Steel vs wood deck for trailer

[KenB2920]

Looking at trailers approx 12,000 GVWR dovetail equipment trailers. Pros and cons for both steel and wood decks

 

[oldnslo]

Steel gets slippery when wet and also allows steel tracked equipment to slide around easier.

 

[Ted Summey]

Wood is easier to replace when the time comes.

 

[paulharvey]

Steel gets very slippery. I also don't know that steel withstands abuse any better, and its nice to be able to replace a single board if needed. Plus of steel, no loose boards.

 

[Bob Rooks]

I have used both, and both are slippery when wet. Nothing works well on wet surfaces, but when wet, rubber tracks do better than steel.
I have never seen a factory built equipment trailer with a full steel deck, for the reasons already cited and weight being another,
and I for one would not want a steel decked trailer for equipment hauling.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

PROS:
You can nail into boards.
Boards won't put scratches or dents in your equipment.
Boards easy to replace.
Boards can be replaced one at a time rather than entire bed.
Boards don't rust.
------------------
Steel doesn't decay.
Steel can be welded.

 

[bcp]

I've seen many steel bed equipment trailers with a pair of 2x boards bolted in each tread area.

Bruce

 

[KenB2920]

Thank you all for the fast replies. It looks like I will be going with wood. It seems more user friendly.

Not my next question. Is a deluxe model worth $300. For this you get "drumroll".: LED lifetime lights in conduit, locking metal toolbox and radial tires.

 

[Ted Summey]

Anything that makes lights more reliable is a plus to me, then add radial tires. I say the deluxe model is worth the price.

 

[PRF]

I agree ^^^ LED lights last a longgg time