runaway parents Posted August 28, 2017 Report Share Posted August 28, 2017 Working on my new 30 year old truck bed have the old 2x6 t&g wood deck striped off plan on fering floor joist up so I can put diamond plating on top. I need to know how far apart do the floor joist need to be in order to support a car with out bending diamond plate ? Don't want bird baths in my bed . My existing joist are on 24inch centers is this enough or do I need to ad more? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted August 28, 2017 Report Share Posted August 28, 2017 Well, it depends. How thick will the diamond plate be? If you're staying tandem, thicker plate will make for a better ride, and be less likely to sag. I would probably split the span between joists where the car tires will be parked, and forget the rest. KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve from SoCal Posted August 28, 2017 Report Share Posted August 28, 2017 You need to provide a bit more info, what is the plate thickness, weight of the car or more importantly the wheel weights. 24" seems to great a span for anything under 1/2" steel. Steve 2005 Peterbilt 387-112 Baby Cat 9 speed U-shift 1996/2016 remod Teton Royal Atlanta 1996 Kentucky 48 single drop stacker garage project Pulls like a train, sounds like a plane....faster than a Cheetah sniffin cocaine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runaway parents Posted August 28, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2017 3/16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve from SoCal Posted August 28, 2017 Report Share Posted August 28, 2017 That is really thin for anything more than a smart or 4 wheeler. You could perhaps run some stringers along the wheel track to stiffen the deck but, even that with 24" x-members is going to be flimsy. What are the X-members made from? How much cantilever do they have? Steve 2005 Peterbilt 387-112 Baby Cat 9 speed U-shift 1996/2016 remod Teton Royal Atlanta 1996 Kentucky 48 single drop stacker garage project Pulls like a train, sounds like a plane....faster than a Cheetah sniffin cocaine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runaway parents Posted August 28, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2017 Think I am going to install another xmember between existing c channel xmembers drop spred down to 12 inch centers and go to 1/4 inch thick plate should do it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted August 29, 2017 Report Share Posted August 29, 2017 I gotta ask, why are you removing the wood decking? Is it rotted? If not, paint it with linseed oil and ride on. I can tell you that those wood farm decks can handle much more than any of us are likely to load. Just be certain that the metal channels are intact, as they have a tendency to collect road grit and rust. My 25 ton drag has a wood floor, with cross members 24" on center. I wouldn't be afraid to put the Volvo up there. KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALLOY Posted August 29, 2017 Report Share Posted August 29, 2017 rickeieio makes a very good point.....! I have data that shows alum checker plate is 50% more slippery than bare aluminum Checker plate is great when it is new but once the edge wears off it becomes slippery.........but 5 bar patter is better than C102 (star) pattern for this reason. Any grid larger than 8" O.C. will allow the deck to oil can. Primary (longer) support members can be 24"-30" O.C. but you'll need secondary (shorter) at 8" O,C. The secondary (flat bar) need to run between (perpendicular) to the primary but these can stop 3/4"-1" away from the primary and do not need to be welded to the primary supports. If you don't have experience welding hot/fast (3/64" wire@27 volts ) 1/8" -3/16" fillet welds to alum I wouldn't recommend taking this on. If the weld/ heat affected zone become to great the risk is making the finished deck look like it was hit by a sludge hammer....many times. 2011 Cameo 34SB3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runaway parents Posted August 29, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2017 Wabo certified welder, certified in lite gage and structural welding , no aluminum all steel in deck yes wood was rotten planning on using mild steel diamond plating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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