The screws you use when decking a trailer can make all the difference. Trailer decking screws are notorious for stripping, making them inconvenient and annoying.
Not only can improper screws for trailer decking lead to a dangerous situation, but they can also cause damage to your cargo. Therefore, you must use the best screws for trailer decking.
The purpose of this article is to discuss the top 5 most competent trailer deck screws. Also, we will discuss some essential factors to consider when deciding on the right option, and some frequently asked questions for additional information.
Product | Name | Editor's Rating | Check Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Newport Fasteners Trailer Deck Screws Fastenal | 5 out of 5 | |
 | Jake Sales Self-Drilling Trailer Deck Screws | 5 out of 5 | |
 | Power Pro Trailer Decking Screws (48611) | 4.5 out of 5 | |
 | Small Parts Trailer Deck Screws Self Drilling | 4.5 out of 5 | |
 | U-Turn Trailer Deck Self Tapping Screws | 4 out of 5 |
Top 5 Selections for Best Screws for Trailer Decking
It's hard enough finding suitable screws, but even harder when they strip as soon as you start using them.
Choosing the proper fasteners can help you avoid any possible inconveniences, so it is very important that you compare your options when finding the right product. Below are our top 5 picks for trailer wood deck screws:
01. Newport Fasteners Trailer Deck Screws Fastenal
The trailer deck screws are perfect for attaching a trailer deck to the frame. The black phosphate finish provides corrosion resistance, and the T-40 drive allows for a secure grip.
They are specially designed to provide a secure hold, and they're easy to use. If you're looking for a reliable way to install your wood floor, floorboard screws are a perfect choice.
The screws have a six-lobe recess that helps them grip the wood and prevents them from slipping out. The flat heads also help keep the decking in place by providing a surface to rest on.
They have a self-tapping thread that cuts its own hole, making them easy to use. The length from the top of the head to the tip varies, so be sure to measure before you buy.
The screws have a black phosphate and oil finish as rust inhibitors and lubricants. This will help keep the screws in good condition and prevent rusting over time.
Because the head is designed to provide a flush surface in countersunk holes, they are an excellent choice for this application. They are also durable and long-lasting, making them a perfect choice for any flooring project.
This trailer deck screw is a high-quality, six-lobe thread cutting screw that is perfect for use in trailer deck construction. With its blunt point and machine screw thread pitch, this screw is designed to provide an easy, fast installation.
Newport Fasteners trailer deck screws Fastenal are available in much longer sizes than standard type-F screws, making them ideal for this purpose. Their extra length also allows them to penetrate the boards more deeply, providing a more robust and more secure connection.
Highlighted Features:
- T-40 drive allows for a secure grip
- Special self-tapping thread cuts its hole
- Blunt point and machine screw thread pitch ensure easy installation
- Black phosphate and oil finish for corrosion resistance and lubrication
- Six-lobe recess that prevents slipping and helps grip wood surface
- A self-tapping thread that cuts its hole for easy installation
- Flush head design with countersunk holes to provide a smooth surface
02. Jake Sales Self-Drilling Trailer Deck Screws
The self-drilling screws are perfect for fastening wood to steel & trailer deck. The screws feature a T-30 Torx screw head and a reamer tek that helps drill through the material quickly. The screws are made of hardened steel and come in a 5-pound pack.
These screws feature a special drill-point tip that allows them to bore through the material without needing a pre-drilled pilot hole. They also come with a Torx/Star-drive bit for easy installation.
Bronze star triple ceramic coating on these screws provides superior exterior protection and allows them to withstand up to 1200 hours of salt spray testing without failure.
Self-drilling screws are a great way to avoid cam-out and ensure a clean, finished look. The Torx/Star-drive provides more torque than a Phillips or square drive, and the countersinking head eliminates the need for a separate finishing step.
These ingenious screws have self-drilling wings that bore through the wood and then break off once they contact metal, making installation a breeze.
Jake Sales self-drilling trailer deck screws are a great option for deck construction because they are compatible with ACQ pressure-treated wood. The steel is heat-treated to make it corrosion-resistant. This makes them an excellent choice for projects that will be exposed to the elements.
Highlighted Features:
- Tempered steel for durability
- Durable triple ceramic coating
- Rust-resistant & heat-treated lumber construction
- Strong Torx/Star-drive bit included
- Torx screw head and reamer tek for quick installation
- Bronze triple ceramic coating provides superior exterior protection
03. Power Pro Trailer Decking Screws (48611)
The Power Pro (48611) screws are perfect for outdoor decking. They're made of rust-resistant bronze and have an epoxy coating to keep them looking good for years.
These decking screws are designed to be used outdoors in applications such as decks, docks, and fences. The sharp point makes it easy to start the screw in the wood, and the deep threads provide good holding power.
Power Pro screws feature a bronze polymer coating that provides superior corrosion and rust resistance. This makes them ideal for use in any situation where moisture is present.
They have a self-starting tip that helps them to 20 percent quickly engage with the wood without splitting it. Also, the decking screws come with a unique star-drive technology that ensures virtually no cam-out. This means that the screws can be easily driven in with a smooth, effortless motion.
The star drive prevents the screw from splitting the wood, and the no-strip design ensures that the screw goes in smoothly. Plus, these screws feature countersinking blades, which cut a perfect finished hole and transport wood fibers out, so the surface is sealed.
These screws are designed to prevent splitting and provide reduced drive friction. They have a no split twist shank that slightly enlarges the hole, making them perfect for use with trailer decking.
Bore-Fast thread design enables them to start fast and rive easily, without the need for pre-drilling. Power Pro Trailer Decking Screws (48611) also have a serrated thread that provides extra grip, so you can be sure your deck will be secure and stable.
Highlighted Features:
- Rust-resistant bronze coating
- Self-starting tip for easy starting
- Corrosion-resistant coating
- Serrated thread for easy installation and maximum grip
- Star-drive technology prevents cam-out
- Countersinking blades for a finished hole
04. Small Parts Trailer Deck Screws Self Drilling
The Small Parts screws are perfect for use in trailer decks, as they have a star drive that ensures a secure hold. The zinc-plated finish prevents corrosion, and the #3 drill point ensures that the screw will easily pierce through the wood.
These screws are made with steel, making them strong and perfect for use in projects that require a lot of drilling. They are also self-drilling, which means that they can go through material like metal or plastic without any trouble.
A zinc plating prevents corrosion and gives the screws a reflective appearance. These screws are perfect for use in any small parts trailer deck application.
The screws have a flat top and a slight slope between the top and the bearing surface. This allows for a greater contact area, which in turn results in less torque on the fastener.
Additionally, the wafer head has a cone-shaped bearing surface that creates a tighter joint between the screw and the substrate. This helps to minimize slippage and provides for a stronger hold.
The screws are designed with a six-pointed indentation that provides a large contact area for the driver, resisting slippage better than a Phillips or slotted drive.
Small Parts trailer deck screws self drilling are threaded fasteners that drill their own hole and thread it as they are installed. This makes them ideal for use in applications where a pre-drilled hole is impossible or practical.
Highlighted Features:
- Zinc-plated to prevent corrosion
- Star-drive for a secure hold
- Steel material for strength and durability
- Wafer head with cone-bearing surface creates tight joint
- Phillips and slotted drives slip less than large contact areas
- Self-drilling screws drill their hole and thread
05. U-Turn Trailer Deck Self Tapping Screws
If you're looking for a reliable way to attach decking to metal, then you need U-Turn screws. These screws feature a reamer point that helps them easily penetrate metal so that you can ensure a secure hold.
The self tapping screw is designed to attach wooden planks to metal surfaces. It has a drill-point tip that allows it to penetrate metal easily, and the threading on the shaft helps it fasten the wood securely.
These screws are perfect for use in pressure-treated wood and other highly corrosive environments. They feature a corrosion-resistant W.A.R. coating that provides excellent 1000/hrs of salt spray resistance, making them ideal for outdoor projects.
The wings on the screw allow it to ream through the wood before it actually reaches the metal, which prevents any jacking action and makes for a smooth installation. Plus, the wings break off as they come into contact with metal, so you don't have to worry about them sticking out and causing any damage.
Tek 3 Drill Point self-tapping screws are an ideal choice for trailer decking. They can easily penetrate through metal with their drill capacity, making them an excellent choice for this application. Additionally, 2000 RPM recommended drill speed ensures a quick and easy installation.
The screws have a deep chip cavity to cut threads more effectively into metal. This makes the screws ideal for use in applications where high strength is required.
U-Turn trailer deck self tapping screws are perfect for use outdoors in high corrosive applications, such as with ACQ and pressure-treated wood.
Highlighted Features:
- Reamer point allows the screw to penetrate surfaces easily
- Corrosion-resistant W.A.R coating provides excellent salt spray resistance
- An ideal choice for securing pressure-treated wood and AC
- Creates smooth installation prevents jacking action
- Including ACQ & pressure treatment
This is the list of our top 5 trailer deck board screws. If you want a secure hold then these screws are an excellent choice. But before shope, there are some considerations for picking the ideal screws for trailer deck.
Considerations When Selecting Screws for Trailer Decking
There are a lot of different screws for trailer decking out there, and it can be hard to know which one to choose for your project. When it comes to screws for trailer decking, there are a few things you need to keep in mind:
Type of Screw:
First and foremost, you need to consider the type of screw. Decks can be installed either with self-drilling or self-tapping screws.
Self-tapping screws are ideal for use on treated woods as they drill their hole as they're installed. If you're installing your deck over an existing surface such as metal, then you'll want to go with self-drilling screws.
Length of Screw:
The next factor you need to consider is the length of your screw. The longer the screw, the more holding power it will have. In other words, you'll need a shorter screw for thin surfaces and a longer one if you're attaching to thick material such as metal.
Shear Strength:
Another essential factor to consider is shear strength. This measures how well a screw can resist being pulled out of wood or another material. The higher the shear strength, the harder it is to remove.
Head Type:
The type of screw head you choose will also impact how well your screws hold down the deck.
Torx screw heads are ideal for use with metal because they have a larger surface area, which provides extra securing power. For thicker materials such as wood or plywood, countersunk heads offer a smoother finish that is less likely to split the material.
Durability & Toughness:
You need to consider durability & toughness. This includes both the coating of your screws and the material they're made from.
Always choose screws covered in a protective coating or finish that resists corrosion. You also want to ensure that your screws are sturdy enough, so you don't have problems with them snapping mid-installation.
Corrosion Resistant:
Last but not least, you need to consider corrosion resistance. The last thing you want is your screws rusting over time and becoming weak.
Make sure your screws for trailer decking are made from material that resists corrosion such as stainless steel screw so they'll hold up over the long run of your project.
These factors all play an essential role in choosing suitable metal screws for your application. They'll give you an excellent option for security and strength that will last longer!
FAQs
Let's discuss some most essential frequently asked questions that people are more curious about:
01. What is a Trailer Screw?
Trailer screws are the fasteners that are used when professionals install or replace wood floors in trailers. Use a 7/32" drill bit to drill a hole through the floorboard into the metal floor support, then install the screws so that the screw heads are flush with the floor.
02. How Long are Screws for Trailer Decking?
Screws for trailers vary in length depending on what type of material you're installing them into, so this will vary. It is preferable to use 3" length deck wood screws over 2.5" length screws since they hold better.
03. How Do You Attach Deck Boards to a Trailer?
To maintain drainage and expansion gaps between the boards, you should install panels across the width of the trailer. Each piece of lumber should be cut to fit, followed by drilling pilot holes and attaching it to the trailer with carriage bolts.
04. How Do Self-Tapping Screws Work?
A self-tapping screw taps its own thread; therefore, it requires a pilot hole that is slightly smaller than the wood screw diameter. Essentially, you drill a pilot hole into soft material such as wood.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the correct type of screws is vital for securing your deck. The best screws for trailer decking are those that are corrosion resistant, have a durable and tough coating or finish, and come in a variety of lengths to fit your specific needs.
Additionally, you must consider the shear strength of the screw to ensure that it will be difficult to remove. With these factors in mind, you're sure to find the perfect screws for your next decking project!
Leave a Reply