Time to Redeck, what to use?

[motocrazy2006]

So time to redeck my trailer.... its an aluminum 2 place drive on/off featherlite.

Have heard from a few people that you should NOT use treated plywood as it will react with the aluminum... Is this true?

I know when I have helped a buddy a few times, always used started plywood and used a sealer on it.... he was one of the people that said do not used treated...

Is this the truth? or what are you guys using?

 

[Racer220]

I did a bit of redneckin on mine (I know you said redecking). Was going to redo the inside of my 3-place enclosed quite some time ago. Got in a bind and threw some 7/16" OSB sprayed down with Thompson's Water Seal on both sides. Had pieces coming off like crazy the first year driving sleds in and out. 5 years later still looks the same as after the first season. No issues with it so I'm just leaving it until it's time to retire the whole thing. Trailer's 18 yrs old.

If it was needed and trailer was newer I think I would definitely save the coin to get the stuff Mirage uses. Don't know about the reaction between wood elements and metals, but you can't beat the surface durability of that they use.

 

[motocrazy2006]

My trailer is open.... deck isn't terrible. Kinda getting a soft spot. And all the ski guide screws r pulling out. May just re anchor everything. Put in my adjustble tie down brackets and throw on some track matt and leave deck alone. ... see bere in a few weeks....

Just curious if anyone else has heard about the treated plywood reacting with the aluminum. .. or if I need to use regular wood with a good sealer

 

[Coldfinger]

Since the gov't required a different chemical for treated wood a few years back, I know there is a reaction with nails and screws. The lumberyard can tell you about aluminum or you can google it, such as below................

i know this when you buy a new roll of coil stock aluminum at a bldg. supply center right on the box it tells you to not put it directly over pressure treated wood or it voids the warranty. i have redone a few houses that had it over pressure treated and it eas corroding. i think if you coat the wood with something that will seal it you will be ok. they sell a heavy paper to wrap posts with before capping with aluminum if it is pressure treated. http://www.saltfish.net/forum/showthread.php?5478-treated-wood-and-aluminum-boats

But YellaWood® brand products also boast improved corrosion characteristics and are approved for contact with aluminum*. http://www.greatsouthernwood.com/products/yellawood

I just pulled this information off of Georgia Pacific website. " Aluminum should not be used in direct contact with ACQ-D or CA-C treated wood." http://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=20067

 

[motocrazy2006]

Thanks... have to look into it... may just re secure everything and use it

 

[LoudHandle]

On the trailers I've made in the past I just used regular plywood and used the cheap Chevron Shingle oil to pre-soak both sides of it. The stuff is like $25 for a 5 gallon pail, even in Alaska.

With the treated plywood you need to use stainless or ceramic coated screws or they will disappear due to the chemicals as well.