I will need to replace the pine decking on my 18' flat bed soon. Material cost using 2 x 10 treated is in the $212 range plus hardware.
Instead of wood I am thinking of using steel diamond plate but what thickness would be required for a car hauler? 14 Ga (.083) or 1/8".
The 1/8 inch is around 6lb/SF and the 14 ga is 4lb/sf. The treated wood is 77lb/board. This puts the weight savings with the 14 gauge plate at 576lb followed by the wood at 693lb and the 1/8 plate at 864lb.
The cost factor strongly favors the wood as 4.5 (5)sheets (4 x 8) of the plate would be needed. The 14 ga material cost would be in the $376 and the 1/8 inch would be $643. So looking at the cost aspect, if I had to use 1/8 inch for strength requirements, then the wood is the answer as I can replace the wood three times over the life of the trailer for the cost of the 1/8 plate. If the 14 ga is sufficient then over time it would be the better from a cost aspect.
Has anyone out there changed from wood to metal? Any regrets/problems/advice?
