Good bed wood for wet climates? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mikep · 01-11-2003, 09:06 PM

What is a good bed wood for wet climates. I'm thinking Teak. Anyone ever built one out of Teak?

72MARIO · 01-11-2003, 09:14 PM

never heard of that type? Is it a Hardwood?

71402BB · 01-11-2003, 09:16 PM

Sounds expencive but nice! What about that fake wood like you would see on the inside of a house? wouldn't have to worrie about that rotting and looking like crap!

Steven Sellers · 01-11-2003, 09:18 PM

I know Teak is supposed to be hard enough to cut diamonds. I was watching a show the other day and some rich folks were building a deck out of it, had to predrill everything.

72addict · 01-11-2003, 09:31 PM

How about that new deck material that has a 25 year warranty?
Home Depot sells it.

*dtlilly* · 01-11-2003, 09:31 PM

The fake wood floors in our houses will seperate and cup, when it gets wet only once. I know from experience. I agree that Teak is the way to go, but you better have deep pockets. Oak is the traditional wood, because of its longevity and cost. I wonder how a cedar wood will hold up. You can leave it age naturally as it turns to a great weathered rustic look.

mikep · 01-11-2003, 09:39 PM

I dont really know that it would be THAT expensive. Last time I checked a wood set for a stepside bed was running nearly $300 and its what ...a 4X6 section ? It seems to me I could buy Teak for less than $300 and cut it myself. It rains ALL THE TIME here in the winter. I dont see a lot of Oak trim on boats. I do see a lot of Teak. Mahogany is a tropical wood. It might hold up well too. How about Ebony ?

RON WOODGEARD · 01-11-2003, 09:42 PM

Call a wood supply house, It has to be a specialty place, not like Home Depot. They know nothing about it.

There is a treated hardwood that is supposed to work very well, The name starts with an "A" I can't remember the doggone name (again.) I inquired about it and the guys were supposed to get back to me with a price and they never did.

Like I said this stuff is PRE-treated. and the guys at the lumber company, said this stuff really works for bed wood.

RON

jku72 · 01-11-2003, 09:47 PM

Just think of what woods are used in fence posts, they have to last years of sitting in mud. The longest lasting wood in the elements I know of is Locust. Fence posts last 50 years untreated, out in the rain and whatnot. I live in Maine, and when Locust is not available, we use cedar, which lasts a long time as well. Pressure treated will last forever as well, but it is greenish, not too pretty.

72addict · 01-11-2003, 09:50 PM

Here is the page to what I am talking about.

http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=pg&p...tlowes&rn=none

mikep · 01-11-2003, 09:56 PM

How wide and how thick are the planks? Cocobolo is looking good but at $30 a board foot is might be too pricy.

Southpa · 01-11-2003, 10:03 PM

If ya got the bucks I would suggest Australian gumwood. Fishermen use it as bumpers on their wooden boats. Its very hard and resinous so you don't need to cover it with anything.
The stuff will dull drill bits, router bits and saw blades. But when I replace my deck that is what I plan on using. I've known of heavy equipment operators who use it on their trailers for hauling their cats around. It might cost twice as much as Douglas fir but will last three times longer.

72MARIO · 01-11-2003, 10:09 PM

I was also thinking of cedear

kaycee · 01-11-2003, 10:10 PM

I took have been looking at this stuff and I saw it in a 67 truck last summer The guy that owned the truck said it had been in there for 2 years and it looked like it was new.This was down in COLORADO I belive this is alot less $ than 1 of the oak floor kits.

sakohntr · 01-11-2003, 10:12 PM

Cedar!! It does not hold moisture (thats why they store fine linens in cedar closets and chests) Or if you have access to some tamarack it gets rock hard and very light after it has dried awhile.

Mudder · 01-11-2003, 10:29 PM

I have oak in my truck and I had it plained and routed loacally for around 80 bucks. I think what is hardest on any board is the uv rays from the sun. You can protect the wood from moisture, but if it sits outside the sun kills it. Showing my truck (it sits out all year round) I redo my boards every Spring.

**Palf70Step** · 01-11-2003, 10:34 PM

I have a good bit of furniture out of teak. I am by no means an expert on wood or carpentry, but here is my $.02. Teak doesn't appear to be nearly as heavy as oak. Your right about it standing up to a mosit climate, but in a truck bed that will be used I feel that it would mar and gouge up very easily. My teak furniture scracthes up alot easier than my oak furniture does. Also the furniture makers in the orient where I had my fruniture made, told me never to use a sealant on the wood, just keep it oiled. I don't remember exactly how they phrased it, but I guess the teak needs to breath in order to stand up to the moisture. using a clear sealant wopuld hurt that I guess. It may sound dumb, but the original beds seemed to hold up pretty well. I mean 20-30 years for any wood out side if you beat the heck out of it seems like something that is pretty sturdy.

By the way teak is a is a medium to light color in its natrual state. Most furntiure folks stain it darker though to give it a dark almost cedar look.

I personnally like the grain of oak better than the teak, but in the orient the teak was much cheaper. Not sure about in the states, but I heard it was pretty high.

Mudder · 01-11-2003, 10:36 PM

if you really dont care how it looks,oak with linseed oil is good, but boards will turn gray. will last a long time tho. Ron is it Ash u are thinking about?

neonlarry · 01-11-2003, 10:47 PM

Try this: http://ipe-wood.com/ It is another really really hard wood, and it might even be cheaper than some of the other stuff.

mikep · 01-11-2003, 10:53 PM

Anyone know what the dimensions of the planks are?

Mudder · 01-11-2003, 11:05 PM

You can find all the sizes on GMC Pauls web site.

72addict · 01-11-2003, 11:06 PM

gmcpaul has a page on his site that ha dimensions.

http://www.gmcpauls.com/47-72%20BedWood%20Info.htm

RON WOODGEARD · 01-11-2003, 11:50 PM

MUDDER,

No it wasn't/isn't Ash,, I have never heard of this stuff before, And I have a friend who is a cabinet maker, He had not heard if it.

I was at "AUSTINS" in Las Vegas, They are a cabinet making specialty outlet, I was getting some Poplar for a cabinet project in my R/C trailer, I mentioned I wanted some Knotty Pine for my bed, The guy came off with this name, He said he sells a lot of this stuff in this area (an area that is nothing to see 110 consistantly in the summer) I asked what to treat it with and he told me it was pretreated, and would take the desert heat.

I'll call this week and get the name again.

RON

01-11-2003, 09:06 PM	#1
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	Good bed wood for wet climates? What is a good bed wood for wet climates. I'm thinking Teak. Anyone ever built one out of Teak? __________________ No truck :-(

01-11-2003, 09:14 PM	#2
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,052	never heard of that type? Is it a Hardwood? __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

01-11-2003, 09:16 PM	#3
71402BB now thats a true COON DOG Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Franconia, NH Posts: 1,977	Sounds expencive but nice! What about that fake wood like you would see on the inside of a house? wouldn't have to worrie about that rotting and looking like crap! __________________ current project 67 402BB stout th350 3.08's with a locker. Plan on tubs 18.5's out back! (thanks Burnsman!) 71 SWB Stepside, was a 250, now is a 402 Big Block with 4 speed and 3.73's ( was crushed by a tree, bed sold, motor pulled) was my first truck!... oh well... 72 LWB 4x4 350 4-speed 3.08's posi wearing army olive drab green (SOLD!) 68 BURB 50TH LOOKALIKE work in progress, soon to have 250-I6 with a 3-speed on the tree 4.11's and posi ( currently sitting in back yard tarped awaiting time, $$$, and lots of love!) 67 1 TON- work truck 396 sm 420 4-speed, flat bed 4.57 gears "big red" (my first landscape truck, very rusty and crusty! but still gets the job done when needed!)

01-11-2003, 09:18 PM	#4
Steven Sellers Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 692	I know Teak is supposed to be hard enough to cut diamonds. I was watching a show the other day and some rich folks were building a deck out of it, had to predrill everything. __________________ 2008 Buick Enclave(wifes new non wrecked) 1996 Jeep Cherokee 2002 2500HD 6.0L (traded) 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee(wifes/wrecked) 1977 DJ5 postal jeep(mmm lots of fun) 1988 Toyota 2wd p/u(DD, blewup 199,000) 1991 Toyota 2ed p/u (sry just cant break these things) 1997 XR70 Honda 1991 Z50(FOR SALE) 1972 Z50 Honda 1970 SWB 350/knucklebuster "The adventure begins and I am confident that there will be no end".

01-11-2003, 09:31 PM	#5
72addict Registered User Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Mason MI, 48854 (strikezone of the mitten) Posts: 894	How about that new deck material that has a 25 year warranty? Home Depot sells it. __________________ 1957 Cameo

01-11-2003, 09:31 PM	#6
dtlilly Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Shadow of Lambeau Field Posts: 5,597	Fake Wood The fake wood floors in our houses will seperate and cup, when it gets wet only once. I know from experience. I agree that Teak is the way to go, but you better have deep pockets. Oak is the traditional wood, because of its longevity and cost. I wonder how a cedar wood will hold up. You can leave it age naturally as it turns to a great weathered rustic look.

01-11-2003, 09:39 PM	#7
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	I dont really know that it would be THAT expensive. Last time I checked a wood set for a stepside bed was running nearly $300 and its what ...a 4X6 section ? It seems to me I could buy Teak for less than $300 and cut it myself. It rains ALL THE TIME here in the winter. I dont see a lot of Oak trim on boats. I do see a lot of Teak. Mahogany is a tropical wood. It might hold up well too. How about Ebony ? __________________ No truck :-(

01-11-2003, 09:42 PM	#8
RON WOODGEARD Resident Young Old Dude ! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Nevada Posts: 1,948	Call a wood supply house, It has to be a specialty place, not like Home Depot. They know nothing about it. There is a treated hardwood that is supposed to work very well, The name starts with an "A" I can't remember the doggone name (again.) I inquired about it and the guys were supposed to get back to me with a price and they never did. Like I said this stuff is PRE-treated. and the guys at the lumber company, said this stuff really works for bed wood. RON

01-11-2003, 09:47 PM	#9
jku72 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: cornville, maine Posts: 659	Just think of what woods are used in fence posts, they have to last years of sitting in mud. The longest lasting wood in the elements I know of is Locust. Fence posts last 50 years untreated, out in the rain and whatnot. I live in Maine, and when Locust is not available, we use cedar, which lasts a long time as well. Pressure treated will last forever as well, but it is greenish, not too pretty. __________________ jku Cornville, Maine 68 C10 burb 42 Willys MB 46 Dodge WF-32 1.5 ton 53 & 56 Olds' 60 Cadillac 22 Dodge Brothers

01-11-2003, 09:50 PM	#10
72addict Registered User Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Mason MI, 48854 (strikezone of the mitten) Posts: 894	Here is the page to what I am talking about. http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=pg&p...tlowes&rn=none __________________ 1957 Cameo

01-11-2003, 09:56 PM	#11
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	How wide and how thick are the planks? Cocobolo is looking good but at $30 a board foot is might be too pricy. __________________ No truck :-(

01-11-2003, 10:03 PM	#12
Southpa Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Posts: 2,410	If ya got the bucks I would suggest Australian gumwood. Fishermen use it as bumpers on their wooden boats. Its very hard and resinous so you don't need to cover it with anything. The stuff will dull drill bits, router bits and saw blades. But when I replace my deck that is what I plan on using. I've known of heavy equipment operators who use it on their trailers for hauling their cats around. It might cost twice as much as Douglas fir but will last three times longer. __________________ 1970 GMC 1500 Custom Original 350/TH350 Victoria, BC, Canada You can wish in one hand and crap in the other. See which one gets filled first.

01-11-2003, 10:09 PM	#13
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,052	I was also thinking of cedear __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

01-11-2003, 10:10 PM	#14
kaycee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Wyoming USA Posts: 2,446	LOOKED GREAT I took have been looking at this stuff and I saw it in a 67 truck last summer The guy that owned the truck said it had been in there for 2 years and it looked like it was new.This was down in COLORADO I belive this is alot less $ than 1 of the oak floor kits. __________________ 2001 Silverado K-1500 2005 FXDWG stage3 69 CHEVY Short/Step 327/4L60 373 posi 63 IMPALA 327

01-11-2003, 10:12 PM	#15
sakohntr Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Floodwood Minnesota Posts: 1,057	wood Cedar!! It does not hold moisture (thats why they store fine linens in cedar closets and chests) Or if you have access to some tamarack it gets rock hard and very light after it has dried awhile. __________________ 1967 K30 Napco 292/SM420 original paint 30k miles 1968 K60 Napco 396/5spd. dbl frame 52" michelins 1969 K10 SWB GMC 454/4spd 6" 35's posi,hooks 1972 C30 longhorn,BB/AT,A/C,Tilt,Toolbox,lokr 1987 K20 Chevrolet Suburban. 6" lift. 5.7L/TH400 1979 K60 GMC Coleman 4x4, 427/Allison.



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01-11-2003, 10:29 PM	#16
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	I have oak in my truck and I had it plained and routed loacally for around 80 bucks. I think what is hardest on any board is the uv rays from the sun. You can protect the wood from moisture, but if it sits outside the sun kills it. Showing my truck (it sits out all year round) I redo my boards every Spring.

01-11-2003, 10:34 PM	#17
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,083	I have a good bit of furniture out of teak. I am by no means an expert on wood or carpentry, but here is my $.02. Teak doesn't appear to be nearly as heavy as oak. Your right about it standing up to a mosit climate, but in a truck bed that will be used I feel that it would mar and gouge up very easily. My teak furniture scracthes up alot easier than my oak furniture does. Also the furniture makers in the orient where I had my fruniture made, told me never to use a sealant on the wood, just keep it oiled. I don't remember exactly how they phrased it, but I guess the teak needs to breath in order to stand up to the moisture. using a clear sealant wopuld hurt that I guess. It may sound dumb, but the original beds seemed to hold up pretty well. I mean 20-30 years for any wood out side if you beat the heck out of it seems like something that is pretty sturdy. By the way teak is a is a medium to light color in its natrual state. Most furntiure folks stain it darker though to give it a dark almost cedar look. I personnally like the grain of oak better than the teak, but in the orient the teak was much cheaper. Not sure about in the states, but I heard it was pretty high. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

01-11-2003, 10:36 PM	#18
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	if you really dont care how it looks,oak with linseed oil is good, but boards will turn gray. will last a long time tho. Ron is it Ash u are thinking about?

01-11-2003, 10:47 PM	#19
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,746	Try this: http://ipe-wood.com/ It is another really really hard wood, and it might even be cheaper than some of the other stuff. __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI

01-11-2003, 10:53 PM	#20
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	Anyone know what the dimensions of the planks are? __________________ No truck :-(

01-11-2003, 11:05 PM	#21
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	You can find all the sizes on GMC Pauls web site.

01-11-2003, 11:06 PM	#22
72addict Registered User Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Mason MI, 48854 (strikezone of the mitten) Posts: 894	gmcpaul has a page on his site that ha dimensions. http://www.gmcpauls.com/47-72%20BedWood%20Info.htm __________________ 1957 Cameo

01-11-2003, 11:50 PM	#23
RON WOODGEARD Resident Young Old Dude ! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Nevada Posts: 1,948	MUDDER, No it wasn't/isn't Ash,, I have never heard of this stuff before, And I have a friend who is a cabinet maker, He had not heard if it. I was at "AUSTINS" in Las Vegas, They are a cabinet making specialty outlet, I was getting some Poplar for a cabinet project in my R/C trailer, I mentioned I wanted some Knotty Pine for my bed, The guy came off with this name, He said he sells a lot of this stuff in this area (an area that is nothing to see 110 consistantly in the summer) I asked what to treat it with and he told me it was pretreated, and would take the desert heat. I'll call this week and get the name again. RON

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