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Bolting Plywood Bed on a Trailer

8K views 16 replies 13 participants last post by  Dread7 
#1 ·
I just purchased a 4x8 trailer. I need to put a piece of 4x8 marine plywood on it so I can put a chock and Drings on the plywood to haul the motorcycle.
The frame does not have any pre-drilled holes to bolt the plywood down though. Is it ok to drill holes to the frame?
I was thinking of 3 to 5 bolts per side (see yellow arrows) good idea? bad idea?
 

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#7 ·
Looks like the cross members are angle iron. You'll be fine with a handful of 3/8-1/2 inch carriage bolts. Secure the deck to the cross members pretty close to where your chock will be, unless you're going to run bolts through the wood to the crossmembers. You want that chock pretty secure. You can also use eye bolts for your corner bolts (anywhere really) so you'll have tie down anchor points.
 
#10 ·
I just purchased a 4x8 trailer. I need to put a piece of 4x8 marine plywood on it so I can put a chock and Drings on the plywood to haul the motorcycle.
I'd be very nervous about securing the tie down points to the marine ply. Ideally they need to be attached to the trailer frame. Use eye bolts or those square u-bolts.
 
#13 · (Edited)
Yup, use t-washers with carriage bolts through plywood and trailer frame. Also, one bolt through d-rings and frame should be fine. Lastly, use galvanized hardware, lock washers and thread-lock. Oh, and Marin Plywood is overkill....pressure treated is way less expensive and will probably outlast the trailer!
 
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#14 ·
Have to agree marine plywood as overkill, exterior fir sheeting uses the same glue as marine but is allowed to have a small percentage of voids. I used the exterior sheeting on my trailer and installed it in 1995. Just changed it last year. Its the wood that rots not the glue. My experience from 40 years of wooden boat building.
 
#15 ·
I'd use carriage bolts thru the expanded metal with fender washers underneath and lock washers and blue Loctite to secure the plywood. And old plywood will work. I suggest you paint it with oil base paint like Rustoleum and sprinkle some sand on the ply while rolling out the paint for some non skid. Use eye bolts thru the frame for your tie down points. For ease of use I suggest tie downs with clip of carabiner ends. Won't fall off he eye bolts when slack. Happy hauling. It isn't necessary to go full OCD on every project although it's hard to tell at Stromtrooper.
 
#17 ·
Unless you need the decking for something else would it be efficient to use 2x4's where you need them attached through the mesh with bolts and washers? Would be quite a bit stronger.
 
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