Haul trailer revisited

pat sublett · Oct 4, 2011

Thanks to all for the information. I changed my mind and bought a Big Tex trailer. They use Dexter Axles and american steel. I paid a little more but saved on the freight as they have a factory not far from me. I wanted a steel bed but wound up with wood. The bed rotted out in a couple of years on the last trailer I bought. I am sure that the wood will outlast me but I don't want my grand kids to have to replace it. I am trying to make room for it under the shed but, wonder if there is anything that I can put on it to extend the life. Thanks again.

mkirsch · Oct 5, 2011

First off if they used wood that isn't crap, it will last more than a couple of years.

You also need to keep the deck free and clean from anything that could hold moisture against the wood, which will accelerate rot.

There really is no point in putting anything on the wood unless you remove it from the trailer so you can get at all the ends and edges. The rot starts on the ends, where the boards contact the cross members, and along the edges. Exactly where you CAN'T get any wood preservative.

pat sublett · Oct 5, 2011

Thanks for the reply. I made the mistake of painting my first one on top and it rotted from the bottom quickly.

pat sublett · Oct 5, 2011

Thanks for the reply. I made the mistake of painting my first one on top and it rotted from the bottom quickly.

Jim in Ma. · Oct 5, 2011

I have had a 16' Big Tex with a wooden floor for about 15 years now. The trailer is kept outside.
I keep the deck clean and "paint" it with used motor oil once a year. It's still looking good.

RandyB(MI) · Oct 5, 2011

A poly tarp is what I put on my wood deck. Let hang over sides to keep sun uv rays off tires also. Just make sure it's dry when you put it on so don't hold moisture in. Maybe sounds like a hassle to some but my wood looks like new. It ain't gonna hurt it to get wet when you use it. It will dry right off. It's sitting wet for days and snow in winter that gets them. Also if it has any stitch welds , seal them from both sides with black silicone (assuming trailer is black) That steel isn't painted before assy , there will be bare steel between welded beams etc. Also seal up the seams/joints in fenders unless they are one solid piece of steel (if has fenders)Have a security plan , seems people love to steal new trailers!

IAtractorKid · Oct 5, 2011

Just put some water sealer on your boards every few years...our gooseneck sits outside 365 days a year. Its a '92 and still has the original boards on it that are still solid. If you want to take the boards off, coat the underside, sides, and ends with roofing tar and then water proof the top. That is what we did about 4 years ago on our bumoer pull and it seems to be working well.

rustyfarmall · Oct 6, 2011

(quoted from post at 17:06:27 10/05/11) I have had a 16' Big Tex with a wooden floor for about 15 years now. The trailer is kept outside.
I keep the deck clean and "paint" it with used motor oil once a year. It's still looking good.

Exactly!! Be very abundant with the used motor oil. I choose a day when the sun is very hot so the pores of the wood are opened up, and apply the oil with a broom, allowing it to run down between the boards and also migrate in under the steel end pieces. Trailer was purchased new in 2001, sets outside all the time. No sign of any deterioration of any kind.

Haul trailer revisited

pat sublett

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mkirsch

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pat sublett

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pat sublett

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Jim in Ma.

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RandyB(MI)

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IAtractorKid

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rustyfarmall

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