larch wood (maybe you folks in the north?)

Hey folks,
Local sawmill tells me this is better for my wagon floor than oak. Also is less than half the price. Anyone use this wood for anything. I am siding my barn with it now because it doesn't HAVE to be painted and weathers nice. Local building supply has it planed and tongue/groove also. Think it would be OK for my little wagon (5'x10' and a max load of 2 ton)? If I used T&G could I put it together without it heaving later or would I need to leave it a little loose?

Thanks, Dave

Around here we call it tamarack. It's our answer to the South's hard yellow pine. Dense, strong, and nearly as full of pitch as yellow pine.
It's a good choice for truck and trailer beds.

Good wood.

Near waterproof, strong and stable.

That's what I was hoping to hear...... Can I put the T&G together tight or should I leave it a little loose???

Dave

Depends on a couple of things.
Was it kiln dried and are you going to store it inside or out?
If you are going to store it inside then put it together tight. If stored outside, despite it being laden with pitch it will swell a bit so put it together slightly loose.
Larch will definately outlast oak but is not as strong.

What would you consider slight?? It'll spend it's life outside, I plan on using deck stain on it first.

Dave

WOW! Beautiful wood when made into cutting boards.
Don

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Dave

I'm no expert ok?
How thick is the lumber? Like 1x6 t&g?
Is there a frame around it? Not sure how your wagon is built or what it's going to haul.
Most wood that is left outside will shrink eventually. Especially if left unfinished.
So I guess I'd make the joints tight.
I put a new deck on an 8X16' flat bed truck once.
I used 5/4 X 8" white oak planking. That stuff is pretty stiff but it had a heavy welded frame - factory built - around the flat bed. I used a high lift jack and a bottle jack plus a bunch of C clamps to force fit the lumber flat, straight and Tight. Then I drilled and carriage bolted it all down to the steel ribs underneath. It was unfinished. In the 3 years I owned it afterwards
It did not swell, buck or sag sitting outside.
Was on a 48 Diamond T that I had. That's about all I know.
Except;
Old timers here tell about the hapless wood buyer who gets a few pieces of "pine" thrown into their cord. Except is wasn't pine it was
Tamarack. Hot, hot fire would have their stove, chimney, sometimes even house glowing bright red.
And,
I wouldn't use deck stain. That stuff flakes off and looks worse in a few years than if you'd left it raw.
Pictures are always welcome.

21mmx96mm (3/4"x4" +/-). Will lay in an angle iron frame. Longest unsupported span is about 16 inches. Manure will be it's purpose in life. Thanks for the stain tip, I'll just paint it w/ used motor oil...

Thanks, Dave

[i:654c4848f0]I'll just paint it w/ used motor oil...[/i:654c4848f0]

Excellent.

What ever you ues don't let any thing set in bed when not in use, will rot bed out. Loaned small utility trailer to brother-n-law "when I got it back 4 years later" he had let set out side with trash in it and floor was rotted out. Was treated 5/4" decking boards. Also all tires flat also had ran them flat Trashing rims & spare missing. So three tires and rims "used" along with the deck on trailer about $200 To fix that mistake, There will not be a next time.