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Michael LowI made my 3-ton gear as follows:
4x 8 runners with 4×4 bunks every 2′ and 1x’s running the length of the wagon on top. This is rugged and uses a little less wood than the 2x’s w/out bunks.
The 4x bunks are set in 4″ from the ends of the runners so that I could bolt the 2×4 uprights for my front and rear ladder racks both into the runners (through the 2″ side) and then through the bunks (through the 4″ side of the 2×4 uprights). This makes for two 1/2 ” bolts holding each of the two uprights up. My racks are ash. The front rack about 6′ and the rear about 4′. I used it with a John Deere loose hay loader and yes you adjust height of the rack to the loader.
My flooring naturally spaces 1/4″ as it dries. In my experience the rotting happens mostly because the chaff collects on your runners and bunks and holds water so maybe 1″ gaps you could clean them easily. Generally speaking more air flow saves wood.
Removable seats sounds do-able and a good idea.
My wagon is 7’x14′. Don’t know height.
The pictures are my siblings and I bringing in a heavy crop of first cutting.