Trailer Decking Question

[BarnyardEngineering]

You are absolutely wrong about the added strength. Look at old floors in factories and barns for reference.

Just because that's the way they did it in the olden days, does not mean that it's stronger. Just look at it. The boards running longways bridge between the cross beams of the trailer. The ones running crossways run parallel BETWEEN the cross beams of the trailer. Nothing underneath them but the longways boards. They do nothing to add strength to the system.

Notice that's NOT how they do it today.

 

[NoDakInMN]

Good lord people, the guy made a decision on using red oak based on a much cheaper price, he is asking how to get the most out of it, not to be hectored over a decision he made based on economics. I see people complaining about how the site is losing members, then behave like this and wonder why people leave.

 

[jon f mn]

Just because that's the way they did it in the olden days, does not mean that it's stronger. Just look at it. The boards running longways bridge between the cross beams of the trailer. The ones running crossways run parallel BETWEEN the cross beams of the trailer. Nothing underneath them but the longways boards. They do nothing to add strength to the system.

Notice that's NOT how they do it today.

They don't do it today because it's expensive. But running crosswise or diagonal ties all the lengthwise boards together between the supports which adds the strength of all the boards for that span, not just the two glued together. So it's stronger than the glue together plan.

 

[Rich'sToys]

Good lord people, the guy made a decision on using red oak based on a much cheaper price, he is asking how to get the most out of it, not to be hectored over a decision he made based on economics. I see people complaining about how the site is losing members, then behave like this and wonder why people leave.

I agree. It's time to put this thread to rest.

 

[jon f mn]

Folks need to quit being negative on the red oak for this. Red oak is more fibrous but less rigid than white oak. It is more likely to sag but less likely to split than white oak. And running 2 layers will help with that a lot. For glue I would say to stay away from PL400 as it's very hard and when the trailer flexes it could tear up the boards. A better solution if he wants to go that way is caulking, it will glue the boards together and seal them but also stay flexible so it doesn't tear up the boards when the trailer flexes.

As to strength, gluing will double the strength of the boards, but going diagonal will tie several boards together between crossmembers giving even more strength. Calking can still be put between if he wants them sealed. He can also go crosswise and be easier and get more than doubled boards, but it won't be as strong as diagonal.

 

[Fritz Maurer]

Why don't you pay just a couple more bucks and get some red oak sawed the thickness you need? All these theories like gluing look good on paper, but you will have to get the lumber planed or gluing is a waste of time. How much time are you willing to spend on something no one will guarantee to work?

 

[wh]

Why don't you pay just a couple more bucks and get some red oak sawed the thickness you need? All these theories like gluing look good on paper, but you will have to get the lumber planed or gluing is a waste of time. How much time are you willing to spend on something no one will guarantee to work?

I think it is settled. He wants to work 3 times as hard to have a floor 1/2 as good as it could be.

 

[buick8]

Not an expert but I read there are some exotic woods imported to the US that make the very best trailer floors for heavy-duty use. You might research this if you are interested.

 

[tmking66]

Why don't you pay just a couple more bucks and get some red oak sawed the thickness you need? All these theories like gluing look good on paper, but you will have to get the lumber planed or gluing is a waste of time. How much time are you willing to spend on something no one will guarantee to work?

$1000 difference is more than a couple of bucks.

 

[tmking66]

I think it is settled. He wants to work 3 times as hard to have a floor 1/2 as good as it could be.

You know I came here to ask a simple question about the strength of two vs 1 board. I did come here for a butt like you to try and make me look stupid because I can guarantee you that I am not. So take your obnoxious opinions and stick them where the sun don't shine. I'm done with this place.

 

[Fritz Maurer]

$1000 difference is more than a couple of bucks.

1000$ for what? I just did a 8.5'x 23' deck for 250$ , random width 2" red oak.

I'm not trying to talk you into some exotic wood, I go for price too... red oak works well but is pitiful rot resistance.

 

[wore out]

You know I came here to ask a simple question about the strength of two vs 1 board. I did come here for a butt like you to try and make me look stupid because I can guarantee you that I am not. So take your obnoxious opinions and stick them where the sun don't shine. I'm done with this place.

This site will more than likely have to shut down in a day or two after losing you.

Truly SAD!

 

[Fritz Maurer]

Not an expert but I read there are some exotic woods imported to the US that make the very best trailer floors for heavy-duty use. You might research this if you are interested.

On my 05 Trail King there was some wood on it that they called "Apitong"... I had never heard of it, but the claim was it was the last word in trailer decking, for strength and rot resistance. I did hold up well, even with the 815 on it, which is designed to crush and compact things; but, the trailer had 12"centers on the cross members so that added strength to the deck.

 

[Rich'sToys]

You know I came here to ask a simple question about the strength of two vs 1 board. I did come here for a butt like you to try and make me look stupid because I can guarantee you that I am not. So take your obnoxious opinions and stick them where the sun don't shine. I'm done with this place.

As you noticed, even the simplest question will generate all kinds of responses and opinions. Unfortunately, there are a few who think that they are always right, and if you don't believe it, just ask them! To them, no one else's opinion matters.

We apologize for those individuals. Sorry your first experience here was not a pleasant one. I hope you'll reconsider and stick around. There IS a lot of good information to be had here. But sometimes you have to sort through a lot of crap to get at it.

 

[wh]

As you noticed, even the simplest question will generate all kinds of responses and opinions. Unfortunately, there are a few who think that they are always right, and if you don't believe it, just ask them! To them, no one else's opinion matters.

We apologize for those individuals. Sorry your first experience here was not a pleasant one. I hope you'll reconsider and stick around. There IS a lot of good information to be had here. But sometimes you have to sort through a lot of crap to get at it.

Actually he asked a question about using boards that the majority of answers were that the boards were less than ideal. YES they will work. However, a simple search online (Home Depot) shows treated 2x8x16 at $21 per board. 10 of these would do a standard 16 foot trailer. That is just over $210 with tax for a job done right. He never says what size trailer so i do not know how many he needs. Must be a 50 footer if it takes $1000. I hope i am not behind this loaded trailer when the hidden rot gives way going down the road. Am i always right, heavens no! Just ask my wife. But, if i ask a question on something and the vast majority of answers are different from what i had planned for then i would rethink my plan.

 

[Mule Meat]

Do it once and be done with it.
Screw it down for welding will cause it to crack.

 

[tmking66]

This site will more than likely have to shut down in a day or two after losing you.

Truly SAD!

This site will more than likely have to shut down in a day or two after losing you.

Truly SAD!

I love people like this that get online and talk big but face to face are spineless cowards. Jerk.

 

[tmking66]

Do it once and be done with it.
Screw it down for welding will cause it to crack.

View attachment 88536

Where do you get it and how much?

 

[DoubleO7]

Where do you get it and how much?

Any steel distributor like Alro, etc.
Several adds down here in central Florida on CL and FBMP for surplus and used bar grating.
One I saw with 1 inch bars was $7/sq ft.
Search with word: grating

They make U-shaped clips to use in order to bolt it down to the crossmembers.

Will have to throw down some plywood, etc. if hauling some bulk material.

 

[ss55]

You know I came here to ask a simple question about the strength of two vs 1 board. I did come here for a butt like you to try and make me look stupid because I can guarantee you that I am not. So take your obnoxious opinions and stick them where the sun don't shine. I'm done with this place.

Google Strength of Materials Science. The strength of solid beams (and boards) is proportional to the square of the thickness.

In short: Two one inch thick boards stacked are only twice as strong as a single one inch thick board. A two inch thick board is four times as strong as a single one inch thick board.