Plywood for trailer restoration

Dual axle ramlin... I've been scouring the forums and found some great info. I started teardown yesterday. The side steps are totally rotten, as expected. Fortunately the bunks look pretty good, so going to leave them alone and recarpet.

I've called two local lumberyards who told me 4x10 exterior grade plywood is a nonstarter. One shop told me they could probably find a piece but it would be around $200 (!!). Totally ridiculous.

I know diamond plate is an option but I don't really want to outsource, when I could easily do plywood and carpet myself.

Any suggestions? I was thinking maybe regular plywood and then get it covered with x-liner or something similar for protection (and leave the underside bare).

Also, looks like people generally replace the actuator assembly, anyone ever repair the existing one? Expensive item.

bkhallpass wrote: A regular sheet of plywood is like 30 or 40 bucks. It lasts for several years if all you do is throw some carpet over it. It takes and hour or two to remove the old, cut out the new, cover with carpet and reattach. To me, not worth a bunch of extra money. My $.02. BKH

I like the way you think. Same logic for the carpet source? I.e. spend $20-40 at home Depot, vs the $150+ ramlin charges for their stock carpet?

Build it out with teak like a swim deck, oil it regularly, it'll last forever and look awesome.

I've never seen it done.... come on... do it!

Been carpeting my trailers for 30 years. This is the first time I'm trying Lowe's carpet. I guess we will see how long it lasts.

BKH

bkhallpass wrote: Been carpeting my trailers for 30 years. This is the first time I'm trying Lowe's carpet. I guess we will see how long it lasts. BKH

I'm reading good reviews on the home depot website, and from people on here.

relake wrote: A couple of years ago I replaced the plywood, I went with the 4'x8' sheets, I believe 1/2", my trailer is a single axle. I just made a seam near the guide pole. Yes, it is noticeable, but it doesn't bother me that the seam is there. This was my layout for the steps, bow stop and fender guards.

That makes sense, although honestly if I'm going that route I'll probably just skip the middle portion (behind the fender) anyway. It's completely covered when the boat's on the trailer, and not usable as a step, so doesn't seem like it would matter aside from holding more water and accelerating rot.

Mpost wrote: Up here in the northland, I ordered some of this marine grade from Menards. I see now they have it in 10 ft lengths. Using this you would probably never have to replace it again. I have used this stuff over the years for boat seats and outdoor projects that are outside all year and some have been out there for 15-20 years without falling apart or rotting. 1/2" is only $58 per sheet not on sale.

Martin,
Do you understand what marine plywood is? It has NO treatment for exposure to moisture. It simply has very tight control with inner ply voids. What is marine plywood What you purchased is NOT marine plywood. note the BS 1088 standard Menards can call it what they what to con there customers. Sorry but if it wasn't stamped as meeting BS1088, then it's not a marine grade.

8122pbrainard wrote: Mpost wrote: Up here in the northland, I ordered some of this marine grade from Menards. I see now they have it in 10 ft lengths. Using this you would probably never have to replace it again. I have used this stuff over the years for boat seats and outdoor projects that are outside all year and some have been out there for 15-20 years without falling apart or rotting. 1/2" is only $58 per sheet not on sale. Martin, Do you understand what marine plywood is? It has NO treatment for exposure to moisture. It simply has very tight control with inner ply voids. What is marine plywood What you purchased is NOT marine plywood. note the BS 1088 standard Menards can call it what they what to con there customers. Sorry but if it wasn't stamped as meeting BS1088, then it's not a marine grade.

Gotta admit Pete............your bedside manure is impeccable.

I didn't misspell any of those words either

Working with lumber and wood boats for many years, I get pretty upset with the misconception out there as to what marine plywood actually is. I feel Martin may be a example of this misconception and then going to Menards where I guarantee no one explained to him what he was buying.

So Ken, per your comment it sounds like I shouldn't say anything and let other people fall into misusing marine plywood? My intent it to try and stop the spreading of manure.

Can you use something like starboard or is it not strong enough?

$80 is a good price for any 10’ ply around here... the low grade “marine” usually gets you more plys and fewer voids which is a bonus if true. Even if not that’s still a good price.

As mentioned already this is a fairly simple task and cheap to do again in 5 or so years. New wood and carpet. Regular ply and cpes if it makes you feel good and voila. It’s not like it’s the floor or uh “sole” for Pete’s sake or even worse, stringers. Just simple running boards on a trailer that’s are always accessible.

Feel like I need to interject a 2 cents as well.   I too have worked with woods for years - most of my life really. In fact, it's my business.   When I was doing all the work on my boat last year, I had noticed that Menard's advertised 'marine plywood' in stock and went to get some for several of my interior projects.   What I found - even though it was labeled marine plywood - in my opinion was not marine GRADE plywood, but as Pete has suggested a type of higher grade plywood, perhaps with no internal voids. But IMO, this was not marine grade, chemical treated waterproof (resistant) plywood. Reading the very limited information, and asking sales associates about their product, I couldn't find any information indicating this plywood was even exterior rated.   I've purchased marine grade ply in the past, about 12 or 15 years ago, and if memory serves $80 for even a standard 4x8 sheet would have been a great deal back then.   

Having said all that, I frequent Menard's for a lot of various materials from time to time and for the most part I'm impressed. There are several positive things about the company and their products that they don't tell you nor outwardly advertise. So perhaps a little latitude could be given, at least until proven otherwise.

And having said that .... If I was looking for plywood that, ideally, needed to be waterproof,   I would most probably opt out of the Menard's stuff unless or until it had been verified.

gt40KS wrote: But IMO, this was not marine grade, chemical treated waterproof (resistant) plywood. Reading the very limited information, and asking sales associates about their product, I couldn't find any information indicating this plywood was even exterior rated.

Read the BS1088 standard I linked. ^ It is not "chemical treated waterproof"

8122pbrainard wrote: Working with lumber and wood boats for many years, I get pretty upset with the misconception out there as to what marine plywood actually is. I feel Martin may be a example of this misconception and then going to Menards where I guarantee no one explained to him what he was buying. So Ken, per your comment it sounds like I shouldn't say anything and let other people fall into misusing marine plywood? My intent it to try and stop the spreading of manure.

Pete

It looks like maybe you should straighten out the APA (The Engineered Wood Association)

They seem to have a definition of what qualifies as marine plywood, see the link below

link

You have your BS 1088 definition that you think is the only one out there but like most things there are different definitions and standards.

Maybe instead of telling Martin he may be an example of a misconception you should explain why you feel your BS-1088 stuff is better than his..

While you're at it, you could straighten out the Home depot people next time you put the apron on. They sell the same Roseburg plywood that Martin linked with the same wording in their advertising. Must be the same con job.as Menard's .

Then you can move on up the wood chain and make sure those people at the APA are all properly educated too. so they're not pulling the same con job.

After all that you shouldn't be upset any more   

KENO wrote: 8122pbrainard wrote: Working with lumber and wood boats for many years, I get pretty upset with the misconception out there as to what marine plywood actually is. I feel Martin may be a example of this misconception and then going to Menards where I guarantee no one explained to him what he was buying. So Ken, per your comment it sounds like I shouldn't say anything and let other people fall into misusing marine plywood? My intent it to try and stop the spreading of manure. Pete

Ken,
Your comprehension.is typically great but this time I ask you to re read