True / False Big Tex

[mred]

Thanks for all of the information here it has helped greatly. But it is time to come to the experts again. I am looking for a trailer to carry my JD 2305 TLB occasionally. I don't ever seem to get the time to schedule a rental so I need my own. I found a dealer locally that sells Big Tex Trailers. I decided on a 60CH and was about ready to buy one. The Sunday before while doing the final research on the web I happened to notice in the specs 2" pine floor. The dealer told me the floor was Pressure Treated. It appears he was mistaken. Is this true ? No where can I find anything to tell me the dealer was telling me the truth. All the specs say 2" Pine. Trailers with treated pine say so.

 

[DOUBLEG]

I have a 60CH and I don't believe the floor is treated. I try to water proof it every year.

 

[mred]

Thanks, Do you store your 60CH indoors ?

 

[gotcha]

Thanks for all of the information here it has helped greatly. But it is time to come to the experts again. I am looking for a trailer to carry my JD 2305 TLB occasionally. I don't ever seem to get the time to schedule a rental so I need my own. I found a dealer locally that sells Big Tex Trailers. I decided on a 60CH and was about ready to buy one. The Sunday before while doing the final research on the web I happened to notice in the specs 2" pine floor. The dealer told me the floor was Pressure Treated. It appears he was mistaken. Is this true ? No where can I find anything to tell me the dealer was telling me the truth. All the specs say 2" Pine. Trailers with treated pine say so.

Your dealer is correct, they do come with PT decking. I just purchased one and every one in my dealers yard has PT decking, not just the 60CH. There is an error I believe or it could be that certain dealers just carry the PT decking, but like you my dealer said and it was. I have bought 4 trailers from my dealer in the past 8 months and they all have PT decking except for the 10K dump trailer which has a metal deck. Good luck.
The Gotcha Man

 

[gotcha]

Thanks, Do you store your 60CH indoors ?

NO and it is stored in your part of the country. You wouldn't happen to be buying in Tilton would you. If so say hi to Joe and Mike for me. The name is pegleg. That is where I purchase all my trailers and picking up another one the end of the week.
The Gotcha Man

 

[escavader]

My 60ch is pressure treated,it aint the best of grades of pt by looking at it.I also added some linseed oil to itto help protect it.My dealer accidently put the heavier tires on itso they match up with the axle ratings now.I store outside,and iam not exactly pleased with the finish on this trailer.It scratches easy ,and will rust quickly ,so you need to keep it touched up alot.Ido like the trailer however,it hauls easy and has good brakes,and lights.perfect for my tractor,and atvs.
ALAN

 

[gotcha]

My 60ch is pressure treated,it aint the best of grades of pt by looking at it.I also added some linseed oil to itto help protect it.My dealer accidently put the heavier tires on itso they match up with the axle ratings now.I store outside,and iam not exactly pleased with the finish on this trailer.It scratches easy ,and will rust quickly ,so you need to keep it touched up alot.Ido like the trailer however,it hauls easy and has good brakes,and lights.perfect for my tractor,and atvs.
ALAN

I find this is true with all trailers and truck dump bodies. It is one of the things I guess we have to accept. I hate the so called powder coated painted surfaces. Everything I own that has it has peeled off. I have a snow plow that has never been attached to the vehicle and it has started to peel off. It just takes a slight nick and away it goes. I agree with you regarding the grade of PT but I believe it will last for a good length of time. My only question regarding the decking is how does one change a board if it should be needed as the 2 ends have plates welded over the decking. One either has to have the plates cut off or cut the boards and install them in 2 pieces.
The Gotcha Man

 

[wushaw]

I find this is true with all trailers and truck dump bodies. It is one of the things I guess we have to accept. I hate the so called powder coated painted surfaces. Everything I own that has it has peeled off. I have a snow plow that has never been attached to the vehicle and it has started to peel off. It just takes a slight nick and away it goes. I agree with you regarding the grade of PT but I believe it will last for a good length of time. My only question regarding the decking is how does one change a board if it should be needed as the 2 ends have plates welded over the decking. One either has to have the plates cut off or cut the boards and install them in 2 pieces.
The Gotcha Man

The boards are a little shorter than the complete length just enough to slide it in on one end then slip it under the other lip before screwing it to the metal.

 

[gemini5362]

you can take the boards and cut them the right length to go in between the two plates the first group of boards you can angle them to get them started then just straighten them up and they will be in place. The last 2 or three get a 2x4 and put it about half way up the board underneath it. Lift up on the 2x4 while someone else is trying to get it under the plate. It is a lot of work but it will bend enough to get it under the plate.

 

[McRancher]

I don't think the boards are treated on my Big Tex either. I've had it for about 5 years and it gets parked outside. The floor is in pretty bad shape. A couple of boards are cracked, split, warped, you name it, but it's ok for hauling a load of hay, or lumber. You can get upgrades on the floor type you want, but they cost almost as much as the base trailer price. I will probably replace the floor with treated wood, but haven't decided yet. Some say that treated wood is corrosive and can damage the trailer metal.

I do like the trailer though. It pulls well.

 

[Marcussen]

The new trated wood is very corrosive to fasterners I dont know if it will corrode your trailer or not.
The sun and water will destroy your wood on the trailer deck treated or not.

I bought deck paint and rolled on my treated wood trailer floor. It repels water pretty good and lasts longer than most waterproofing.

They all seem to have cheap easy chip paint.

 

[SnowRidge]

I can't imagine any wood decked open trailer being delivered without pressure treated lumber. Around here, most 2" PT lumber is yellow pine.

The government sure hasn't done us any favors by forcing that new stuff down our throats. My year and a half old trailer has deck boards cracking, curling, and breaking screws off at the frame.

 

[mred]

Yes I was planning on buying in Tilton. My problem is the trailer will not be used every day. Actually it will probably be used several days per year and I am trying to aviod a maintenance nightmare. I was thinking about Aluminum but the price is hard to justify for the use. The Big Tex seemed about right and I really liked the price and dealer I would hate to spend more time maintaining it than using it. So I am back to the undecided.

 

[escavader]

I don't think the boards are treated on my Big Tex either. I've had it for about 5 years and it gets parked outside. The floor is in pretty bad shape. A couple of boards are cracked, split, warped, you name it, but it's ok for hauling a load of hay, or lumber. You can get upgrades on the floor type you want, but they cost almost as much as the base trailer price. I will probably replace the floor with treated wood, but haven't decided yet. Some say that treated wood is corrosive and can damage the trailer metal.

I do like the trailer though. It pulls well.

Pressure treating wont do any thing for crack,split or warp.It will protect for rot and thats about it.It looks like this wood is southern yellow pine ,which likes to twist ,cup and crack as a rule.
You are correct on the corrosive thing,the new refomulated pt,eats joist hangers and steel screws on new decks.
I covered the center of mine with smooth steel plate,to run my atv jack on.it aids in putting multiple atvs on sideways easily.If the rest of the wood goes bad ,ill add diamond plate to it ,and be done with it once and for all.
ALAN

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

once Pt lumber is about a month old (long enough to dry out some) you can reseal it with Thompsons, Olympic, Behr, or any other brand of water sealer -- preferably one with UV blockers -- to help it last out in the weather. Oil based porch paint works pretty well, too, but it will tend to peel after a couple of years.
around here most trailers have PT 2X decks, but there are a couple of makers who use rough sawn white oak, which is fairly bug & rot resistant, but not as corrosive to the fasteners.
if type of wood is a major concern, talk to your trailer dealer and see what kind of price cut you can get for a trailer with no decking, then go find a local sawmill and see what rough sawn boards cost. White Oak, locust, osage orange (hedge, bois d'arc) etc... are all bug and rot resistant.