As our camper nears completion, I am eyeing the truck and how to improve the appearance. One thing that stands out is the flatbed frame needs painting and perhaps something done to the wood. It is not strictly rotten, but is pretty weathered from 7 years of use as a commercial hauler. I guess the wood is (was) treated when new? We will be placing the camper on a 1/4" rubber mat on the flatbed so most of the time the wood will be covered.What would you do? Sand (the wood is already fairly level with the steel frame of the flatbed. Remove the wood and refinish or replace (removing the wood would be a pain but would make painting the steel frame easier and better.

How about power wash wood scrub with wood beck cleaner wash off and rhino line or the likes. Wouldn't need rubber mat under trailer, Just a thoughts.

Another thought. Put a 12 inch wide "skirt" all around the edge. It would "soften" the look and make it look less like a standard delivery truck.

If the wood is still structurally sound I sure wouldn't replace it. Power wash it, go over it with a rented commercial floor sander and seal it with your favorite sealer/oil. Painting it looks good and hides lots of imperfections but then in a couple years you're doing it all over again!!!I used this stuff on the floor of my 6x12 enclosed trailer. Very happy with it but it may be cost prohibitive on the size of you deck.One final thing. If you end up cutting/sawing/sanding pre treated wood, old or new, use a respirator!! JMHO

~DJ~ wrote:If the wood is still structurally sound I sure wouldn't replace it. Power wash it, go over it with a rented commercial floor sander and seal it with your favorite sealer/oil. Painting it looks good and hides lots of imperfections but then in a couple years you're doing it all over again!!!I used this stuff on the floor of my 6x12 enclosed trailer. Very happy with it but it may be cost prohibitive on the size of you deck.One final thing. If you end up cutting/sawing/sanding pre treated wood, old or new, use a respirator!! JMHO Got my vote here

Agree with DJ. IF wood is sound, clean it up, put a protective finish on it and go.

Refinish or redeck flatbed truck? | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

sabconsulting
Explorer
Feb 09, 2014
~DJ~ wrote:
If the wood is still structurally sound I sure wouldn't replace it. Power wash it, go over it with a rented commercial floor sander and seal it with your favorite sealer/oil. Painting it looks good and hides lots of imperfections but then in a couple years you're doing it all over again!!!

I used this stuff on the floor of my 6x12 enclosed trailer. Very happy with it but it may be cost prohibitive on the size of you deck.

One final thing. If you end up cutting/sawing/sanding pre treated wood, old or new, use a respirator!! JMHO

x4

Steve.
Desertboy
Explorer
Feb 09, 2014
When covering a wood floor with anything your main concern is ventilation between those boards and between bottom of camper and boards. Water can get trapped in places like that and it will accelerate decomposition of the boards. If you ever replace the boards they make some type of board now that's a black nylon material that is designed for this. They are very thick tough and durable. I was going to cover one of my trailers with plywood because of weak boards and my dad stopped me. He said it wont dry out quick enough between plywood and boards. I took his advise.
gitpicker2009
Explorer
Feb 09, 2014
I would just cover it with some nice plywood:)
bka0721
Explorer II
Feb 09, 2014
Led 67 wrote:
~DJ~ wrote:
If the wood is still structurally sound I sure wouldn't replace it. Power wash it, go over it with a rented commercial floor sander and seal it with your favorite sealer/oil. Painting it looks good and hides lots of imperfections but then in a couple years you're doing it all over again!!!

I used this stuff on the floor of my 6x12 enclosed trailer. Very happy with it but it may be cost prohibitive on the size of you deck.

One final thing. If you end up cutting/sawing/sanding pre treated wood, old or new, use a respirator!! JMHO

Got my vote here

X3
dadwolf2
Explorer
Feb 09, 2014
Agree with DJ. IF wood is sound, clean it up, put a protective finish on it and go.
Led_67
Explorer
Feb 09, 2014
~DJ~ wrote:
If the wood is still structurally sound I sure wouldn't replace it. Power wash it, go over it with a rented commercial floor sander and seal it with your favorite sealer/oil. Painting it looks good and hides lots of imperfections but then in a couple years you're doing it all over again!!!

I used this stuff on the floor of my 6x12 enclosed trailer. Very happy with it but it may be cost prohibitive on the size of you deck.

One final thing. If you end up cutting/sawing/sanding pre treated wood, old or new, use a respirator!! JMHO

Got my vote here
_DJ_1
Explorer II
Feb 09, 2014
If the wood is still structurally sound I sure wouldn't replace it. Power wash it, go over it with a rented commercial floor sander and seal it with your favorite sealer/oil. Painting it looks good and hides lots of imperfections but then in a couple years you're doing it all over again!!!

I used this stuff on the floor of my 6x12 enclosed trailer. Very happy with it but it may be cost prohibitive on the size of you deck.

One final thing. If you end up cutting/sawing/sanding pre treated wood, old or new, use a respirator!! JMHO
Dog_Folks
Explorer
Feb 09, 2014
Another thought. Put a 12 inch wide "skirt" all around the edge. It would "soften" the look and make it look less like a standard delivery truck.
CREATO
Explorer
Feb 09, 2014
How about power wash wood scrub with wood beck cleaner wash off and rhino line or the likes. Wouldn't need rubber mat under trailer, Just a thoughts.

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Refinish or redeck flatbed truck?

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