Your Guide to Replacing a Wooden Trailer Bed

Has your wooden trailer bed become damaged or rotten? Rather than trying to repair what’s left of a decaying bed, you might want to consider simply replacing the wood altogether! While it will require some effort, replacing a wooden trailer bed is often much easier than people realize. For helpful step-by-step instructions on how to successfully install a new wooden bed into your trailer, check out the article below. 

Removing the Old Bed 

Before you begin removing your bed’s old wooden boards, you’ll need to quickly measure them to ensure your replacements are the right length and width. Once this is done, you can begin removing your trailer’s bed by simply unscrewing the bolts, prying them up with a crowbar, or sawing them off—just make sure you don’t damage the metal frame below. Once the boards are removed, take a moment to clean the metal frame of your trailer of any rust or debris. While there are several ways to complete this, we recommend using a drill with a wire brush attachment for the fastest and most effective cleaning. 

Adding the New Bed 

Now that your trailer is prepped and ready to go, you’ll want to begin laying the new boards into the frame. For easy installation, we recommend placing down the end and sideboards first. To successfully anchor these new boards to your trailer’s frame, use a drill to drive self-tapping screws through the boards and down into the metal frame below. Once you’ve completed this with every board, be sure to double-check your work to ensure that none of the wood is loose or incorrectly installed. 

Replacing a trailer bed isn’t always as easy as it looks. Thankfully, our expert team here at Chattanooga Trailer & Rental is always here to help! Stop by our locations in Chattanooga, TN, or N. Chesterfield, VA, and take advantage of our amazing service department, or browse our massive parts center. Our expert staff is waiting just nearby to answer any questions you may have, make recommendations, or set up an appointment for your next maintenance trailer service.