steel mats

[BlackWidow]

Hello all

just picked up these mats

Has anyone used this type of mat before? If you have what would you do different with them?

I am thinking of doing some work to them to stiffen them up a bit. on one side it is pretty smooth so i thought i might use some expanded metal or some 1" angle iron to create traction spots for either the tire side or sand side. If anyone has some info about using these i would appreciate it.

Thanks

Mike G

 

[will]

I always thought those were made out of aluminum, rather than steel?

 

[bobcat charlie]

Looks alot like PSP, Perferated Steel Planking. We used tons of the stuff in 'Nam for runways and parking areas, overhead cover to sandbag bunkers. Great stuff! Even though it's perferated, it's still pretty heavy!

 

[BlackWidow]

That is exactly what it is. The pieces i have a 61 1/2 inches long by 14inches wide and though they are steel they are actually not to bad in weight. The only thing i am concerned about is that one side is very smooth. I have never used sand ladders/mats before so what side should go down? If the smooth side goes up i would be afraid that the tire might spin on the smooth surface. When i found them they were still connected to the other mats and the smooth side was up. after i remove the rust i plan on painting them with bed liner.

Mike G