Never thought replacing the wood floor would be such a  PITA !

I pulled a "good" wood floor out just because it was 17 years old and so I could go through the metal frame.

I have been over a month trying to find wood suitable to put back in.

My 1st choice was White oak, Called every mill in the state (MD), finally 1 mill said they could cut it, it took them 3 weeks, the wood is crap. 1st it is wet (I knew that), it is splitting on the ends, it is 1.5 to 1.75 in thickness. basicaly I am cutting it up for fire wood.

So White oak 2x8 boards do not exist, period.

Next I went looking for CCA treated Southern Yellow pine, nope - does not exist on the east coast.

Typ ACQ will rust the trailer frame away,,,,

The local horse trailer dealer was clueless about treated lumber,, scary

Either I haul my Logan coach to the scrap yard or put KD framing lumber in it ???

Does anyone have any suggestions????? I am out of options.

Slack

I replaced a trailer floor while living in Georgia.   I called a local pallet manufacturer.  Their wood has structural requirements.   Got the red oak in full 2 x 6.  Wider boards would have cost more.

White oak is nice but not required ...

Ash, maple, untreated southern yellow pine, locust, and popular are all good flooring materials along with the oak. They are all available in southern PA, most should be around MD as well. I'm surprised there isn't a custom mill that can rough cut some 8 quarter by 8" or 10"  oak stock and kiln dry it. Air dried oak lumber is very good, but it would take a year for it to cure. We are rapidly loosing all our ash trees, and the wood is being cut up so fast that most is being used for fire wood.

Untreated lumber will last some time in an enclosed trailer, if it is regularly cleaned and allowed to dry under the mats. There is one company that I know of that sells their bed liner material for installation upon wooden products if that appeals to you.

Try some PA or Virginia mills, you might have some better luck.

Gard,

Thanks for your response. only one mill could get me the white oak and that took a month,,and the wood thickness varies to much, and the quality is not the best.  nobody could kiln dry.

The boards that came out were stamped "Fir"

I am going to attempt to locate some "clear" or #1 Southern Yellow Pine CCA treated,, but I dought it.

My trailers 2x2 angle cross ties are no more than 18" spacing,, how much stronger is the White oak over #1 select SYP ?

Is the White oak over kill?

Thanks,

Nick 

Slowrider - thanks, I think I found some. If not I will drop you a line.

Gard - The max span is 15" at 2 area's (just measured), most of it is 10-13" spans. I welded in additional 2x2" angle cross  pieces between each existing. Originally the max span was 31", most around 20". And this was with common 2x8 Fir. I can not use any thing thicker than 1.5", as half of the boards have to pass under the weled in rear tack room and ALL the boards pass under the welded in wall seperating the front dressing room.

A supplier for my local lumber yard can get me 2x8 (or 2x10) SYP structural select, CCA 2.5 treated, re-kilned after treatment. 350.00 for my 10-2x8's or 8-2x10's.

Thinking about adding 3/4" CCA treated 3/4" ply over this, these would be laid in so they could be removed for inspection/cleaning. The thought is, a hoof would rest on the ply, spreading the weight to at least 2 boards.

My adding additional angle cross braces and a layer of CCA plywood may be over kill,,, but dont want any mishapps on my watch.

 Our 2 horses are ~900# QH, but we haul a freinds draft,, guessing 1800-2000# ?

Slack

Have you considered "Rumber" rubber flooring?  Solid rubber (no wood), 2" thick, tongue and groove.  No mats needed.  Good non slip surface.  Just hose it out to clean it.  It does require crossmembers 12" on center, so you  may have to add some crossmembers but that should be easy if you have the frame exposed.  Rumber is the best thing that has happened to horse trailers in years.  It has a 20 year warranty also.  It is available from several sources.  Call me and I will give you some contacts in your area.

Kay Lancaster, Northside Trailer, 317-769-2460