Hi,  I have heard that some types of wood have been treated with a chemical that is harmful to metal and should not be used in a trailer.  Is this a type of plywood or demension lumber?   What do we have to look out for, name brand?  Thank you Joan

Wood products treated with ACQ (Alkaline Copper Quaternary) preservatives are available to retailers, consumers, builders and architects for outdoor building projects that require protection against rot, fungal decay and termite attack. ACQ treated products have been commercially used since 1991 throughout Europe, Asia, and the United States.

Aluminum should not be used in direct contact with wood products treated with ACQ preservatives

Spacer materials or other physical barriers are recommended to prevent direct contact of wood treated with ACQ and aluminum building products. When using products treated with ACQ in close proximity to aluminum, such as aluminum siding, flashing, furniture, and door and window frames, a 1/4" minimum spacing must be allowed for between the treated wood and the aluminum products. Another option is to use a polyethylene barrier, with a minimum thickness of 10 mils, between the ACQ treated wood and the aluminum product to prevent direct contact of the wood and the aluminum.

http://www.raisedfloorlivingpro.com/ptwproducts.shtml

As a builder we even have to use special coated nails with treated woods.  With CCA treated woods being phased out in 2004, most of the new wood treatments ( mostly ACQ) will work with a double hot dipped galvanized nails or stainless steel nails. Manufactures caution against using aluminum nails in the treated woods.

If builders like myself have to worry about what nails we use in treated wood. I would sure be careful about putting the wood in contact with aluminum on the trailer.

This is the first time I have ever heard this???? I purchased an 03 CM trailer last year with the DR finished and they used masonite siding screwed directly to the aluminim with insulation in between.  Would I have the same problem with the treated masonite? I have been thinking about redoing it with regular paneling depending on your answer I might be doing it sooner than later.

You should be OK... Unlike other composite wood panels produced using formaldehyde-based resins to bind fibers, Masonite is made using natural ingredients only, which makes it an environmentally friendly product.

We are only talking about the ACQ treated woods.  They are usually green in color.

This is a very special type of wood that is mostly used for foundation plates or other places where wood comes in contact with the ground or concrete. The treatment inhibits the decay from constant contact with the ground and stops termites and other bugs.