Repairing Your Trailer’s Deck

Your trailer, and by extension your trailer’s deck, is built to handle tough jobs. However, being built to be tough doesn’t mean that you should ignore your trailer’s maintenance needs. Even if you aren’t concerned with looks, proper maintenance is important to ensure a long and efficient operational lifespan. With that in mind, White Spruce Trailer Sales has created this guide to help you maintain and repair your trailer’s deck. 

Gather Tools

Like with any repair, you must first have the correct tools. Your basic trailer deck repair tools include a hammer, screwdrivers, a drill with multiple attachments, bolts, washers, nuts, and self-tapping screws (these are used to connect the wood to the metal frame). It is also helpful if you measure the length and width of your trailer’s floorboards, as this will make swapping them out far easier. 

Remove Old Boards

There are actually a few different methods by which you can remove old, damaged, and/or rotting boards from your trailer’s deck. For example, you may choose to simply unscrew the screws, but in some cases, this will force you to saw the boards in order to take them out in pieces. If you go this route, be careful to avoid sawing the metal frame. Alternatively, you may choose to pull up the boards with a pry bar. 

Clean Frame

Cleaning the metal around the bottom of your trailer’s frame can be difficult. We recommend using a wire brush attachment on a drill to remove any rust or debris. Follow this up by grinding down the screw heads or carefully hammering them off. 

Replace Wood

Finally, it’s time to lay down the new boards and securely anchor them to the frame. Start by doing the end and sideboards. Once this is done, secure the bottom boards. It is important that you screw through the trailer deck boards into the metal frame beneath them so that they will be held in place. 

We at White Spruce Trailer Sales understand that trailer maintenance can be difficult. If you have any questions or are in need of parts, visit our service department. We operate three locations in Alaska. These include Anchorage, North Pole, and Wasilla. We also carry a selection of new and pre-owned trailers and offer rental and financing services, so visit us no matter your trailer needs. We are proud to serve southern Alaska, and we hope to see you soon.