Composite wood for bunks?

[suke]

Bought a two place trailer a few months back and it needs new bunks. I bought the standard 2x4 and stained them in waterproofing stuff. However, while monkeying around in home depot or lowes( can't remember which one) saw the composite board.....essentially plastic 'wood'. Anyone used this stuff to go under their carpet? It worth the extra cost? Figure for now I'll use what I've got, BUT I have a single place trailer that could potentially use a bunk replacing in the near future.

 

[LouDoo]

I've always used treated 2x4's, if you're replacing the bunks the treated wood will probably outlast the life of the trailer.

Lou

 

[sselzer]

I was wondering that too, just got a used double trailer but the bunks are crap from the carpet. I wouldn't see why not.

 

[Seadoobuddy]

My neighbor works for a lumber yard. I bought Trex from him a couple yrs ago for my Cedar deck that rotted.
I don't think composite will come in a 2X4 size. he also told me that you CAN'T use Trex for steps as it won't take the constant pounding weight of the people stepping.

I used Treated lumber for my new bunks on both of my trailers and both ski hoists.

 

[sselzer]

My neighbor works for a lumber yard. I bought Trex from him a couple yrs ago for my Cedar deck that rotted.
I don't think composite will come in a 2X4 size. he also told me that you CAN'T use Trex for steps as it won't take the constant pounding weight of the people stepping.

I used Treated lumber for my new bunks on both of my trailers and both ski hoists.

Good to know, thanks.

 

[Strizzo]

i was going to say, my last two trailers were 95 and 00 year models, and despite being quite abused, the bunks on both were still in pretty good shape under the carpet. also like SDB said, the plastic wood is more prone to bending under heavy loading.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

i was going to say, my last two trailers were 95 and 00 year models, and despite being quite abused, the bunks on both were still in pretty good shape under the carpet. also like SDB said, the plastic wood is more prone to bending under heavy loading.

absolutely, they sag under load, I had a single trailer a while back that I bought with a ski and I pulled the plastic crap ones off and put on standard pressure treated 2x4's. stick with wood

 

[Jetskigoodies]

All of those composite wood places currently have class action lawsuits because of a mold,splintering and rotting problem. They all claim to ne mold resistant.

 

[Seadoobuddy]

JSG, Do you have the article about this lawsuit?
I "wood" like to read it........pun intended.

 

[Jetskigoodies]

http://www.bigclassaction.com/lawsuit/trex-decking-lawsuit-class-action-hagens-berman.php


If you just google, trex class action lawsuit alot of articles will pop up, alot of them include, rotting and flaking

 

[Minnetonka4me]

Nice Ive always wondered if that would be a good alternative. Obviously thats a no!

 

[Dr Honda]

I'm not for it being used in a trailer... but my dad has a "Plastic" deck on his house... and it's great after 10 years. (I don't think it's Trex brand) Yes... it will get some mold/mildew... but a quick scrub, and it looks good.

You have to wonder if the guy's deck is truly unsafe... or if he had buyer's remorse after spending 4x the $$$ on it.

 

[SilverSS1969]

From what I have read, it's not just one person that has had this issue and not just Trex brand. All these composite deck companies use wood dust for filler in the product. So the wood is still going to break down, rod and have possiblity to rot. Most of the report I have read are people using the deck in shaded areas where the sun can not dry out the deck very fast. Personally I would not used it. They do make a 100% 'lumber'.

 

[Jetskigoodies]

I'm not for it being used in a trailer... but my dad has a "Plastic" deck on his house... and it's great after 10 years. (I don't think it's Trex brand) Yes... it will get some mold/mildew... but a quick scrub, and it looks good.

You have to wonder if the guy's deck is truly unsafe... or if he had buyer's remorse after spending 4x the $$$ on it.

Tony the mold that these people claim to have is in the middle of the boards, I guess they rot from the inside out.