After attending the TMC conference in the fall of 2022, conveniently located right in our backyard of Cleveland, Ohio, I decided to stop over at a coffee shop nestled within the conference center before heading back home. As I waited for my order, my eyes were drawn to a bulletin board perched in the corner, with an array of multicolored sticky notes. Amidst the sea of uplifting affirmations was one note that seized my attention. “Without trucks, America stops.” 

The vague, broad, and somewhat obvious statement admittedly stopped me in my tracks as I reflected on every single thing I owned. It was most likely, at one point or another, being delivered via truck(s). Keeping the precious cargo we so much rely on safe and secure through its journey from the production facility to the shelf is just as important as having a truck’s engine in working condition. 

This means the trailer has got to be ready to hold the load without falling through in both a literal and figurative sense, this puts a lot of pressure on your trailer floors. Can they support the load? 

I connected with sources at Rockland Flooring to explore how high-quality flooring specs can offer more than just delivery protection. This also extends to combating corrosion and enhancing payload capacity, because in this industry weight directly translates to profitability.

According to sources at Rockland Flooring, a higher quality flooring option leads to longer service life and better resale value potential as it remains in good condition for a longer period of time. For example, the company’s Defender 24 flooring option is designed to protect against water and road debris that can damage the wood and glue line. 

A stronger flooring option in your trailers eliminates the routine maintenance of the underside of your floor thanks to improved protection against rot and decay and careful sealing to keep out the elements and moisture – wood’s biggest enemy.  Additionally, a stronger flooring means more support for a heavier load. 

What trailer maintenance practices can fleets implement into operations to protect their resale value and trailer longevity as it relates to the flooring and overall construction? 

As I previously mentioned – moisture of any kind can be your trailer flooring’s worst nightmare. Keeping it dry and avoiding prolonged exposure minimize the potential of decay and rot. Moisture from rain or snow that gets into the back of the trailer door and entry point should be quickly addressed to avoid it. 

According to the pros at Rockland Flooring, ensuring the designated team of forklift operators take extra precaution while loading and unloading the trailers as forklift divots, gouges, and scratches can quickly damage the trailer flooring or speed up wear and tear. 

Regular maintenance inspections conducted prior to and following delivery can ensure that any debris and moisture are dealt with in a timely manner. Regular cleaning allows for closer inspection to identify early signs of damage like cracks, tears or soft spots. 

Fleet Equipment’s On The Road is sponsored by Rockland Flooring. Subscribe to our newsletter to catch every episode as we dive into the best practices and servicing information to keep your trucks On The Road.