McGrath trailer

Thanks

Yep i was thinking of a kiln dried hardwood floor being tounge and grove to help keep boards together and maybe the stainless deck screws, timbers going across the deck?

Can do some sort of tarp or plastic while it sits outside, may be able to put in the hay shed?

MA

What are you going to use it for? Just carrying light show vehicles or heavy machinery.

If for lighter work ideal would be second hand hardwood tongue and groove from a house wrecker. It would more than likely be 3/4" or 19mm. Plenty strong enough to hold lighter vehicles over the 2 foot span between coaming and runners. For the odd heavier vehicle some loose runner planks just for the trip would support anything.

Last year I bought 2" x 6" set of Tallowwood decking for my 28' McGrath Army trailer. Cost $1,600. 2" is an overkill but I wanted to put a light tracked vehicle on it.

Lang

Lang

Wont be anything heavy, maybe my 1927 Chev truck when we get around to getting it done? The long term plan was to put the 2 deck stock crate back on but hey thats another project for another day or year?

yeah i thought about second hand flooring, would need to fill in holes or run through a plainer

MA

No. You get very good T & G flooring if you look around and certainly not requiring a planer. If you are anal a jar of that timber filler and an hour would see the nail holes all filled. They use jemmy bars to lift the boards off and are careful not to wreck the tongues or slots then the nails are knocked out from the back. They don't dig into the surface to get them out or nobody would buy them. If they have blemishes turning upside down will give you a fresh surface.

I used 100 year old T & G out of an old church on a small car carrying trailer a lot of years ago. Once I lightly sanded it all after fitting, the original red and white colours of the timber sprang back to life. I used Selleys Aquadhere clear deck oil on it every one or two years. 20 years later I sold the trailer last year and apart from needing another sanding all the colours were still there.

Lang

Standard tongue n groove would work for light stuf and as suggested a couple of planks for when you cart the old Chev but certainly not strong enough to use as stock floor.
Would using 2 layers of standard tongue n groove cope with stock plus run the layers at right angles to each layer?

Cobba

I think if you doubled up the cost would buy you new tallowwood planks.

Lang

If you live anywhere near silos with outside bunker storage , check with them. Each year they throw out heaps. It goes to landfill. You wont find a stronger tarp material. Lasts for years in all weather and usually comes in huge sheets.
A few years ago i contacted the silo 60 kms away. Asked for a piece to cover some gear. Next day a bloke delivered a ute full. No charge!!!!

Thanks Guys

I think will just go with new timber, given its still a few months before trailer will be painted i might find a local timber yard and buy 10 -15 2.4 mt lengths at at time, the lovely wife may not notice as much thE overall cost? (did i say that)

I have a mate on a big wheat farm at Speed in SA might give him a call re the tarps - great idea.

MA

If you have the timber sized , which it should be rather than rough sawn, and then dressed one side (you can order this from the mill at little extra charge) you could easily make your own tongue and groove with a router table for a perfect locked deck. The local mens' shed could well do this for you for a nominal donation.

Lang

Timber selection is getting harder and is down to where you are and how much you want to spend. Longer lengths and big sections get harder but 2.4 should be easy. I am putting new timber on my float and bush mill on the coast recommended turpentine which is used for wharf piles - tough and rot resistant.