matters where you live, but a metal deck can be very noisy at 6am

 

[RollTideRam]

I had a metal deck car hauler. There were only a few things I did not like about it. It got hot, but that only mattered if I had to lay down on it while chaining up a car. Also chains and binders are very noisy on the metal deck. If you are hauling mulch on it, you can use your tractor to scoop it up without worrying about the deck like you do with wood. JC

 

[radman1]

I agree, that price is excellent for the size and capacity of the trailer. I also believe steel floors are slick to walk on. Even damp or wet shoes are a problem. They are also slick for anything put on them. Easy for things to slide off, even if moving a short distance. They can also gets dents from dropping stuff on the deck. The dents are a permanent reminder not to do that again - until the next time. Real heavy items can make a permanent bow in the steel between the cross members. Paint on steel is easily scratched.

Steel has advantages. If you put mulch, sand, gravel, etc on them, the stuff does not fall through or get wedged in the cracks. Steel is easy to sweep or wash off.

 

[George2615]

As other have said, metal decks can be very slippery when wet. Another bad thing with a metal deck trailer is hauling a metal tracked implement such as a dozer, excavator etc. They will slide even when chained and may be hard to load a metal tracked piece of equipment up onto a metal decked gooseneck.
In my area a metal deck trailer is double trouble in winter but I don't think you have too much ice or snow to worry about.

 

[QRTRHRS]

If you ever haul anything that needs blocking, you won't be able to nail into the floor deck like you can with wood.