Trailer deck replacement

[Machias]

I have a 16 foot flatbed trailer.  I need to replace all the wood.  It had plywood on it.  The support beams run lengthwise.  What wood would you all recommend?  Thanks!!

[7mmfan]

Lengthwise over 16' is tough with any kind of lumber, and very expensive. You don't want to run planks across the width if you plan on shoveling any kind of dirt/mulch, etc... out of it, that's just a shovel catcher. You may be best off going back to some 3/4" plywood.

[7mmfan]

Edit, you said flatbed, not utility. You mainly hauling small machinery on it?

[Jpmiller]

If it's lengthwise I might just go back to a plywood and use an outdoor primer on both sides and ends before install.

[2MANY]

Support beams lengthwise and nothing running across from one side to the other???

[jackelope]

Support beams lengthwise and nothing running across from one side to the other???

[Machias]

Support beams lengthwise and nothing running across from one side to the other???

Yep, I'll post a photo of it shortly with the wood removed. 

[Machias]

Edit, you said flatbed, not utility. You mainly hauling small machinery on it?

I have hauled all kinds of stuff with it, but it will be mainly used for hauling around a couple of catarafts from now on.

[Machias]

Which plywood would you guys use?

[2MANY]

If plywood I would go 1-1/8" T & G.
Never know when you might wanna haul a whole moose on it.

[Machias]

Photo

[Stein]

I would use 3/4 CDX painted or polyurethane.

[2MANY]

Yup.
For that trailer 3/4" CDX would do the trick.
Tongue and groove joints would keep all seams the same elevation and provide strength at the seams.
Good Luck.

[Knocker of rocks]

For that trailer 3/4" CDX would do the trick.
Tongue and groove joints would keep all seams the same elevation and provide strength at the seams.

And not allow water to drain

[Machias]

Thanks guys!!

[KFhunter]

what about expanded metal, capped at the seams so nothing can snag

[Buckmark]

I would go 1/8 inch No slip No rot (AKA steel diamond plate), you could go 1/4 but that would be over kill
Last deck you would ever need to put on and no maintenance required

[2MANY]

Whatever the recess depth is at the edge is what I would use so it swept off nice.
Good luck.

[Machias]

I would go 1/8 inch No slip No rot (AKA steel diamond plate), you could go 1/4 but that would be over kill
Last deck you would ever need to put on and no maintenance required

Any idea where the best place to purchase and any idea on what 7 foot 5 inch x 15 foot 8 inch would run....roughly?

[timberghost72]

Why not marine grade T&G plywood? No need to paint, stain or seal. It is not much more than standard plywood.

[Knocker of rocks]

I would go 1/8 inch No slip No rot (AKA steel diamond plate), you could go 1/4 but that would be over kill
Last deck you would ever need to put on and no maintenance required

Any idea where the best place to purchase and any idea on what 7 foot 5 inch x 15 foot 8 inch would run....roughly?

You'd be looking at about 600 pounds.

[Machias]

Ouch! 

[Knocker of rocks]

And I would guess $1.50 to $2.10/pound

[Buckmark]

I would go 1/8 inch No slip No rot (AKA steel diamond plate), you could go 1/4 but that would be over kill
Last deck you would ever need to put on and no maintenance required

Any idea where the best place to purchase and any idea on what 7 foot 5 inch x 15 foot 8 inch would run....roughly?

You'd be looking at about 600 pounds.

Yeah but only 339 lbs heavier than 1 1/8 plywood and will last forever but i understand some people dont want the weight, not sure where in your area to buy it, check with metal salvage yards as they sometimes have some around or can get it for you.
I buy my metal from zrecyclers in Lynden, but thats not close to you

[Knocker of rocks]

Yeah but only 339 lbs heavier than 1 1/8 plywood and will last forever..........

Which may be longer than what appears to be a light duty trailer

[Bofire]

Do not over think this, just replace the Ply with Ply, treated is fine, you will have to retreat if you want it to last.
Carl

[Buckmark]

Yeah but only 339 lbs heavier than 1 1/8 plywood and will last forever..........

Which may be longer than what appears to be a light duty trailer

Yeah i never said the trailer would last forever 
I did a trailer deck with some 2x12 laminated veneer boards i got for practically free, figured i would treat them with something to make them last, never did and they lasted almost 13 years..

[elkaholic33]

You going to put a roller on the back?  Sure is impressive watching those guys unload and load their boats fulling loaded while I am still putting mine together.

[follow maggie]

I think the best combo of low cost and long life is 3/4” plywood, painted with a good primer and then raptor liner.  Long life for relatively little cost.

[2MANY]

You going to put a roller on the back?  Sure is impressive watching those guys unload and load their boats fulling loaded while I am still putting mine together.

Good call right there.

[Jpmiller]

For that trailer 3/4" CDX would do the trick.
Tongue and groove joints would keep all seams the same elevation and provide strength at the seams.

And not allow water to drain

Just don't park it on a flat spot if it's that big a concern

[jackelope]

This will be the most amazing cat trailer on the planet at the rate we're going.

[Machias]

 

[Machias]

You going to put a roller on the back?  Sure is impressive watching those guys unload and load their boats fulling loaded while I am still putting mine together.

Probably not, our catarafts don't weigh much and handle like a pig if you load them up too much.

[Machias]

Here is the best cataraft trailer I've had.  I made it out of a Hobie Sailboat trailer.  Would love to find another one and do the same thing again.  If anyone see a cheap Hobie Sailboat trailer for sale, let me know! 

[SniperDanWA]

Hobie trailer

https://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/zip/d/sumner-free-hobie-cat-sailboat-and/6948151920.html

[Machias]

Already deleted!   

[J.Brower]

A buddy uses concrete form boards on his 18’ car trailer. They last for 10+ years sitting outside and he hauls everything from bikes to small dozers on it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Machias]

 

[elkaholic33]

You going to put a roller on the back?  Sure is impressive watching those guys unload and load their boats fulling loaded while I am still putting mine together.

Probably not, our catarafts don't weigh much and handle like a pig if you load them up too much.

Nice boat.  We usually do longer trips, so there tends to be a bit more stuff.

[Knocker of rocks]

That looks fun

[Machias]

elkaholic33 that's a bunch of gear!!  Nice photo, thanks for sharing.