jejeosborne
Veteran Member
I agree to not cut them shorter but not because of shrinkage. Just FYI, lumber doesn't shrink longitudinal (at least very very little) but will shrink significantly in width and thickness.
Repair/Replace Trailer Floor
- Thread starter lakngulf
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I agree to not cut them shorter but not because of shrinkage. Just FYI, lumber doesn't shrink longitudinal (at least very very little) but will shrink significantly in width and thickness.
OP
lakngulf
Veteran Member
Bringing this thread back up as I finally had to do something to the rotting boards. I bought a few new boards, pried out the old boards, and tried the "fat buddy" method. To get enough "bend" in the 2x8 I had to use two sections of 4x6, with the six inch side up. Worked like a charm with me as the fat buddy.
Only issue I had was getting the board to "catch" in the metal enough to hammer out the 4x6 pieces. Figured out that a small piece of flat metal as a guide worked great. Only other issue I had was I did not do a good job of picking out the boards. One has a bad spot and I know would not stand up to the bending. I am taking it back.
Thanks for the help!
Only issue I had was getting the board to "catch" in the metal enough to hammer out the 4x6 pieces. Figured out that a small piece of flat metal as a guide worked great. Only other issue I had was I did not do a good job of picking out the boards. One has a bad spot and I know would not stand up to the bending. I am taking it back.
Thanks for the help!
TedBell
Member
Glad you got the 'fat buddy' to work. I did it solo on a 12' trailer, so to get the board to catch under the angle iron, I stacked some concrete blocks and barbell weights on the end of the board.
Even then I needed to push down on a couple of boards to get them seated So I tied a rope to the bottom of the vertical board used to make the bend and just jerked it out when I got everything in place. Again I was doing this solo.
It also really really helps to use green, wet lumber, since it is more pliable. Don't buy the lumber and let it sit in your barn, because it will dry out and lose its bending ability.
Even then I needed to push down on a couple of boards to get them seated So I tied a rope to the bottom of the vertical board used to make the bend and just jerked it out when I got everything in place. Again I was doing this solo.
It also really really helps to use green, wet lumber, since it is more pliable. Don't buy the lumber and let it sit in your barn, because it will dry out and lose its bending ability.
OP
lakngulf
Veteran Member
I am going this solo as well, so all suggestions welcome. I did exchange the bad board today, and will try to finish it up tomorrow
I have an 8 foot trailer and don't think I can bend a 2x6 eight to ten inches up in the center so it goes in that way.
As an alternative, I plan to do what was done on a 8 ft trailer at Home Depot rentals.
An angle iron, same size as the framing, was bolted across the front, using two bolts.
Bruce
As an alternative, I plan to do what was done on a 8 ft trailer at Home Depot rentals.
An angle iron, same size as the framing, was bolted across the front, using two bolts.
Bruce
OP
lakngulf
Veteran Member
Do you think that is a lag bolt, or does it go all the way thru with washer, nuts on bottom?
As I was taking my old boards off I noticed they were held on with weird screws that I had never seen before. Sorta like a lag screw in metal. I tried to back some out but no luck. I had to just break them off. I figured if new bolts were needed I would get some round head wood bolts and drill new holes for them.
But your method of screws at the front end sounds good.
OP
lakngulf
Veteran Member
Update on Trailer boards and "fat buddy" method. I am still the fat buddy and replaced three more boards today. As I talked with the salesman saying I wanted 2x8 16 ft long I said, "and I want them as green as possible". Salesman said they are dripping with moisture they are so green. Just came in from the plant.
Indeed they were fresh and that made the bending even easier.
Indeed they were fresh and that made the bending even easier.
