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Frontranger
01-17-2008 10:07:12
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Re: OT trailer floor in reply to bhb, 01-17-2008 07:22:33
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I am looking at a similar project here in NE Colorado, and have been doin" much investigation. Harder by far and away for trailer floors are what the commercial trailer builders use short of steel or aluminium. Bear in mind they are always on the lookout for less expensive equivalent alternatives. It is an imported hardwood from the tropical climates (they say it is not an endangered species, but I'm not certain of that), "apitong or keriung," in use for many years here across the USA. I may not be spelling that quite right, but this stuff is available here from some of the trailer rebuilder supply houses. Google "apitong trailer flooring." The native hardwoods (oaks, maples, etc.) no doubt will work (but will require more maintence), but this apitong is much more dense and water repellent and harder (read that as heavy in weight too). Wood strength is measured in compression (lengthwise as if the weight were standing on the end of a vertical board) and in tension (as if the board were laying horizontally). Cypress is in the ball park for durability/weather resistance/rot resistant and strength. Apitong has them all beat for the horizontal strength. Some users gritch that it is quite slippery too, left totally untreated. Only problem seems to be this is somewhat of a seasonal item for the trailer rebuilder industry, and they seem to replenish their stock in the spring/early summer and longer lengths are somewhat more diffucult to come by at present. At least that what the locals tell me here. 1&3/8" X 7" width shiplap apitong is going here for I think around $4.70 a running foot, more or less depending on your proximity to major trailer manufactuing towns. The supply places carry this in various thickness from 3/4" to full 2". Very tough, very heavy, and very heavy duty AND hard to cut, but quite common in the trailer manufacturer world. A "best choice" for strength and durability if you don't have to go to too much trouble to get it. I have found some smaller farm impliment builders who have smaller inventories, often just a few lengths on hand for repairs.
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