Utility trailer deck replacement

[joeu235]

I have a small 8' utility trailer that I use for hauling the 4 wheeler and doing small demolition jobs in the city that have limited access. Original untreated wooden deck rotted out so I replaced with diamond tread.

 

[weldingisfun]

That will last a lot longer than wood.
Nice video.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

You will get more flex than a wood floor and overall will loose some strength, and it will be slicker if wet, but for general purpose use, it is an excellent repair choice if wood isn't your thing.

 

[nyone]

Steel rusts faster than non PT wood can rot from my experience in the rust belt. Diamond plate is slick wet, dry or dirty. The paint can also wear off easily. If you want wood to last longer coat it in oil. I didnt do this put my deck is still 8yrs old non PT.

 

[yomax4]

I had a 5x10 and I made the sides and the floor all with 10ga diamond plate. It was tough to keep paint on it but the deck lasted longer that the frame. One other I have is a 4x8 that I use for small hauls and to bring wood down for my outdoor wood boiler. The deck on that on is heavy expanded metal. Great traction, easy fall through cleaning. My other trailer is a 6x12 with a treated wood deck. I haul most of my heavier stuff on it. I'm interested in the Oil idea for the wood deck. I'll have to look into that.

 

[joeu235]

I have no plans on painting the deck and don't care if it rusts. There are sheet metal objects my relatives built 80 years ago on the ranch that still just have surface rust.

 

[bg71361]

Looks great, what痴 a sheet of diamond plate go for these days? What size sheet was that?

 

[ArlyA]

Joe, you sure did make a nice video. I've used and built, both steel and wood decking material. Neither are prefect then wet and some years ago we found a wood deck which went up a modest grade that had become so slippery, we couldn't walk up it. Obviously some mold had got started on the cedar, it was made from. Point is, neither materiel is perfect. The last ramp I built we tried vinyl decking material that has a "wood grain" surface made on it so its less slippery and look nice. It "may" have been better while wet. Nothing is perfect.

 

[SkeeterFood]

I'm interested in the Oil idea for the wood deck. I'll have to look into that.

Depending on the look you want, can use old engine oil, fresh oil, or I also hear that red ATF works very well.
This is best done in the heat of Summer. Apply oil to wood until the wood won't accept any more. Let oil-soaked wood sit in the sun for 2 to 4 days to really soak in. If you want, place cardboard boxes under wood to catch any drips. Most importantly, soak all sides and edges. End grain will soak up the most.

Once oil has soaked in and been sun-baked for couple of days, you won't have to worry much about wood being slippery. If needed, use a router with 1/2" straight bit, and cut a diamond design with diagonal cuts 1/4" deep and about 1 1/2" to 2" apart for traction.

Another option that many don't know is burning the wood. You can take a propane weed burner (ANY time of year!) and scorch the wood on all sides until pretty much black. Use wire brush in drill or angle grinder to remove most of the char. This helps to seal the wood from moisture as well as repels bugs. I just learned about this fairly recently so have not had a chance to try it, but there are many videos about the process. Check here:shou sugi ban wood burning - YouTube Some good videos out there, but also lots of boring ones from folks who only repeat what they hear (....like ME! *lol*). I'll likely be trying this on a small trailer over Winter or in early Spring.

 

[joeu235]

Looks great, whatç—´ a sheet of diamond plate go for these days? What size sheet was that?

I had to buy a 5 x 10 because the trailer is 5 wide. $280. PT would have costed ~ $60 so metal was $220 more. Since I use the trailer for hauling construction debris occasionally on small urban jobs, I figured it would be worth the extra cost to ensure nails and screws don't fall through the cracks in the lumber.