Diamond plate question??

[Shastaholics]

Hi all, the lower front of my loflyte is covered in house vinyl siding!! I was thinking diamond plate or a diamond plate alternative as the real stuff is HEAVY. Lowes quoted me 1000 ONE THOUSAND bucks for a 4x8 sheet!!!! They won't even cut to size..... Any suggestions? Is there a plastic alternative that looks like diamond plate therefore much cheaper/lighter???
Thanks!!

[offspringin]

That's insane..... try and find a metal vendor in the area.

Ryerson and Phoenix are two places here in the Atlanta area, im sure there are places like that all over the country though. I'm not positive they will sell to the public but it never hurts to ask them. Sheet of 1/8th inch aluminum diamond deck (which may be thicker than needed) should run you $150-200 for 60x120 sheet and maybe $200-300 for 60x144. I don't know that they would cut it down to a smaller size but they should have the ability to do so. Im certain they would charge for it. I'm not sure Lowes can even do it. They would need a shear to get a clean cut.

If you were to get a sheet you could contact a local metal fabricator and see if they have a shear and will cut it down for you. That could be another route in fact. Find a local place that makes metal products. Iron gates, anything, they use some of the same suppliers and may can order you something special. Give them 50 bucks or whatever over their cost.

I dunno... just thinking.

[Shastaholics]

I know, Lowes is nuts! What a markup!! I thought I read here about an aluminum or plastic version of diamond plate which should be lighter and even cheaper but I can't find the thread. Thanks for your input, we do have a couple of local fabricators in town I'll check in with.

[offspringin]

I would make sure that the plastic (should you go with it) is made of a material that can stand up to the elements, UV and cold temperatures. If its too brittle of a plastic you might end up with a nightmare.

I'm sure there is some thinner aluminum sheets, you just have to track down a supplier. I really do think if you talked to the right person at a local place and they wanted to help you out they could order the metal for you but you never know. Keep us posted on what you find (or if you find the thread that talks about it)

[daydreamingirl]

We just got back from a place just outside of town. They cut metal to length. Actually that is their name. "Metal Cut to Length of KC inc." They had different weights of diamond plate available. The lightest weight they had was $5.00 a square foot. So it might be a good idea to check your local resources.

[paigenmarc]

I got a quote on diamond plate for my front lower panel in Houston from Arcs and Sparks for about $200, cut to size. I'd check around for local metal fabricators.

[Shastaholics]

Thanks everyone!! I found a place up in NASCAR country in Mooresville NC about an hour North of me called Stock car and Steel. It looks like aluminum diamond plate is the way to go. According to their website they will cut to size and I am guessing under $200.00 for 24"x83" That I need. I will be calling them tomorrow and will post the damages....A little better that one thousand Lowes quoted me!

[Shastaholics]

Got a good price of $90 dollars from stock car and steel fabricators in Mooresville NC 1 888-884-2256 if I pick up. He suggested .065 which will weigh about 20 lbs. he has one thinner but it's like paper.
They cut it right on the spot. So definitely go local if possible. Delivery on this stuff is outrageous!!
Thanks again for your help!

[boandsusan]

We have checker plate and Bo can cut it to size here at home or at work. What size piece do you need? are you close to us?

[offspringin]

Great! yes i think .065 will be fine for your application. Glad you found it. Guess Lowe's doesn't want to deal with selling it on a regular basis and for that reason they price it super high.

[Shastaholics]

Hi Bo and Susan,
Thanks for the kind offer!! Never fails, I'm in SC for the next few weeks. With the extra diamond plate he's going to make me a battery box that I'll locate behind the propane tanks. He'll build the box and weld in angle iron for 100 dollars which I thought was pretty fair. I have a loflyte and there is lots of room on that toungue!! I think the front will look a lot better than the vinyl siding that was slapped on there!!

[offspringin]

You should do a before/after photo and post them up here

[boandsusan]

I love the diamond plate look. We`ve done 2 compacts so far with it. We put a tall piece in the front and 9 inches around the whole bottom of the first one. The one we are working on now, has a tall piece up front, baggage compartment door is checker plate and we intend putting it as a kick plate on the door, and 9 inches across the rear and across the roadside.

Attachments:

[boandsusan]

This is the one we`ll be finishing this Winter. I think you`ll really enjoy having that plate up front, its really easy to keep clean and shiny. I think $100 to make a battery box sound fair. Thats gonna look cool!

Attachments:

[Shastaholics]

I keep going back and forth on how tall to make the battery box ...
I was thinking around 13" or so. I don't want it too tall. It'll look
odd. I have come up with a design that conforms with the shape of the
Toungue Instead of just a square box.Its 24"x34"x12"--- 12" from the
propane tanks to the front of the camper if that makes any sense.
Picture the shape of a home plate in baseball sort of..
This will allow Me to setup two batteries end to end with a little
room to spare and thought it may blend in nicer than just a square box.
The pics posted are AWSOME. Has anyone built any battery boxes out of
Diamond plate???

[citronx]

Hey Bo & Susan,
Luv the diamond plate look. How did you apply yours? Is it under the rain rail?
Thanks,