Big Tex 20 plus 5 deck material

[sandman2234]

I have a 20 plus 5 Big Tex trailer and am going to need to replace the deck soon. I was just wondering what everyone thought would be the best options.
I "might" have enough aluminum to do a one inch drop center 36 inches wide but do not have enough aluminum to do the whole deck without buying some. I have considered looking around for a wrecked semi flatbed or a refrigerated van and take the flooring out of it, but finding one requires me to spend a lot of time making contacts with people who really don't want to be bothered with a small time buyer who only wants to buy a single trailer.
Wood is what is on it, but i have no idea what kind. I might could get telephone poles cut into thicker boards and use them for decking. The most available treated wood around here is pine and I just don't have that much faith in it's strength.
Any thoughts or suggestions?
David from jax

 

[3Ts]

You could call the Big Tex folks and ask them what the decking is. I suspect it is pressure treated southern yellow pine, which is actually one of the stronger woods used in construction.
Here's a chart that shows the various woods and their strengths, for you application you'll probably want the bending strength and you'll see that southern pine is right up there with the oaks in strengths and very few of the american woods are stronger.
Wood Strength

 

[Redbug]

I think oak is best. If you know someone with a sawmill they could cut oak boards thicker than you would normally buy as well. Oak will last long time. I have put used motor oil on the boards to protect them from weathering. Otherwise, why not sheets of steel diamond plate?

 

[kennyd]

I used white oak from a local sawmill when I redid mine. PT pine is crap anymore, and red oak soaks up water to easily. After it dries roll on used motor oil liberally as a preservative.

 

[fried1765]

I have a 20 plus 5 Big Tex trailer and am going to need to replace the deck soon. I was just wondering what everyone thought would be the best options.
I "might" have enough aluminum to do a one inch drop center 36 inches wide but do not have enough aluminum to do the whole deck without buying some. I have considered looking around for a wrecked semi flatbed or a refrigerated van and take the flooring out of it, but finding one requires me to spend a lot of time making contacts with people who really don't want to be bothered with a small time buyer who only wants to buy a single trailer.
Wood is what is on it, but i have no idea what kind. I might could get telephone poles cut into thicker boards and use them for decking. The most available treated wood around here is pine and I just don't have that much faith in it's strength.
Any thoughts or suggestions?
David from jax

Isn't your local "pine" actually Southern yellow pine.
That is a great wool for trailer decking, and many trailer manufacturers use PT Southern yellow pine for decking.

 

[Morning Wood]

PT SYP will last fine as long as you treat it every year. Oak will be stronger but will also be a lot heavier. Aren’t some manufacturers using. Black decking surface now? Is it actually a composite or something or just rhino lined wood?

 

[murse72]

Something else to look at the is type of rating the pressure treated wood is. I know Lowe's and Home Depot here only sale above ground contacted rated lumber. Look for ground contact rated pressure treated wood. It will last a lot longer.

 

[3Ts]

Also, if you do use Pressure Treated wood, be aware of the different preservatives that are used: CCA, ACQ, MCA and I think there's one more. Some are more corrosive than others and may need special fasteners. ACQ in particular is the most corrosive of the bunch and hot dipped galvanized (or ones labeled for ACQ which may also have a ceramic coating) should be used.

 

[Xfaxman]

PT SYP will last fine as long as you treat it every year. Oak will be stronger but will also be a lot heavier. Aren't some manufacturers using. Black decking surface now? Is it actually a composite or something or just rhino lined wood?

This is one that is used in horse trailers: Rumber Materials | Durable lumber replacing products from 1% recycled tire rubber and plastics.

 

[sandman2234]

I stopped by the Big Tex shop in Ga this morning, and went over a couple of things. Treated pine is the standard board that they put on the trailers, but Oak is available for an upcharge. I could use a longer trailer, as mine is about 5 foot short for the things i typically use it for! I would like to order a new trailer, but that isn't likely to happen!
David from jax