malkiserow Posted January 24, 2010 Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 I've bought a trailer (a 6' X 4' single axel light car trailer) which needs a a bit of work. The floor is worn out naff plywood. What makes a good floor? and where do I get it from ....? I am thinking of a galvanised mesh but what grade? how to fix it ? I thought of marine ply but everything just stays soggy and the frame is more likely to rust away where I cannot see it. I also thought that If the new floor is mesh then when i want to collect sand/gravel etc, I can throw down a sheet of ply just for that. What do you think guys? Thanks Malk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricko Posted January 24, 2010 Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 Depends what your budget is. I did a 5ft x 3.5ft trailer with a sheet of galvanised steel, very tough, but doesn't let the water drain out and can be a bit noisy when being towed. I am about to do another one in the Spring (I seem to have a lot of trailers) and will use reclaimed timber planks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKPoacher Posted January 24, 2010 Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 If there are any bus or HGV scrapyards near you get a piece of alloy flooring from them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbo Posted January 24, 2010 Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 checkerd plate bud everytime Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted January 24, 2010 Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 There are lots of engineered boards around which are impregnated with all kinds of materials like pitch or epoxy resin. I would use something like that and store the trailer with the front lifted so any water can run out. If you put a mesh base in it even with a sheet of ply over it you will still have lost a lot of sand by the time you get home. Check out William T Eden and see if they have a stockist near you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RC45 Posted January 24, 2010 Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 Resin coated ply wood is often used by the manufacturer. You could use ally treadplate at about £80 a sheet. Ring indespension, they will help you out. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted January 24, 2010 Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 I boarded out an old trailer years ago and just used marine ply-then gave it 2 coats of Hammerite so it was shiny and nothing stuck.Never had any problems and it hauled everything from sand to Motocrosses in all weathers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Galore! Posted January 24, 2010 Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 the best stuff to use is IROKO boards, done a few lowloader lorry beds with this stuff and it doesn't rot, oil it after fitting and it will last a lifetime.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodp Posted January 24, 2010 Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 Try Commercial Body Fittings on 0121 520 0100 (midlands) or 01707 371161 (Hertfordshire) for Phenolic flooring. It's the brown coated and resin impregnated flooring they put in trucks from new. Comes in 8x4 or 10x5 in varying thicknesses around the 3/4" mark. It WILL last forever in your situation. It's not too expensive either, and they will deliver especially to a works address. These people supply the trade so you're cutting out the middle man and going directly to the importer. They also supply all the rope hooks, tailgate hinges, antiluces etc you could dream of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gibby Posted January 24, 2010 Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 I would have thought trailer board would have done the job. (ply base with the pimpled black coating) Gibby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulf Posted January 24, 2010 Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 If your ever likely to shovel sand or gravel off the back then Aluminium chequer plate. otherwise go for resin coated ply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alycidon Posted January 24, 2010 Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 Go to your local HGV trailer bodywork specialist. Chequer plate is all very well but can be slippy when wet. It is also not very thick and needs laying over some sort of compostite or wooden floor. http://www.empresstimber.com/trailorflring.htm A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felly100 Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 Don't use chequer plate if you are going to shovel sand,the shovel keeps catching.Ply wood blathered in bitumen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowboy1403 Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 just replace the wood with wood then take crupinol wood presurver and add some old engine oil to it paint on and let dry will last for years just recoat every few years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
decoyboy Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 marine ply , then a coat of fibreglass matting and resin followed by a grey flow coat . you can even purchase iron filings from any fibre glass roofing company to sprinkle onto the final coat which then gives the fininish a non-slip effect . i used this method in my dog kennel and garage floor 2 years ago . nothing will go through it , it's tough and easy to wash out . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter-peter Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 I've bought a trailer (a 6' X 4' single axel light car trailer) which needs a a bit of work. The floor is worn out naff plywood. What makes a good floor? and where do I get it from ....? I am thinking of a galvanised mesh but what grade? how to fix it ? I thought of marine ply but everything just stays soggy and the frame is more likely to rust away where I cannot see it. I also thought that If the new floor is mesh then when i want to collect sand/gravel etc, I can throw down a sheet of ply just for that. What do you think guys? Thanks Malk kerowin is excelent malc. don't know if i have spelt it right but if you ask at a timber merchant and pronounce it as i have spelt it they will know. i used to use it on cattle and horse boxes don't need to paint it and you wont wear it out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 Peter is correct with his recomendation, the spelling is Keruing. I doubt you will find it available these days as it is a african hardwood and not very eco friendly. Also it is a bitch to work and blunts tools quickly as it is full of grit as it is mostly grown in dusty desert enviroments. If you can get it it will last a long time though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 Malkie, simply take the floor and sides out rub the rust off and a decent coat of hammerite and then just as you first thought use marine ply. However best be sitting down when you check the prices for the thickness you want its probably what you paid for the trailer unless you find some second hand. the other options mentioned are even more pricy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazooka Joe Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 Made mine out of the Galvanized Mesh the sort that surrounds most of the HMP's, it's about 3" X 3/4" mesh, heavy duty, but the trailer is light weight...never any **** in the back, if you need to get the likes of sand, just drop a board in with a sheet, BJ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guss109 Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 I wouldnt bother with marine ply just use normal wbp ply (water and boil proof) as its not a boat your building so its unlikley its going to be sitting in salt water for its life time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted January 26, 2010 Report Share Posted January 26, 2010 For 15 years I used a home made trailer to carry creel bat ans shellfish- a very harsh environment the trailer base was 3/4 inch exterior ply painted with bitumastic paint. Cheap and long lasting. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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