Protecting both sides of the trailer floor is the best way to combat corrosion and maximize service life and it's one company's mission to solve this industry problem

Nov 27, 2023

Trailer manufacturers are always looking for ways to combat corrosion by using alternative materials and coatings. Rockland Flooring has come up with a combination of products that will preserve the wood, improve performance and extend service life.

With Rockland Flooring, obtaining quality service and trailer flooring does not mean having to break the bank. In fact, if you’re looking for a relatively immediate ROI and reasonable costs, considering products such as Rockland Flooring's Grip GuardTM and Defender 24TM floors will lower maintenance expenses and protect against the natural elements which leads to a better resale value.

According to Chris Wolford, Chief Sales Officer for Rockland Flooring, "The entire underside of a trailer's floor is subject to many extremes, including water, so it's a great place for fleets to invest in additional moisture protection". Chris goes on to say, "most undercoating's, though, will wear over time and require routine maintenance, so protecting the floor from the start is imperative to achieving maximum performance and floor life".

For example, Wolford notes that composite floors like Rockland's Defender 24 and Defender MAX products provide a hard, impermeable barrier that prevents water entry into the cargo area and protects the wood where it's most vulnerable. The composite floors require little, if any, regular maintenance.

So what sets Defender 24TM and Grip GuardTM apart from other industry competitors? Here's a simple rundown:

Grip GuardTM – Ideal for trailers involved in the Grocery Trains or any carriers that require a higher level of cleanliness. Stand-out features include:

Weather Resistant – Grip Guard offers industry's first UV protective top coat & absorbs 55% less water than the competitive wax-based hardwood floor treatment.

Wear Resistant – Our innovative two coat epoxy/urethane formulation forms a 4 mil protective coating which far exceeds the leading wax-based top coat.

Slip Resistant – Grip Guard enhances the trailer floor's traction for wet and dry conditions surpasses the OSHA slip resistance factor by 20%.

For carriers with heavy loads (think: water, paper, machinery or other heavy cargo), Defender 24 is ideal. It's top specs include:

Superior Protection – Protect the bottom of your trailer floor against water, salt and other contaminants that can damage the wood and glue line of a laminated floor.

Stronger – 44% more strength than standard laminated oak flooring at the same thickness.

Higher Load Rating – Can achieve a 24,000 lb load rating on a standard 12" crossmember spacing.

Lower Maintenance Costs – By sealing o the glue line and wood from the elements, routine maintenance is eliminated on the underside of the floor.

Longer Working Life – Protect and reinforce your floors with Defender 24 for a longer working life.

Capable of withstanding the demands of your fleet and exposure to harsh elements, both the Defender 24TM and Grip GuardTM floorings were built to last and developed to optimize fleet operations.

Top coatings are also a popular option when it comes to protecting the surface of a trailer floor and reducing water absorption from the inside, Wolford adds. The company's Wax Guard top coating, he notes, is especially beneficial for carriers who leave their rear doors open for extended periods of time. Also available from Rockland is the Grip Guard surface protection package, which is favored by the food service industry due to its protective qualities and ease of cleaning.

Here's where you see the benefit

While forklift damage from loading/unloading and everyday wear and tear can impact the value of a trailer, the divots and scratches don't compare to the deterioration caused by prolonged exposure to moisture. Since water is the natural enemy of wood, it's important to actively watch out for it if you want to avoid rot, decay and an expensive repair.

Fighting against moisture extends the life of your trailer and protects the most important part of any laminated flooring – the glue line. While moisture can build up for a number of dierent reasons, the most common cause of moisture comes from rain, snow and other wet conditions the trailer is exposed to. Overtime, moisture can accumulate in the back, in turn, damaging its entry point. It can also collect on the side walls and roof where leaks form.

In order to keep your floors operating at their best and eliminate the need for preventative routine maintenance for the underside of your flooring, utilizing floors such as the Defender 24TM or Grip GuardTM will help protect your trailer bottom and your bottom line.

This article was sponsored by Rockland Flooring. To learn more, please visit Rockland's website at www.rocklandflooring.com.