Time to re-deck my trailer

[Car Doc]

Yup thats how I do mine too about every 6-7 years.

I bend them and turn them at angles to get under the end angle. I also use different widths boards so the last one is a 2x6 to lock them all in which is so much easier than a 2x10 or 12 to bend..

 

[moored4]

I wish I'd found this place (TBN) years ago :mur: !!
I have redecked all of my own trailers, more than couple dozen floors, over the years, I ain't no spring chicken, and I just now learned about bending the boards! :ashamed: and
Well I lerned my one thing for the day so I can go back to sleep now!:laughing:

 

[Soundguy]

it's been near 9ys since I redecked my 16' trailer. I reckon I will be doing it again either this year or next..


soundguy

 

[TheTrailerGuy]

Between the joints Eddie and really just all over. My deck has no screws and I will keep it that way. So the angle stays. I really didn't see any rot in that area.

My one tip is that you should put screws into cross members when you put your new boards on. It would really strengthen the entire trailer. pick three cross members and run two screws into each board on each of the three crossmembers. it will make the entire trailer much quieter (no board slap sounds when towing) and every single board will become a stressed part of the entire trailer. Believe it or not, it will even make the trailer probably ride smoother and eliminate some bounce.

 

[Duffster]

My one tip is that you should put screws into cross members when you put your new boards on. It would really strengthen the entire trailer. pick three cross members and run two screws into each board on each of the three crossmembers. it will make the entire trailer much quieter (no board slap sounds when towing) and every single board will become a stressed part of the entire trailer. Believe it or not, it will even make the trailer probably ride smoother and eliminate some bounce.

I couldn't agree more.:thumbsup:

 

[2manyrocks]

When it comes time to replace a screwed down deck, then you have questions like these:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/welding/209427-removing-rusty-self-tapping-screws-new-post.html

 

[Iowachild]

I am in the process re-decking my 16' trailer with white oak. I also took advantage of this time to re-paint the frame and re-build the suspension.

BTW I really have no problem with the deck screws. If they don't come out, they break off and then I grind the surface even.

 

[Gizmo2]

Step 5. Last 3 or 4 boards place the front end in the "CUP". Now take a scrap piece of 2x4 about 12-16" long. Place it on the front axle and then have a big buddy, about 200# stand on the back side of the deck board. This will bow it and it will be right at the rear "CUP". Now you take a sledge hammer and tap the 2x4 out and it will spring into place.
Chris

Chris, A piece of 2" pipe seems to work better, same results.
Also, most trailers today have a cut out in the rear channel the width of a plank. You slip a new plank in the front channel drop the rear in the cutout and slide it to the end. I'd make a cutout in the rear channel on the trailer if there wasn't one. The last step, two blots in the last plank, now in the middle, and your done.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Chris, A piece of 2" pipe seems to work better, same results.
Also, most trailers today have a cut out in the rear channel the width of a plank. You slip a new plank in the front channel drop the rear in the cutout and slide it to the end. I'd make a cutout in the rear channel on the trailer if there wasn't one. The last step, two blots in the last plank, now in the middle, and your done.

Yes, pipe, 2x4, whatever will work with the same results.

I have never seen a cutout on a trailer, new or old. Must be a regional thing since trailers are such a regional item.

Chris

 

[Gizmo2]

I have never seen a cutout on a trailer, new or old. Must be a regional thing since trailers are such a regional item.
Chris

I do know they are regional items but that's strange just the same.

 

[TheTrailerGuy]

I do know they are regional items but that's strange just the same.

Actually, welding in the board caps came from the southern builders of trailers. it was always faster to weld something than bolt it in. They would just lay the lumber on the deck, take a big pry bar and squeeze it to one side or the other to eliminate any big gaps and drop some cut chunks of steel in to hold it snug from side to side. Then, c-clamp the angles on both ends and weld them down. zing-pop-pow.. floor done.

The bolted in floor thing started a little further north and bolting down the board end caps meant that if a plank needed replaced, you just unbolted the end caps and that plank, put a new one in, drilled, bolted and you were done.

The notched end cap was mostly an eastern us thing i think. Regardless, after about four or five years, the bolts were rusted and it was time to get the grinder out for any type of plank replacement. If anyone wants to know the REAL trick for getting a super tight floor AND using only 10" boards (which are always stronger) pop a reply here.

Thanks
Thetrailerguy

 

[Gizmo2]

If anyone wants to know the REAL trick for getting a super tight floor AND using only 10" boards (which are always stronger) pop a reply here.
Thanks
Thetrailerguy

Well yeah! May as well learn something first thing this morning.

 

[TheTrailerGuy]

Well yeah! May as well learn something first thing this morning. View attachment 217700

Better than that, i will take you into the shop today and will shoot some photos of a floor getting put in a new trailer. Sit tight.

 

[Iowachild]

If anyone wants to know the REAL trick for getting a super tight floor AND using only 10" boards (which are always stronger) pop a reply here.

Better than that, i will take you into the shop today and will shoot some photos of a floor getting put in a new trailer. Sit tight.

Yep, I'll be waiting and watching too as I am about to start the process.:thumbsup:

BTW Trailerguy I found your web site and was quite impressed.

 

[TheTrailerGuy]

Yep, I'll be waiting and watching too as I am about to start the process.:thumbsup:

BTW Trailerguy I found your web site and was quite impressed.

Dang it! I got busy selling trailers and missed a really nice little 18 foot tilt getting a brand new floor put in. Give a few hours and i will do my best to catch the next one as they do the entire process.

Four out the door so far today.... gotta pay for the internet access somehow!

Thetrailerguy

 

[Soundguy]

the board caps on my GN are tack welded in.. would have rathered bolted.. but oh well.. tack welds are easy to cut out.

soundguy

 

[TheTrailerGuy]

the board caps on my GN are tack welded in.. would have rathered bolted.. but oh well.. tack welds are easy to cut out.

soundguy

Just drill and bolt them down next time you replace any boards. simple.

 

[Diamondpilot]

the board caps on my GN are tack welded in.. would have rathered bolted.. but oh well.. tack welds are easy to cut out.

soundguy

What are board caps? If you are talking about the end cups there is no reason to cut anything. Just bow the boards as I described.

Chris

 

[Soundguy]

I might be able to bend them. I know the ones on my 16' were too stiff to bend easilly. the 20' boards may be easier..


soundguy

 

[Diamondpilot]

I might be able to bend them. I know the ones on my 16' were too stiff to bend easilly. the 20' boards may be easier..


soundguy

We bend 16's all the way down to 10'. It will not be a problem. Like I said, if they are tough use the FEL on you tractor to supply the down pressure. Works each and every time and I have done dozens of them.

Chris