Trailers see everything from snow and dust to rain and heavy loads. The last thing you want is the deterioration of the trailer bed that could attract a whole lot of maintenance expenses. The right surfacing can hugely influence the life and longevity of your trailer. This guide will help you choose the most appropriate trailer deck surfacing to maximize the durability and utility of your trailer.
Importance of Trailer Decks
Trailer decks offer years of hauling capabilities. Your trailer carries all the cargo around. Most trailers are great for stacking up building materials like dimensional lumber, plywood sheets, or drywalls. A few others can carry mulch, topsoil, and other loose materials used for landscaping projects. These days, recreational vehicles and mobile homes have attached trailers that can haul dirt bikes, ATVs, or golf carts to a trailhead of a golf course.
Regardless of the cargo, they carry, trailer decks see a lot of wear and tear due to the material loaded. Hence, it’s critical to choose the trailer deck surfacing wisely. Several factors need to be considered when selecting suitable trailer flooring.
For instance, factors like the trailer load and the frequency of loading and unloading play a critical role in determining the life of the trailer.
Let’s look at the different types of trailers and the type of flooring they demand.
Types of Trailers and Their Flooring Requirements
A trailer flooring is probably one of the simplest components that can be replaced, provided you know which one to go for. Each type of trailer has unique surfacing requirements. We have attempted to throw light on them so that you can make an informed flooring decision.
1. Open Trailers
Open trailers experience the harshest environments. The flooring of these trailers is continually exposed to extreme weather conditions and UV radiation. Not to forget, the damage caused by the cargo loading and unloading.
Such trailers need a trailer deck resurfacing that uses a durable and high-performance material like rubber. The surfacing should be weather resistant, the one that will not fade away or rot. For such trailers, the poured-in-place rubber surfacing is your best bet in these trailers.
2. Vehicle Trailers
Vehicle or automobile trailers haul heavy vehicles, race cars, and dirt bikes. Hence, you need a trailer deck surfacing that’s similar to your garage flooring. The flooring should not just durable but also resistant to the chemicals that may leak from automobiles when in transit.
For instance, the surface should be resistant to engine oil, fuel, and car battery acids.
3. Utility Trailers
Utility trailer deck surfaces see a lot of wear from hauling items like furniture, vehicles, and heavy machinery. Durability is a huge factor here as the trailer carries heavy loads that may damage the surface. Here, you require a versatile and durable trailer deck flooring that can stand up to such routine damage.
4. Cargo Trailers
Cargo trailers need to be designed in such a way that it allows easy loading and unloading. You also need a quiet surface that absorbs the impact of the cargo hitting against each other during transportation. Moreover, the surface should be easy to clean and maintain.
Rubber surfacing works best for cargo trailers as they are versatile and possess all the properties mentioned above.
5. Livestock Trailers
Hauling livestock presents novel challenges. You should not just consider the safety of the animals but also their comfort. Besides taking measures to prevent injuries, haulers should be vigilant about maintaining a clean and biosecure environment for the livestock being hauled.
They should ensure a hygienic environment to prevent the spread of diseases among the subsequent loads of animals who can be infected through –
- Feces, blood, and urine
- Feed and water containers
- Insects and parasites
- Live pathogens on surfaces
Hence, the livestock trailer demands a surface that’s easy to clean and maintain, inhospitable to pathogens, springy, offers adequate traction, and skid resistant. Besides, it should also be resilient enough to withstand the wear and tear owing to the hard hooves hitting the floor.
6. RV Trailers
The surface installed in recreational vehicle trailers should not just be comfortable underfoot but also exhibit style and elegance. Since it’s a mobile home where you and your loved one will be spending a lot of time, the flooring should be comfortable, non-skid, and easy to clean. In short, you need trailer flooring that will make your RV trailer feel like home.
Why Wet-Pour Rubber Surfacing Makes an Ideal Trailer Deck Flooring
1. High Durability
Rubber surfaces are perfect for trailer decks as rubber is a tenacious material. It can stand up to the damage caused by hauling heavy cargo, automobiles, and livestock. Thus, it will enable the hauler to deliver goods without having to worry about its effects of friction and foot traffic on the trailer. The surface also works best for open trailers that are subject to harsh weather conditions.
2. Versatile
Regardless of the type of trailer you own, rubber surfacing can fulfill its specific needs. The surface is tenacious and hard-wearing, doesn’t let moisture seep through, and easy to clean and maintain. All these properties make rubber a versatile flooring material that works best for all types of trailer decks.
3. Resistant to Chemicals
Automobile and utility trailers carrying cars and other vehicles may a lot of oil and chemical spills. Being tenacious, rubber surfaces can withstand the damage caused by such chemicals, thus ensuring your trailer is in good condition for many years to come.
4. Skid Resistant
Rubber has a high coefficient of friction when compared to other trailer deck surfacing materials like wood and metal. Hence, it’s highly skid resistant. This property of rubber will come in handy when your trailer’s being used for hauling livestock.
An unstable trailer deck flooring can make the animals nervous during transportation, causing them to trip and injure themselves. Choosing a non-skid surface like wet-pour rubber can offer them enough traction for a safe and comfortable journey. Get in touch with River Rock Resurfacing for more information on safety rubber surfacing for your trailer.
5. Noise Canceling Surface
Heavy machinery and cargo tend to get noisy when being hauled around. Hence, you need a noise-canceling surface like rubber that absorbs the sound echo and prevents the transmission of sound. Hence, rubber surfaces are a great choice for utility and automobile trailers.
6. Impervious to Moisture
Accidental spills are quite common in trailers, especially if it’s livestock or an RV trailer. Trapped moisture can ruin the underlying structural components of your trailer, attracting repair and maintenance costs.
Rubber, being impervious to moisture doesn’t let it seep through to the underlying structure. So, unlike surfaces like wood, you do not have to worry about immediately drying out the area.
7. Inhospitable to Pathogens
Rubber is not an ideal material for the growth and proliferation of pathogens. Hence, it serves as a hygienic surface for trailers carrying livestock, thereby preventing the spread of infections and upholding their wellbeing.
8. Aesthetically Pleasing
Rubber surfacing is available in a variety of colors and patterns. So, installing poured-in-place rubber surfacing will give your trailer a new and attractive look. If you own an RV or a mobile home trailer, you must go for an attractive rubber surfacing that complements the overall appearance of your trailer.
Summing Up
From harsh weather conditions to heavy loads, trailer floors see a lot of routine wear and tear. Hence, it’s important to choose the trailer deck surfacing wisely.
If you are convinced that rubber is an ideal material for your trailer, get in touch with River Rock Resurfacing’s team of flooring experts. We will understand your requirements and suggest the most suitable solution for your trailer. Get in touch with us now!