Posted 2006-07-09 11:38 AM (#44283) Subject: Putting New Wood Floor In trailer
New User
Posts: 2
Location: Colorado
Hi , I have a 1987 steel bumper pull stock/horse trailer that needs a new wood floor. I have tried looking on Google for info on how to go about it but can't find much. I would like to know what type wood would be best and how thick it should be? Should I take it to a trailer place and have it done or can it be done myself? I thank you for any info/help you can provide. Thanks , MuleMan
Posted 2006-07-09 7:07 PM (#44303 - in reply to #44283) Subject: RE: Putting New Wood Floor In trailer
Expert
Posts: 2957
Location: North Carolina
Hi Muleman ... Welcome to the board...
I have replaced a floor myself. The biggest barrier is how the trailer holds the boards in. Some trailers have the boards floating in a channel. Others have them bolted in. I had to cut a section of metal out then weld it back in for my trailer. It depends on how your trailer is built.
As for what wood to use: ... I would look at what kind of wood that was originally used. The trailer builder would have made a design choice based on the wood thickness and type. They would have built the supporting structure based on the wood type and thickness. Simply to say use pressure treated wood doesn't consider the use of full thickness rough sawn oak. A much stronger wood than typical PT'ed softwood.
Posted 2006-07-10 9:28 AM (#44342 - in reply to #44283) Subject: RE: Putting New Wood Floor In trailer
Veteran
Posts: 225
Location: Kansas City
Personally, I would try to find a local sawmill or other place that sold rough cut oak. Much stronger than pressure treated wood sold at Home Depot/Lowes. You can get it cut any thickness you desire (to fill the channel if you have one) and with a little care it will last years - even if sitting outside.
Posted 2006-07-10 9:48 AM (#44345 - in reply to #44283) Subject: RE: Putting New Wood Floor In trailer
New User
Posts: 2
Location: Colorado
Hi and thanks all for your replys. Glad to be here!!
It is a homemade type horse/stock trailer appox. 16 feet long and it has wood planks bolted into a "slot" at each end , so I don't think it would be to hard for me to do it myself and I need to get it done in under 3 weeks and the waiting list at some trailer places is terrible! I just want to make sure I get the best possible wood to put in it! Some people have said oak and some have said just put the same wood that is already in it , but I can't tell what it is.
Does anyone know what kind of wood Featherlite puts in their bumper pull stock/horse trialers? Any help would be great and thanks in advance! MuleMan
Posted 2006-07-10 5:48 PM (#44376 - in reply to #44283) Subject: RE: Putting New Wood Floor In trailer
Veteran
Posts: 246
Location: Northern IN.
We recently put a wood floor in a buddys 16' B.P. stock trailer, we used treated 2x8's. They were the best deal over 2x6's, 2x10's or 2x12's. We figured it all out like 14 2x6's was still more than 10 2x8's etc. etc. If you do go with rough cut lumber know that it will shrink up considerably leaving big gaps between boards and at trailer walls, BUT it will be strong as haities!! talk to ya later...