Hay Wagon Deck? Run Deck boards N/S or E/W??

Which is better or does it matter? Running the deck boards North/South or East/West?

My wagons I put more lumber into by running 4X6's as stringers. Go E/W with 4X4's and then 2X8(or 10 or 12) for the deck. Is this overkill??

Basically I am looking for the cheapest deck that will hold 125 65lb bales and last for 10 years(or longer).

I used to build and sell a bunch of them. 3x10 or 4x10 white oak runners; 1-1/2 thick, variable width, 7 foot 10 inch long flooring with 2x6x20 sideboards. All white oak. Normally, I get about 10-12 years out of one that stays outside 24/7 never oiled and never swept. Maybe a little less since I've been hauling round bale silage as the water coming out of the rolls is pretty acidic.

This spring I was getting $450 each for them and making $100 each, takes about 4 hrs to build.

I've got one I build 5 years ago that I made out of 3-4 other wagons combined, and it's holding up just fine. One board was split this year but it was almost gone when I put it on in the first place. Just what's done around here....

Donovan from Wisconsin

Every running gear I have decked didn't have much of an option. The main beams (3x6) didn't clear the wheels enough to not use cross supports with the deck running length wise. Adding the 4'� with cross supports, wheels centered in between did. I did however deck a steel framed trailer that did clear the wheels and ran them across the main frame. No difference in strength, but it was supported on the outside edge by a steel frame. Just as strong, as long as you have the support. Now, if the main beams are set on 4 foot centers and your decking 8 feet wide, the two foot over hang doesn't have enough support and will eventually curl on you. I bought one once that way. What a mess. I guessing only about 4 or 5 years old and every end went a different direction. Striped off, added cross supports, and ran deck length wise.

Made out of softwood and left outside they last about 15 years here if you treat the main beams and clean the hay outta the gaps over the main beams. The same wood left on the ground lasts about 2-3 years before you can crumble it up.