Replacing decking on 015 Doonan Stretch Step Extendable

I just found it stayed slicker than owl #### for much longer with the engine oil. Also trying to leave it better than I got it for my kids

 

Mix it with diesel fuel. Let it sit for a day. I don’t know how many trailers you have done, but I treat mine twice a year. Fact is I’ll probably do it tomorrow.

and it’s not creating an oil slick or toxic waste site.

 

Good for you. Must be your charming personality and sparkling wit.
My competitor wasn't so lucky. He treated a flat bed deck with used motor oil, drove across the scales on 299 west of Redding with it...dripping oil and stinking to high heaven...and got pulled in. You could see the oil spots on the scales for a couple of days afterward. He was placed OOS until he got the oil mopped up to where it wasn't dripping off the trailer. Took about four yards of sand and a couple of bales of sand bags.
He was arrested for a hazardous material release, felony, and had to junk the deck boards. The boards, being contaminated with used motor oil, had to be hauled to a special landfill. That was expensive.
He was able to plea bargain the complaint down to a misdemeanor but it still cost him a bundle.
Remember, this happened in California and environmental crimes here get people all riled up...even when they don't have to be.

 

I worked at Wabash in the 90’s for a stint. I guess times have changed, we never drilled holes, used self tapping screws.

 

In my opinion 100 percent truth

 

Old rusty and crusty cross members where youll be hitting previous screws sometimes, not clean new metal, big difference

 

Treating your deck (lightly applying with a roller and letting the wood absorb it) with used motor oil is still viable and acceptable, submerging the boards for 5 weeks and not wiping any excess is not the same thing.

 

This was replacing decking on old trailers, I know the worst part was demo & prep. Used chalk lines to mark old screws. I didn’t do much of it, I generally worked on the frame rack.

 

Floor screws are self tappers, but they are not self drilling. Van floors maybe but I even doubt that

 

Never seen self drilling in any trailer floor. I've done DV too, and they use the same screws you would for a flat.