donahue trailer

Howard Parker · May 31, 2018

what kind of wood would be used to replace the floor there is no wood on it now just the frame I know a person with a portable saw mill that would probably saw me some new floor boards just not sure what to use for wood thanks for any advise Howard

JWA · May 31, 2018

White oak would be my preference if available.

Josh-nhihguy · May 31, 2018

The guy who had mine before me used heavy cut up bridge planks. Not sure what wood that would be.

kcm.MN · May 31, 2018

Another vote for white oak, if available, if it's for a heavy duty trailer. If a smaller 16' or so, then nothing wrong with pine.

White oak is a closed-grain wood, which is why it was used for ship building 200 years ago and more. Red oak is open-grain. If you cut a piece of red oak 1" x 1" x 4", with enough pucker, you can stick one end in water and suck water through the wood.

Main thing that trailer wood needs is protection from the elements; mostly water. Not a lot you can do about sun, but water will rot the wood anywhere it can stand or soak in. Some folks like to use pressure treated wood, but the pressure treating is for insect resistance; not for waterproofing. This treatment, however, also helps to ward off the molds and fungi that can cause the wood to rot.

Personally, I like using old oil; motor, hydraulic, or ATF to name a few. Must be applied to DRY wood and allowed to soak in. Sitting in the hot sun helps the oil to penetrate deeper.

hd6gtom · May 31, 2018

As stated White Oak or southern Yellow Pine if it is available.

jeffcat · Jun 1, 2018

Yup, for white oak. Very heavy till it drys out. Then when it is close to bone dry spray it with cheap clean new motor oil. The new oil makes a very pretty job. Drain oil works but looks like all heck. Out in the hot sun and spray top AND bottm. Usually a once a year production. Really makes them last.

Howard Parker · Jun 1, 2018

Thanks everyone I'll see if I can find some white oak

BarnyardEngineering · Jun 1, 2018

One of the trailer dealers here brags about the hemlock decks on their trailers.

I know once hemlock dries out it is hard as rock.

Part Time Pete · Jun 1, 2018

I'd say white oak, or larch if it's available in your area
Pete

Leroy · Jun 1, 2018

In Ohio you do not treat wood for insects, only for water proofing and that is what the pressure treated yellow pine is sold for.

jeffcat · Jun 1, 2018

You got that. As a kid the local GLF got hold of a load of those fence
posts. Only way to nail insulators into them was to predrill all of
the holes. Was like trying to drive a nail into an iron pipe. Every
nail bent over.

DR. EVIL · Jun 1, 2018

Semi-flatbed trailers use Apitong wood. They sit out 24-7-365 for years. On a cost vs years of service probably the longest lasting least cost wood.

pcsaw · Jun 1, 2018

Red elm if you can find it

keh · Jun 1, 2018

I have white oak and yellow pine on the place and have sawed boards from them. White oak is ahead by a large margin for trailer floors. Treated lumber here in SC is yellow pine.

No red elm or larch to be found here.

KEH

Texas Cowboy · Jun 1, 2018

We use 3x12 creosote treated timbers. We don't have the trees or the sawmills close enough to cut our own. Tony

showcrop · Jun 1, 2018

2X Apitong. Pressure treatment here in the Northeast is for moisture not bugs.

donahue trailer

Howard Parker

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JWA

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Josh-nhihguy

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kcm.MN

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hd6gtom

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jeffcat

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Howard Parker

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BarnyardEngineering

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Part Time Pete

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Leroy

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jeffcat

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DR. EVIL

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pcsaw

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keh

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Texas Cowboy

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showcrop

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