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Tighten the nuts with a socket wrench. Follow the same process to install boards across the width of the trailer, leaving about 1/4 inch between boards for drainage and expansion gaps. Cut each piece of lumber to fit, then drill pilot holes and attach the wood to the trailer with carriage bolts.
What screws do you use for trailer decking?
For 1/4″ x 20 TPI deck screws, we recommend a #1 (0.228″) drill bit; for 5/16″ x 18 TPI deck screws, we recommend a 9/32″ (0.2812″) drill bit. 2.
How much space should be between trailer deck boards?
The goal is to have about an 1/8-inch gap (the diameter of an 8d nail) between boards after the decking has dried to its equilibrium moisture content. If the decking is installed wet, as is often the case for pressure treated material, it is best to install the boards tight, letting gaps form as the wood dries.
Is pressure treated wood good for trailer deck?
Pressure treated Pine flooring is the most commonly used wood flooring material in trailers. The abundant supply of Pine wood in the south coupled with its sturdy nature make for a solid basic flooring choice.
What kind of wood should I use for a trailer deck?
Rough oak is used for trailer decking primarily for its strength. Oak is one of the only decking materials recommended for use with tracked equipment such as skid steer loaders and excavators. In the trailer industry, oak decking is referred to as “rough” oak for a reason.
What is a trailer screw?
This is the fastener that the professionals use when installing or replacing wood floors in trailers. Drill hole (use a 7/32″ drill bit) through wood floorboard into metal floor supports, then install screw so that the screw head is flush with the floor.
How high should trailer sides be?
Determine the height for the trailer sides. A typical height for most hauling and cargo applications is 48 inches.
Can you put deck boards tight together?
Keep the butt ends as tight as possible when installing wood decking. This rule does NOT apply to composite or PVC boards which can have a large thermal expansion; enough to create a serious roller coaster effect down the length of the PVC or composite boards if you DON’T leave room for thermal expansion.
Do you leave a gap between decking boards?
Proper Gap between Decking Boards When installing decking boards, make sure to leave 1/4 to 1/8 inch gaps in between them. This gap will make sure that the decking can breathe, have sufficient drainage, and make it easier to clean.
How many deck boards do I need for a 10×10 deck?
For a 10×10 square deck, you would therefore need twenty-two 10′ deck boards. Dimensions for deck boards can vary depending on the look you want and the deck board type you use. However, the most common is a 5/4” thick by 6” wide deck board of any length.
How thick should a trailer floor be?
0.045″ would be the thinnest we recommend. If you don’t have a strong support on the bottom or you have beams, then you should go thicker. The most popular thicknesses would be 0.188″ (3/16″) or 0.125″ (1/8″), and even 0.25 (1/4″).
What do you put on a wood trailer deck?
Just like your deck, fence or other outdoor wood surfaces, your trailer deck requires a sealant to keep out moisture. Look for a quality sealant designed for heavy-traffic wood and apply it every year. An annual coat of sealant maintains your deck and keeps each board dry, solid and ready for any load.
What do you put on trailer floor?
Rubber flooring is known for its extreme durability, a sought-after quality in trailer flooring. Not only can rubber protect your subfloor from heavy equipment and automobiles, but it holds up well against water and other messes. This is why rubber flooring is also great for livestock trailers.
Is Cedar good for trailer decking?
Description: Western Red Cedar is popular for decking, siding and paneling applications. It is not a good industrial wood despite its natural durability. It is too soft for any reasonable application in the truck and trailer industry.
Is White Oak good for trailer decking?
Durable, Affordable and Sustainable White Oak has been the industry standard for heavy equipment trailer decking for good reasons. It is strong and lasts forever. Despite White Oaks natural weather resistance, many of our customers choose to apply weather sealer to their lumber before installing on their trailers.
Is it better to screw or nail deck boards?
Nails have one huge advantage over screws when building a deck – they bend. Decks are often subject to the force of heavy winds. Due to the way wind can get beneath a deck and pull on it, nails will bend and prevent the deck from moving while screws, which have a significantly lower shear strength, will break.
Should deck screws be countersunk?
Deck screws should be slightly countersunk below the decking surface. The finish screws set to approximately 1/8″ (3mm) below the decking’s surface. Providing a clean finish without any screw head protruding after the decking dries.
Where do screws go on a deck?
You want to place your deck screws 1 inch to the inside of the edge of the board. If the deck screws are installed too close to the edge you risk splintering the boards. Set your drill at the lowest level so that you can have complete control over how deep the deck screw will go.
How do self tapping screws work?
Self tapping screws tap their own thread, so they need a pilot hole slightly smaller than the screws diameter. The idea is, you drill a pilot hole into wood or another soft material. Then as you drive the tapping screw in, its threads will dig into the material keeping it secure.
