How to Repair a Trailer Deck
The majority of trailers are equipped with replaceable wood decking. This allows you to replace a single damaged board or the complete wood deck of the trailer. The deck is usually made out of pressure-treated lumber or a wood species that is naturally rot-resistant. The do-it-yourself handyman can repair or replace a trailer deck with some spare time and standard tools.
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Things You'll Need
- Power screwdriver and bits
- Miter saw
- Thickness planer
- Tape measure
- Router
- 1/4-inch Round over router bit with guide bearing.
- Lumber
- Table saw
- Black marker
- Self-tapping, stainless steel screws (3/4-inch longer than the decking)
- Exterior deck stain
- Pump sprayer or paintbrush
Instructions
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1
Remove the old screws from the bad pieces of decking with a power screwdriver in reverse.
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2
Pull out the bad sections of wood decking. Work with one piece at a time so you can use the old board as a template. Use a black marker to label each board as you remove it from the trailer.
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3
Cut a replacement board to the same length as the old board with a miter saw.
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4
Plane the board to the same thickness as the old boards on the trailer. This may not be necessary if the old trailer was built using stock materials. Check the thickness of the old deck material using a tape measure. Plane the new material, as necessary, to match the old material. If you have to plane down the boards, use a 1/4-inch round-over router bit to soften the edges and prevent splintering on the wood. A router with a 1/4-inch round-over router bit with a guide-bearing works best for this.
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5
Rip the lumber to the same width as the old board you are replacing, if it is not a standard-sized width, with a table saw.
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6
Place the new boards onto the trailer from where the old boards were removed. Check the order of the boards from Step 2 for the correct order of installation for the new decking. Check the end of each board for the direction of the growth rings. You want to place the board so that the growth rings look like they are frowning. This will help keep the board from warping over time.
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7
Screw the new boards into the steel support bracing of the trailer. Use two self-tapping stainless steel screws at each brace location. Place the screw about 3/4 inch in from each side. Use an electric drill with the correct bit to attach the board. Keep your weight on the board, as you work, to ensure that the board is tight against the trailer's bracing.
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8
Apply exterior deck stain to the boards to help preserve them. Apply the stain with a brush or pump sprayer for optimum coverage. If you are using pressure treated lumber you need to let the wood age for a month before applying the finish to the new decking boards.
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Tips & Warnings
If you remove all of the old decking, it is a good idea to repaint the trailer, including its steel frame.
Use a new bit in the power screwdriver; this will help keep the screw heads from stripping out.
Wear safety glasses when working with power tools.
Use gloves to protect your hands from old, rusty screws.
References
- Photo Credit Andy Reynolds/Lifesize/Getty Images
