Pressure Treated and Trailers

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I'm re building my utility trailer and have some questions...as per usual!

I noticed a number of trailers have the planks just laying on the frame and yet they aren't curling in the sun. I don't know if I should hold mine down with carriage bolts or just lay the 2x6 planks down and see if they warp. What do you think? I have a number of 4x4 posts that warped in less than a week in the sun and I really can't afford to go buying these planks several times. Thanks!

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@yahoo.com), October 29, 2001

Answers

The trick is to secure them pronto to the trailer floor. A carriage bolt at each end of the board and one in the middle should be adequate. Also, fwiw, the trailer will be some lighter and its likely to be some cheaper if you use 5/4 deck boards rather than 2 x 6".

-- john (natlivent@pcpros.net), October 29, 2001.

Use carriage bolts!

My buddy rebuilt a trailer that he used to move his equipment around on, and he used carriage bolts. Never had a problem with warping, curling, or cupping. But then again, he got happy with the carriage bolts, and used 2 across each plank every 2 feet.

-- Eric in TN (eric_m_stone@yahoo.com), October 29, 2001.


To keep them from warping, lay your planks down with the outside of the tree rings facing up. This way they won't cup.

-- Laura (LadybugWrangler@hotmail.com), October 29, 2001.

I guess I will lay the planks like Laura suggests and then use one carriage bolt on the ends and one center so that I don't go too crazy with them! Thanks everyone, I appreciate it!

-- Doreen (bisquit@here.com), October 29, 2001.

And take some care for treated wood splinters, Doreen. My contractor - builder type friends tell me that treated wood splinters really make a nasty wound, compared to the regular lumber. Good luck on the project.

-- j.r. guerra (jrguerra@boultinghousesimpson.com), October 30, 2001.


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