Refinished the Trailer Deck & Added Tail Jacks

[Peter Person]

Finally found a product I hope lasts more than a year for my trailer deck. I had been using a "high quality" water based deck stain but had to redo every year. Stopped in to a local paint store where the owner has been really helpful in the past.
He recommended Penofin Blue Label

I had to sand off the remnants of the latex stain - not a bad job with an 80 grit paper on the belt sander for the large areas and on the palm sander for the edges and around the D-rings. The sanding also gave me opportunity to smooth out the knots and raised edges.

Aron and I got the 1st coat on in about 30 minutes. Still need to put another coat on. As soon as we started I really liked the look. The color I chose is "Sable".

I forgot to take a picture before sanding but here is what it looked like after sanding;


Just starting;


1st Coat;


Thanks for looking.
Peter

Last edited by Peter Person on Sat Aug 04, 2012 11:56 am, edited 1 time in total.

Looks good! - I will try that brand when I do mine this summer when the dry season hits. Thanks

Yup, looks real nice Peter

Looks good Peter !!

Took the thread concerning Gary & Kristy Bailey to heart and added jacks to the tail of my trailer.
Prayers for Gary & Kristy Bailey

Bought two (2) Pro Series 2,000lb Swivel Side Handle Jacks online from Hitch Shops for $76 incl. shipping. Ordered them last Friday and they arrived on Wednesday.

Step #1: Layout


Step #2: Set up


Step #3: Tack Weld


Step #4: Aron Welding


Step #5: Finished


Step #6: Jack Mounted & Trailer Lifted (this will make changing a tire easy!)


Step #7: Jack Swiveled for Travel


All that's left is to prime & paint the welded socket.

Once I get the tailgate repaired , we'll give it a test run.

Peter

Super design and fab, Peter [Aron, too]
Great side benefit = changing tires via the jacks.

Your jack setup is almost exactly like what I did. I think you will really like them and you are right, they make changing a tire so much easier!

Al

Once I get the tailgate repaired

Do you have something you'd like to tell us about, Peter?

Once I get the tailgate repaired

Do you have something you'd like to tell us about, Peter?

My thought as well, Don.

Bill

Once I get the tailgate repaired

Do you have something you'd like to tell us about, Peter?

My thought as well, Don.

Bill

Earlier this summer Aron's 1995 Ford Ranger had a wheel bearing seize. Off to the rescue with the trailer. Unfortunately the expanded metal grating does not hold up too well under the weight of a Ford Ranger. Even using the trailer for the Cub there was beginning to be a pretty good sag in the mesh. Aron and I had previously talked about welding in some reinforcing angles under the mesh. Now we are looking at replacing some or all the mesh with something a little more stout.


...and now you know the rest of the story.

Peter

Very well thought out design and execution!! I love the simple design and clean fabrication. Very professional job.

. Aron and I had previously talked about welding in some reinforcing angles under the mesh. Now we are looking at replacing some or all the mesh with something a little more stout.

When you finish your reinforcements, please post some photos, because I was planning on adding some angle iron to the ramp on my "new" 18' trailer for the same reason, and if you come up with something better, I would love to see it!

I really like your jacks! Want to do another one in NC?! Or I will be in VA next weekend!!??

Seeing this post brings to mind my experience with my trailer last winter. I had purchased a new trailer the previous spring and decided to give the deck boards a coating to help stave off weathering damage. I purchased a gal. of Thompson's Weather Seal. After I poured it into my roller tray and started applying it, I was dismayed to discover that it was a water-based product, not the petroleum product that I had used in years past. It was obvious that it was not being absorbed into the wood as the older Thompson's did. I am wondering if they no longer manufacture the earlier product, as I could not find it on their web site. Fortunately, I was able to find a gallon of left-over Thompsons petroleum product the next time I went to our Miss. farm. It was from a project that I had done several years ago. I can't help but believe that the water-based treatment is less effective that the petroleum product which soaks into the wood, rather than sitting on top as a film.

You will pay dearly for that gallon of Penofin, but it's worth every penny!
I used it on an Arbor 7 years ago and it is still beading and shedding water today. Great Product!