Trailer decking wood type?

[dstig1]

I knew several students studying to be architects when I was in engineering school. I have run across a few others in my travels. Fine people, overall. For the majority of them, their strengths lie in the artistic realm and not in the technical realm, and they often pay little attention to that end as a result, IME. There are exceptions out there, no doubt, but I stand by my opinion. We can agree to disagree on this...

Yes there are plenty of additional environmental factors that will have an impact on how the wood performs/behaves/lasts, but it starts with the raw material and how it is cut/oriented. Do that right first, as you typically have to live with the environment you are dealt for the given project, and you have the best chance of it lasting. Not much point in me arguing it more...:drink:

 

[swines]

If you want to be a licensed architect, you have to pass a 10 part test. The first 9 parts are straightforward and involve specific areas of knowledge. The problem for the 10th part is designing an entire building. This includes demonstration of electrical, mechanical, structural, civil engineering, code compliance, as well as aesthetic considerations. There is an allowance for 3 total errors. If two errors involve codes - you do not pass. Most architects end up taking part 10 two to three times in order to pass the exam as it is a 12 hour test and is a unique design problem for each test.

Architects have to be familiar with, and be able to design, all parts of a building so that they are qualified to supervise the entire project design. They are generally allowed to design an entire building up to a certain budget limit (set individually by each state). However, most architects prefer to work in areas such as building programming, space allocation / floorplan design, exterior/interior design, and will leave electrical, mechanical, and civi engineering to the respective engineers.

The larger the project, the more specialists get involved so you may end up working with design architects, building architects, code compliance architects, interior designers, electrical, mechanical, structural, civil, lighting, acoustical, electronic systems designers, fire protection engineers, lightning protection, landscape designers, etc.

Having worked with architects for the past 25 years, I have a love-hate relationship with them as their egos often get in the way of getting the project done. As we (engineers) are fond of saying, "Architects - is there anything they think they don't know?"

That being said, I will also say, the good ones are invaluable, know their limitations and I would never underestimate what they know about any area of building design.

 

[joshuabardwell]

It seems they must weld the end on after the decking is in place because each end is held down by a piece of angle it seems.

Not so. You put the first boards in by cocking them sideways. The last few, you put a block in the middle and bend the board down, then someone else knocks the block out. The board springs straight and goes underneath the iron.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Not so. You put the first boards in by cocking them sideways. The last few, you put a block in the middle and bend the board down, then someone else knocks the block out. The board springs straight and goes underneath the iron.

Cool. :thumbsup:

 

[Soundguy]

a while back ( decade.. ) i bought a 16' trailer. was for sure non treated boards.. they rotted off in this florida weather in less than 2ys.

I put treated back on and painte dthem with asphal paint.. that deck is still on there. I put some 3/4" marine pluywood on top of it as i drive lots of trikes now.. and sometimes a trike single wheel will set on 1 board and i don't like that... so the heavy marine plywood spreads it out a bit..