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August 2008

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Flooring

Featured Question

RLT Flooring
Posted by Thomas from Atlanta, GA, US on September 13, 2006

I see your advertising that RLT Flooring can double the Life of your Trailer Flooring. Do you have any side by side comparisons?

I assume you’re asking if a particular fleet hauling similar freight on trailers with the same age has data. The answer is many comparisons. Please reference the following links www.overseashardwoods.com/rlt2.htm, www.overseashardwoods.com/rlt3.htm which illustrate first hand knowledge from such fleets. The degradation of wood flooring happens at the board ends. In a traditional random length floor, these board ends will begin deteriorating (absorbing and losing moister) within the first six months. Depending on the species of wood used and the environment the trailer is subjected to, the board ends will pull through the screws and will become very week. Upon inspection of a 2-4 year old floor that has random length flooring, one would find several board ends loose, broken and have no carrying capacity. All of which also create potential safety hazards.

Thank you for your question, hopefully this will assist you and any others that may have similar needs -WRS.

Trailer Manufacturers
Posted by Jill from Carson City, NV, US on September 7, 2006

How can I get a list of Trailer Manufacturers who offer Road Load Tested Flooring?

Jill,

Overseas Hardwoods Company’s web-site, www.overseashardwoods.com, has a list of the companies that use Road Load Tested® (RLT) as their standard floor. Almost all manufacturers have installed RLT and will install RLT if specified by their customers even if they are not standardized on it. Based on the volume purchased, there may be an up charge if the manufacturer does not offer RLT as its standard floor. In addition, the US Military specifies this product on new and refurbished trailers.

Thank you for your question, hopefully this will assist you and any others that may have similar needs -WRS.

Apitong vs Laminated OAK
Posted by Alejandro from Cuautitl�n Izcalli, OT, MX on September 1, 2006

Bill:

For us as Trailer manufacturer we are convinced that Apitong is the best flooring for flat beds, but some competitors are offering laminated OAK for flat beds, I know that laminated OAK is only for dry vans, can you make comments about it.

Alejandro Romero

Operations Manager

SMART Trailers, S.A. de C.V.

Ph: +52 (55) 2620 31 81, 2620 01 50

Fax: +52 (55) 2620 32 44

Mobile: +52 (55) 1089 75 59

E-mail: alejandro.romero@smartrailers.com

Web: www.smartrailers.com

Alejandro,

Thank you for your inquiry. In response, based on their characteristics and durability rating, Apitong is a better species than Oak for outdoor applications. With regard to a laminated platform floor, the dynamics of a flatbed are such that the torque and twisting of a platform is different than a van, which is the typical use of laminated flooring.
Laminated floors had long longitudinal glue lines holding small strips of wood ranging from 7/8" to 1-1/4" wide by 8"-96". The glues used in this product are mostly water resistant and not water proof. Over time, water resistant glues can break down leaving strips of lumber on the trailer. With regard to Apitong use on platforms, Apitong is typically boards. In some instances, like Road Load TestedR (RLT) these can be finger-joints. The glue that is used in RLT is water proof glue and will not break down under the elements. If you use any glued product exposed to the elements make sure you specify it be water proof.

Best flatbed trailer floor
Posted by Super from New York, NY, USA on August 24, 2006

What would be the best floor for a flatbed trailer?

There are many products that are on the market today for flatbed trailers, i.e. wood, aluminum, plywood, composites. Depending on the application, each of these products can work well, very well, or very poorly. Composite products have not been proven over time and have not been cost effective. Plywood products have a niche in the market but by and large solid wood or aluminum with wooden nailer strips are used extensively for their abilities to carry the load.

Cracking and breaking at the ends of the boards
Posted by Super from New York, NY, USA on August 24, 2006

I’m noticing the boards cracking and breaking at the ends of the boards. Can this be eliminated?

Yes. Deterioration will always happen at the ends of the boards. The way to eliminate this happening is a full continuous piece. The product that does this is Road Load Tested.

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