5 x 8 utility trailer re-decking project

[ebinmaine 68,874]

We bought this trailer a couple years ago knowing it needed a little help.

As you can see there is a layer of very badly swollen and rotted 1in thick OSB on top of the original 2 by 8 pressure-treated boards which are also rotted.

There used to be three-foot-tall OSB sides as well.

We are going to replace the decking and leave the sides open.

 

Today Trina and her mom ripped all the wood off.

It's only in the low 90's in the shade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[AMC RULES 37,141]

  I'm thinking...

Trina & her mom are keepers. 

[dclarke 4,046]

Those 5x8 trailers sure are handy to have around. What are you using for decking, Eric? 

[ebinmaine 68,874]

1 hour ago, dclarke said:

Those 5x8 trailers sure are handy to have around. What are you using for decking, Eric? 

We were reorganizing the warehouse at work and took down a whole bunch of cantilever racks that used four foot long 2 by 8 for the shelving.

They were going to just put them in the wood recycling so I took it home without really having any particular purpose in mind.

Ended up getting a 4-foot square pallet probably stacked 3 feet high.

We've used some of the boards for other things already.

 

We're going to use those as the decking of the trailer.

I've thought about coating them with something but I can't come up with any good answers.

This doesn't last very long. That is slippery. This Is too expensive. That doesn't work......

So we are just going to leave them plain.

 

Should be able to get at least 4 to 6 years out of it if I can keep it well-ventilated and drying.

 

[The Tuul Crib 7,338]

 Best thing you can use for those trailers is go to the sawmill get you some fresh cut red Oak and put it down immediately will last a long time .!

[ebinmaine 68,874]

1 hour ago, The Tool Crib said:

 Best thing you can use for those trailers is go to the sawmill get you some fresh cut red Oak and put it down immediately will last a long time .!

Absolutely agreed!!

I didn't go that route because the wood I have is free.

Free is good.

[SylvanLakeWH 26,148]

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

Absolutely agreed!!

I didn't go that route because the wood I have is free.

Free is good.

 

Yep - My Favorite four letter word... FREE.

[The Tuul Crib 7,338]

Freeeee!!! Yes

[Lee1977 6,868]

Be sure to install the boards with the outside of the tree up as you would a deck.  The other way will rot out a lot quicker as the cup will hold water.

[ebinmaine 68,874]

6 hours ago, Lee1977 said:

install the boards

Will do Lee.

Thanks !

 

My Honey spent a bunch of time yesterday wire brushing and painting.

She's ready to choose the boards this morning.

 

 

[DennisThornton 4,769]

On 7/4/2018 at 4:24 PM, The Tool Crib said:

 Best thing you can use for those trailers is go to the sawmill get you some fresh cut red Oak and put it down immediately will last a long time .!

White oak.  Red oak will rot.  Well, long before the white oak does.  White oak is what wet coopers use for barrels. Makes decent fence posts too. 

[clueless 3,012]

57 minutes ago, DennisThornton said:

White oak.  Red oak will rot.  Well, long before the white oak does.  White oak is what wet coopers use for barrels. Makes decent fence posts too. 

And smoke for a full packer cut brisket .

[ebinmaine 68,874]

4 minutes ago, clueless said:

And smoke for a full packer cut brisket .

Ooooooooooooo.

I see a BBQ in my future....

[pfrederi 17,986]

I went to our local sawmill last year to get some oak to re-deck a snowmobile trailer.It is about 6x10  i wanted 1" rough cut.  The owner smiled at me and got out his calculator. I think I passed out but i recall through the haze of disbelief $295+tax

[ebinmaine 68,874]

1 minute ago, pfrederi said:

I went to our local sawmill last year to get some oak to re-deck a snowmobile trailer.It is about 6x10  i wanted 1" rough cut.  The owner smiled at me and got out his calculator. I think I passed out but i recall through the haze of disbelief $295+tax

Ouch

 

I have white oak on my own land and my neighbor has a mill.