Trailer floor material

[Mydexta]

Needing to replace the floor on my graham Edwards trailer.

My local timber merchant are now stocking either 21x145 keruing boards, or 18mm rhino mesh ply board.

The trailer stays outside all yr round so what would be the better choice ??

 

[Sharpy]

I would think Kerung, in the same situation but already replaced once with phenolic resin which has lasted 4 or 5 years.

 

[Kidds]

If you go with phenolic ply (which I would) don't cheap out with it. The cheap stuff delaminated.

 

[Andrew]

Keruing is very good, will last for years, especially if you paint it in linseed oil once in a while. However the phenolic ply is quite good.

 

[spanners and hammers]

depends on what you do with the trailer ,, if it say just bales the ply will last but if you put machines and the like on it and knock chunks out of the surface then the keruing will be better but does weigh more I think,,, you could look at ally planks done both ours with them and would not use wood again ( sorry for the pun )

 

[Sharpy]

depends on what you do with the trailer ,, if it say just bales the ply will last but if you put machines and the like on it and knock chunks out of the surface then the keruing will be better but does weigh more I think,,, you could look at ally planks done both ours with them and would not use wood again ( sorry for the pun )

The ally planks will be very slippy, also not cheap either.

 

[Bobthebuilder]

why not get some stockboard or plastic planks from solway

 

[spanners and hammers]

I agree they can slip but there are grooved types as well we do use little rubber pads under some items but we have had no trouble as for cost a little extra at the start but I think there never rot makes them cost effective over time also they clean and washable for some of our work ,,, like all things you have to choose the option that suits your application

 

[Chuckie]

If you go with phenolic ply (which I would) don't cheap out with it. The cheap stuff delaminated.

Genuine buffalo board is good.

 

[Sharpy]

I agree they can slip but there are grooved types as well we do use little rubber pads under some items but we have had no trouble as for cost a little extra at the start but I think there never rot makes them cost effective over time also they clean and washable for some of our work ,,, like all things you have to choose the option that suits your application

I have a tipper with ally planks, just unsure if I want the flat as slippy. Rubber mat not a bad idea though.

 

[Kidds]

Genuine buffalo board is good.

yes, and seal any cut edges

 

[Andrew]

I have a tipper with ally planks, just unsure if I want the flat as slippy. Rubber mat not a bad idea though.

What about ally tread plate?

 

[Sharpy]

What about ally tread plate?

Wondering about that too, cheap boards underneath, same as a cattle float, only thing is the joints between the sheets.

 

[Andrew]

Wondering about that too, cheap boards underneath, same as a cattle float, only thing is the joints between the sheets.

Do away with the planks underneath. Use a thicker sheet. Make sure the join is on a bearer.

 

[Sharpy]

Do away with the planks underneath. Use a thicker sheet. Make sure the join is on a bearer.

How thick?

 

[Andrew]

How thick?

Depends what you’re putting on, and the spacing of the bearers, use your judgement. If it’s only little bales and you don’t mind the end bend, a couple of mm will be fine.
If you’re moving machinery and there’ll be point loads, go for a lot thicker.

 

[Rod Dumbreck]

yes, and seal any cut edges

What do you use to seal it? (Thanks in anticipation)

 

[Kidds]

What do you use to seal it? (Thanks in anticipation)

I've had good results using lacquer topcoat that you would use when painting a car.
Nice and thin so soaks into the exposed wood and then sets hard. A few coats of thinned varnish or anything along those lines.

 

[Flat 10]

why not get some stockboard or plastic planks from solway

Have you tried this?

 

[Andrew]

Have you tried this?

I know someone who did, they didn’t allow for expansion in the sun and it destroyed itself.