Replacing Trailer Boards

[BrandonH]

Does anyone have any tips or tricks for replacing trailer boards? I need to replace the ones on my 12' trailer and it looks like the boards are held in place by the channel on front and rear. I can see angling the first few boards into place, but how do I do the rest?

[Scoobyh]

The front end of the board should be open, not cover by angle iron. Slide the boards in from the front.

[diamonde40]

The iron at the front has more than tack welds every now and then?

[CabezaBlanca]

More than likely you will need to cut the angle off of the back and weld it back on after the boards are replaced.

[Chew]

I need to do a 20' trailer. My 5x8 trailer was a little hard and I had to use kind of pry bar/board to get enough bend in the last few boards to get them in. Here's one way to do it if your channel is welded and not bolted on:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqz0z4vB7n4"]Trailer Deck Replacement - YouTube[/ame]


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shB0Czl3LwU"]Replacing 16' trailer boards (No welding) - YouTube[/ame]

[cwittttt]

Remove the angle on the back slide the new boards in and then re install the angle. Also I've used a car jack under the middle of the trailer to bend the boards up enough to get them in. Kind of a sketchy process though.

[BrandonH]

The iron at the front has more than tack welds every now and then?

You're right...the front is tacked 3-4" every foot or so.

I need to do a 20' trailer. My 5x8 trailer was a little hard and I had to use kind of pry bar/board to get enough bend in the last few boards to get them in. Here's one way to do it if your channel is welded and not bolted on:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqz0z4vB7n4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shB0Czl3LwU

This guy is determined.


Since I don't have easy access to a welder what about cutting a portion of the front channel just wide enough to insert a board. I should then be able to insert the board in the same location and work them out toward the edges. I could then bolt down the board where I cut the metal. Sound doable?

[Killer]

cut it where half of the cut will be on one board and the other half on the 2nd board may not need to bolt any in

[Bowtech38]

Bend them in the middle with a block and slide the new
One in

[diamonde40]

Grind the welds out then bolt back in 3 to 4 bolts through the iron and boards for easy access if you ever need to do it again.

[tps7742]

When I replaced my boards I used self tapping screws I got from Loews/Home Depot for reinstalling the boards. Of course I had to drill pilot holes into the angle iron which in itself was a chore and tough on the numerous bits. This has been 10 years plus on each trailer.

[Ouch]

I've done several using the method in Chew's vid

[czechaholic]

You're right...the front is tacked 3-4" every foot or so.

This guy is determined.


Since I don't have easy access to a welder what about cutting a portion of the front channel just wide enough to insert a board. I should then be able to insert the board in the same location and work them out toward the edges. I could then bolt down the board where I cut the metal. Sound doable?

I cut the tacks off the angle iron on mine witha sawzall, replaced the boards, then clamped down the angle iron tight, drilled holes and ran bolts and washers through holes to hold it back in place since i don't have welder

[Bisch]

Replace the boards with aluminum bleacher planks and you will never again have to replace your trailer deck!

Bisch

[CSF45]

You can get enough bend in the boards to replace the last few that way. That's how I did mine