Sealant for trailer bed for off-road Discovery?

xBlizzDevious · May 17, 2020

I've got a flatbed trailer with ramps and I'm re-doing the bed of it. I've got some "weatherproof" plywood to go on and was wondering what would be best to seal it? I also have some aluminium sheets but was wondering if they would be a good or bad idea to install and if it would make any difference to the wood sealant.

The trailer will be used to haul my SORNed V8 Disco' to and from off-roading sites. It may be used to haul it out of a tough spot, too if need be.

Any thoughts, guys?

private penguin · May 20, 2020

My concern with aluminium sheeting etc is it will trap moisture against the plywood. It will also potentially be a slippery surface.

The ideal base would be proper rubber coated ply (the stuff new trailers come with).

Next best is marine ply. Not sure what you mean by "weatherproof" ply but guessing it's either exterior or marine... either way it should last quite well.

Always wash off surface mud etc as that will trap moisture against the surface. And try to store the trailer so water runs off (e.g. raised up on front jockey wheel)

I have an old flatbed trailer (not a vehicle transporter) that gets used for lugging pallets etc around. I bought it a year ago and was told the ply was about 15 years old. It's probably due a new bed (and some new chassis paint) within the next year or so.

xBlizzDevious · May 21, 2020

private penguin said:
My concern with aluminium sheeting etc is it will trap moisture against the plywood. It will also potentially be a slippery surface.

The ideal base would be proper rubber coated ply (the stuff new trailers come with).

Next best is marine ply. Not sure what you mean by "weatherproof" ply but guessing it's either exterior or marine... either way it should last quite well.

Always wash off surface mud etc as that will trap moisture against the surface. And try to store the trailer so water runs off (e.g. raised up on front jockey wheel)

I have an old flatbed trailer (not a vehicle transporter) that gets used for lugging pallets etc around. I bought it a year ago and was told the ply was about 15 years old. It's probably due a new bed (and some new chassis paint) within the next year or so.

Thanks for the info. I had the same thoughts on the aluminium, hence the query as to whether to use it or not. I think it was WBP plywood which is also known as exterior; I considered marine ply but it's about 3 times more expensive!

I've sealed it with yacht varnish and will sprinkle some kiln dried sand on the top coat as it dries to add some grip.

kermit_rr · May 21, 2020

Silly question, does it need to be sealed at all? If you leave suitable gaps, any water will run off/evaporate easily

private penguin · May 21, 2020

xBlizzDevious said:
Thanks for the info. I had the same thoughts on the aluminium, hence the query as to whether to use it or not. I think it was WBP plywood which is also known as exterior; I considered marine ply but it's about 3 times more expensive!

I've sealed it with yacht varnish and will sprinkle some kiln dried sand on the top coat as it dries to add some grip.

If it's WBP then it should be good for a while.

Henry_b · May 21, 2020

Arbomast..

kevstar · May 21, 2020

Fibreglass resin thinned out with acetone & add wax for water proofing & chuck a bag o sand into the bucket
of resin.
Shame you weren't closer you could have had some 3/4" marine ply sheets for a tenner a sheet.
Came off a ship we broke up.

Sealant for trailer bed for off-road Discovery?

xBlizzDevious

New Member

private penguin

Well-Known Member

xBlizzDevious

New Member

kermit_rr

Very

private penguin

Well-Known Member

Henry_b

Think outside, no box required.

kevstar

Well-Known Member

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