Grain Truck floor

dhermesc · Jul 9, 2023

I recently purchased an 18' grain truck. The sides are metal but the stock racks (removed) are wood and so is the floor. The floor has some pretty bad rot from someone leaving a half load of grain on the back of the truck for a couple years while it sat outside. The previous owner covered the floor with 1/2 plywood and kept is well oiled. He used the truck quite a bit before retiring. If I got a wild hair and decided to replace the floor - where do you get flooring like that? I have not looked that close but this is either tongue and groove or the half lap. I am assuming its 2 inches thick. The metal cross frames appear solid.

oldproudvet · Jul 9, 2023

Not sure where you are, but here in west central MN the area is thick with small Amish saw mills doing production lumber work and and all kinds of custom stuff. Years ago I brought oak logs over to one and had 2 hay rack boards sawn. I've since replaced my trailer floor with boards and tongue and groove ones for the flooring in my 1949 Studebaker grain truck. I've never tried a retail store. There are farms with portable band saw mills all over the country and they'd also be worth talking to. A neighbor bought a manual band saw (you push the carriage thru the log) to cut some awesome black cherry logs for a table and a mantle. It's cost from NH was under 2 grand and did a nice job, not a 1/16 of inch variation on a 12 ft cut. Impressive actually. If I wasn't 80, I'd buy one. Good luck, be creative. Larry

Jeff NWOH · Jul 9, 2023

My truck had the half lap flooring in it. When I replaced it, I just bought 2x6 treated and made my own half lap. I believe I just cut them out on the table saw with a dado blade.

Leroy · Jul 9, 2023

I don't think there are any mills left in my area that will do custom sawing. Only saw what they own.

MARK ROBKE · Jul 9, 2023

Check with a shop that works on semi-trailers and box truck boxes. They do get and replace flooring in them. Mark.

caterpillar guy · Jul 9, 2023

I would get some old fuel tanks cut the ends out and cut down the weld seem then inroll it and flaten then weld it in around the sides. Works well and no cracks in boards to hold grain when dumping. Been both ways and like the steel better. OR easier yet put one of those dump trailer liners in on the old floor they fasten the edges to the sides along with a aluminum piece to seal and hold the sides with. Grain slides right out with them.

MarkB_MI · Jul 10, 2023

2x6 pressure-treated tongue and groove is available at most real lumberyards. Of course there aren't many real lumberyards left. This stuff is intended for ground contact. It's also usually available in a couple of different lengths. It looks like you can special-order 18 footers at Menards. At 30 bucks a board plus shipping it won't be cheap.

If you have a table saw or router, it's not that difficult to make your own shiplap lumber; I've done it to replace cedar siding on our house. If you want to make tongue-and-groove, you can buy T&G router bit sets. Of course if you go with treated lumber, the yellow pine typically used for PT is not that easy to mill. You might want to go with a different rot-resistant species, depending on what's available in your area.
2x6x18 PT tongue and groove at Menards

Bill in Colo · Jul 10, 2023

Look at product called Ruff Tech made from tires and plastic 8 tongue & groove made in Texas. I replaced floors in 18Ft stock truck and 16ft stock trailer 25 years ago. 2002 I ordered new Gooseneck Brand 24 ft stock trailer it has Ruff Tech flooring, I've been very happy with the results. Truck has never been inside.

Grain Truck floor

dhermesc

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oldproudvet

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Jeff NWOH

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Leroy

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MARK ROBKE

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caterpillar guy

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MarkB_MI

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Bill in Colo

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