Title: trailer decking
Post by: jiggersplat on December 18, 2005, 09:19:19 PM
Post by: jiggersplat on December 18, 2005, 09:19:19 PM
i just picked up one of those cheap-o folding 4x8 trailers. i need to put some decking on it, but don't want to use plywood and the aluminum diamond plate costs way too much. anyone have any suggestions on materials and where to get them?
Title: trailer decking
Post by: JamesG on December 18, 2005, 09:31:58 PM
Post by: JamesG on December 18, 2005, 09:31:58 PM
Whats wrong with plywood?
Title: trailer decking
Post by: jiggersplat on December 18, 2005, 09:33:12 PM
Post by: jiggersplat on December 18, 2005, 09:33:12 PM
it rots and it's unnattractive.
Title: trailer decking
Post by: JamesG on December 18, 2005, 09:54:42 PM
Post by: JamesG on December 18, 2005, 09:54:42 PM
Stain it and put Thompsons on it.
You have an ugly, cheap-ass, welded folding trailer. A little plywood isn't going to hurt any.
:)
You don't really want to use metal plate anyway, even the rough dimond plate type can be slick and/or distort when loaded with bikes. Plywood really is your only option unless you can find some kind of thick plastic material.
You have an ugly, cheap-ass, welded folding trailer. A little plywood isn't going to hurt any.
:)
You don't really want to use metal plate anyway, even the rough dimond plate type can be slick and/or distort when loaded with bikes. Plywood really is your only option unless you can find some kind of thick plastic material.
Title: trailer decking
Post by: D-Day on December 18, 2005, 09:58:10 PM
Post by: D-Day on December 18, 2005, 09:58:10 PM
Quote from: jiggersplatit rots and it's unnattractive.
Use pressure treated plywood like I did.
Problem solved.
Title: trailer decking
Post by: pantablo on December 18, 2005, 10:28:44 PM
Post by: pantablo on December 18, 2005, 10:28:44 PM
try planks instead of plywood....but plywood is the best, cheapest alternative...hell, whats a board cost these days, like $20? so what if it rots, replace it once every two years...
Title: trailer decking
Post by: davipu on December 18, 2005, 10:35:52 PM
Post by: davipu on December 18, 2005, 10:35:52 PM
get a 6 inch steel channel for each bike. and bolt it down
Title: trailer decking
Post by: pandy on December 18, 2005, 10:42:59 PM
Post by: pandy on December 18, 2005, 10:42:59 PM
I wonder if a tri-fold ramp would work for the decking? I have one, and it's quite strong (and attractive! ;) )! It was about $99.00 at Pepboys, which is what a few years worth of good wood would run ya'. :thumb:
Title: trailer decking
Post by: Roadstergal on December 18, 2005, 10:45:06 PM
Post by: Roadstergal on December 18, 2005, 10:45:06 PM
Quote from: pandywhich is what a few years worth of good wood would run ya'. :thumb:
*mmmphle*
Er, nothing.
Title: trailer decking
Post by: pandy on December 18, 2005, 10:54:28 PM
Post by: pandy on December 18, 2005, 10:54:28 PM
Quote from: RoadstergalQuote from: pandywhich is what a few years worth of good wood would run ya'. :thumb:
*mmmphle*Er, nothing.
Dayim...and I'm usually good about catching stuff like this! :oops: :lol:
Title: trailer decking
Post by: pantablo on December 18, 2005, 10:57:17 PM
Post by: pantablo on December 18, 2005, 10:57:17 PM
ja, tha twas a good one.
Title: trailer decking
Post by: dgyver on December 19, 2005, 06:01:37 AM
Post by: dgyver on December 19, 2005, 06:01:37 AM
How about using 5/4 deck boards? It will hold up longer than the plywood, especially 1/2" which never stays flat. If you do use ply, use 3/4". You could even use the composite decking like Veranda or Trex, but it is a little heavier than real wood and more expensive.
Title: trailer decking
Post by: FearedGS500 on December 19, 2005, 07:14:45 AM
Post by: FearedGS500 on December 19, 2005, 07:14:45 AM
go to lowe's .. get you some prsessure treated 2x6's thats what most these trailers are lined with now and days . like my grandfathers .. his has had the same 2x6's on it for ever . i'm not sure how dead your little trailer is .. but .. a 2x would probly be good :)
Title: trailer decking
Post by: RedShift on December 19, 2005, 07:43:20 PM
Post by: RedShift on December 19, 2005, 07:43:20 PM
Quote from: D-Day+1. I put 3/4" pressure treated plywood for the deck of my old tent-trailer frame. Finished it off with a liberal soaking of Thompson's Weather Seal.Quote from: jiggersplatit rots and it's unnattractive.
Use pressure treated plywood like I did.
Problem solved.
It's been three years and no trace of rot. Cost me all of $32 for a 4'x8' sheet. Can't beat it for ease of adaptation but a plunge cut is still exciting. :)
Title: trailer decking
Post by: D-Day on December 19, 2005, 10:43:48 PM
Post by: D-Day on December 19, 2005, 10:43:48 PM
Quote from: FearedGS500go to lowe's .. get you some prsessure treated 2x6's thats what most these trailers are lined with now and days . like my grandfathers .. his has had the same 2x6's on it for ever . i'm not sure how dead your little trailer is .. but .. a 2x would probly be good :)
One advantage of plywood decking over 2x6 is that water will not come up from the road if you drive in the rain. My trailer has decking and a deflector on the front, and even in the rain, the bike(s) don't get filthy from road spray.