Why did they use wood in pickup boxes?

[purplepickup]

I know it seems like a stupid question but my grandson asked me why trucks had wood in the box instead of metal and I found that I wasn't really sure.  It's one of those things I'd never thought much about.  I assume they used wood because it could be replaced easily if it got all banged up but there's probably more to it than that. :?

[phat rat]

easier to replace than rusted out metal?

[alchevy]

I don't know why. My '81 Chevy Stepside had wood in the bed. It rotted and so when the truck was repainted in 1992, I had the guy that was painting it swap the wood out for a piece of steel I bought.
AL

[kroozn]

I don't know all the reasons pick ups used wood in the beds. But I do know of one.
Farmers used to hauled livestock with side boards or a stock rack in the stake holes. Animals hooves don't slip around on wood floors as much.
Carl

[Scrap Fe]

Carl has the correct answer.

[rumrumm]

It probably has something to do with, "Because we've always done it that way." And before car manufacturers knew about anti-rust materials, steel would rust out  and wood was replaceable.

[GPster]

I wouldn't be suprised if had someting to do with the size of the stamping and the gauge of metal that would be involves. GPster

[kroozn]

When I was in Idaho I worked on an early '80's long box, stepside Silverado that had a wood floor in the box. The rancher special ordered it to haul his horse around. Takes a well trained horse to get in a pick up even when you back into a ditch!

[Leon]

Does that mean the trucks with wood floors in the cab were meant for occasional use by the cattle?  LOL

[tomslik]

Does that mean the trucks with wood floors in the cab were meant for occasional use by the cattle?  LOL

well, only in wyoming and it was for sheep..

[kroozn]

When I was younger I had a few heifers in truck cabs with me ... a few cows in later years ... all two legged tho.
My trucks were all metal floors so I can't give you a traction comparison verses wood floors.

[av8]

Carl has the correct answer.

Yes he does! GM refers to them as a "cattle floor" option.

Another bit of pickup trivia: I had an El Camino brochure years ago that listed a "grain-tight tailgate" as one of its features.  

Mike

[kroozn]

Hi Mike ... did you get your wood from Vern yet? I hope it works for you.

[av8]

Hi Mike ... did you get your wood from Vern yet? I hope it works for you.

Yes I did! Thanks.

Mike

[kroozn]

You are more than welcome ... now you can have your own wood bed floor and give us traction reports ;-)