Is there a durable wood floor?
 

The wood bed floor in my stepper is just absolutely obliterated so I’m looking at options for replacement. I’m already planning on new hardware and rails but plank material is where I’m stuck wondering what path to take. It’s just a half ton so it won’t see obscenely heavy cargo weight but I would definitely like to use it for moving engines/engine and trans combos. Would something like Oak hold up to a bbc on a rolling cradle? Searched around and besides Oak, Teak, and pine I’m kinda striking out on ideas.

Re: Is there a durable wood floor?
 

I used Ipe (aka Iron Wood) in my '52. You can seal it or let it turn its natural weathered gray color. This wood is rot resistant and will last 50+ years in the elements if left unprotected.

Only down side/negative is the weight. It is a fairly common wood used for decks, so not too hard to source.

Re: Is there a durable wood floor?
 

I agree with Davidf the Ipe wood is a very durable wood and holds up to the weather. It can be sealed with a warm Lind seed oil and let it dry for a few days. I haven't work with it for a year or two so I don't know how much it goes for now. If you have to drill any holes make sure you use a very sharp bit.

Re: Is there a durable wood floor?
 

My 4x4 has the factory steel bed but....along the same lines I need to replace the wood floor on my 5 x 10 utility trailer. Am looking at using the composite wood used on your typical outside deck or porch for home use. We had our deck built using the composite wood several years ago and still looks like it was laid down yesterday. Comes in several colors and while a bit more than the normal wood used for wood decks would think it would be worth the extra cost. That's my planned in-door project for this winter in the shop when too cold and nasty outside.

Re: Is there a durable wood floor?
 

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The original clear Southern Yellow Pine that GM used lasted almost 50 years, why not use that again. I think in '67 & '68 it was painted Black and all the other years were painted the color of the truck. I don't know what kind of paint they used though.

LockDoc

Re: Is there a durable wood floor?
 

The yellow pine doesn't last that well in the West. Maybe it's the extreme temperatures, or smog [SoCal] or intense sunlight [AZ], But I had to plank the back deck with a 4x 8 sheet of plywood [cut to 4 x 6] soon after I bought my '68 Stepside in 1973. Every few years, I replaced the plywood. Now at $100 a sheet, I'm not so sure.

Re: Is there a durable wood floor?
 

Yes, I'm sure the higher the UV concentration the shorter the life span.

LockDoc

Re: Is there a durable wood floor?
 

The truck has been sitting in the dirt for many decades, the pine boards were gone many a year ago. :lol: I wanted to ask here more in regards to durability of use. Resistance to denting, cracking, bending under weight. My main concern would be loading a 454 on a rolling cradle and it leaving terrible divots and marks on the wood. Ipe seems to be the winner so far, or a high density composite decking board.

I hadn't a clue that the boards were painted body color from the factory. I just assumed they were cleared or oiled and sent down the line. Thank you Lockdoc :)

Thank you all that gave opinions and advice. :metal:

Re: Is there a durable wood floor?
 

Mahogany is another wood that holds up well to weather.

Re: Is there a durable wood floor?
 

If I was going to haul something that heavy I would seriously consider putting something over the top of the wood floor to do that, no matter what you use for the floor.

LockDoc

Re: Is there a durable wood floor?
 

Durable?
First explain your definition of the word.
The original bed in my 70 lasted 45 years before the factory wood showed the first sign of rot or holes.
I’ve not seen many steel beds that can say that.

Re: Is there a durable wood floor?
 

If you are tossing 454’a in the back about any wood you use is gonna get dinged up. A quality wood bed and then have a 3/4” piece of hardwood plywood you can toss in before the really heavy stuff.

Re: Is there a durable wood floor?
 

I have always used White Oak. Rot resistant and hard, so doesn't splinter when loading heavy objects. That is what I have on my trailers and have carried everything from trucks with no wheels, engines, frames, gravel, dirt, and have unloaded with bucket on the tractor with no issues. The floor has been in the trailers for about 20 years. No type of finish turns a nice gray color. I have made furniture with it as well takes stains very well, and very durable surface. Just my experience.

Re: Is there a durable wood floor?
 

I second the white oak. It has gotten pricy though. Probably not as much as Ipe though...

Re: Is there a durable wood floor?
 

+1 on Oak, red or white, but white is supposed to be a bit more rot resistant than red. Any oil treatment every year or two will make it last and last (brush oil on for the top and brush paint the bottom well with several coats, the first being thinned a bit to soak in.)

Look up "mar-k bed wood tests" for some good reading on coatings and wood type tests.

Re: Is there a durable wood floor?
 

Try a 3/4"X4'X8' sheet of Marine plywood, stuff is virtually indestructible!

Trim to length.

https://i.imgur.com/yIgr5bMl.jpg

...yep, very strong.

https://i.imgur.com/8GNAp3xl.jpg

Re: Is there a durable wood floor?
 

I used dimensional yellow pine in my 59 GMC stepside and made the cuts 3/4" deeper on the edge boards. It looks good and is a little more durable plus less expensive than 3/4. If I was hauling cargo I would still use a floor liner like the recycled tire mats at tsc. I stained mine a light gray.