oak v. mesh 5x8 trailer opinons

[2manyrocks]

I've got to redeck this 5x8 trailer to haul a 500 pound mower and the occasional load of whatever. I would say this is more of a lightweight trailer because it's not heavy angle or tubing.

I don't want to use pressure treated because of corrosion issues.

I have some rough saw red oak that is about 1 inch thick. The installation hassle would be drilling holes from under the trailer through the existing 1/4 inch holes to bolt down new wood. I'm not sure what the life span would be, but I can forsee having to redo this in a few years.

What opinions are there on using mesh instead of wood? The channels on this trailer are about a foot apart and the channels are just pieces of L shaped metal--not tubing.

 

[radioman]

is the oak you got free/already paid for? no brainer if linseed is sprayed on it or oil/diesel to last longer then a few years. I personally hate mesh due to all the rain/dirt splashback onto whatever I'd have on trailer.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would do the oak with a 50/50 mix of diesel fuel and used engine oil from a diesel engine like a tractor or truck.

Chris

 

[MillWeld]

Redoak is not as durable in weather as white oak due to its open pore structure, so I guess the water repellant treatments mentioned would extend its life.

 

[2manyrocks]

The frame rails on this trailer are not very thick. I think oak would stiffen the trailer more than mesh, too, but do you guys see this the same way?

 

[Marveltone]

I don't want to use pressure treated because of corrosion issues.

I don't quite follow you on this one. Could you please explain?

Joe

 

[56FordGuy]

The oak would stiffen it some, but it would also add a lot more weight than the mesh.

I've replaced quite a few trailer floors, and in my opinion you're better off to just drill new holes if you go with wood, instead of trying to reuse the old ones. The frame rails should have plenty of room to allow for it, and it will save you a lot of time and hassle to just drill through the top.

 

[Scooby074]

wood.
Rough sawn spruce has held up on my trailer for almost 10 years. Starting to rot now. Something like hemlock would last even longer.

Hard to use it as a "dump" with a mesh floor (could use a tarp i suppose)

 

[MESSMAKER]

Do not use red oak. It is nothing like white. It rots quickly. I too like wood decks, but even with treatment, you may not be happy with its performance. If you are looking to go cheap, doubled up chipboard will last for four or five years and cost almost nothing.

 

[2manyrocks]

I don't quite follow you on this one. Could you please explain?

Joe

The manufacturers of pressure treated lumber were made to change the way they treat the lumber a few years ago. The new chemicals tend to eat up metal.

I happen to also have some rough sawn spruce, too, but is spruce more durable than red oak? The spruce would be lighter, but it has more knots in it than the red oak I have on hand.