trailers for lbcs

[Mickey Richaud]

Off the breaks for a moment. What is the feeling about wood vs. steel deck? The wood would need replacing but I fear the heat of the steel on the tires.

See my earlier post on Page 1 of this thread - aluminum ramps bolted to the trailer.

Mickey

 

[AweMan]

I currently have wood on mine, as soon as it is shot, I WILL replace with expanded metal, NO expanded metal will not protect your freight from the road grime! But having said that, I have a moment to my madness, I also use my trailer to haul my A.T.V.`s and when returning from a trip of 4x4 ing on the mountain the A.T.V.`s are usualy unrecognisable due to the amount of mud engulfing thier structure. This Utah Mud is usualy like axel grease and almost impossible to wash off even with a power washer. So, In order to make washing the trailer and A.T.V.`s off easy I want expanded metal on it`s floor. AND ....... I will ONLY be hauling the TR-3 if it breaks down. Otherwise I will drive it.
And NO this trailer doesn`t have any brakes at all, but then it`s only a 15 footer and I`m NO speed deamon especialy pulling vehicles on a trailer.
P.S. My speed deamon days were thru after my first suspended license for points. Not to mention astronomical insurance costs.

 

[LLAngus]

My favorite is Aluminum. The wood decks I had were slippery when wet. Otherwise go with what you what.

 

[foxtrapper]

Let's put this to rest--surge brakes suck.

That's an opinion, not a fact. You don't like surge brakes, fine. I've seen many a semi jack-knife going down hills as well. Fact is, going down hill, if the trailer is working properly, the surge brakes are slightly on, keeping the trailer from pushing. I've also watched wrecks specifically from electric brakes because they weren't adjusted properly, so they locked prematurely, sliding the trailer around, or they didn't grab at all, letting the whole rig skid into something.

So there, all brakes suck! Ain't none of them perfect.

On to the deck. Metal decks are slick as snot when wet or oily. Wood rots, steel rusts. A good metal deck can have eyes welded to it for anchoring. Tow trucks run metal decks, low boys and such run wooden lumber. I've used both, I tend to prefer wood. I've never seen a tire melt from a metal deck.

 

[tony barnhill]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]I fear the heat of the steel on the tires.
[/QUOTE]

I'd like to see a tire melt from sitting on a metal deck as I also have never seen one do that!

Photos please.

 

[AweMan]

I lived in Yuma Ariz. when I was a kid, I had a tire on my bicycle explode cause of the sun, {I may have overinflated it just a bit too} I had rode it to the service station {about a mile} filled it up and rode it back home,{another mile} parked in the driveway, went in the house, about an hour later BOOM!!!!
Worked in an auto salvage yard when I was 17. Lotsa tires laying around there, on cars, off cars, on the ground, on the hoods of cars, in the {very Hot} trunks of cars. Never seen one melt or explode there. Seen a real huge tire fire though {caused by a careless worker with an Oxy/Acetylene cutting torch}{NOT ME EITHER!} The fire department had a hard time extinguishing it too!
Never seen Metal melt one either. I suppose a crushed in fender rubbing it for miles and miles might melt it a bit though.

 

[Grantura_MKI]

I would stay away from wood on any open trailer, for most of the already stated issues. I do have a wood floor on my enclosed car trailer. My open trailer is fitted with 3/16" alloy diamond plate. This has pro's and con's. I look lovely and is easily cleaned and will not rust. On a hot day, you will end up with 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree burns while working around it.
Cheers, David.

 

[Bugeye58]

I fear the heat of the steel on the tires.

Have you ever checked your tire temps after a good, spirited drive? Much hotter than you'll ever see from merely sitting on a steel decked trailer.
Jeff