Open trailer deck material
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 15,235
Total Cats: 1,700
From: Charleston SC
Open trailer deck material
Within the next month I will be buying an open trailer. What are the pros and cons of a metal deck verse a wood deck? The company I am looking at sells both and they are withing $100 of each other. Plan is to use the trailer for the next 2-6 years until I upgrade to an enclosed trailer.
Wood Trailer.
Metal Trailer
Wood Trailer.
Metal Trailer
Last edited by shuiend; Mar 25, 2018 at 12:45 PM.
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Do yourself a favor and get a wood deck trailer. When you are laying on the trailer either strapping or working on the car, you will be hating life on a metal deck. Wood stays nice and cool.
Also, you will get much more traction with a wood deck in wet conditions. I have seen cars and equipment slip off the trailer because of slippery conditions.
Also, you will get much more traction with a wood deck in wet conditions. I have seen cars and equipment slip off the trailer because of slippery conditions.
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I've personally never had any problems with my steel closed deck trailer. Sometimes in the rain I need to get a running start up the ramps, but I've never had any other issues with stuff sliding. Occasionally I'll lose my footing a bit if it's really wet and I'm getting up and down off the trailer, but I've had that happen on wood trailers as well depending on the type/age of the wood and if there are any coatings or sealers on it.
Regarding the temperature of the deck in the sun, it does get quite warm and sometimes very hot in select places. I keep a moving blanket in my toolbox that I'll lay down first if I need to get under the car to strap it. Usually though I can strap both of my cars without getting under them or laying on the deck of the trailer at all now because I've done it so many times I don't need to see what I'm doing any more and can just reach up blind and hook everything in.
I chose metal deck because my trailer sits out in the sun uncovered and the steel is a little less maintenance since it won't rot. As long as I cover it before a big snow and keep a nice coat of paint on it it hasn't shown any signs of rust. In my area it seems the metal deck trailers hold their value a touch more as well which was important to me because I plan on upgrading to an enclosed trailer eventually.
Regarding the temperature of the deck in the sun, it does get quite warm and sometimes very hot in select places. I keep a moving blanket in my toolbox that I'll lay down first if I need to get under the car to strap it. Usually though I can strap both of my cars without getting under them or laying on the deck of the trailer at all now because I've done it so many times I don't need to see what I'm doing any more and can just reach up blind and hook everything in.
I chose metal deck because my trailer sits out in the sun uncovered and the steel is a little less maintenance since it won't rot. As long as I cover it before a big snow and keep a nice coat of paint on it it hasn't shown any signs of rust. In my area it seems the metal deck trailers hold their value a touch more as well which was important to me because I plan on upgrading to an enclosed trailer eventually.
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Elite Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,822
Total Cats: 144
From: NorthWest NJ
Our wood deck utility trailer has sat out in the sun/weather for the last 12 years and is just fine. It is starting to grow some moss though. Probably from leaving it loaded with brush last year.
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Deck trailers tend to hold value better than other trailers because they are easier and less expensive to fix. Particularly if they have a wood deck. I have a landscaped trailer that is almost 30 years old that is used 5 days a week. About every 8 years we put new fenders, new deck, weld up any cracks and grind flush, then repaint. It looks like a brand new trailer every time.
My metal dump trailers live a long time too, but once the box is rusted out, the trailer is sold. Never worth repairing. An all metal deck trailer will take longer to rust out, but it’s rarely worth fixing once they do. Redecking with wood is much easier.
I currently have a fleet of 10 trailers of various forms.
My metal dump trailers live a long time too, but once the box is rusted out, the trailer is sold. Never worth repairing. An all metal deck trailer will take longer to rust out, but it’s rarely worth fixing once they do. Redecking with wood is much easier.
I currently have a fleet of 10 trailers of various forms.
Last edited by miata2fast; Mar 27, 2018 at 10:15 AM.
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