Replacing wood trailer steps

[jhiestand]

I've finally gotten around to yanking the wood steps off my '01 RamLin and they were completely shot, literally falling apart. The carpet introduced rust everywhere it's contacted so I have quite a job on my hands to clean it up. I've already touched up the rust spots, but am now looking at what to replace the steps with. I've seen quite a few ideas including teak, star board, etc., but I'd like to keep the price down. Treated plywood w/out the carpet is looking like the best option, but I'm not sure what to coat it with. Lots of talk about rhino-lining, but when checking into that stuff I've read it gets tacky when wet, plus may not stick to wood, especially treated plywood. I think the treated plywood is really the way to go, but I'd like to cover it with something to give it a little better traction plus make it not quite so freakin' ugly. I'd like to get it to a black color, as well.

Anyone have any experience along these lines or in a similar situation? In perusing many different boat forums it seems I may even be better of trying regular plywood and treating it with heavy duty paint of some sort. Without the carpet holding moisture in, it may hold up pretty well.

Thoughts? GO! :grin:

[jmo]

RE: Replacing wood trailer steps

How about using Trex (composite wood/plastic) decking material, I used on my deck many years ago since its maintenance free, its more expensive that PT lumber, but you don't have to stain or treat it. Looks like they now have some pretty cool colors and styles available - I put down the standard winchester gray trex and it still looks really good 10 years later.

http://www.trex.com/decking/

JMO

[DanielC]

RE: Replacing wood trailer steps

Go to this website:
http://www.rotdoctor.com
Check out the product, Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer.
That might make the wood, it you choose to go that route last longer.

[ClemsonDave]

RE: Replacing wood trailer steps

I like the Trex or Starboard idea. However, if you go the epoxy route, you could mix some sand in to give the boards some texture. It would be pretty slick otherwise.

[tski97]

RE: Replacing wood trailer steps

I had the same problem. I cut new plywood to the same size as the old ones and then took the wood and had line-x sprayed on them and it worked great. It looks clean, decent traction, easy to care for and I should not have that problem again. Cost was not too bad i think for all 4 that i had to do it cost about $50 total.

[NCH2oSki]

RE: Replacing wood trailer steps

I am looking at doing mine this winter, and I want to install diamond tread aluminum plate. If you look around you should be able to find some sheets that you can cut with a jig saw and it will last the lifetime of the trailer. Save your old plywood for a template for whatever you end up using, and show us how it turns out.

[8122pbrainard]

RE: Replacing wood trailer steps

I'm going with Daniel on this one. Several coats of CPES on exterier grade ply and then carpet to keep it original. Do not use treated ply. The chemicals used in the treated and epoxies don't like each other.

The Trex will be slippery. The diamond plate will look home made.

[AuMDLST]

RE: Replacing wood trailer steps

My 94 SNOB had Rhino lined steps - the original owner ordered it From Ramlin without the carpet, he then had them Rhino lined. Trailer was 9 years old when I purchased and the steps were in as new condition. Great Idea he had - no carpet to hold water and cause rust.

[jhiestand]

I'd really like to go the diamond plate route, but it's way too pricey. I've already picked up wood , created cardboard templates and just need to make a decision on what to coat it with. I'm leaning toward Herculiner which is available at Autozone.

Someone mentioned putting carpet back on, which is definitely not a good idea. I had to grind down and spot paint a ton of rust spots that all started along the carpet lines. I'm sure eliminating the carpet off the steps will help a ton in the trailer drying between outings.

My remaining concern will be the carpet/wood inside either wheelwell. I know the boat sometimes will push up against either side so I feel that needs to remain carpeted. Don't have a good solution for that, unfortunately.

[Chris4x4Gill2]

On my old boat trailer I used the PT plywood and just painted it to match the color of the trailer. Added stick on no slip strips they sell for decks to it and its held up without any problems for 8 years now

[jpduster]

Not sure of the size of the pieces you need from looking at the pictures, to throw in an idea from left field
I've found polyproperlene chopping boards (the plastic ones available at supermarkets)very good for similar applications. If you can buy a couple large enough to cut up, they're cheap, come in different colors, last a long time (red seems to fade though),and very strong, on the downside they can be a bit slippery (stick on no slip won't stick) but if you find ones that are textured they're not that bad.

If you want thicker or larger, butcher's supplies or cooking supplies may be able to help but they will be more expensive.

[M3Fan]

I'd really like to go the diamond plate route, but it's way too pricey. I've already picked up wood , created cardboard templates and just need to make a decision on what to coat it with. I'm leaning toward Herculiner which is available at Autozone.

I like this idea. According to the Herculiner site, it can be used for coating wood and wood decks. I'm definitely going this route. Cut new ply templates, router a beveled edge around the outside, and Herculiner both sides.

[AuMDLST]

Use the cutting board idea for the inside of the fenders - that is the same if not similar material that is currently in use and has been for the last couple of years.

[Hollywood]

Plastic is not cheap by any means, especially in sheets big enough to do those steps.

[BigBald]

I have a new Ram-lin trailer with Checker-Plating. Love the look...but, I have already had a couple folks slip. I see some posts about using some non-slip stick on pads....what type are you using? I really need to address this over the winter.

When the slip occurs, it is someone that is getting out of the boat, they step down with one foot on the checker plating......then they drop on down to put their other foot on the ground, the foot on the checker plating slips forward and they drive their shin into the edge of the boat. Leaves a nice bruise.