Need Help with Utility Trailer Decision

[dcmac214]

Need to get 10-12' utility trailer primarily to haul our SxS UTV behind the coach. On occasion to haul mower or small tractor for service (TV for that will be the pickup).

Am I better off getting the deck made with 2x6 treated wood or with 1/4" steel diamond plate? And why?

Everything else is the same except for total weight and cost, and they're so close wood vs steel it's negligible and irrelevant.

[PartyOf_Five]

Another option, in addition to the great comments posted here, is to attach a storage box that's lockable to the front of your open trailer for gear. It will also block some of the dirt kicked up from your TV.

[Grit_dog]

For an open trailer, a wood deck will last many years and has some advantages to a steel deck. For what you're using it for, flip a coin and get what you prefer. Neither will be heads or tails better or worse overall, but you may be replacing boards 5-10-15 years down the road.
A good coat of stain or penetrating sealer goes a long ways too.

Steel deck advantage, IMO is really if there is more use/abuse to the deck, it'll hold together longer than a wood deck, but for homeowner use hauling small equipment around, you won't put that amount of wear n tear on it.

[Grit_dog]

^ Although not the OP's question, I would consider an enclosed trailer as well, if you are putting any real miles on the trailer traveling with the RV, for a couple reasons.
With an ATV comes extras, gear, gas cans, spare tire, etc and having the security and extra storage of an enclosed trailer is very welcome for not only the atv stuff, but the rest of the rving "stuff".
Also, if traveling in inclement weather, the machine isn't getting soaked and covered with road grime. Yes you can buy a good trailer-able cover for a couple hundred bucks, but it'll also require replacement every couple/few years due to wind/sun damage if it sits outside.
Plus if you buy it right (like most any utility/cargo trailer), they retain their value quite well, which helps take the sting out of the extra cost of a cargo trailer.

[JIMNLIN]

Having owned around 13-14 flatbed GN/5th wheel/bumper pull open flatdeck trailer over the years, I've never owned one with a metal deck. All were treated wood..
One of my current favorite's is a '98 32' GN tandem axle trailer with treated wood. I bought it new and no issues with the wood deck.

Be sure and get a trailer with enough axle/tire capacity to carry your heaviest load. So don't forget the trailers weight on the axles.

My silly neighbor bought a 10K GN trailer to carry his (est) 9000+ lb red tractor. I had him weigh the trailer which was 2880 lbs on the axles which left him with around 12k lbs. Two 5200 lbs axles on the trailer gave him 10400 lbs of load carrying capacity. He took it back and traded for a 16k trailer with tandem 8k axles.

[schlep1967]

My advice, if your buying a trailer, get an enclosed trailer. Then you can use as a storage shed wherever you go to keep things out of the weather. And if it's enclosed, wood floor is fine.

[TomG2]

dcmac214 wrote:
Am I better off getting the deck made with 2x6 treated wood or with 1/4" steel diamond plate? And why?
.

Might want to verify that 1/4" thickness. It would not have to be that thick for most uses, and probably isn't.

[midnightsadie]

steel and while your there have plenty of anchor points put in.

[enblethen]

I would go with the steel. Most utility trailers are store outside when not in use, making them more prone to weather damage. The steel open deck allows for debris from objects carried to fall through keeping deck cleaner.
In the event you haul small items, you could simply lay a tarp to prevent boxes or the like from moisture and road debris.