Rotten Trailer Boards

[OkieG]

Leo,

After work I went by the trailer shop to check the progress. The new steel bed was already welded in place. If you know what to look for, it definitely looks like a wood bed trailer retrofitted with steel. I'm not so sure I'm disappointed though.

The upper lip that retains the boards in the front of the trailer was removed. It was a separate piece that was welded in position. The steel sheets rest on the same surfaces that the boards did, from the front to about a foot or so from the back end of the trailer. The lip that retained the boards at the back end of the trailer is a leg on a large piece of channel. It is not so easily removed. So, for the last foot of bed, the steel raises to rest on top of the channel (lip) and is welded there. It sounds a little goofy, but actually doesn't look too bad.

Since the bed only 1/8 inch thick, it is not flush with angle iron along the sides of the bed, as the boards were. It sits down on the same surface the boards used.

I'm not sure of the spacing of the braces under the bed. I will check when I get the trailer back (maybe tomorrow) and will ask the installer if I need more. They did not indicate that more braces were required. I have a little welder and could add some if need be.

It will not look like it was an original steel bed trailer, but functionally I think it will do just fine.

OkieG

 

[OkieG]

Ed and Steven,

We have Lumber One chain stores here. I've been in a couple of them, but only when looking for hardware. I've never even looked at their lumber and didn't think of them when looking for PT flooring.

They may well have the good stuff I couldn't find at Home Depot. Oh well.

OkieG

 

[em14]

I'm sure that the metal floor will turn out fine ... just watch if it starts to become depressed by your tractor's wheels in their loaded / haul position and if it does then add some bracing that will span that area ... if it occurs only on one side of the trailer ... fix both sides cause it's gonna happen on the other side .. be careful when you are loading or unloading in the rain or freezing weather .. wet steel is slick as ... well you know ...

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Find out where the contractors buy in your area and check the yellow pages for full-service lumber yards. These outfits will generally be able to provide you with much better quality lumber and plywood than you will ever find at the home centers. You actually need to be careful at the big boxes...there have been instances where the material on the shelves (especially plywoods) is seconds. This has been reported a few times on another board that I frequent...the store "forgot" to remove some documentation from the pallet before the customers got a look. Oops!

 

[OkieG]

Gary,

When I went to check on progress yesterday, the old boards had been torn off already. The boards were pretty ugly, but I don't have a picture to show just how bad they were.

The shop finished their work this a.m. and the trailer is now back home. I have a few pictures to post.

Okie G

 

[OkieG]

A shot from the front. Some touch-up on the red paint will get done, maybe this weekend.

 

[OkieG]

Leo,

This shot shows that the bed is definitely not flush with the sides. It also shows the ramp up at the last foot of bed.

These "compromises" are give-aways to the trailer's true heritage. I'm sure the bed could have been blocked up to be flush with the sides, but what the heck. I don't know if the extra cost would be worth it to me.

By the way, there are braces at each seam and another about midway between the seams. The midway brace on one sheet is spaced at about 1 foot from a seam and 3 feet from the next seam. The other mid-braces are pretty well centered. I'll keep an eye on the 3 foot span for signs of give or sag. Thanks for the tips.

OkieG

 

[em14]

That's a nice looking trailer ... I see how they ramped it and if it's welded as good as it looks you probably have nothing to concern yourself about ... what's the load capacity of the trailer?

 

[OkieG]

The original information on the label on the trailer was faint when I bought it. Now, it is completely blank. The trailer shop said the weight of the trailer with the steel bed should be about 2060 pounds. The trailer has two 3500 lb. axles. So, I guess it'll carry around 5000 lbs. I'm pretty sure that total is more than my hitch is rated for. May need to shop for a new one!

OkieG

 

[Steven]

they did a nice job. the little wall around the edge will keep things from sliding off. Get back to us after a while on how this decking works out, compared to the wood deck.