Treating Trailer Deck Boards

How To Treat Trailer Deck Boards
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[@Rambo1776]

“Hey, you’re putting diesel in a gas container!” “Yeah, I know.” That’s freaking funny!

[@OurTopPinLife]

💪💪😂

[@dwwilliams72]

I laughed too. 😂

[@mickturner957]

Spray paint it yellow, problem solved. HA HA

[@watcherbd45]

It’s ridiculous that people cant mind there own business and its not against the law either !!!!!

[@countryboy54947]

@@mickturner957 I've done that. Or use a antifreeze jug for kerosene

[@brandonsmith4367]

I did the same thing but used old transmission fluid(transmission shop gave it to me for free). It turned out beautifully, the wood had a red tint to it like a redwood stain

[@markopolo286]

Did u add diesel?

[@brandonsmith4367]

@@markopolo286 nope, straight transmission fluid, turned out fantastic, would do it again

[@davidstoughton3257]

My Dad was a painter his entire adult life. He used linseed oil and terpentine 50/50 to treat cedar shingles and his wooden ladders. He applies a coat yearly to his ladders with his sprayer and his ladders lasted at least 40 years. He applied this mixture to cedar shingled roofs every 5 years and it would double the length of time for those shingles on a roof and on the outsides of houses for years. He also grew up on a farm and used used motor oil as a preservative for wood also on fence posts and stuff on the farm. He would soak fence posts overnight in the oil before they were put in the ground and he said that post will last 40 years if you use cedar posts and motor oil cut with diesel.im the EPA would not be happy but it's better than the approved treatment. Less toxic by far !!

[@TheBeatenPaths]

I use straight boiled linseed oil.

[@jbhh79]

I use an old garden sprayer to apply. Works fantastic and you can spray the cracks between boards really well. More is not always better… any excess can make the floor slippery, especially when wet. If you pressure wash the trailer first make sure it is bone dry, like at least a couple days in the sun, before you apply the oil for maximum penetration.

[@45valk]

My dad soaked his fence posts in this this concoction when I was a kid and 40 plus years later the same posts are standing.

[@OurTopPinLife]

Very cool!

[@williamwebster2249]

The best wood preservative Is antifreeze

[@esmaelpereira1465]

Hello, my dad treated his posts and fence that way 33 years ago. He passed away ,his fence still stands with very little wear. Miss my dad dearly,however he taught me alot of hany ideas.

[@Derek-tk4wf]

Only negative I've heard about this method is that the oil will come to the surface and make it greasy/slick during the height of summer in direct sunlight. Any truth to that?

[@OurTopPinLife]

That is correct, especially early on.

[@lloydlacross1358]

Try transmission fluid . looks like cherry wood. really nice finish

[@alexharper9786]

Mixed with diesel or no?

[@malzimus]

Curious too and about if it would last as long as the oil/diesel mixture (assuming it would be new not used)?

[@YobieTheQuestioner]

Honestly upset I didn't save my trans fluid in a separate container now 😞

[@dennishall9260]

I did the same thing except on the bottom side, I melted paraffin and mixed it in your recipe. I used my bobcat to set the trailer on its side and sprayed it with a cheap airless sprayer, covering all the boards and steel on the bottom side. Worked great and the underside still looks like new.

[@DanielDeLoach]

Good idea. I was wondering how I could do the underside til you said that. I guess I can use my winch to tip the trailer and do the underside.

[@rogered5499]

I used straight oil on my trailer. The boards do attract dust from the dirt roads I drive on . I used a paint roller to apply my oil to deck. Works great.

[@porschesg]

Glad I saw this I’m redecking my trailer this weekend

[@OurTopPinLife]

If you use pressure treated lumber, I would wait several months before applying so that the pressure treatment can dry out.

[@jobsearch5871]

Only difference is the old pressure treatment was awesome. Today the pressure treatment is crap

[@EluderRacing]

I have seen this idea before and my only concern is does the wood always feel wet and slick? 6 months from now if you kneel on it would you get a big oil spot on the knee?

[@OurTopPinLife]

That was not the case for us. Once it dried we have not had any issues.

[@scottfenton7607]

Hi, I noticed that you didn't treat the bottom of the trailer. Will that hold up without treating the bottom of the trailer?

[@stormvet91]

It works good. I've done this since I was a kid. I use a pump up sprayer.

[@lindahipp8329]

Sounds like a good plan to me. Old time ways are tried and tested and proven to work. Recycling the oil and putting it to a good use. Nothing wrong with that. Take care and stay safe out there. GOD BLESS Y'ALL

[@OurTopPinLife]

Every little bit helps right now!

[@alvinsaulsberry398]

Man thanks for this video I can finally stop replacing boards every few years thanks again 💪🏽

[@baizanthony6143]

So I was looking to coat my deck where I usually workout at and am wondering if this method would be ok to use? Will this leave a sort of sticky filling on my hands after applied? Or will it pretty much just soak into the wood? I just don't want to be doing push ups and have a oily on my hands or on my back from situps ya know. But thank you in advance and God Bless you all🙏✝️🙌

[@ivannegrin137]

I have a trailer same as yours will be replacing the deck soon. I'm sure this treatment will last longer than the wood deck treatment $45.00a gallon. Didn't read all of the comments but I'm sure you've had a MASTER GENIUS environment saver that has a Pet rock and drives an electronic vehicle.

[@mokush4me412]

Nice..Replacing my trailer wood flooring. Should this been done on new treated wood?

[@OurTopPinLife]

I would give the treatment a few months to dry out..

[@saintgermain6031]

Great video, I was looking at buying stain for the wood on my trailer that I'm about to replace. I will definitely being doing this. Thanks!

[@rickpaudert7012]

Been using used oil for 50 years, for this and other things, learned for granddad

[@karenvanderwall6684]

Won’t be able haul furniture or appliances, without getting stain on them .. what happens when someone flicks a cigarette out their window and it lands on the trailer. Will it catch fire?

[@OurTopPinLife]

That's one reason they make moving blankets. Diesel fumes are much more flammable than the liquid but both will disappear very quickly.

[@terrybeasley7505]

OMG you got oil on the ground..... wait it came from the ground in the first place. Carry on.

[@OurTopPinLife]

🤣🤣

[@logmeindangit]

Really?, this only gets the tops and some down the sides. It would be best to pull the boards and do them on all sides and the ends, on a hot summer day, after a month of them sitting in the summer sun, hot and dry. THEN put them back down on your trailer.

[@OurTopPinLife]

Rain only comes from one direction… The only time the bottom of the boards would get water on them is when I’m driving down the road, it’s raining and water splashes up from the road. Which in my case would be rare. So I opted not to add on all that un-needed work.

[@jameynichols9573]

Awesome idea! I’ll be treating my trailer this way. Not gonna lie…if I close my eyes and tilt my head, I hear Kenny Powers. Haha thanks for the video!

[@cavyboy99]

Does it always smell like oil and diesel even when it dries. Also will it rub off on your clothes and stuff when laying around on it

[@OurTopPinLife]

No it does not smell. Why would you be laying on it😂

[@ranmangolf]

Does it matter if it is synthetic or regular oil? I noticed your container said synthetic.

[@OurTopPinLife]

No

[@moisesdelgado382]

How often would you do that to maintain it ?

[@pamelamayfield7496]

We did this last year for our fence. Works great.

[@The_Casual_Collector]

I have a 20ft equipment trailer I just bought, I fully intend on doing the same thing, thanks for sharing.

[@cgraham9727]

I wonder if kerosene would work instead of diesel fuel? Ive got a tank of old kerosene that used to fuel a couple heaters in our house.

[@OurTopPinLife]

Not sure.

[@curtcarlson96]

Do you think if I treated a trailer I deliver horse hay with that after it is soaked in it would still smell the hay up?

[@OurTopPinLife]

I don't think so.

[@johng5160]

Question please... Doesn't this make the deck slippery, I'm concerned about the equipment sliding or the deck being slick to walk on. I'm sure that would fade over time but does it stay slick especially if wet?

[@OurTopPinLife]

We have never had an issue with it being slippery.

[@johng5160]

@@OurTopPinLife thank you

[@205ken4]

Heck yea I’m going to go that route 👍🏻 Those old timer’s knew all types of tricks to make stuff they had laying serve a purpose. Thanks for sharing bud

[@OurTopPinLife]

You bet

[@BCRoasters]

I’m new to treating trailer wood. I have 5 trailers I need to treat soon. Great information! Just curious how long you should wait after treatment to avoid getting any of the surface oil from getting on the items being hauled? I haul wood crates… also will wood be slippery for sometime after treatment?… thanks for the great advice!

[@TheBeatenPaths]

Don't forge to coat the under side as well. Time between coats of anything depends on the type of wood, how dry it is and the thickness of the liquid. Don't use diesel if you're worried about it getting on anything because it will ruin it.

[@ronrosenkaimer1096]

Would you use that mixture on a wooden porch deck?

[@OurTopPinLife]

Not if you are going to be walking in and out of the house. It soaks in, but I would be afraid residual would stay on your shoes.

[@gijoecowboy]

Wouldn't that be slick when it rains. Would hate to loose a tractor.

[@OurTopPinLife]

I usually chain down my loads…

[@scruggs.jonathan]

I'm considering doing this to my trailer. Im curious, does the wood dry to a point where it won't transfer to cargo? I occasionally use mine to transport furniture. About half way through the video when commenting; sorry if you mentioned in the video.

[@OurTopPinLife]

We have never used it for that purpose, so I can't say yes or no. But, I do know it dries to a point where it isn't sticky or smelly. I would say, to be safe, when hauling furniture I would lay something down.

[@scruggs.jonathan]

@@OurTopPinLife Gotcha! I suppose laying something down is probably a good rule of thumb anytime when hauling furniture. lol But good to know it dries to touch. I'm planning to change the oil this week, so I'm going to fill my "red gas container with diesel" and give it a shot! 😉

[@Monkeybuzzness]

This is an awesome idea...The only question i have is, how long you reckon it's gonna be until my wife stops b*tchin about the smell of the oil and diesel? Seriously, it IS gonna happen

[@OurTopPinLife]

🤣🤣 Wifey here! It only took a day or 2 for the fumes to die down. He left it in the open and between the wind and sun it dissipated pretty quick.

[@matthewpeterson3329]

This is a tried and true method for making your trailer decks last forever. My friend's crusty old grandpa showed my this when I was 19 and bought my first sand rail trailer, and was replacing the shitty old deck boards. I let the new boards age long enough that all the shrink was out of them before applying the diesel/oil mix. That was in 1989 (34 years ago) and I still have the same trailer, with the same deck boards. I will admit, here in Phoenix where the summer sun is WAY more punishing than most other climates, this treatment needs to be repeated every 5 years or so. I have also used boiled linseed oil in the same manner, and it works about as good, and the deck will not be black if you want a more natural look. The black oil treatment makes the deck really freaking hot in the sun, so the linseed oil treatment is my preferred method, but it costs a bit more. Either way, great video and great advice!!!

[@bomoaccavallo7924]

Tobin i'm going to do that to my deck great idea

[@OurTopPinLife]

👍

[@Olgi41]

When I was a kid my dad used to go to the bush and cut fence posts when he needed some. Then he'd go to the local repair shop and get enough used motor oil to half fill a 45 gallon drum. He'd sharpen the posts and leave them standing in the drum until he was ready to use them. The posts would absorb the oil up the bottom half of their length - the top part of the post would still be free of oil except for a few inches above the ground. Posts usually rot off near ground level so this preserved them quite well.

[@orubenvaldez]

I did it too on my car hauler, it lasts but be mindful thatt is slippery.

[@bradleypumba]

Instructions unclear i used diesel oil now my hands have been stained for 3 weeks🤣🤣

[@tp-mh2ji]

Redid my trailer boards...left 1½" between the boards ...Side by Side hasn't fallen through the cracks...Will be using your method for treatment of 2x6's ... Thanks

[@joesalas7761]

Every drop of oil will destroy a thousand gallons of groundwater!!!

[@OurTopPinLife]

If that’s true how do we have any ground water left????

[@joesalas7761]

@@OurTopPinLife science! You do you! I’m not a left wing pinko, but I’ll refrain from your practice! Living on 6 ac. with a well for water, I’d rather use porch paint for my trailer deck!!

[@gerrygretsinger6607]

Exellent trailer deck preservant but be prepared for gravel road dust to stick to it like a magnet. I have been using it on a trailer I bought new 18 years ago and there is absolutley no rot now or what looks like the foreseeable future.

[@debbieadams712]

I have used just the oil on my trailers, but I haven't used diesel with it. Does it help with the mopping it on? Thank you for the video. God bless

[@OurTopPinLife]

Yes, the diesel thins it out so it can spread. Otherwise the oil is too thick.

[@MichaelShipp-k2c]

I have a question. Does it make the boards slick after dry and after wet weather?

[@billbray5995]

You dang right it does, on a warm to hot sunny day it is a mess. And dont even think about putting something directly on the deck if you dont want oil on everything. 👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀

[@gregcollins1072]

Just the oil works great, ya dont need the diesel. Been doing it for years. Works great!

[@ronaldosmon4715]

Does it dry to the touch or is it always oily feel

[@OurTopPinLife]

It is dry to the touch, however if you go down a dirt road it will stick to it

[@joegarza9993]

Anybody know bout how long to dry before using trailer????

[@OurTopPinLife]

It will be dry enough to use within a few hours

[@larrywhitaker4667]

That also works on barns and keeps termites out of the wood

[@OurTopPinLife]

Didn't know that about the termites.

[@Real-Tecnica]

@@OurTopPinLife If it keeps termites away shiiitt im going to coat everything with that.

[@ghostridergale]

Personally I’m just not a fan of 2x6 lumber on my trailer regardless what you do with the lumber to treat it? Unless you’re going to sand down the face of your lumber so it’s smooth, you’re still going to have a rough grain and adding any kind of fluid to the lumber also going to raise the grain too. Maybe if you’re just using your trailer to haul equipment of some kind the rough grain of the lumber may not bother you? But if you ever need to slide a shovel across the surface you’re probably going to rip your lumber and have splinters pulled up off the boards. Myself, I changed to using waterproofing plywood that’s also covered in plastic laminate like you find on many countertops on kitchen cabinets. Plywood way more stable and actually much stronger then any 2x6 lumber or any other size lumber you want to use? You won’t have more need any gaps between boards like you do with lumber. Plywood will only swell or shrink no more than 1/16” and solid lumber can swell or shrink up to a 1/4” on every board you have on your trailer regardless what type of treatment you put on it? 40 years ago roughly, I didn’t have much money at the time. So I put a sheet of 3/4” plywood on the deck of my trailer and put a exterior finish on the plywood. Never did anything else to it for a few decades and eventually the plywood did start to rot and needed replaced. But it far outlasted any 2x6 lumber boards. Later on I started using waterproofing plywood that’s covered in plastic laminate and some 30 years later the deck still looks as good as the first day I installed it! I really love having the smooth surface of the plastic laminate where I can throw in dirt, bark dust, gravel, etc.? Then just slide my shovel across the smooth deck floor scooping up whatever material I need to take out of the trailer! Unless you really slam the point of the shovel into the floor deck, you’re not going to damage the plastic laminate either. Naturally you can abuse anything, but using common sense and taking care when using a shovel the floor will last a lifetime easily! Using lumber each board can and likely will vary in thicknesses, which is another thing I hate about using lumber. Plywood a more consistent thickness and size. I double up 3/4” waterproof plywood with the laminate on it and stagger the joints wherever I need to splice plywood for wider or longer decks bigger then 4x8. So the plywood ends up the same thickness as your 2x4 lumber would be. It just looks so much nicer and really stands out looking more professional than slapping on a bunch of lumber on the trailer floor! I have had numerous compliments on my trailer deck and people wanting to know what and how I put down on the trailer floor? Have yet to see another trailer with plywood on the deck floor though, except for my own of course! I‘ve been using flatbed trailers and utility trailers since I was 16 years old and I’m now heading towards 67 years old. So I got many years of experience with trailers and putting on different types of materials on the trailer deck floors. By far I haven’t found anything yet better than waterproof plywood! Once you use it, you’ll never go back to using lumber!

[@mst5632]

Works great for posts going into the ground as well. Even federal agencies and utility companies do this to their posts. They “tap” the post and periodically add oil to the core. Works excellent. Thank you for sharing, 5M.

[@ktr831]

Yup. I pour a small amount around my house foundation once a year.

[@karenglover9956]

Great video! I’m not sure what the diesel does but you say it works. And that’s good enough for me!

[@larrywhitaker4667]

Diesel oil helps the oil to get in the wood better. I always make sure to put on the bottom of post to help with rot and termites

[@johnnylaird3861]

I get the concept and personally I want my tilt trailer kinda of slick so that when hauling containers, it will slide off easier without alot of damage to the boards after a period of time. My question is will I have to deal with getting oil on my clothes or myself everytime I work with the trailer and getting back in the cab of my truck? Does it soak in enough to not be a problem or a constant smell of diesel? Is this mainly for farm use? Thanks again for the video.

[@OurTopPinLife]

No diesel smell at all after a few days. If you got on the trailer and sat down or layer down you would get some on your clothes.

[@henrymorgan3982]

"Diesel....smells like.....like Victory!" LOL!! Great video!

[@OurTopPinLife]

😂🤘

[@DXT61]

My uncle owns a trailer making company. He told me to put burnt motor oil which i have, Never tried Diesel mixed. I did have a couple boards rot within a couple years but i'm wondering if it's because i over did it. I would just pour a bunch on there. Mop it around but it had to sit a couple days due to being wiped on thick. I would think a light coating like this would be better. Too much may hurt. I don't know,just my experience.

[@chrisjones6002]

You might want to spray some on the under side too. If you filter the oil with an old t shirt or something and add a little extra diesel it should spray from a pump up sprayer. Or just use straight diesel.

[@OurTopPinLife]

Why? The purpose of this is to protect the wood from sun and rain, neither of which will get to the bottom of the trailer..

[@chrisjones6002]

@@OurTopPinLife it will get wet if you pull the trailer in the rain or snow.

[@OurTopPinLife]

@@chrisjones6002 For me, that will be very rarely.

[@chrisjones6002]

@The5MFamily fair enough. I live in the rust belt so it's a bigger problem here. I figure it would help protect the frame from rust too.

[@kennyparis8742]

All of you that say you've been doing that, not one of you has said how nasty it is. You can't get within 6 feet of it without getting that black shit on you SOMEWHERE. That has GOT to be the dumbest idea ever. And when you put it on, you gotta live with it, no taking it back.

[@kaspar139]

Was going to ask if this makes the deck slippery? Does it come off on your shoes or tires when you put stuff on there??? I love the idea of repurposing the oil this way.

[@hanshart314]

I used Thomson water seal and it lasted one winter. Now I have to replace 3 planks.

[@alexkitchens4351]

Does it get slippery when wet?

[@OurTopPinLife]

We did not experience that.

[@porschesg]

Ok thanks for the info I will wait for it to dry out. Keep up the great work and I subscribed

[@farmercraig567]

I did it a little different. Used motor oil and boiled linseed oil( It pulls the motor oil down in to the boards ) applied with an old kitchen broom, then leave in direct sunlight so it gets nice and hot.

[@hutchinson8583]

I did the same. Seems to work fine so far. I chose this method as I bought a bunch of blo at a garage sale for cheap.

[@guidoitaliano7722]

Does the smell of diesel eventually go away. (I have one of those wives.)

[@OurTopPinLife]

Yes very quickly

[@filjewell6725]

What bout underneath????

[@OurTopPinLife]

The purpose of treating wood is to protect it from rain and the sun, neither of those 2 things come from the bottom.

[@StoicRipple]

Hey you’re putting diesel in a gas container 😮 lol thanks for sharing!

[@Brumasterj]

Ha ha good and bad memories with the smell of diesel! I grew up in SE NM dad owned a welding and roustabout business we used diesel for everything, treating lumber, decks, killing weeds, killing ants, shop heaters! The smell of diesel takes me back to good and bad days!

[@overwatch2671]

Well butter my butt and call me a Biscuit. You mean my old oil can be use as a waterproofing for my deck. I'll be daym

[@woodymoto2326]

For those sayin this is flammable and smells, our local utility company just installed a new wooden electrical pole and it looks and smells like it's soaked in motor oil and diesel fuel (creosote). They installed this new wood pole soaked in black smelly oil (it's still off gassing after a week) to prevent fires. They said this pole should last 60+ years. Also, I'm sure store bought water sealants are flammable and smell as well, especially when they're first applied....and they cost a lot more money and don't work as well. Just sayin😉

[@OurTopPinLife]

Agree on all points!

[@barrylitchfield8357]

Hello, this is the EPA... please provide your address....

[@j0shll0yd]

I’m curious, how long does it stay smelling like diesel and oil? Love the idea of reusing a “throw away” product, but the idea of it smelling doesn’t thrill me. I use my trailer for hauling dirt bikes.

[@OurTopPinLife]

Not long. After it fully dries you can not smell anything. We also haul our 4 wheelers and dirt bikes, and never have an issue.

[@deanclements1839]

Im thinking about doing this with my wood terraces. Does it leave the surface slippery after, or slippery after rain? I don't want people slipping over and then blaming me afterwards lol

[@OurTopPinLife]

We have never noticed it being slippery. It absorb into the wood pretty fast.

[@k.i.i.3699]

What size is that trailer?

[@OurTopPinLife]

16’x83”

[@kinvotime490]

Once dry how slick is it? I assume more slippery when wet?

[@PainterD54]

I just replaced the deck boards on my used trailer with composite decking boards. I got the decking from a deck that was removed from a lake home so I go it cheap. Now it should last my life time and not smell like old oil and diesel fuel. WTF?

[@OurTopPinLife]

Mine will last a life time as well and doesn't smell like oil or diesel. So I guess we both win👍👍

[@richardclifton4120]

I do the same to my trailer wood but I use a Nylon Street Broom to spread it and a cheap 2 gal sprayer to apply it. My ratio is 25% Diesel and the rest in used motor oil. The Nylon Street Broom does not absorb any of the coating and you can wipe your hand over the bristles when done and they come off clean. Thompson's Water Seal is a waste of money.

[@gerrygretsinger6607]

Used motor oil will definetley preserve the wood longer than just about anything. I

[@rodneywise6413]

Thanks for the tip! I’ll be doing my trailer with this soon!

[@FargoNDRoland]

Thank you for the video. Can I ask a question I store my trailer in the garage? How long would I have to keep it outside to cut the smell or it will always smell like oil and diesel? Also, I’m planning to do use this on my snowmobile trailer.

[@OurTopPinLife]

I am not sure, as we have our trailer outside all the time.

[@nparker3]

I love the smell of Diesel fuel in the morning! Lol

[@OurTopPinLife]

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@hectorcabral7948]

Been doing same thing for over 40 years....works great for me

[@dwwilliams72]

I heard of the oil treatment but didn’t think of cutting it with diesel. I like the idea of making it easier to apply if it’s cut some

[@ccccclark2605]

I'm a 69 yr old female. I'm thinking this would make it a fire hazard.....no? My husband has an 18' trailer.

[@OurTopPinLife]

No.

[@kevinbowker2385]

Excellent information, thanks for sharing!

[@OurTopPinLife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bobs4718]

I know it would add more expense but how about using fresh oil and diesel? Wouldn’t have all the carbon and gunk in there. And a lighter finish.

[@OurTopPinLife]

You could do that!

[@randyjerrett3385]

Thank you I did subscribed I’ve seen this before. This is pretty cool and it does work.

[@BugsyBlue]

Did my trailer with the same treatment. My only difference is I used a heavy nap paint roller.

[@nunayobusiness3384]

Now if you lit that sucker up with a match and allowed it to burn in just long enough to char it would last long enough for you grand kids kids to use.

[@fredricknolan3905]

You can see who can swab the deck down. Are you coating the under too?

[@jaceprice4231]

Does is matter if I use oil from my gas truck or does it need to be from a Diesel truck?

[@davefreeman1499]

I like the mop idea.

[@alextodd9587]

Greasy???

[@OurTopPinLife]

Not at all

[@im4u2c-wt2gu]

In California you'd be looking at 20 years to life

[@ethixhiggins5059]

Can you treat it like this and still put liner on it and it’ll stick?

[@YobieTheQuestioner]

That looks great also 🙂 I have neglected my trailer wood for a few years and have all but the mop on hand, Mop is on the list now.

[@OurTopPinLife]

Good luck!

[@davidtoney9933]

Thanks for the tips! I pull commercial lawnmowers with my trailer that get very hot - would the heat from those mowers be a concern with the oil and diesel mixture in the boards?

[@OurTopPinLife]

I don't think so

[@Iknowonlywhatimtaught]

1976 when i got out of the active military my grandpa died and left me his tractor 16ft tandem utility trailer he made in 1953. He put red oak planks from the farm on trailer 10 16 ft boards. He poured used motor oil on the deck. Took the planks out and swabed both sides until oil pooled on the surface and left boards out. Next day put boards back in the trailer. I stll do it every 6 months i do it in October and again in late April. In East Texas April is above 65 and October we are in the 70s. I haul tractors and Skid steers front end loaders and a bulldozer on this trailer. This trailer is not made with angle iron. This trailer is made with 3 inch C channel for frame with 7,000 lb GVWR axles and there are 2 of these. I have a 2008 Clevy silverado 350 and i have hauled 5 tons with this trailer and still these deck board are in great shape. I am just amazed how long they have lasted. But i do keep my trailer outside ever. It goes in the barn. I don't leave nothing out in the eliments.

[@garylenzen3534]

Why do you not treat the under side? You could syay it on with a weed sprayer.

[@TamiBoyer-p2i]

Recently bought a used flatbed i think was treated this way. Want to put on another coat before winter hits. How should i prep the deck for another coat? Power wash? Or just mop it on after brooming?

[@OurTopPinLife]

If it’s older, power washing might remove some of the dirt and grime and help the oil to penetrate better.

[@tRRickedOut]

Just changed out the original boards on my 16ft that had been there for 30yrs. They were pressure treated and never had this done.