Holes in Deck

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by Daycabinit, Dec 18, 2021.

  1. Daycabinit

    Daycabinit Light Load Member

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    I bought this trailer a couple weeks ago used it to haul some k rail and hay for myself. My regular end dump work is coming to an end for the year and I wanted to haul some loads from the boards. My question is, the trailer has some small holes in the deck will shippers not load because of that?
     

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  3. JonJon78

    JonJon78 Road Train Member

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    Those holes aren't big, doubt many shippers will cause a fuse.

    But, I definitely would replace that lumber asap. Not expensive and won't take that long.
     
  4. beastr123

    beastr123 Road Train Member

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    If you can't or don't want to change the wood in Dec/Jan I would suggest silicone sealed nailed or screwed down metal covers (tin can type metal). This will stop moisture coming up under a load without being a "speed bump" on your deck.
    That wood does look badly weathered and I would be concerned that if needed nails would not hold in it. Changing the wood as soon as you can would be a priority for me, and 3 or more coats of boiled linseed oil before final screw-down is a good way to slow weathering of the new wood.
     
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  5. Daycabinit

    Daycabinit Light Load Member

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    The wood if definitely completely shot. I’m going to change it as soon as I can. That’s a great idea about the thin metal patch I’m going to try that today. Thanks
     
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  6. PoleCrusher

    PoleCrusher Road Train Member

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    What wood would you recommend? My trailer was manufactured with apitong, which does make for great trailer decking, but it doesn't come cheap.
     
  7. Diesel Dave

    Diesel Dave Last Few of the OUTLAWS

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    Apitong is the only way to go, one strip or two in the middle won’t be costly compare to doing the whole trailer if it was needed. And like mentioned, linseed for a seal. It will last forever. The aluminum deck I would weld or fine someone to patch/weld a piece.
     
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  8. beastr123

    beastr123 Road Train Member

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    Apitong would be best but white oak is a good second best. White oak really needs boiled linseed oil(BLO) but it is a good weatherproof wood in its own right. You should consider a coat over all your wood once per year when you can let it set up for 24 hours or more. Also consider carrying a small bottle of BLO to squirt into nail holes when the nails are pulled to preserve the wood longer.
     
    Last edited: Dec 18, 2021
  9. loudtom

    loudtom Road Train Member

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    I've only had one shipper worried about holes in the deck, and it was because his foot fell into one. I've got several 1" diameter holes where the A frames used to bolt down, and nobody has ever refused to load or even mentioned it.
     
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  10. special-k

    special-k Road Train Member

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    Since it looks like the wood is in the centre nailing strip l wouldn't worry about it. The only time I've seen loaders look at the deck is when they are dock loading with a fork truck. Since the damage isn't where the fork truck tires would normally go the damage shouldn't be a concern. I would get it fixed but that's just me lol As a side note always try to have the fork truck drive on the rails as much as possible.
     
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