Posted 2014-12-09 6:48 AM (#161981) Subject: stock trailer slats
New User
Posts: 4
Location: Cocoa, FL
I searched prior posts, but couldn't come up with an answer.
I have a stock combo and am wanting to use it for storage, so want to fill in the slats. It is set up to slide in something of 3/16th thickness. I'm not worried about light, but am concerned about price and don't want wood for rotting purposes. What does everyone use that is cost effective and easy to cut/install?
Posted 2014-12-09 7:59 AM (#161985 - in reply to #161981) Subject: RE: stock trailer slats
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 330 Location: northeast Texas
Plexiglass. You can get it at lumber/home builders shops like Home Depot, McCoys, Lowe's, etc. Cut with a jigsaw. I also think they make a special cutting tool for it. It is light, fairly cheap, and lasts.
Posted 2014-12-09 8:03 AM (#161986 - in reply to #161981) Subject: RE: stock trailer slats
Veteran
Posts: 133 Location: NC
Lexan is the way to go, and if its already got the track for it even better! lexan is about $80 for a sheet give or take a few bucks, and they are generally 8x4 so you can measure and see how much you will need.
Posted 2014-12-09 9:30 AM (#161991 - in reply to #161981) Subject: RE: stock trailer slats
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
A 4'x 8' piece of 3/16" polycarbonate (Lexan) or acrylic (Plexiglass) at last glance, usually costs ~ $175- $200 a sheet, plus delivery. Poly sheets are ~250X the strength of glass, while acrylics are ~10X stronger. Both are easily cut with wood working tools; table saw, jig saw etc. When cutting acrylic products, be careful not to bind the blade, as it can crack the sheet. The poly is almost indestructible and you will have little or no issues in machining your pieces. The better product to used for long term durability is the polycarbonate.
Posted 2014-12-12 5:46 AM (#162039 - in reply to #161981) Subject: RE: stock trailer slats
Veteran
Posts: 113 Location: Wi
Acrylic (plexiglass) or Lexan (Polycarbonate) are good choices. As others have stated the Lexan (polycarbonate) is stronger. Neither option is "inexpensive."
An alternative would be Expanded PVC (Sintra, Komatex, etc) and is available in 4' x 8' 3mm (1/8") thick sheets in black or white. It does expand and contract a little with heat and could be brittle if hit when it is extremely cold. It also would not let in any light. But if it is used for storage, I do not see that as a factor. Rough cost is $25.
stock trailer slats
