Single axle trailer step pad replacement

[gica]

Hi guys I am trying to find the best approach to redoing the steps on either side of the fenders. It had plywood and carpet before. I am including pictures. I want to put either some StarBoard and Diamond Plate over or whatever you guys recommend. I am getting to 32"x10 3/4 x 15" aluminum Diamond Plated fenders, see picture. The depth on the metal brackets for the steps is 3/16 so a bit more than 1/8. I don't want too thick of a underboard and whatever HomeDepot carries for Diamond plate. The steps measure in the vicinity of 32 3/4 and 8 9/16.
Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[gm280]

gica, diamond plate is a good idea when dry, but does it get slippery when wet? If so, I would not use it. Some folks go the diamond plate but then apply bed liner coating over it to keep it from being slippery. IDK, I've never tried it myself. JMHO!

 

[gica]

OK so what would you suggest? I really don't want to put plywood and carpet. Should I put a stainless steel plate to level the bracket and glue something on top that's non-slippery? If so what could that be.

 

[gm280]

OK so what would you suggest? I really don't want to put plywood and carpet. Should I put a stainless steel plate to level the bracket and glue something on top that's non-slippery? If so what could that be.

gica, I would see if there is anybody locally around you that has diamond plate and see or ask them if it gets slick when wet as a first idea. It may not get slippery and therefore would be a great option. JMHO!

 

[fhhuber]

Not hard to get a spray can of bed liner and spray the diamond plate (after it dries) if it gets slick when wet...
I'm spray painting the whole trailer for my Sunfish with the stuff. Its REALLY good stuff.

Ply and carpet is a quick and easy, "sort-of-non-skid" solution for those steps. That's why the factory put it there when they made the trailer.

My bass boat trailer has steel plate for the step with self-adhesive non-skid (essentially sandpaper with a glue backing)
Diamond plate + spray bed liner would be an improvement.

 

[MRS]

I have the steel diamond plate on the steps works great not sure how the alum. plate will work. Also buy at a metal yard about three times less then at H.D or Lowes plus they can shear it to the size you need. If you do not have the right blades to cut alum. plate real pain.

 

[gica]

That's what I'm talking about, thanks for the answers guys, so what about King Starboard for support at 1/4" with the bracket supporting it underneath every 7" or so should be fine and on top the diamond plate. As far as the bed liner coating, if I use that I can just spray it over the King Starboard. But I read that some of these coatings fade in the sun light.

 

[MRS]

Go with alum. Diamond plate and plywood glassed over under you will be good to go. Will look sweet.

 

[jayhanig]

You might want to consider what material your trailer is built from. Placing two dissimilar metals (if they are) together may cause problems with galvanic corrosion.