I know TREX makes a good, non-rotting wood substitute, my question is: is it comparable to wood on strength and load carry ability? I have a car trailer and putting TREX on it would be great since it would look good and never rot. I am concerned it does not have the same load bearing strength, does anybody know?

thanks
Fred

__________________
MB-less

No. It is more flexible than wood.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Are any of the other wood substitutes comparable in strength?

thanks
Fred

__________________
MB-less

there is a wood species called 'iron wood' that is strong and resists rot.

__________________
1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
********************
1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD

Yup, when you build decks and such with it you it must go on min. of 16 inch centers. If not it flex pretty bad when you walk on it.

__________________
79 240D (no name yet) 203K Miles Maple Yellow
98 2500 4x4 HD Dodge 24 Valve Cummins TD
83 Chevy Van (Dead-Trans. shot)

I think solid wood of whatever species would be preferable for trailer beds.

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

I thought it was 24 in centers?

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

Maybe it is for solid 2" lumber. Trex does have a lot of flex in it. It's great if you want to edge a free form deck with it.

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Definitely not the same load bearing strength. When you see a stack overhanging the pallet, every portion is drooping towards the ground.

I'm not sure about a non-wood alternative that would hold up to that much weight.

__________________

1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

I think Trex is made out of ground up plastic grocery bags and saw dust, if I remember correctly. Like particle board, it's fine as long as you use it for the things it was engineered for.

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

This is what most truck and trailer beds are made from. Is very durable; but not inexpensive.

My local lumber yard carries a small amount of it.

__________________
Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

Synthetic deck material is not designed for that application. I do a fair amount of deck work and usually try for a max of 16" on center or less if the math works out to keep Trex, Azek Deck, etc. from flexing.

Plain old pressure treated SYP 2X is just fine for your trailer deck. Treat it every few years with Sikkens, etc. to preserve it and the lifespan will double.

RT

__________________
When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K

I have a flatbed decked with "Rumber" at the ranch. Good stuff.

http://www.rumber.com/

Does the rumber carry the load of whatever you have on the trailer, or does it just sit on top of an existing support, like a mat ?

Fred

__________________
MB-less

No it would be horrible for a trailer, flexable and heavy as hell.

You need oak boards, at least thats what we use on the equipment trailers. They hold up quite well.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200