New to me deckover (rebuild)

chillman88

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So I picked up this 20' deckover a few weeks ago. 16' deck, 4' dovetail. Some of you have seen a couple pics in other threads already.

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Got new lights and tires on it...

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And now I'm going to be tackling the decking. I need some suggestions.

It's built from 5" channel, 96" wide, channel every 4' and a 4x4 in between, making them 24" on center.

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I'm going to be decking it with some locust that has been given to me and the rest will be white oak. All 1.5" rough sawn, in varying lengths and widths. I might get a couple full length boards 10" wide for the outside boards.

My biggest question is... Should I double up 1.5" boards and keep 24" centers, or should I split them up and use 16" centers?

If I stay with 24" centers I can use these holes to lag them in like the 4x4s were originally.

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I think I'm just splitting hairs here but figured I'd ask what everyone's thoughts are. The crossmembers will most likely end up being 1.5"x6" white oak. It will be used mainly to haul cars/trucks but I may have a tractor or two on it. I just want to do this once and forget about it.
 
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DaveBen

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I have retired from the building industry. I spent 25 years building homes and doing remodels and small projects. For the trailer floor 24 inches on center will be fine. There is relatively small side loads while pulling the trailer. I would use the 24 inch centers.
 

chillman88

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I have retired from the building industry. I spent 25 years building homes and doing remodels and small projects. For the trailer floor 24 inches on center will be fine. There is relatively small side loads while pulling the trailer. I would use the 24 inch centers.

Thank you, I appreciate the input!

Would you double up the boards or do you think a single would work? They are going to be 1.5x5 for 12 inches on each side (over that channel you see in the picture) and 6" tall in the middle for approximately 70 inches.

I don't want to really cut corners but it would save money and weight if I use less lumber.

I will be pre-drilling my holes and using these to fasten the decking down.

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My plan for now is to fasten to the wood and let the decking "float" over the metal crossmembers. It will be fastened at the front and back though. The wood crossmembers will be tapered slightly to fit inside the channel on the outside edge of the trailer.
 

DaveBen

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What do you plan on hauling? A Cat D-8? Or a VW Bug? Something else?
 

chillman88

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What do you plan on hauling? A Cat D-8? Or a VW Bug? Something else?

Yes...

Normally it will be fullsize pickup trucks or passenger cars (think Ford Crown Vic, not VW bug). Occasionally a small-medium tractor, Ford 8N or slightly bigger but not a whole lot.

I'd like to be able to get a skid-steer on if need be.
 

chillman88

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Got the rest of the deck stripped today.

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I might take it into work on Saturday and paint it if I get the ambition. I can paint it inside there with all the right tools. Much nicer than a roller and brush in the driveway while it rains overnight....
 

DaveBen

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I have used a single decked trailer to haul what you say you will be hauling. I don't see and need for a double decked trailer to haul what you haul. Adds weight to the trailer also.
 

Ironman03R

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We have a trailer that dad bought about 25 years ago with 4' on center cross members and 2x6 treated pine decking. That trailer has had mowers, trucks, tractors, cars, water tanks, straw, firewood, you name it and never broken s board. It's well worn now and in need of a redeck but still using it. My point is you will be fine with the heavy wood decking and 2 ' centers for anything you haul.
 

chillman88

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@DaveBen I didn't mean double decked. I meant the wooden crossmembers I'm adding. Do you think a single 1.5x6 on edge will suffice or should I double up the crossmembers making them 3x6. Sorry for the confusion. (I chuckled seeing your Avatar since we're watching Futurama right now).

We have a trailer that dad bought about 25 years ago with 4' on center cross members and 2x6 treated pine decking. That trailer has had mowers, trucks, tractors, cars, water tanks, straw, firewood, you name it and never broken s board. It's well worn now and in need of a redeck but still using it. My point is you will be fine with the heavy wood decking and 2 ' centers for anything you haul.

Really? Only 4 foot on center? That's impressive! Helps me not worry as much about mine.
 

DaveBen

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Really? Only 4 foot on center? That's impressive! Helps me not worry as much about mine.

I would not worry.

Futurama used to be a program I watched. It has been about 8 years since I have seen it.
 

DaveBen

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I was looking at a couple of trailers this weekend and I saw that Texas Trailers and one other (no brand that I saw) were using 24 inch centers for the decking. I am sure you will be GTG!
 

chillman88

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I was looking at a couple of trailers this weekend and I saw that Texas Trailers and one other (no brand that I saw) were using 24 inch centers for the decking. I am sure you will be GTG!

I hope so! Three hours of work today notching and fitting. The hard part is done!

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I did go 16" on center on the dovetail for peace of mind. There are no supports under it and if I'm ever winching something heavy up the dovetail it will see slightly more force than the deck (or so I told myself). Besides... I had an extra board lol. Everything except one of the boards on the dovetail is a hammer tight fit.
 

chillman88

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Got the breakaway kit installed. Tied the ground into the frame up front and cleaned up the wiring a little bit.

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Stopped and picked up a new coupling so I could get the other safety chain put back on. Replaced all the rusty cotter pins with new ones.

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I also ran a 12ga wire for the brakes. P.O. had run 18ga on a trailer with 4 brakes....

Replaced the suspension zerks and greased the bolts that would take grease. A few of them wouldn't but I don't have the money to replace them or the time to fuss with them at this point.

Trying to keep plugging along. I'm anxiously awaiting the decking from my buddy. If it doesn't show up soon this will get expensive....
 

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