What type of wood for bunk?
#11
Gold Member
Gold Member
You don't want to use treated lumber on a trailer. That advice came direct from Myco years ago when I asked them. THEY use regular pine.
The salt treatment will leak out of the wood as water seeps off the bunks, and will grossly corrode over the metal on the trailer, no matter painted steel, galvanized, or aluminum.
Years ago, I had one of my toolboxes get wet on a crappy launch ramp. I had a number of lengths of 2x6s in there, some salt treated, some not; just to use to build a ramp to change a flat tire (negative angle torsion axle Myco). That wood after it got wet leaked it's salt treatment crap all over that aluminum box and turned the inside to a horrible mess.
The salt treatment will leak out of the wood as water seeps off the bunks, and will grossly corrode over the metal on the trailer, no matter painted steel, galvanized, or aluminum.
Years ago, I had one of my toolboxes get wet on a crappy launch ramp. I had a number of lengths of 2x6s in there, some salt treated, some not; just to use to build a ramp to change a flat tire (negative angle torsion axle Myco). That wood after it got wet leaked it's salt treatment crap all over that aluminum box and turned the inside to a horrible mess.
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Sydwayz (05-18-2022)
#16
Pine. Thompson water seal it. Wrap with carpet and use monel staples. Where bolt holes go through bunks. Pre drill and seal inside and out. Wrap carpet so wood and carpet can weep. You don’t want water being held against the wood.
of course if you can afford cypress or whatever go for it. Looks like it’s about $6/bd ft give or take a few bucks. 3”x8”x12’- 24bd ft @$6=$144 per bunk. But that’s about the price of maple locally. And teak is $32 or 36/bd ft locally so cypress looks expensive or cheap depending on your perspective and budget.
of course if you can afford cypress or whatever go for it. Looks like it’s about $6/bd ft give or take a few bucks. 3”x8”x12’- 24bd ft @$6=$144 per bunk. But that’s about the price of maple locally. And teak is $32 or 36/bd ft locally so cypress looks expensive or cheap depending on your perspective and budget.
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Padraig (05-19-2022)
#18
The stuff at big box stores, I don’t think will be structurally strong enough. They are designed to work with a frame (decking) or as siding again needing a subframe. There is serious deflection, and heat susceptibility.
vs something that will hold approx 14k pounds across the span. Also consider, it’s not just holding it at rest, but what about cornering, coming over an unexpected bump and your load slams on it. You want that load as secure as possible. Could something exist somewhere? Maybe, but I’d be highly suspect and probably very costly.
vs something that will hold approx 14k pounds across the span. Also consider, it’s not just holding it at rest, but what about cornering, coming over an unexpected bump and your load slams on it. You want that load as secure as possible. Could something exist somewhere? Maybe, but I’d be highly suspect and probably very costly.
#19
The stuff at big box stores, I don’t think will be structurally strong enough. They are designed to work with a frame (decking) or as siding again needing a subframe. There is serious deflection, and heat susceptibility.
vs something that will hold approx 14k pounds across the span. Also consider, it’s not just holding it at rest, but what about cornering, coming over an unexpected bump and your load slams on it. You want that load as secure as possible. Could something exist somewhere? Maybe, but I’d be highly suspect and probably very costly.
vs something that will hold approx 14k pounds across the span. Also consider, it’s not just holding it at rest, but what about cornering, coming over an unexpected bump and your load slams on it. You want that load as secure as possible. Could something exist somewhere? Maybe, but I’d be highly suspect and probably very costly.