trailer deck

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   we have a 16 ft utility trailer that is about 25 years old. The deck was getting bad an punched one hole thru one board last month. I bought 10 - 2 x 8 pressure treated and let them set outside under the awning for a month to somewhat dry out.
I took the old boards off and the BOTTOM of the boards looks half way decent. I had painted the TOP with used oil 3-4 times in the past 6 years... Thats when we bought it and the deck was VERY DRY - CRACKING..

I painted the NEW 2 x 8 on one face and both sides laying in the driveway. My plan was to install that side DOWN, then paint the TOP with the used oil after installed... Now im wondering if the BOTTOM should be painted ?  Bottom of 20 year old boards looked pretty good.. Maybe the BOTTOM should be open so it can BREATH ?  Wonder if i should just install now with the OILED side UP ?  .....

anyone else notice the BOTTOM of their trailer boards compared to the TOP ??

Edited by steve(ill) - 08 May 2025 at 2:51pm

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steve(ill) Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: illinois Points: 85828	Post Options Post Reply Quote steve(ill) Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: trailer deck Posted: 08 May 2025 at 2:48pm
	we have a 16 ft utility trailer that is about 25 years old. The deck was getting bad an punched one hole thru one board last month. I bought 10 - 2 x 8 pressure treated and let them set outside under the awning for a month to somewhat dry out. I took the old boards off and the BOTTOM of the boards looks half way decent. I had painted the TOP with used oil 3-4 times in the past 6 years... Thats when we bought it and the deck was VERY DRY - CRACKING.. I painted the NEW 2 x 8 on one face and both sides laying in the driveway. My plan was to install that side DOWN, then paint the TOP with the used oil after installed... Now im wondering if the BOTTOM should be painted ? Bottom of 20 year old boards looked pretty good.. Maybe the BOTTOM should be open so it can BREATH ? Wonder if i should just install now with the OILED side UP ? ..... anyone else notice the BOTTOM of their trailer boards compared to the TOP ?? Edited by steve(ill) - 08 May 2025 at 2:51pm
	Like them all, but love the "B"s.

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jaybmiller Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Greensville,Ont Points: 24388	Post Options Post Reply Quote jaybmiller Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 08 May 2025 at 4:06pm
	btms are always better since the sun don't get to them.... oil ALL 6 sides,x3 on the ends !, redo every 5 years
	3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112 Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor) Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water

plummerscarin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 22 Jun 2015 Location: ia Points: 3781	Post Options Post Reply Quote plummerscarin Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 May 2025 at 5:22pm
	Same happened to my car trailer. My daughter was wanting to build raised bed gardens so they got repurposed. New deck on mine should last till I decide to replace the trailer

IBWD MIke Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 08 Apr 2012 Location: Newton Ia. Points: 3987	Post Options Post Reply Quote IBWD MIke Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 hours 50 minutes ago at 5:58am
	Mine is steel, I just let the tractors oil the deck. Really wish they didn't though. Some more than others.

Codger Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 23 Dec 2020 Location: Utopia Points: 2248	Post Options Post Reply Quote Codger Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 hours 36 minutes ago at 6:12am
	Haven't had time to redeck my skid steer trailer yet. Purchased the lumber and stripped the old. Loose layed the boards to haul a couple of tractors and such and one 2X10 is already bending along it's length. I'll "jack" it back straight this weekend as I bolt them down.
	That's All Folks!

ACinSC Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 16 Dec 2015 Location: South Carolina Points: 2913	Post Options Post Reply Quote ACinSC Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 hours 20 minutes ago at 6:28am
	Treated my 12' utility trailer with linseed oil because that's what I had. Probably needs another coat. Thanks

plummerscarin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 22 Jun 2015 Location: ia Points: 3781	Post Options Post Reply Quote plummerscarin Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 6 hours 21 minutes ago at 6:27pm
	I have not used it but was told Apitong oil is the way to go.

Codger Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 23 Dec 2020 Location: Utopia Points: 2248	Post Options Post Reply Quote Codger Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 4 hours 20 minutes ago at 8:28pm
	This is my skid steer trailer I'm decking today. The boards were purchased from Menard's less than a month ago and they are twisted and curled badly. I loose layed them on the trailer after stripping off the old and used the trailer a couple of times but today started to straighten them back out using the trailer as the platform. Loose laid boards with the worst one shown with clamp setting but no pressure applied: Same with clamp tight and just starting to deform the edge from the applied pressure. Second clamp, (Pony) is applying downward pressure removing "twist": Porto power shoving on the other end to align it. Again the pressure is just enough to start to crush the boad edge: Allowed to dwell for just over an hour and gave the clamp and porto power some additional force as board is relaxing: Going to allow an overnight set and will see the results tomorrow morning. There is one more board shown here that is minor but is twisting. This will remove easily: I have a trough out back I can stack lumber in and fill this with used engine oil. I may do that later when the boards have dried out. I'm putting this deck down with semi trailer decking screws and they both install and remove easily. Hopefully have this task wrapped on Monday as have a small excavator to bring in for service. Edited by Codger - 4 hours 18 minutes ago at 8:30pm
	That's All Folks!

steve(ill) Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: illinois Points: 85828	Post Options Post Reply Quote steve(ill) Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 3 hours 8 minutes ago at 9:40pm
	I got my boards at Menards also.. Worst one is not 1/2 inch off... but mine are only 16 ft long.. I have a cover lip at the front and rear that helps hold them DOWN... I did use a bar clamp to pull them tight against each other.. Screwed down each as i went... I didnt use the trailer screws.. I bolted two 2 x 4 onto two of the cross members under the deck at 4 and 12 ft...lip holds them down at 0 and 16 ft. ... then used green House deck screws to attach the floor to the 2 x 4... Edited by steve(ill) - 3 hours 3 minutes ago at 9:45pm
	Like them all, but love the "B"s.

Codger Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 23 Dec 2020 Location: Utopia Points: 2248	Post Options Post Reply Quote Codger Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 2 hours 27 minutes ago at 10:21pm
	These were arrow straight when I purchased them, but wet. Had planned to install very shortly after bringing them to the shop but had paying jobs make entry so this got shoved to the back burner. I had stacked them on my old Mack truck frame with a spacer board perpendicular to allow air to dry them out and they are much dryer than original but a couple have taken to changing shape. Ran out just before dark and gave the clamps another twist, and the porto power another tensioning. The boards are now all shoved together tightly. I'll let this go till morning and then hopefully they will be close enough to do as you stated and force them together while fastening down. This trailer has a strip of steel welded to the bulkhead at the front but nothing at the rear except the edge of the 6" channel that is the closing panel. Prior to my ownership 23 years ago somebody bent this channel and I've got to straighten it before the deck boads will fit in the area. I cut all of them even and will use the skid steer and hydraulics to pull it out tomorrow. Also need to do some straightening and welding on the hinged ramps. Like the trailer a lot but rust is just about to put it down. Even the 2X6X3/16" wall tube frame has holes rotted in it, but nothing structural yet.
	That's All Folks!