Hardwood Trailer Decking & Truck Sideboards
Riephoff Sawmill manufactures custom hardwood trailer decking, truck sideboards, stringers, and lumber for trailer dovetails at our sawmill in Allentown, New Jersey. Our trailer lumber is cut to order for replacement decks, repairs, commercial trailers, equipment trailers, and other heavy-duty applications.
We generally recommend mixed hardwood for trailer decking because it provides performance comparable to oak for many applications, is easier to source, and allows us to offer more competitive pricing. Depending on current material availability, mixed-hardwood orders may include some oak boards.
Request a trailer decking quote or call (609) 259-7265 to discuss your trailer dimensions and material requirements.
What Wood Is Best for Trailer Decking?
Riephoff Sawmill generally recommends mixed hardwood for trailer decking. Mixed hardwood provides performance comparable to oak for many trailer applications, is typically easier to source, and allows us to offer more competitive pricing.
A mixed-hardwood order can include multiple hardwood species, and some oak boards may be included depending on the material available when your order is produced.
Customers whose trailer manufacturer, engineering specification, or application requires a particular species should include that requirement when requesting a quote.
Learn more about the hardwood lumber and materials available from Riephoff Sawmill.
What Thickness Should Trailer Decking Be?
The most common decking thickness for general-purpose trailers is 1-1/2 inches. Heavy-duty and commercial trailers commonly use 2-inch-thick decking, but the correct thickness ultimately depends on the trailer.
Before ordering replacement decking, measure the thickness of the boards currently installed on your trailer or consult the trailer manufacturer’s manual to confirm the required specification.
Do not select a thickness solely because it is commonly used on another trailer. Deck construction and requirements can vary between manufacturers and models.
Is Trailer Decking Custom Cut?
Yes. Riephoff Sawmill cuts trailer decking to order. Most decking is manufactured specifically for the dimensions and requirements provided by the customer.
We occasionally have individual boards in common sizes available for emergency repairs, but customers should contact us to confirm availability. Otherwise, trailer decking is produced as a custom order.
Is Trailer Decking Rough-Sawn or Surfaced?
Our trailer decking is generally supplied as rough-sawn hardwood. If your application requires a particular finished thickness, surfacing, or another special preparation, include that requirement when requesting a quote so we can determine whether it can be accommodated.
Is Your Trailer Decking Green or Kiln-Dried?
Riephoff Sawmill trailer decking is generally supplied as green, rough-sawn hardwood. Green lumber has not been kiln-dried and still contains much of its natural moisture when it is cut.
As green hardwood dries, natural shrinkage, checking, movement, and other changes can occur. Customers should consider these characteristics when planning the installation and final fit of their trailer decking.
Do You Supply Full Trailer-Deck Replacement Sets?
Yes. We can supply hardwood lumber for a complete trailer-deck replacement as well as individual replacement boards.
Unless you are replacing only one or two boards, we generally recommend providing the overall dimensions of the area that needs to be decked rather than submitting a complete list of individual board widths.
For example, an order might be specified as 2 inches thick to cover an 82-inch-wide by 12-foot-long deck. We can then cut a combination of boards in appropriate widths and lengths to provide the required coverage.
This approach gives our sawmill more flexibility to work with available hardwood while still providing the amount of lumber needed to redeck the trailer.
How Should I Measure My Trailer for Replacement Decking?
When measuring a trailer for replacement decking, determine the board thickness, actual internal width of the deck area, and linear length of the area covered by lumber.
Measure the actual trailer rather than relying solely on the manufacturer’s advertised model dimensions. The usable decking area can vary slightly, and an incorrect measurement can prevent replacement boards from fitting properly.
Be sure to account for hardware and structural components that affect the decking area, including side rails, rub rails, metal ribs, wheel wells, dovetails, and other obstructions.
If the layout is complicated, providing a drawing with measurements can help us understand how the trailer is constructed and what lumber is required.
Can I Order Individual Replacement Boards?
Yes. Individual hardwood boards can be ordered when you only need to repair a small section of your trailer deck.
For individual replacement boards, provide the required thickness, width, length, quantity, and any special cutting requirements. If you need an exact finished length, be sure to specify that the boards should be double end trimmed.
Can Trailer Decking Be Cut to Exact Length?
Yes, but customers ordering individual boards must specify double end trimmed when an exact finished length is required.
If double end trimming is not requested, boards are generally left slightly long. This allows the customer to make the final cut on site and fit each board to the trailer during installation.
Truck Sideboards, Stringers, and Dovetail Decking
In addition to trailer floor decking, Riephoff Sawmill can provide truck sideboards, trailer stringers, and hardwood lumber for redecking dovetails.
Include these items when requesting a quote, along with the required dimensions and quantities. If your trailer has unusual metal framing, rib locations, wheel wells, or other special features, provide those measurements as well.
Custom Trailer Decking Dimensions
Because our trailer decking is produced at a working sawmill rather than sold only in predetermined retail sizes, we can cut hardwood to meet a wide range of trailer requirements.
Orders can be prepared for complete trailer coverage or as individual replacement boards. The dimensions, material availability, quantity, and cutting requirements all affect how an order is produced.
If you are unsure how to specify the boards for a complete replacement, send us the overall deck measurements instead. We can discuss the most practical way to prepare the lumber for your trailer.
Trailer Decking Pickup in New Jersey
Riephoff Sawmill offers pickup only for trailer decking and other lumber orders. Completed orders are picked up directly from our sawmill in Allentown, New Jersey.
When requesting a quote, let us know when you expect to need the material so we can discuss current production timing and pickup availability.
Request a Trailer Decking Quote
Providing complete measurements helps us quote and produce your trailer decking accurately. Include as much of the following information as possible:
- Whether you are replacing the full deck or individual boards
- Required board thickness
- Actual internal trailer deck width
- Length of the area being decked
- Individual board dimensions, if replacing only a few boards
- Trailer make and model, if known
- Metal rib locations or other structural details that affect the decking
- Wheel wells, dovetails, side rails, rub rails, or other obstructions
- Stringer or sideboard requirements
- Species requirements, if any
- Whether individual boards need to be double end trimmed to exact length
- Any surfacing or special cutting requirements
- Quantity
- Required date
Request a Trailer Decking Quote or contact Riephoff Sawmill with questions about your trailer.