Thoughts on wood floor for new dump trailer?

[Morning Wood]

I would order the trailer with a heavier gauge floor. Be careful loading it and maybe put fluid film or something similar in the bed. You won’t be able to stop the rust regardless. It’s a tagalong dump trailer. They rust. One thing I’d like to do to mine is add a 12 volt vibrator to get all the small stuff out at times. I think it would do the trick. I also agree that large rocks, stumps, and inexperienced operators are the major blame for floor and sidewall damage.

 

[Teachu2]

I would order the trailer with a heavier gauge floor. Be careful loading it and maybe put fluid film or something similar in the bed. You won’t be able to stop the rust regardless. It’s a tagalong dump trailer. They rust. One thing I’d like to do to mine is add a 12 volt vibrator to get all the small stuff out at times. I think it would do the trick. I also agree that large rocks, stumps, and inexperienced operators are the major blame for floor and sidewalk damage.

I hate it when they damage my sidewalk....

 

[DanHen]

Thanks for all the thoughts and suggestions. I’ve been back and forth several times. It seems each ‘solution’ also comes with a draw back. Think I’ve ruled out using wood. I like the idea of composite decking (trex) because of the grooved bottom profile. I figure that would trap the least amount of moisture. But it also has the most expensive price tag....

 

[CADplans]

My 20 year old dump trailer has hauled everything imaginable,,,
and the floor is in perfectly functional condition,,,

I vote that you add nothing,,
ANY type material will trap moisture,, you will be fighting rust in 5 years,,,

 

[downsizingnow48]

I vote for doing nothing. Cannot think of anything more destructive of the sheet metal floor than water and grit trapped under a false floor with loads on it. Excellent abrasive and rust enhancing mechanism.

 

[downsizingnow48]

Just for the heck of it I looked up the Sure Trac warranty. You should too and then see what your dealer has to say.

 

[DanHen]

Thanks. Leaning that way. It was a splurge for me and I want to keep it as nice as possible but probably over thinking it. That’s why I posted here, lots of valuable experience and advice

 

[nyone]

I dont own a dump trailer but i do own a dump truck. I get any loose material out, keep it dipped up some when not in use and every fall i paint the floor. Dosnt have to be expensive paint just something to keep it from rusting in the off season. Some years i will even paint it after i move gravel or dirt in the spring.

In short. Painted metal dosnt rust..even the cheap stuff.

 

[Code54]

I just use ours as built and if I am starting to get rust, I hit it with a flap wheel and spray it with good quality black paint. Works great and not having any issues.

 

[Renze]

I did it the other way around: i put on 18mm phenol resin coated pluwood on my utility trailer, then glued 3/5mm aluminium diamond plates over it. The resin coating of the wood doesnt get damaged so no moisture gets in, and helps the aluminium take a point load without denting. Its stronger than 5mm steel.

I wouldnt glue wood into a steel trailer, the moisture is trapped and both steel and wood will rot like crazy.

Glueing in a HDPE liner is the only thing that actually improves things, rather than accelerate deterioration.