Thread: Funny how things fall thru rotted wood!!!

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Went out to move the Ranchero frame off the trailer to mount the motor and trany for my move. Anyway the furniture dolly I was using started to go right thru the floor.
So I ripped all the old wood off then made a two hour trip to the lumber mill.
This time no plywood it's getting true 2 inch X 6 inch boards 16 feet long.
I was supposed to be on my way with my first load towards my new home in Nevada,
but I would rather do this at home then half way to my new home.
Kurt

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kurtvara/?saved=1

You got lucky, Kurt. Sure better there than the middle of the Country. How is the move going otherwise?


Don

At least now you know that nothing will fall thru it now. I'm glad that you decided to take the Ranchero as you have some awesome work in that baby. Best of luck with the move Kurt and I will pray that everything goes well for you and your family.

yep the 2x boards last about 15 years on my trailer Good choice. Have a safe move

Originally Posted by cffisher

yep the 2x boards last about 15 years on my trailer Good choice. Have a safe move

My 2007 flatbed is suffering the same fate with several of the 2x8's rotting, and I'm looking at replacing them soon. Seems the OEM did not use pressure treated lumber when they built the trailer but elected to save a few bucks and laid down regular fir/pine lumber

Kurt, I know you'll not have reason to be as far north as KC so we probably can't be much direct help to you, but we'll be looking forward to your post saying you arrived safely! God speed on the trip.

When laying the boards, dont forget the old rule about which side is up on a board....look at the curvature of the grain at the end of the board. Lay the board so that the grain is a frown instead of a smile......i.e., so it doesnt hold water in the curvature. This makes the board last much longer. Also, pry or clamp the boards tightly together so when they shrink, you have minimized the gaps......

I had not thought about this before now, but I'm going to be replacing our composite deck material soon, and will have enough full length 2x6 plastic boards a full 1.5" thick for the trailer deck. If the span between cross supports is not too big they may be ideal for the trailer, and should last a long, long time.

Hey Don; It's going alright But I was planning on heading out on the 19th but as you see that didn't happen. HE! HE! HE!
Ya I sure would not have wanted to fix that trailer on the road. Thanks Whiplash I need all the help I can get!!!
Ya Cffisher I had plywood on there for the last 10 years, but it was sitting under a oak tree and I am sure that did not help.
Rspears I did not use pressure treat either. but I am putting Thompsons water sealer on it, when I get done drilling.
Thanks Robot but the boards are all ready on it, cut and drilled for 3 rows of bolts so far I am not done yet I have a few
more rows of bolts to go yet. Spent about $400 bucks on it so far but it should be good for a few more years now, anyway.
Kurt

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kurtvara/?saved=1

Have a safe trip and let us know how it went.

Don

Thanks Don; I have a couple more things to do yet then I'll start loading it up.
Wow fixing that thing was just like work, Man are my hands sore from drilling.
It has 13 boards 2 X 6 X 16, 7 support beams or 7 bolts in each board.
Thats 91 zink plated bolt's nuts Locking and flat washers.
I rolled on the Thompsons water sealer this afternoon, that stuff stinks
but it does a good job.
Plus I installed the hub caps that you can grease with zirks in them.
Then I geased them till the grease came out this little pin hole in the new cap.
Tomorrow I've got to weld me up a spare tire holder on the passenger side of the trailer.
Then I'll be ready for the road.
Kurt
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kurtvara/?saved=1

You probably already know this, but every time you stop for gas feel the trailer hubs to make sure they are cool. It might be a good idea to carry one extra hub assembly or at least one set of wheel bearings too. Being an old trucker, you probably do more than that though.

Don