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| | | | Joined: May 2003 Posts: 184 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2003 Posts: 184 | A couple of the boards in the wood bed of my 52 1/2 ton have rotted out. The rest of the boards seem to be in good shape. I just noticed that the bad spot is directly above the muffler. Actually I had just parked the truck and was sticking my hand through the hole in the bed, and I could feel the heat from the muffler. Hmmm.
Could the heat from the muffler have caused this? I searched the forum and found some posts about heat shields above the rear axle. My muffler is right behind the driver's seat. I don't think it is real close to the bed, but I haven't measured it. The bed appears to be oak and was replaced a previous owner, so I don't know how old it is, but at least 10 years old (probably more like 20).
Has anyone else had this problem?
My dad always told me, "Don't force it, get a bigger hammer".
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 | Is you muffler strapped to the muffler bracket/hanger that is attached to the frame? Tail pipe heat shield that you referred to? | | | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,596 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,596 | I would think that the heat from the muffler would help to remove any moisture from the wood, maybe in your climate that's drying it out too much though? | | | | | Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 1,611 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 1,611 | I agree that if anything, the muffler would dry out and help preserve the wood. I think the left front portion of your bed was the lowest spot wherever the PO parked the truck, and the position of the muffler is just a coincidence. If the bed was replaced with red oak, that species is not very rot resistant and if parked outdoors I would expect advanced degradation after 10-20 years. | | | | | Joined: May 2003 Posts: 184 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2003 Posts: 184 | I looked under my truck today. I don't have that muffler bracket Tim mentioned. The muffler is several inches below the bed; much lower than the exhaust pipe as it goes over the rear axle. I guess I'll just chalk those rotted boards up to old age.
Thanks for all the replies.
My dad always told me, "Don't force it, get a bigger hammer".
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