Deck Weight Questions

[greenchicken]

HI,

I have a historical tendency to over-build things. For the first time end weight is a considerations.

Let's start with my deck.

I am planning on two 1/2 ply layers on a 2x6 frame. I want a small cavity for storage.

That is going to be a lot of weight. 1/2 4x8 plywood is 48 pounds each, 2x4x8 is 11 pounds.

First I ask is: "Am I over thinking this."

Next I want to ask if anyone has use alternative. Such as Metal studs contractor use all the time with dry wall.

[Pmullen503]

I used 1/4" ply (top and bottom) over a frame of 1x3 pine (actual 1x3" ripped from 2x4s) laid flat. Perimeter frame with cross pieces every 2 feet with the cavities filled with 1" foam. All glued and screwed together. It is light and stiff.

No storage area of course. The question is what are you going to store? Could you get away with a box set into the floor? That way the rest of the floor could be built light.

[swoody126]

HI,

I have a historical tendency to over-build things. .....

we haul full dresser motorcycles on 3/4"(5-ply) decking(500#/tire)

the decking inside enclosed cargo trailers is often times 5/8"(5-ply) and never more than 3/4"(5-ply)

i'm thinking w/ a 1"(10-ply) deck you would be creating a surface capable of supporting multiple horses standing(500#/hoof±)

yes... way overkill for supporting a coupla human beans in the prone position(weight distributed over a much larger area)

just one old man's 2¢ worth this morning

sw

[tony.latham]

150 pounds for 5 1/2" of storage. I too am wondering what you might store there (and how you are going to access it?)

The floor on my next build will be a torsion box constructed of 1/4" plywood underlayment, 1" wooden frame set on edge with 1" of foam filling the open areas and topped off with another layer of 1/4" ply. It'll be stiff, strong, and light.

I would suggest 3/4" popular for your frame, drop the bottom from 1/2" to 1/4" ply and make sure you glue in hard points for bolting to the chassis.



Tony

[aggie79]

Do you really need storage below the deck? If it is for something that you would use occasionally then consider leaving it at home. When I didn't tow with a truck, we stored everything inside of the teardrop including folding table, 10' x 10' pop-up canopy, porta-potty, 4' x 4' sidewall tent, cooler, etc.