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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

OT- Trailer decking decision

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Shane

12-06-2003 10:45:10




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Have to put a deck on a gooseneck tri-axle trailer soon. The neighbor has a sawmill so I can cut my own lumber. The question is would Elm make a decent decking lumber? Have an elm log 20' long and 24" diameter. Can anyone shed some light here. Would plan on treating it somehow too. Thanks, Shane.




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DuaneWKKC

12-08-2003 05:32:24




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 Re: OT- Trailer decking decision in reply to Shane, 12-06-2003 10:45:10  
not sure about decking, but we have always used Red Elm 6x8 beams under our wagon beds. like already stated, tough stringy wood, will bend and bow but not break.

If wood rotting is an issue as stated by another, try NOT LEAVING IT SIT OUT. Everything will last longer.



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Shane

12-08-2003 11:20:14




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 Re: Re: OT- Trailer decking decision in reply to DuaneWKKC, 12-08-2003 05:32:24  
Thanks all for the info! I will cut it this weekend and put it on the trailer and fasten it down good. We plan on letting it dry for 6 months or so then treating with used motor oil, seems to work great on our hay racks for shedding water. Thanks again.



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BEEN THERE

12-07-2003 08:06:41




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 Re: OT- Trailer decking decision in reply to Shane, 12-06-2003 10:45:10  
ELM IS GOOD FOR ONE THING BUILD A BON FIRE WITH. I TRIED IT ON A WAGON FLAT .



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Nebraska Cowman

12-07-2003 04:19:12




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 Re: OT- Trailer decking decision in reply to Shane, 12-06-2003 10:45:10  
Elm won't last outside. do you have access to bridge timbers. A friend brought some here when I had a mill. they were 8" X 16" X 24'fir I think, and we cut them into 2 inch planks. I have a pile in the shed right now that are going on my trailer this winter. It is getting so holy, I am going to have to start parking it at church!



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bob

12-06-2003 18:01:04




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 Re: OT- Trailer decking decision in reply to Shane, 12-06-2003 10:45:10  
Forget that stuff for outdoor use! I sawed a bunch of it once. Lost 50% of it in air drying , it cupped, warped , twisted, split. What little was left we used for cabinets. Toughest stuff if it never gets wet. sawing it on circle mill made sparks fly on logs that were dead & stood 4-5 years. Old-timers didnt call it pis elm for nothing.



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Shane

12-07-2003 07:53:35




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 Re: Re: OT- Trailer decking decision in reply to bob, 12-06-2003 18:01:04  
If you cut any wood on a mill you have to rank it with slats between the boards. Any wood will twist and buckle unless it is ranked properly including a good heavy weight on top to keep it all down and straight. Cut some cherry 4 months ago and milled it, forgot to stack a few pieces and now they are only good for a sled ski! Thanks for the info, Shane



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Polish Mike

12-06-2003 11:56:01




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 Re: OT- Trailer decking decision in reply to Shane, 12-06-2003 10:45:10  
It'll shrink a bit, but it shouldn't warp badly if you fasten it down immediately to the trailer frame after cutting it. Let it dry well before spraying it with a decent preservative.



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Shane

12-06-2003 14:43:11




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 Re: Re: OT- Trailer decking decision in reply to Polish Mike, 12-06-2003 11:56:01  
Interesting fact I found out about Elm, it is commonly use for rail-road ties. I think it will work just fine for the decking, and I will secure it just after cutting and even if it does shrink it won't matter too much. Thanks, Shane



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Dave_Id

12-06-2003 10:47:46




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 Re: OT- Trailer decking decision in reply to Shane, 12-06-2003 10:45:10  
Elm has a lot of water in it, and will shrink alot, and warp alot...



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Brian G. NY

12-06-2003 16:54:26




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 Re: Re: OT- Trailer decking decision in reply to Dave_Id, 12-06-2003 10:47:46  
My Dad told me that in "the good ol' days" elm was the choice for floors in horse barns; it withstood the wear and tear of the horseshoes real well and was not effected much by urine. If you've ever tried to split elm, you'll know it is tuff and very stringy.



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