Wood Decking for Dropdeck

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Dylan, Dec 1, 2009.

  1. Dylan

    Dylan Bobtail Member

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    Nov 24, 2009
    Boise, Id
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    I need to re-deck a few dropdecks.
    One of them has some composite decking, probably transdeck, and the other is 1x6's of pine that were sealed.

    These are wood floor trailers, so apitong and the other expensive woods are out of the question..

    any thoughts?
     
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  3. Hardlyevr

    Hardlyevr Road Train Member

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    Mapleton Depot,PA
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    most vans use oak, don't know how durable it would be in the elements, but would be better than pine. Oak would also be heavier if that was an issue.
     
  4. Mack427

    Mack427 Medium Load Member

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    Jan 22, 2009
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    better use a hard wood elm, hickory, or oak 2" thick Hickory will hold up the best if you load machiery or heavy concentrated load, pine boards will break
     
  5. Longshot379

    Longshot379 Light Load Member

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    Feb 18, 2008
    Molena, Ga
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    Apitong came on the new lowboy trailer I got in 1999. The teeth on the wheels of a soil compactor would break 2.5" thick oak boards like toothpicks, But wouldn't dent the Apitong.
     
  6. Jfaulk99

    Jfaulk99 Road Train Member

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    Apitong is extremely tough, and extremely heavy 45 to 50 lb/ft 3. Apitong wood has higher fiber strength than any domestic structural wood, is long straight grained, and mostly knot free. Unfortunately it's also very expensive but nothing is going to hold up like it.
     
  7. VARITHMS

    VARITHMS Medium Load Member

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    Nov 26, 2009
    HOUSTON
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    IPE (eepay) is about the same. Weyerhauser i beleve sells it and they are locationsl all over the US There called iron wood.
     
    Last edited: Dec 2, 2009
  8. Jfaulk99

    Jfaulk99 Road Train Member

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    Either one would be better than a normal hardwood. If the trailers are never going to haul any concentrated loads, i.e. coils or machinery or driving a forklift on it you might get by. But if you go cheap chances are your going to be replacing it again later. A friend tried oak on a small goose neck trailer and a diesel pickup truck with a front weight box broke the floor on it.
     
  9. Dylan

    Dylan Bobtail Member

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    Nov 24, 2009
    Boise, Id
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    I just got the quote for the transdeck, its looking like ~$2500 per trailer. Apitong would end up ~$4000 per trailer.
     
  10. Chain Drive

    Chain Drive Medium Load Member

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    Nova Scotia,Canada
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    hemlock (tamarack) very durable I have no idea about the cost
     
  11. truckerdave1970

    truckerdave1970 On Probation

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    Rochester, NY
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    I have heard that Osage Orange is very pest and rot resistant. It is used for fencing out west as it used to be cheap and very durable.
    I know it hard as hell too! I've turned a few pens out of it, the stuff dulls blades very quickly but polishes up real nice!
     
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