Trex or Composite Decking for hay wagon

steve terplak · May 15, 2018

Might be able to grab some Trex composite decking pretty cheap.

Anyone out there ever use it for a kicker wagon floor?
Internet didn?t yield much info.

I imagine it would be a little slippery...but other than that...

Thoughts?

steve_in_mo · May 15, 2018

Once it gets weathered, it's not that slick.
The composite decking is pretty flexy.
Do you dump the wagon with hydraulics to unload? If so, no problem.
If you are going to unload by hand, you won't like it.

Stephen Newell · May 15, 2018

Trex isn't that strong. What is the span on the framing on the trailer?

hd6gtom · May 15, 2018

That stuff is very slick if it gets dust from the hay on it. We use rough sawn pine.

steve terplak · May 16, 2018

That was my one worry. We usually are 2? on center (+/-). Would probably cut it down to 15? or so.

Bruce from Can. · May 16, 2018

My old kicker wagons used to have 2? plank floors, and they got as slippery as glass over the years. I fastened strips of old belting to the floor to give traction under foot. You could do the same with the plastic planks

grandpa Love · May 16, 2018

Shoot me an email. I have a few questions about the wagon. I install Trex decks for a living. Would be happy to help figure out if it will work for you. Kevin in Central AL

Dachshund · May 16, 2018

NO, NO, NO! Worst thing ever invented for ....well....ANYTHING. It was big around here for a few years. Looks, works good for awhile, then gets bouncey, wavey, and weak. Have replaced a lot of it - people go back to real wood - more durable, and longer lasting.

hydro70guy · May 16, 2018

Use wood. I used treated 2" lumber on a hay rack right after I graduated in the mid 80's and never been in a shed and is still in good shape.

Stephen Newell · May 16, 2018

When you frame a deck for trex it's on 16" centers. If your framing was on 24" centers it definitely would need additional framing.

Crazy Horse · May 16, 2018

No thoughts or experience with wagon use but there is a wide range of quality with any of this composite decking material. The cheaper it is, I suspect the less quality you get (like anything else). Last summer I rebuilt my wooden deck, I used wood and I'm glad I did. The old deck was 46 years old and I was able to salvage and reuse the fir beams, they were pretty much like new.

BarnyardEngineering · May 16, 2018

Even on 16" centers Trex can get wavy. I've heard 12" is better.

docmirror · May 16, 2018

I just went through this whole composite deck board for my boat pier. I was first offended by the cost. But then after deciding that I could survive that, I started looking at all the restrictions. 16" centers min, no more than 1/2" cantilever. Seems like pretty weak stuff. So, I'm going back to CAA treated Hem/Fir. I'll paint it with some good oil based stain, and hope it lasts 20 years. If not, I'll pay some kid to repl.

ss55 · May 16, 2018

Most deck lumber is only five quarters thick. I've used Trex on deck repairs, IMHO Trex is weaker than regular lumber. Regular 2by lumber (six quarters planed, maybe 7 quarters rough sawn) holds up much better than 5 quarter deck lumber, 20 plus years easy.

Nick m · May 16, 2018

We used it for a manure spreader floor. Has worked great for that. Been in it 7ish years. That doesn't take the constant bang of bales hitting it though.

Hay hay hay · May 16, 2018

I have trex decks. But Trex can not handle cantilevered situations...will snap and breakoff easily. If you can figure put how to fully support the outer edges it might be OK. My decks are not slick, and you make hay in hot sunshine. But I think the lack of strength could be a problem. Those old oak planks have a lot of inherent strength.

Trex or Composite Decking for hay wagon

steve terplak

Member

steve_in_mo

Well-known Member

Stephen Newell

Well-known Member

hd6gtom

Well-known Member

steve terplak

Member

Bruce from Can.

Well-known Member

grandpa Love

Well-known Member

Dachshund

Member

hydro70guy

Member

Stephen Newell

Well-known Member

Crazy Horse

Well-known Member

BarnyardEngineering

Well-known Member

docmirror

Well-known Member

ss55

Well-known Member

Nick m

Member

Hay hay hay

Well-known Member

Similar threads