sherrifriend
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Post by sherrifriend on Mar 24, 2017 14:44:51 GMT -8
Looks like we'll be relplacing at least one subfloor frame joist (underbelly part). The dillema is, "what type of wood would you use?" My local-ish lumber store is having a deal on cedar. The cedar planks are close in size to the original joists but they are "green" so they are still a little wet (not noticeably though). Thing is... so is the pressure treated big box stuff. Or should I just stick with the kiln dried southern yellow pine? I know the wet stuff could warp but pressure treated seems ideal to the life of a travel trailer. Cedar is naturally awesome for exterior use. I also worry about my families overall health living in a tiny 12x6 space so leaching pressure treated chemicals is not sitting well with me. If I use the dried pine, what on earth do I do to it to keep the elements from destroying it? Thanks for any advise here.
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shastatom
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Post by shastatom on Mar 24, 2017 14:53:40 GMT -8
Good question I wonder the same thing but also for side joists and ceiling joists.
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chickenfarmer
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Post by chickenfarmer on Mar 24, 2017 15:04:24 GMT -8
I would use untreated and keep the elements away from the wood. I do have a pile of loose 2x4s out in a pasture that I have been meaning to burn for the last 3 years. Surprisingly they are not rotted, I guess that since the moisture isn't trapped they don't rot quickly.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Mar 24, 2017 15:09:17 GMT -8
I don't think I'd use pressure treated lumber.
"ACQ is still in common usage today, in fact the majority of treated lumber on the market is ACQ. Because of its corrosive nature, you must take special steps to ensure any metal that touches the ACQ treated wood will not develop corrosion problems."
Over time it also corrodes aluminum.
I've used pine, select pine, poplar and on important areas Douglas Fir which is a stronger and very expensive.
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sherrifriend
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Post by sherrifriend on Mar 24, 2017 15:53:27 GMT -8
Good question I wonder the same thing but also for side joists and ceiling joists. I decided on southern yellow pine for my walls and ceiling frame but only because my place had a good selection of it and it's from this region so it seemed suitable. It also fit the budget and it rips down well. Since most of my frame pieces are 15/16 x 1 11/16" (1960 mills apparently operated differently than 2017 ones, who knew) I figured out early on that we'd be using the table saw quite a bit. Since I'm ripping the pieces myself i had to factor in $$$ practice/mistake pieces. I did do some shopping around and my knowledge comes from the internet and a stack of library books I'm reading and hoarding until this project is done so.... nccamper is correct in his wood suggestions for framing (fir and poplar were total contenders for my project). |
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ladywendolyn
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Post by ladywendolyn on Mar 24, 2017 17:24:29 GMT -8
I took the actual wood from my framing down to the lumberyard, which as it happens is a specialty one and they really know their wood. Turns out my original framing was a combination of cedar and spruce. (I'm in Canada, so I don't know if that makes a difference.). I don't think these trailers were originally built with a 60-100 year plan in mind!
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Mar 24, 2017 19:56:06 GMT -8
I don't think these trailers were originally built with a 60-100 year plan in mind! These campers were definitely built with 60-100 months in mind. |
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roadtripper
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Post by roadtripper on Mar 25, 2017 6:21:14 GMT -8
Just completed the frame and roof rebuild of my traveleze. I used a variety of woods for different reasons....some being what I had around the shop in clear dry scraps. I did use one Doug fir Pressure treat for the rear most joist where I needed some strength. It's shimmed off the frame 1/2" with rubber to fill the void of the old belly mat. And has galvanized bolts and screws. I used poplar on roof for strength and mostly pine elsewhere. Depends on where you live what kind. West we have ponderosa and sugar. Doug fir is probably strongest but poplar is pretty strong too. KD fir is quite expensive. Back in the day they made hand split shakes around here from sugar pine so it's very durable....and a joy to work with.
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ladywendolyn
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Post by ladywendolyn on Mar 25, 2017 8:50:26 GMT -8
Just completed the frame and roof rebuild of my traveleze. I used a variety of woods for different reasons....some being what I had around the shop in clear dry scraps. I did use one Doug fir Pressure treat for the rear most joist where I needed some strength. It's shimmed off the frame 1/2" with rubber to fill the void of the old belly mat. And has galvanized bolts and screws. I used poplar on roof for strength and mostly pine elsewhere. Depends on where you live what kind. West we have ponderosa and sugar. Doug fir is probably strongest but poplar is pretty strong too. KD fir is quite expensive. Back in the day they made hand split shakes around here from sugar pine so it's very durable....and a joy to work with. Did you remove the belly pan from your trailer roadtripper ? If so, how hard was that? Any photos? Lady W SaveSave |
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roadtripper
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Post by roadtripper on Mar 25, 2017 20:42:00 GMT -8
Lady W. No, only the rear 2 feet. I took out the fiber pan, the floor joists and 2 feet of ply. Can't say it was easy but was necessary. Actually the 1/2" black fiber pan wasnt so hard. Just ripped it out in pieces. I made small hard rubbet pads to put between the frame amd ply and new bolts where i could.. still trying to figure a way to add new protection and insulation.. im going to try and get a bunch of pics up soon. I have trouble getting more than 1 up per post, so have been putting it off.
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