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cj847 · 07-06-2019, 03:32 PM

Wood expands and contracts across the grain. Using tongue and groove essentially produces a piece of wood 5' wide, which will expand and contract substantially. You can use it but:

-If you put it in during the humid summer months it might be OK.
-If you put it in during winter, leave about a 1/8 - 1/4" gap between boards.

Even at that I think that the gaps are going to fill with dirt, etc during the year and the next time it expands it will likely break the groove.

Not a problem for a garage kept show truck.

What might be cool and within your budget is to use 2 - 3 bed strips with the rest T&G. Will give a custom look.

07-06-2019, 03:32 PM	#7
cj847 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Ozark, MO Posts: 579	Re: tongue and grove for truck bed floor? Wood expands and contracts across the grain. Using tongue and groove essentially produces a piece of wood 5' wide, which will expand and contract substantially. You can use it but: -If you put it in during the humid summer months it might be OK. -If you put it in during winter, leave about a 1/8 - 1/4" gap between boards. Even at that I think that the gaps are going to fill with dirt, etc during the year and the next time it expands it will likely break the groove. Not a problem for a garage kept show truck. What might be cool and within your budget is to use 2 - 3 bed strips with the rest T&G. Will give a custom look.