Posted 2016-04-11 1:20 PM (#166719) Subject: How to replace rotting wood panels?
Member
Posts: 7
Location: Wisconsin
Some of the wood on the inside walls of my trailer is rotting, and I'd like to replace it. However, there's about a 1" lip around all edges, so I'm not sure of the best way to go about this. (I'll see if I can figure out how to post a pic.) Any good thoughts? If I'd be better off using something other than wood, I'm open to that, as well. Thanks!
Posted 2016-04-11 2:05 PM (#166728 - in reply to #166719) Subject: RE: How to replace rotting wood panels?
Member
Posts: 7
Location: Wisconsin
(I figured out how to add a couple pics.) After removing the padding, most of the wood pulled out easily (ie. crumbled) on the upper portion of this door panel. Now to remove the rest, repair the rusted areas, and figure out what to put back in (and how to get it past the lips). The metal on the doors is thin enough, that I don't want to just pull all the wood out, and leave it that way. Thanks for the help! :)
Posted 2016-04-12 10:14 AM (#166754 - in reply to #166719) Subject: RE: How to replace rotting wood panels?
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
I've done this sort of work on a ramp. Look at the doors closely. You'll find a piece of steel welded on to capture the wood pieces. Use a grinder with a thin cutting blade to remove the welds. Insert the new wood then take the trailer to a welding shop to reweld the cap piece. Wood rots from getting wet. Stop the water and you'll fix the source of the problem.
Posted 2016-04-12 10:48 AM (#166756 - in reply to #166755) Subject: RE: How to replace rotting wood panels?
Member
Posts: 7
Location: Wisconsin
I guess for this problem, cutting the edge will probably be the correct--and only--course to take, if I want to get wood back in. Thanks for the ideas and help! ("Stop the water and you'll fix the source of the problem." Sooooo true!!!)
Posted 2016-04-12 4:09 PM (#166758 - in reply to #166719) Subject: RE: How to replace rotting wood panels?
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
I had a horse trailer with upper doors like yours. To stop the water, I made an awning on the back /top of the trailer. It projected rearward about 4 inches and down the side about 12 inches.. This stopped the water from running in at the top panel. Then I made a piece for the upper door bottom that over lapped the lower door. The downside is then you can't close the upper door without closing the lower door. But I never had any issue with that limit.
Posted 2016-04-12 9:41 PM (#166762 - in reply to #166719) Subject: RE: How to replace rotting wood panels?
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Here's a pic of the old trailer. Notice the white at the top rear. Since horses are very good at finding ways to cut themselves, I used a piece of vinyl siding sandwiched between a metal strip and the trailer. The vinyl will flex rather than cut.
Posted 2016-04-13 1:56 PM (#166768 - in reply to #166762) Subject: RE: How to replace rotting wood panels?
Member
Posts: 7
Location: Wisconsin
Thanks so much for the pic! (I think I can see a bit of the lip you put on base of the upper doors, as well.) Using vinyl is a great idea. I'll have to see if I can get ahold of some. I had considered the same potential problem: Horses sure can find any conceivable way to bang themselves up! (Thankfully the horse I haul most often, is pretty sensible.) :) Appreciate the help!
How to replace rotting wood panels?
