[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by Johns 66

Christian...the issue is heat and water....the sun and the heat from your truck wreaks havoc on wood and unfortunately it will continue.
There are a couple of things you can do to slow down the process.
First option is to not use pine simce pine is a softer wood, but no matter what wood you use this will become a periodic thing.
Secondly use a penetrating oil...like tung oil, linseed oil etc....this will penetrate into the wood and help protect it.
Lastly you will need to seal the wood on every edge and flat surface.
Water gets on the wood and it soaks it up, then the heat dries it out causing damage each time.
Something like a Spar Urethane works pretty good.
This wood is no different than wood put on houses, fences, decks etc...
If you look at cross ties and telephone poles it lets you kinda see what different types of preservatives do. While I dont recommend either chemicals used on telephone poles or cross ties, it kinda gives you a reference point to go from....especially if your truck sits outside and is exposed to the elements day in and day out

Thanks John, that's some new knowledge to pack in the ol' noggin. What about using some sort of marine boat wood sealer?