Replies

1. 
   dkellernc | Jul 13, 2009 08:50pm | #1

   For the most part, none.  Kiln-dried wood doesn't move significantly along the grain.  Across the grain's another story.

2. 
   JohnWW | Jul 13, 2009 09:11pm | #2

   Joe,

   You would be better off to rip the boards into 4" strips and install them with a 1/8" to 3/16" gap between them unless they are very green, in which case rip and install with little or no gap since they will only shrink as they dry out.

   Ripping the boards into strips will make them easier to handle, they will lay flatter, be less likely to warp and crack, and the shrinkage divided between many more seams will keep the floor smoother.

   John White
   Shop Manager for FWW Magazine, 1998-2007

1. 
   frenchy | Jul 14, 2009 01:09am | #3

   John White, I cannot believe you!

    Did you miss horse trailer?   saw them that narrow and the horse's load will be too great and punch right through!  don't forget when the horse shifts his weight adjusting for the curves,  braking, etc.. his total weight could be on one hoof..

    John I apologize.. I could have been, should have been much more tactful when I wrote the above.. In retrospect I'm sure you simply missed the harse trailer part.

    I apologize..

   Edited 7/13/2009 6:24 pm ET by frenchy

1. 
   JohnWW | Jul 14, 2009 05:28pm | #8

   Frenchy,I didn't miss the point that it a horse trailer, but the fact is the floor will be nearly as strong, and more than strong enough, handle the load whether the boards are wide or narrow. Far more critical is the thickness of the floor stock and the distance between the joists that support the flooring.John W.

1. 
   frenchy | Jul 14, 2009 10:48pm | #10

   Maybe because I used to own a trailer building company I understand what I'm talking about with regard to load carring ablity . (maybe you've seen my trailers ?  S.I.R. trailers?)   I know that a 12 inch wide board has more load carring capacity than a 4 inch wide board of the same thickness.

    That or if you go to tables that will show you the relative laod carrying capacities of narrow versis wide boards..  while load capacity is not a priority for furniture,  flatness and stability is. For a trailer.. particularly a horse trailer because of the potential load on one small hoof can be so great it becomes a real issue..  

     You should also know that I have 26 inch wide black walnut planks that remain pancake flat nearly 10 years after they were sawn from trees. I know that wide can cause problems if not properly dried or there is an issue in the wood (reaction wood for example)

1. 
   davcefai | Jul 18, 2009 09:50am | #18

   "(maybe you've seen my trailers ? S.I.R. trailers?)"I do believe I have - the name kinda struck me. I'm not sure where in Europe.

2. 
   frenchy | Jul 18, 2009 05:39pm | #19

   I sold primarily to vintage sports car racers.. Some may have been taken to Europe  I know I hauled mine around the country and every time there was a vintage Race in the Bahama's  I had at least a couple of trailers there..    

3. 
   frenchy | Jul 14, 2009 01:16am | #4

   Joe please read what I wrote to John white..

    Second white oak is a poor choice for a trailer's floor especially for horses..  white oak is filled with tannic acids and they will attack the steel of the trailer frame especially when soaked with urine.

    It's also expensive compared to say ash which is in abundance right now and priced right in the basement.. ash can have greater strength and ruggedness than oak does in this application..

    finally wood does not expand lengthwise to any real amount.. across the boards is DIFFERANT.. gap the boards by 1/4 inch and you should be fine.. I would however ensure that the load from the horse is solidly on the boards.. another worlds what sort of underbracing is there?.. Hopefully you won't be putting all 2000+#'s on those planks and expect them not to sag if only supported at the ends and sides..

4. 
   mrbird90 | Jul 14, 2009 02:03am | #5

   If the wood is kiln dried I would butt the pieces and allow a 1/4" on each side for expansion, I wouldn't worry about any change in length as it will be insignificant. I have done 2 truck beds with white oak and have not had a problem with expansion, the boards were tongue and grooved and screwed to the frame.

5. 
   KeithNewton | Jul 14, 2009 03:39am | #6

   I guess I am going to have to choose the middle ground between John WW and Frenchy.

   You don't mention MC of your lumber. Air dried would be my choice, over KD or green.

   How you attach these wide boards is an important consideration. If you use them wide, you can screw through a tight hole in the middle, down the length of each board. But as you move out each way from the middle screw, I would use an oversize hole through the metal flange with a large washer, which would allow each side to move with the changing seasons.

   You might post more details of your intentions to get better answers. Vague questions need book size answers to cover all of the bases. More direct questions can be answered with fewer key-strokes and misunderstanding.

6. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Jul 14, 2009 04:24am | #7

   joe,

   Uh, you stated the width and length of the boards but how thick are the oak boards and are they kiln dried?   

   Also, have you researched horse trailers?  I would recommend seeking out some info. from good sources regarding the floor construction and materials for horse trailers.  White oak is a good choice for outside applications but may not be suitable indise a horse trailer.  Certainly there are many old barns constructed with white oak but not sure about the floors.

   Since you are re-flooring an existing horse trailer I should think it is constructed/framed with horses in mind so the structure under the flooring should be in place already.

   Just some thoughts.  I have no experience at this sort of thing but these issues came to mind.

   Regards,

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

1. 
   joe53016 | Jul 14, 2009 06:24pm | #9

   Thanks for all the reply's it looks like I'll need to get more information from the lady. From the way she talked, it sounded like they were air dried that she found in a barn somewhere. I'll get back with some more informationThanks
   Joe

7. 
   489tad | Jul 15, 2009 03:55pm | #11

   Joe,

   I would go check out horse trailer manufacturers to see what type of material they use and how they attatch it.

   Dan

8. 
   CStanford | Jul 15, 2009 04:04pm | #12

   http://www.ncnwest.com/rmi/horse.htm

9. 
   Dave45 | Jul 15, 2009 04:29pm | #13

   I hope that you aren't spending a lot of money for that white oak, 'cause a horse trailer sure ain't "fine" woodowrking. - lol

   Don't worry about the length as long as the ends of your boards are well supported by the trailer frame. When I've redecked trailers, I used at least 2x6 boards, and preferred 2x8 if I could get them. I liked to leave ~1/2" between boards with a bolt in the center of each board at the frame cross members. The spacing wasn't for expansion as much as drainage. The horse pizz, crap, rain, and the occasional hose down make it mandatory to have a way to get rid of as much moisture as possible as quickly as possible.

   Even with mats, the "environment" in a horse trailer is harsh to put it mildly. The mats are there for the horses comfort and footing, but they aren't water tight so your wood deck is gonna be damp much of the time.

   Horses are rough on trailers, but if you want to see a real mess, haul some cows or calves. - lol

1. 
   RalphBarker | Jul 15, 2009 06:43pm | #14

   The "environmental stress" on the planking can be reduced by placing a sign at the front of the trailer: "Just hold it until we get there!" ;-)

1. 
   Dave45 | Jul 15, 2009 08:03pm | #15

   I've trained a few horses in my day, and corrected bad habits in a few others, but I never could get the SOB's to read. - lolAfter thinking about it bit, I should modify my last sentence. Old Matches was probably the best and smartest horse I ever rode. Sixteen hands of Sorrel Quarterhorse/Thoroughbred mix who was an absolute dream to ride whether gathering cattle in the hills, sorting off the calves, or roping calves at the brandings. A light touch of the rein on his neck, or a small movement of a knee and he just started doing whatever needed to be done. All I had to do was relax and enjoy the ride. In hindsight, I think that the SOB could read, but was smart enough to never let me know that he could. - lol

   Edited 7/15/2009 7:23 pm by Dave45

10. 
    jackplane | Jul 16, 2009 08:13am | #16

    It's a horse trailer, not a Queen Anne highboy.

    You'll be fine. Expansion at length is not an issue.

    And I'd use the wide widths and not rip them.

    Expert since 10 am.

11. 
    Barrie2777 | Jul 18, 2009 05:18am | #17

    YIKES!! Sounds like a poor use for good white oak. 2" hemlock would be a good choice.

12. 
    WillGeorge | Jul 20, 2009 07:10pm | #20

    Sir

    If your old trailer uses white oak now.. measure the gaps you see now (in the heat). I would thing maybe 1/4 inch max on the width less on length...

    And then I saw.. these boards are 12" X 17'. 12 inch wide white oak! I know you love horses but 12 inch wide white oak for a floor for a horse?

    Why not just install the 'quality' grade of exterior plywood and use that wood for other things..

    Just funning ya a bit.. No hate here...

    If your boards are 12" wide white oak.. I bet you could do it cheeper using Purpleheart that last almost forever... Not sure Purplehear is safe for horses.. Purpleheart was once used for RR car floors.

    And I will add.. Nothing like a animal you love.. Horse, Dog, Cat, Bird and YES,, Even a snake or spider thrown in the pile...

1. 
   frenchy | Jul 21, 2009 02:01am | #21

   Will George..   FAS white oak costs 80 cents a bd.ft. fresh from a sawmill. (ash is 20 cents)  purple heart is mega bucks because it's a south American wood..  Wood gets real expensive when it takes an ocean voyage.  <grin>

1. 
   WillGeorge | Jul 21, 2009 05:56pm | #22

   Sir..

   FAS white oak costs 80 cents a bd.ft. fresh from a sawmill. (ash is 20 cents) 

   NOT HERE IN CHICAGO USA!

   Hell, white wood from Canada costs ALOT.. And I see crap wood from Sweden about the same price as the crap white wood from Canada..

   No hate here to Canada or Sweden! Or anybody..  Really.. Canada has more trees than anybody on Earth I think..

   ASH is a wonderful wood,  NOT to be ignored.. By ANY woodworker

    

   Edited 7/21/2009 11:07 am by WillGeorge

1. 
   frenchy | Jul 22, 2009 12:09am | #23

   Will George..

    Do you subscribe to the hardwood market report?  http://www.hmr.com.  Those are the price wholesale suppliers get for wood..

      It really depends on who you buy it from.. Since I never pay retail for wood I don't really know market prices..  

    

1. 
   WillGeorge | Jul 22, 2009 03:15am | #24

   Sir and you do not live near Chicago Illinois USA with the highest sales taxes in our nation..

    And I pay about  US dollars $230.00 a month for natural gas to heat my home for a year. And I read someplace we the USA has about 2000 TRILLION CUBIC METERS OF NATURAL GAS RESERVES NOT TAPPED! NOT TO MENTION UNTAPPED OIL RESERVES!

   And I got the drift of you post anyway!  LOL..

   Thanks...

   Edited 7/21/2009 8:24 pm by WillGeorge

2. 
   Shoemaker1 | Jul 24, 2009 06:27pm | #25

   Will the white wood up here is getting better. Less of the prime stuff usually going to the export market, so we are seeing better grades offered at the retail level.I was listening to an interview about cuts of beef, since the resturaunt market is down, better cuts of beef are showing up on the store shelves at reasonable prices. Same with pork.As for the NG , I know a few folks that work in the drilling, refining and pipeline part of the petro sector. Even some of these folks can't understand how these market forces work.The lag between supply/demand, pipeline/refining construction, market forecasts etc. is enough to make your head spin. Changing resource royalties rates (provincial) has had drilling rigs cross borders or just get parked.