[scapepro]

We have a trailer thats wood planks are starting to fall apart a little. The wood doesn't liik like two-by lumber, so I'm not sure what to use to replace the planks. what is the best wood to use for this???

And is there a trick to drilling holes in the planks to line up with the holes already in the trailer frame, so I don't end up with a million holes in the frame???

[Pelican]

Some trailers come with rough sawn lumber and are a bit thicker than finished 2 by material. I'd use either oak planks or pressure treated lumber for the best longevity.

I've never tried to line up the new holes with the old, but I'd guess you could lay each board you've removed over the new replacement and drill using the old piece as a pattern. Any holes left undrilled from missing sections would have to be drilled up from the bottom.

[diginahole]

I prefer steel but if I was going to use wood, oak would be my first choice. I have nothing but bad memories from shoveling off wooden dump bodies. Those darned screws really grab the shovels.

[Paul]

We have never removed the screws. We just pry the old planks off, grind the old screws off and drill new holes. I always use rough sawn oak. I never worried about how wide the plank are or how long. A good Skill saw does wonders on them. Order about 1/4 more than you figure you need and get a heavy duty 1/2 drill to run the self tapping screws in. We treat the ends of the boards with a sealer before we install the decking. Also make sure you cut fresh ends. It helps hold the sealer.

[agla]

Is the wood thinner? We see a lot of 5/4"x6" Wolmanized Lumber on landscape trailers in my area.