Will 1x8s work for my bed?

[jayoldschool]

My local hardware store has overstock Trex that they are going to give me for half price. Will dimesional 1x8s work for the wide planks? It measures .75" x 7.25" x 12' (same as wood lumber). GMCpaul's measurements call for 7 7/16" widths for the wide boards. I realize that there will be a bit of the board under the strips, but I measured my wide boards on my truck today, and the exposed wood between the strips is much less than 7".

Thoughts? Opinions? Anyone use 1x8s?

I also need to decide between grey and maroon (maroon would match the truck paint...)

[slorio]

Yes, that's what I used in No. 2 pine- 1X8's. You ought to pick up that Trex and see how much it bends. My recollection is that some of those deck boards don't have much rigidity on a flat. Unsure if your truck is used or for show, but that may make a difference.
regards,
Steve
New Orleans

[Sharps40]

I used dimensional 1x8s when I did the bed for Ol John Lee....milled the metal strip grooves in the edges with a table saw and dado cutter. Painted black. Works just fine. If you make the wood just a bit wider, the bolts in the metal strips can be pulled down just a bit firmer w/o makeing the metal strips as wavy or dimpled. But for a working truck, the dimensional lumber is perfect.

[jayoldschool]

Thanks, guys, really appreciate it.

I'm leaning towards the colour matched maroon, with unpolished stainless. It's going to sit outside, so the Trex/stainless combo will be a good choice.

[1963c-10]

I think the grey would go w/about any color that you may decide to swap in the future. The maroon may be a better choice to what you have if you don't plan a color swap any time soon, but grey goes w/anything. Maybe a pic of the truck and color samples of the boards will help.

[jayoldschool]

Arghhh! That is exactly what I was thinking, too! The grey would be a good colour contrast. Yes, I'll take some pics this weekend.

[Chevy Fleetside]

Thne only problem with that stuff is it is very slippery. Stuff will slide around alot and it gets Chalky from the sun. As a builder I really don't care for the stuff and last I used it, it was pretty heavy from what I can recall. It has been awhile.
Just something to think about.

[T Smith]

I've been looking into it and it ain't cheap either!

[jayoldschool]

Yes, these 1x8x12s are 60 bucks each, I get them for 30. Less than the price of precut bed lumber that I would still have to buy primer/paint for.

[gofastnut]

X2 on double checking the rigidity of the Trex. I was going to do a small trailer deck with it and the guy at the lumber yard told me there should be structural supports about every 9 inches or less, depending on the load you're gonna carry.

[jayoldschool]

There's enough guys on this forum that have done Trex that I am convinced. It looks good, will hold up to weather, and you can use it. Not many with varnished oak will put it to work.

[LostMy65]

Did you ever get your bed together?
Have any pics?

[jayoldschool]

Sure did, it's been sitting outside for three years and still looks like the day I did it. Best decision I could have made.

[LostMy65]

Looks Great.
I'm sold.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by jayoldschool

Sure did, it's been sitting outside for three years and still looks like the day I did it. Best decision I could have made.

Since there were suggestions of flex when using this material, did you add any additional support under the floor beyond the factory cross sills?

[jayoldschool]

No. The cross sills are close enough that there is no flex. From V8s to a cord of wood, no problems.