What timber to use re-flooring a trailer?

eoinmk2

Hi all,

as the title suggests, anyone have any advice as to what type of timber to use to re-floor a trailer? its 4m long by about 2.3m wide.
I know a steel floor would be the best but trying to keep the cost to a minimum if I can.
also, where can I source the timber? I'm located in Kilkenny

Cheers,

Eoin

Sam Kade

Larch is normally used.

farawaygrass

We redone our trailer last year and used larch

josephsoap

Sam Kade wrote: »

Larch is normally used.

Is larch expensive ?

Have an old 10 x 6 myself that could do with a new floor and sides.

Reggie.

josephsoap wrote: »

Is larch expensive ?

Have an old 10 x 6 myself that could do with a new floor and sides.

Can be. Very hard to cut but that's what ya want as it's hard wearing.

selectamatic

Larch is the only job. However like all timber products on sale now a days it's getting stuff that's properly seasoned that Is the hard part, this is especially true for trailers as poor timbre will rot very quickly especially if you don't have a shed to put the trailer in.

Sam Kade

josephsoap wrote: »

Is larch expensive ?

Have an old 10 x 6 myself that could do with a new floor and sides.

I don't know, I've an old horse box that needs a floor so I'll be checking up on prices.

CloughCasey1

What thickness would floor need to be?

eoinmk2

Our old ones were 30mm thick, but I'm going to put 35mm ones if I can get them that size.

Anyone know of a place to get it in the south east? there a mill in Leitrim that do it but he wants 100 quid for delivery, which I'd like to avoid if I can

kay 9

The Japanese larch going now ain't supposed to be as good as the stuff yrs ago. The synthetic stuff is superior but cost I'm not sure on.

lab man

I done a floor last yr 8 by 19 lapped larch cost 560 euro plus bolts nuts an washers think they came to about 40 so a would think you'd get away with 400 for sure

CloughCasey1

lab man wrote: »

I done a floor last yr 8 by 19 lapped larch cost 560 euro plus bolts nuts an washers think they came to about 40 so a would think you'd get away with 400 for sure

How much would 5mm steel be I wonder? Probably nearly as easy to buy a steel floored trailer and trade old one against it.

Reggie.

CloughCasey1 wrote: »

How much would 5mm steel be I wonder? Probably nearly as easy to buy a steel floored trailer and trade old one against it.

3mm is €40 for an 8x4 sheet I think

Brown Podzol

eoinmk2 wrote: »

Our old ones were 30mm thick, but I'm going to put 35mm ones if I can get them that size.

Anyone know of a place to get it in the south east? there a mill in Leitrim that do it but he wants 100 quid for delivery, which I'd like to avoid if I can

Try this lad in North Cork. Free delivery.


http://www.donedeal.ie/fencingequipment-for-sale/walsh-sawmills-larch-stakes/5007653?offset=14

9935452

CloughCasey1 wrote: »

How much would 5mm steel be I wonder? Probably nearly as easy to buy a steel floored trailer and trade old one against it.

A few years back i think i paid 125 cash for 5mm 8x4 sheeting

CloughCasey1

9935452 wrote: »

A few years back i think i paid 125 cash for 5mm 8x4 sheeting

3 sheets would do a 10x6 sure at that money would be nearly as cheap as timber

selectamatic

Ya to be honest for a turf trailer a steel floor and mesh sides is the best job by a long way works out cheaper aswell if you're shrewd and pick up the bits required as cheap as possible or even 2nd hand if they're in good enough nick.

9935452

CloughCasey1 wrote: »

3 sheets would do a 10x6 sure at that money would be nearly as cheap as timber

you would probably get away with 2 sheets if you get someone economical with a guillotine and are willing to join the bits that came off.
I think its possible to be 10 x5 or 10 x 6 sheets as well

rangler1

9935452 wrote: »

you would probably get away with 2 sheets if you get someone economical with a guillotine and are willing to join the bits that came off.
I think its possible to be 10 x5 or 10 x 6 sheets as well

Usually there isn't enough cross members in the chassis when you go from timber floor to steel floor

eoinmk2

rangler1 wrote: »

Usually there isn't enough cross members in the chassis when you go from timber floor to steel floor

this is my problem. its not just as simple as whacking a steel floor in. there's a bit of work involved in getting it to fit
Also, I cant weld, so doing it with timber I can do the work myself

rangler1

eoinmk2 wrote: »

this is my problem. its not just as simple as whacking a steel floor in. there's a bit of work involved in getting it to fit
Also, I cant weld, so doing it with timber I can do the work myself

Larch floor then, that's my advice put it in in a few hours, last a long time

9935452

eoinmk2 wrote: »

this is my problem. its not just as simple as whacking a steel floor in. there's a bit of work involved in getting it to fit
Also, I cant weld, so doing it with timber I can do the work myself

i think i paid 27 euro a length for the channel for the crossmembers and got 3 from a length. more or less every 2 feet i put in crossmembers for steel floor.
unless you are carrying rocks or being loaded by careless track machine drivers every day its not necessary.
you just have to house the trailer and it will last a long time with timber floor,

Believe it or not a timber floor and sides can be more desireable,
Timber is more traditional and lads like it as its seen to be lighter for things like the bod

PN14

Would stokboard be an option. Did up an old 10 x 6 a couple of years ago myself with timber but seen 3/4" stokboard in the FRS yard lately and wondered would it do the job. I think the lads said it was 55 euro of an 8 x 4 sheet (could be wrong on the price he gave me a few for the different thickness boards)
I have an 8 x 4 builders trailer at home from when I was at the house and the floor could do with redoing and I was thinking about the stokboard option. It would be very quick to do.

lab man

I was told not to do a steel floor as everything will slip if not tied down, and the noise from it would deafen you

pedigree 6

PN14 wrote: »

Would stokboard be an option. Did up an old 10 x 6 a couple of years ago myself with timber but seen 3/4" stokboard in the FRS yard lately and wondered would it do the job. I think the lads said it was 55 euro of an 8 x 4 sheet (could be wrong on the price he gave me a few for the different thickness boards)
I have an 8 x 4 builders trailer at home from when I was at the house and the floor could do with redoing and I was thinking about the stokboard option. It would be very quick to do.

You could use stokboard on sides of trailer but not on floor. If you were putting it on floor you would need a completely solid support underneath. It is plastic after all and will melt/sag between cross members.

9935452

lab man wrote: »

I was told not to do a steel floor as everything will slip if not tied down, and the noise from it would deafen you

There is only noise when the floor is only welded at the edges , if it is welded to the crossbeams too it makes very little noise . it just takes a bit more time .
I have a 12x7 sedan with a steel floor and timber sides and it makes very little noise

Miname

I tidied up an old trailer at home a few years back and put a timber floor in and soaked it in cresoted and then coach bolted a 2mm sheet steel over it. It works well so far.

lakill Farm

Reggie. wrote: »

3mm is €40 for an 8x4 sheet I think

where was that reggie?

have a small car trailer that needs a floor and sides

Reggie.

lakill Farm wrote: »

where was that reggie?

have a small car trailer that needs a floor and sides

I could be wrong as the memory ain't as good as it once was but it's was kinnegad argri