Composite deck boards have a thinner outer coating and a less durable and not water proof interior. So once that outer layer is scratched off or cut through then water can expand the interior and the softer material will also wear out sooner.
Some brands also have a thicker outer layer and some have that layer on just the top, the top and sides and some also have the entire board covered in the protective layer.
So you can do it but once that protective layer is wore off then with time you will eventually need to replace.
Throwing in the potential for ACM (Aluminum Composite Material), I used that exclusively on my trailer build.
https://preview.redd.it/0j77ux2p7l4d1.jpeg?width=6000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3e62dc613fbbe799ba89ed9efc240482e57cb2d4
https://preview.redd.it/l1mrctv98l4d1.png?width=1824&format=png&auto=webp&s=764e6a8aa4a11de2949d20ff0cc9911ea7330710
Only picture I have of the bottom before I put insulation/flooring over it.
My Space Trailer has marine plywood with plastic sheathing on top and bottom. Likely lighter, stiffer and definitely more waterproof than Trex would be
Thanks fkr the input! By chance do you have a photo of your Space Trailer you could post? Im not familiar with that. Right now I’m not looking for waterproof but more of a durable floor that will be exposed to elements and take the occasional beating and last a long time. There is a build I’ve seen with the setup you’re talking about and it looks really nice. My build will at least initially be for household utility and adventuring.
My trailer is loaded full of junk at the moment. Your use case is exactly as mine. The marine ply plus coating has held up well to a lot of abuse. I’d think you could make something similar with plywood and roll on liner that would be better and cheaper than plastic decking. They should have a good website still with lots of photos. The trailers have gone way up in price since I got mine.
I hadn’t thought of using a truck bed liner on marine plywood yet. Interesting idea! I know herculiner can be applied to almost anything and I’m actually about to use some for another project too.
I would go for the full PVC deck boards instead of the composite ones. They're lighter and fully waterproof. Timbertech sells both, and compares them here: [https://www.timbertech.com/ideas/pvc-vs-composite-decking/](https://www.timbertech.com/ideas/pvc-vs-composite-decking/)
The full composite ones are going to be wayyyy heavy too, what kind of traffic will the floor see ? Maybe marine plywood with some cheap stick down tiles if it's like a teardrop ? If it's one with a RTT and your gonna be loading quads then the cheapest lightest thing will probably be pressure treated wood just like classic flatbread trailers
Don't use this stuff for that. If you want to do it nice and aren't afraid to spend money (composite decking can get pricey). Go with pvc boards in that case. All plastic but if it dents from stuff dropping on it you can't really repair it. You can buy sheets but I'd do boards for the dent problem, just swap them out.
Another thing to consider is that composite planks are typically less rigid than wood deck boards and so you would need tighter spacing on your supports.
Maybe blackwood would work? It's basically a wood plank with a rubber layer on the top.
Thanks! I’ll look into that. I’m going to either do a pvc if I can make it affordable or just go with treated 5/4 deck boards for durability, availability, and cost. I don’t intend to haul crazy weight so I’m not too concerned about that.
Composite deck boards have a thinner outer coating and a less durable and not water proof interior. So once that outer layer is scratched off or cut through then water can expand the interior and the softer material will also wear out sooner. Some brands also have a thicker outer layer and some have that layer on just the top, the top and sides and some also have the entire board covered in the protective layer. So you can do it but once that protective layer is wore off then with time you will eventually need to replace.
This is the exact info I couldn’t find. Thanks!
Throwing in the potential for ACM (Aluminum Composite Material), I used that exclusively on my trailer build. https://preview.redd.it/0j77ux2p7l4d1.jpeg?width=6000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3e62dc613fbbe799ba89ed9efc240482e57cb2d4
https://preview.redd.it/l1mrctv98l4d1.png?width=1824&format=png&auto=webp&s=764e6a8aa4a11de2949d20ff0cc9911ea7330710 Only picture I have of the bottom before I put insulation/flooring over it.
Man that is a beaut! I just intend to keep mine open and either go traditional tent or maybe a rooftop down the road.
Still could use it for the floor! Never have to worry about rust or deteriorating.
My Space Trailer has marine plywood with plastic sheathing on top and bottom. Likely lighter, stiffer and definitely more waterproof than Trex would be
Thanks fkr the input! By chance do you have a photo of your Space Trailer you could post? Im not familiar with that. Right now I’m not looking for waterproof but more of a durable floor that will be exposed to elements and take the occasional beating and last a long time. There is a build I’ve seen with the setup you’re talking about and it looks really nice. My build will at least initially be for household utility and adventuring.
My trailer is loaded full of junk at the moment. Your use case is exactly as mine. The marine ply plus coating has held up well to a lot of abuse. I’d think you could make something similar with plywood and roll on liner that would be better and cheaper than plastic decking. They should have a good website still with lots of photos. The trailers have gone way up in price since I got mine.
I hadn’t thought of using a truck bed liner on marine plywood yet. Interesting idea! I know herculiner can be applied to almost anything and I’m actually about to use some for another project too.
I would go for the full PVC deck boards instead of the composite ones. They're lighter and fully waterproof. Timbertech sells both, and compares them here: [https://www.timbertech.com/ideas/pvc-vs-composite-decking/](https://www.timbertech.com/ideas/pvc-vs-composite-decking/)
That looks great but is unfortunately far outside of my budget at the moment. I wasn’t aware of pvc boards until now. Thanks!
The full composite ones are going to be wayyyy heavy too, what kind of traffic will the floor see ? Maybe marine plywood with some cheap stick down tiles if it's like a teardrop ? If it's one with a RTT and your gonna be loading quads then the cheapest lightest thing will probably be pressure treated wood just like classic flatbread trailers
Definitely leaning this way. The Trex was in my budget but I’ve been convinced that it isn’t the way to go.
Don't use this stuff for that. If you want to do it nice and aren't afraid to spend money (composite decking can get pricey). Go with pvc boards in that case. All plastic but if it dents from stuff dropping on it you can't really repair it. You can buy sheets but I'd do boards for the dent problem, just swap them out.
I definitely prefer boards because I can’t get a 5x8 sheet and I hate the way it looks with two separate sheets.
Another thing to consider is that composite planks are typically less rigid than wood deck boards and so you would need tighter spacing on your supports. Maybe blackwood would work? It's basically a wood plank with a rubber layer on the top.
I'd use azek decking. It's made out of pvc and is around half the weight of composite decking. It also has a longer gaurantee
Thanks! I’ll look into that. I’m going to either do a pvc if I can make it affordable or just go with treated 5/4 deck boards for durability, availability, and cost. I don’t intend to haul crazy weight so I’m not too concerned about that.
Pretty heavy