Re: THE NEXT PROJECT!

Posted by sgtslag on Jul 10, 2013; 4:05am
URL: http://vintage-and-classic-hondas.81.s1.nabble.com/THE-NEXT-PROJECT-tp4043311p4043336.html

The 3/4" plywood will have, at most, 1-foot of unsupported span between the cross-beams?  It will easily support the weight of the bikes as you roll them across its surface.  Plywood is cheaper, lighter, and simpler to attach.  Just be aware that the green-treated wood can still warp with moisture.  My deck is made of green-treated, exterior grade, wood:  I have 2-3 boards that have warped, and need to be replaced -- unsealed, just the green wood exposed, slowly turning gray with time and the elements.


I bought a M/C trailer early this year (ended up with a steel grate surface, no wood needed), and while shopping, I looked at different options, including something like your's.  I was planning the plywood route for all the reasons listed above.  I wanted a utility trailer, nothing fancy, nothing for show, just functionality.  Plywood will give you just that.  To dress it up, you can always roll on paint:  oil-based, marina/boat paint is the most durable, I believe.  Again, cheap can be done, as well, but it will require more attention, sooner.  


My trailer has a thick, sheetmetal channel running from front, to back, for the wheels to travel in.  This channel not only guides the tires, but it also supports the weight:  the steel grate surface is not strong enough, on its own, to support the bike's weight, without bending.  You could always fabricate a sheetmetal channel for the tires, with a wheel chock up front.  You could even put three channels in place, to carry a single bike up the middle, for best weight distribution.  Cheers!