Trucking is the most common form of inland freight transportation and seems to be gearing up for continued expansion globally. At the same time, truck and trailer OEMs, logistics providers and other market players are facing a heavy load of challenges and uncertainties such as stricter emission standards, driver shortages, digitalization, inefficient processes and high fleet operations costs.

One thing is certain: companies must take action soon, or risk being driven from the market.

Trailer Decking: Which Material Is Right for You?

Trailer decking is the material you choose as the flooring for a commercial trailer. Popular options include plywood, aluminum, rubber, composite, and steel. When you need to replace or install trailer decking, knowing the characteristics of these materials and the most important factors to consider can help you pick the right choice. At Thomes Canada, we provide high-quality trailer decking as part of our commercial vehicle flooring products. Read on to learn which trailer decking material is right for you.

Types of Trailer Decking Materials

These five types of trailer decking material are among the most popular, each with its own set of pros and cons.

Plywood Trailer Flooring

Plywood is a versatile trailer flooring material for a variety of commercial vehicles. Birch is a common wood type for this application because it is wear-resistant, lightweight, and abundant. Here’s a breakdown of the pros, cons, and applications of plywood trailer wood floors.

• Pros:
  •   Widely available and cost-effective
  •   Made in a variety of thicknesses and dimensions
  •   Can be easily repaired or replaced
  •   Easy to clean and oil-resistant
  •   Can be treated to resist moisture and rot
  •   Can support high weight capacities
  •   Easily customized with woodworking tools
  •   Made with no added urea formaldehyde
  •   Easier on the legs than harder surfaces
  •   Embossed with anti-slip textures like Heksa™ for non-slip in wet or dry conditions
  •   All hardwood veneers for stability and strength

• Cons:
  •   Requires regular maintenance to prevent rot and deterioration
  •   May be prone to warping or splitting
  •   Can be slippery when wet

• Best use applications:
  •   General-purpose utility trailers
  •   Custom commercial truck up-fits
  •   Recreational toy-haulers
  •   Courier and food service vehicles
  •   Enclosed trailers
  •   Flatbed trailers
  •   Heavy equipment trailers

• Worst use applications:
  •   Applications where the trailer may be exposed to constant moisture or wet conditions, as this can cause the wood to rot or deteriorate.
  •   Extremely heavy loads, as the plywood may be prone to warping or breaking under pressure.

Aluminum Decking

Aluminum is another trailer decking option with its own set of pros, cons, and ideal applications:

• Pros:
  •   Lightweight and easy to install
  •   Resistant to rust, corrosion, and rot
  •   Low maintenance
  •   Long-lasting
  •   Can support high weight capacities

• Cons:
  •   More expensive than other materials
  •   Not ideal for heavy equipment due to the potential for dents
  •   Less impact-resistant than steel or other materials

• Best use applications:
  •   Enclosed trailers
  •   Utility trailers
  •   Livestock trailers
  •   Horse trailers
  •   Small equipment trailers
• Worst use applications:
  •   Applications in which the load may shift or move around a lot, as this can cause damage to the trailer decking.
  •   Extreme hot or cold temperatures, as aluminum can expand or contract more than other materials.

Rubber Trailer Flooring

Here are the unique pros, cons, and applications for rubber trailer flooring:

• Pros:
  •   Provides a non-slip surface
  •   Durable and long-lasting
  •   Water-resistant
  •   Can help to protect cargo
  •   Easily replaced if damaged
• Cons:
  •   Not ideal for high-weight capacity loads
  •   Can be more expensive than some other materials
  •   May require additional reinforcement
• Best use applications:
  •   Livestock trailers
  •   Horse trailers
  •   Enclosed trailers for hauling fragile items
  •   Utility trailers
• Worst use applications:
  •   Applications in which the load may have sharp or abrasive edges, as this can damage the rubber material.
  •   Extremely high temperatures, which can soften or melt the rubber.

Composite Decking

Composite materials are also used for trailer decking. These are the main features they offer for commercial vehicle applications:

• Pros:
  •   Resistant to moisture, rot, and insects
  •   long-lasting
  •   Low maintenance
  •   Lightweight
  •   Environmentally friendly
• Cons:
  •   More expensive than some other materials
  •   Can be more slippery than other materials when wet
  •   May require additional support for heavy loads
• Best use applications:
  •   Livestock trailers
  •   Horse trailers
  •   Enclosed trailers
  •   Flatbed trailers
  •   Utility trailers
• Worst use applications:
  •   Applications in which the load may contain sharp or pointed objects that could puncture or damage the composite material.
  •   Applications where the trailer may be exposed to extreme heat or fire, as the composite material can melt or burn.

Steel Decking

Steel is another metal used for some trailer decking applications. Here are the material’s main pros, cons, and best and worst use cases:

• Pros:
  •   Highly durable and strong
  •   Resistant to wear and tear
  •   Can support heavy loads
  •   Long-lasting
  •   Low maintenance
• Cons:
  •   Prone to rust and corrosion if not treated properly
  •   Can be heavier than other materials
  •   Can be more expensive than other materials
• Best use applications:
  •   Heavy equipment trailers
  •   Flatbed trailers
  •   Construction trailers
  •   Car haulers
• Worst use applications:
  •   Without proper treatment or maintenance, steel decking is unsuitable for applications in which the trailer may be exposed to high levels of moisture, salt, or corrosive materials.
  •   It is also not suitable for applications where weight is a primary concern, as steel is heavier than other materials such as aluminum or composite.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Trailer Decking

While it helps to know your options for different types of trailer decking, knowing the different characteristics you need can also help you make a final decision. Consider these important factors:

• Weight Capacity: Know the weight of the decking material and your maximum anticipated cargo. Also, consider the weight capacity for the trailer and any weight distribution concerns.
• Durability: Trailer decking should be durable and long-lasting. Consider its resistance to impact, wear, moisture, weather, and rot across its lifespan.
• Maintenance: Calculate how much upkeep the material will require and the annual costs of maintenance.
• Cost: Consider the cost of purchasing and installing the material, the costs of repair and maintenance, and how cost-effective it is throughout its useful life.
• Environmental Impact: Sustainability is an increasingly important business factor. Assess the recyclability or biodegradability of the material, the carbon footprint of producing and transporting it, and how it is sourced.
• Personal Preferences: Finally, consider the material’s noisiness, grip, texture, appearance, and compatibility in conjunction with other equipment.

Thomes Plywood Trailer Decking

At Thomes Canada, we provide high-quality birch plywood trailer decking. Our birch plywood provides:

• Strength: Birch plywood offers a great strength-to-weight ratio, providing strong support without weighing down your trailer.
• Durability: Our decking resists wear and tear.
• Water Resistance: It can resist water, moisture, and the elements to mitigate concerns about rot and water damage.
• Slip Resistance: The texture of our birch plywood offers slip resistance and excellent grip.
• Light Weight: Plywood is relatively light without sacrificing strength, so you have more fuel efficiency and greater capacity for your trailer.
• Easy Maintenance: Our decking is easy and cost-effective to keep clean.

Think Plywood Is the Best Choice for You?

If birch plywood decking offers the key characteristics you need for your commercial trailer, turn to Thomes Canada. Our trailer wood floors come in a range of dimensions and thicknesses, are easier on the legs than other surfaces, and can be treated to resist rot. They contain no urea formaldehyde and can be customized with basic woodworking tools. Birch plywood decking is ideal for a wide variety of applications, such as general-purpose utility trailers, toy haulers, flatbed trailers, commercial truck up-fits, and more.

Contact us to learn more about our plywood flooring or to discuss your trailer decking needs.