replanking my trailer question

[Gary Fowler]

Chris: that is exactly the way I was thinking to replace boards. I think getting the old screws our is probably hardest. Any tips on getting out the old boards.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Regarding lifespan of the planking- I think they have shorter life now due to the change from CCA preservative to the less toxic form which is not as good a preservative. It needs a little help from other sources to keep the water out like a good water seal preservative or motor oil treatment as some suggest.
I think I am going to let my new trailer dry out really well for 6 months or so and give it a Thompsons water seal or maybe other brand but a good sealer on it about every 2 years top and bottom and especially saturate it on the end hold down plates and this should keep them safe a long time and keep all the leaves and trash off it so it can naturally dry after a rain would work too I think.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Chris: that is exactly the way I was thinking to replace boards. I think getting the old screws our is probably hardest. Any tips on getting out the old boards.

I just go at them with a chain saw. Check for wires and such first. Then you will have small sections of wood with the screws left in. Many times just spinng the small remaining block of wood will remove it. If not whack it with a sledge and split the block or use a chisel. The you can get it out using Vise Grips or a grinder and cut off wheel.

Chris

 

[LD1]

I agree you are making the gap thing too hard.

Personally, If it were me, I'd make the gaps bigger. A 1" gap aint gonna hurt anything. Driving a tractor on it isnt going to make a difference what the gap is. So just slap them down.

As to the lumber not lasting long.....I dont know about down south, but up here we us a lot of salt on the roads and I think that is a big part of it right there. Because the decks and stuff that I have built out of PT lumber holds up REALLY well. Only thing different with a trailer (in my area) is road salt.

 

[Haoleguy]

Short note on wood choice. For those in areas where black locust is available you could buy dimensioned lumber rough sawn and not have to worry about any treatments. This stuff is so durable and doesn't move much. The only catch would be lumber weight increase for this dense wood. Personally I would do this over PT any day. For those in the east there is lumber wholesaler with black locust just north of Albany, NY....Gary

 

[clemsonfor]

I still cant understand the rotting PT wood?? Is this Southern Pine? I have boards that have been laying on the ground for years near my shed and only have surface temite damage on them that are above ground treated?

You dont hear your neighbor who built his dock or deck 3+ years ago saying he has to redeck it as its rotted!!

And if you have road salt i think this would help longevity? Salt is a preservative, bugs cant thrive on a salty board not sure about all fungus though?

 

[Diamondpilot]

I will add this. My fathers deck we built in 1980 or 1981. Its PT and is still in serviceable shape. It needs replaced but I am not afraid to walk on it or even have 25 people on it at one time for a party.

My deck was built in 2004 and this spring I have had to replace about 1/10th the deck boards. Its the "new" PT stuff.

The old saying "they just dont make it like they used to" holds very true when it comes to PT lumber, at least in my area.

Around here the wood of choice for trailers is White Oak. You have to go to the saw mill to get it but I am lucky and have one only 4 miles away. It cost and many times you must wait on it for upto a month to be cut up so I will admit we use PT many times due to cost and availability.

Chris

 

[clemsonfor]

All my loggers and big Lowboy trailers are Oak, but those are full 2 or 3x stuff i think. But its so coated in hydro oil etc that that helps its longevity.

 

[two_bit_score]

Ipe rough saw lumber last as long as trailer will. Install it and forget about it, space 1/8" apart, use self drilling countersunk torx screws. It wont warp or split, and is not slick when wet.:thumbsup:

WOW. That's a great idea if you can afford it. :thumbsup:


Where did you get the rough sawn ipe?




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[pat32rf]

I just re-decked a ten ft long utility using 2x8PT. I found that if I cut the boards the right length, I could slide them all the way forward into the "C section", then slide them halfway back into the rear section and bolt them down, 1/2 way into front and rear (about 1")