Selecting the Right Wood Finish for your Platform Trailer

In order to be durable for the long-term, all platform trailer decks need to be properly installed and maintained as they are constantly exposed to severe weather conditions.

With wooden decks the exposure to severe weather naturally causes the boards to shrink and swell the wood and subjects the deck to high levels of stress.

Without proper maintenance, even well built trailers utilizing only the most durable and strongest of wood species can potentially develop problems such as checks and cracks, raised grain, and mildew, thus increasing the risk of decay and insect attack (and ultimately floor failure) as the natural process of weathering occurs.

Because of these risks, lumber used in most platform trailer decks is usually pressure treated with a preservative, or is a naturally durable wood such as Apitong, Parangelim, Purpleheart, Oak or Douglas Fir. 

Regularly applying an additional finish to wood decks has been proven to be the most cost-effective way to prolong the life of your deck and minimize the problems of cracking, raised grain, and mildew growth.

Apitong Oil by ExoShield is a MADE IN THE USA product which offers superior protection for wood applications on platform trailers. Our secret formula protects your trailer's deck while allowing the natural beauty of the wood to remain the focus.

Using a proprietary blend of Tung Oil, Fungicide, and Trans-oxide pigments, the exclusive Apitong Oil formula provides long-lasting penetrative protection for exterior wood applications while using only the finest components.

The use of Tung Oil originated thousands of years ago in China where it was used as a preservative on wooden ships. Today it is the woodworkers’ #1 choice to add protection and beauty to a finished project. Apitong Oil takes advantage of the penetrative and protective properties that Tung Oil serves to create a naturally durable and long-lasting deck finish. The Tung Oil used in our Apitong Oil formulation contributes to provide a naturally water-resistant, acid-resistant, and easy to use deck finish. Apitong Oil also greatly reduces the chances of boards either cracking or warping when correctly applied.

Fungicide is an key component to maintaining the timeless beauty of your exterior wood project. Apitong Oil not only offers protection from harmful UV rays and water damage, but it also includes a fungicide in the formula that will keep your decking in top shape, and free of fungus, mould and mildew. This is just another reason why Apitong Oil is the answer for all exterior wood applications on platform trailers.

To further protect your deck from the sun's harmful UV rays we use trans-oxide pigments in Apitong Oil, adding to the longevity of the structure and color. The pigments used in our Apitong Oil will bring out and protect the natural colors of the wood it’s used on, providing a long-lasting vivid result. Apitong Oil will lengthen the lifespan of the wood's original color, delaying the graying process. When applied every one to two years, your deck will maintain a nearly brand-new appearance, with very little maintenance.

To learn more about Apitong Oil by ExoShield please visit us at https://www.trailerdecking.com/ProductID4029 or call 1-855-APITONG

Protecting you Platform Trailer's Deck

Why does outdoor wood turn grey? As cherished as this natural look is, protecting it is necessary to maintain the natural physical properties like durability and strength.

The natural greying process observed when wood weathers is a complex amalgamation of natural chemical, mechanical, biological and light-induced changes which occur over time. The explanation is similar to how our skin is damaged from the sun. If we spend time outdoors without proper protection we get sunburnt and start to wrinkle. 

Similarly, because of the harmful UV rays from the sun, unprotected deck boards turn grey as time passes and start to degrade. This is why it is important to initially take measures to ensure your deck is protected and then to conduct regular on-going maintenance in order to optimize the performance of your deck.

Regular Cleaning of Your Deck

Decking can be pressure washed, but you must be careful not to damage the surface wood fibers by setting the pressure too high. Pressure washing may be necessary between oil treatments in order to remove surface discoloration.

Maximize Protection with Oil Based Deck Stains

Oil based deck stains help preserve the natural color in your deck while also offering superb UV protection. Blocking out harmful UV rays means it will keep your deck beautiful, fresh and looking new longer. These stains are easy to apply and best of all they can be cleaned and recoated as maintenance is needed. This is a huge advantage to having to strip the stain off every time it needs attention and it helps lessen the cost and hassle of deck maintenance.

Oil Based Finish on all sides

Many oil based deck stains also have select mildewcides that inhibit mold, mildew, and fungal growth. Preventing these contaminants from intruding the wood will help eradicate wood rot and costly structural repairs. Unwanted moisture and fungal growth can crack, warp, split, and decay wood in a few short years.

Conclusion

Following a regular maintenance schedule will ensure the wood gets maximum protection and you get years of enjoyment from the investment in your deck.

Making the effort to apply an oil-based weatherizing treatment at the time of initial install as well as regular wood cleaning, maintenance and stain re-applications will enhance the performance of your deck boards and prolong the life of your hardwood deck.

For best results, apply the weatherizing treatment according to the manufacturer’s directions. To maintain the natural color, a high quality penetrating oil finish with UV inhibitors should be used. 

Why Apitong?? Selecting the Right Species for your Trailer Deck

Trailer manufacturers have used a wide range of species over the years to deck flatbeds, lowboys and other platform trailers. Before making a choice on which species to use for a wood floor, the consumer needs to understand that wood varies significantly by species – the mechanical and physical properties of a particular specie will impact the performance. 

During the 1960s, North American hardwood lumber — primarily oak, ash, beech, hickory and hard maple — were utilized extensively throughout the trailer industry. However the concern arose that domestic lumber from temperate forests was not strong enough to withstand the rigors of a platform trailer due to the weakness associated with knots and other defects. To obtain adequate trailer-grade flooring planks from domestic lumber, thorough selection was required to eliminate the defects — usually trimming boards and/or ripping them into narrow planks — which usually resulted in narrow, short-length pieces of 5' to 9'. Domestic hardwoods also have limited durability in exterior applications, and chemical treatment is necessary.

Some of these shortcomings in North American hardwood lumber were addressed when trailer manufacturers began using tropical hardwoods such as Apitong starting in the early 1970s. Because tropical climates have relatively consistent temperatures, the seasonal nature with which trees grow is mitigated and thus allows tropical species to grow at a steadier rate than those in temperate climates. Growth rings for tropical species are usually far more subtle, and grain tends to be consistently tight throughout the tree. The result is that Tropical species offer a strong lumber with reduced frequency of defects. Lumber cut from these trees can average lengths of 12' to 14', which eliminates multiple short component pieces when assembling a trailer deck.

Stength and Durability Characteristics of Typical Trailer Flooring Woods

Below is a table comparing the various types of wood that may be used in the trailer flooring industry:

SPECIES	Approximate Weight per MBF at 10% MC	Modulus of Rupture (psi)	Modulus of Elasticity (1000 psi)	Maximum Crushing Strength (psi)	Side Hardness (lbs)	Compression Perpendicular (psi)	Shear (psi)
Purpleheart	4,800	21,300	2,420	11,380	2,060	1,910	1,830
Apitong	4,600	19,900	2,070	10,500	1,270	NA	2,070
Angelim Pedra	4,400	17,600	2,050	8,990	1,720	A	2,010
White Oak	4,200	15,200	1,780	7,440	1,360	1,070	1,360
Red Oak	3,900	14,300	1,820	6,760	1,070	1,010	1,780
Southern Yellow Pine	3,100	14,200	1,880	7,750	750	890	1,490
Douglas Fir	2,700	12,400	1,950	7,230	710	800	1,130

US Dept. of Agriculture Handbook No. 207
US Dept. of Agriculture Handbook No. 72, pp 4-24

Besides having the best strength-to-weight ratio of any species commercially used for trailer decks, Apitong (also known as Keruing) contains both a natural oleo-resin and has a silica content which is generally about 0.5%, thereby helping the wood endure outdoor elements. Other species which are also utilized due to their superior durability include Angelim Perdra / Parangelim and Purpleheart. 

With over 100 years of combined industry experience, TrailerDecking.com can help you make the right decision when it comes to selecting a specie for your trailer. We work closely with original equipment manufacturers, aftermarket repair shops, hardwood lumber distributors, fleet owners and independent owner-operators. All segments of the transportation industry rely on our knowledgeable staff for assistance in fulfilling their requirements for both original equipment and replacement parts.

US Department of Commerce Sets Duty at 63% for Chinese Plywood

The US Department of Commerce has made a preliminary determination in its anti-dumping investigation of plywood manufactured in China and imported into the United States. Just over 100 Chinese manufacturers responded to inquiries from the US Department of Commerce and received a "cooperative" rate of 22% duty; whereas, Chinese companies that did not respond to the inquiry received a penalty rate of 63%. No doubt that this announcement will add further uncertainty to the imported plywood market.

Here's an article from the IWPA with more details.
International Wood Products Association: PressRelease_ITC-IWPA

Tropical Forest Management - South East Asian Environmental Practices / TrailerDecking.com

Welcome back to trailerdecking.blogspot.com, the most in-depth trailer decking series on the web. Today's blog is about South East Asian environmental forestry practices.

On the supply side, in both Malaysia and Indonesia, buyers have found a suitable measure of reliability and responsibility in the areas of tropical forest management and resource-based economic development. Tropical forests in both countries are essentially public lands, managed and protected by their respective Federal and State Governments.


Southeast Asian Tropical Forest


Forest Certification programs have emerged in both Malaysia (through the FSC and the MTCC programs) and Indonesia (through the FSC, SVLK and LEI programs). Certification is very much market driven and is serving as a tool towards promoting legal, reliable and sustainable forest management. Certification is seen as a step toward ensuring the production of a continuous flow of desired forest products and services from the forest reserves. Further, certification is being actively pursued to ensure continued market access of Malaysian and Indonesian timber products, particularly in an increasingly environmentally sensitive market.

Logging in Rain Forest

The Malaysian and Indonesian government and policy makers decision to promote a more stable currency policy is great news. Additionally, with the impetus of emerging Forest Certification Schemes offering a legal, reliable and sustainable supply situation, we feel confident that a reliable supply of Apitong in the trailer market is ensured.

Rain Forest Logging

We at Nova USA Wood Products and TrailerDecking.com offer a wide variety of Apitong products for the trailer and truck body industry. We purchase only the best materials from reputable mills that place an emphasis on quality and delivery. We are also one of the few suppliers who have overseas inspectors in place to ensure that material is thoroughly checked before it departs the mill. This final inspection ensures that you get exactly what you ordered each and every time. We certify all of our trailer decking products and warranty them against defects in workmanship. Contact us for a quote today.

Tropical Forest Management - Southeast Asian Environmental Practices / TrailerDecking.com

Welcome back to trailerdecking.blogspot.com, the most in-depth trailer decking series on the web. Today's blog is about Southeast Asian environmental forestry practices.

On the supply side, in both Malaysia and Indonesia, buyers have found a suitable measure of reliability and responsibility in the areas of tropical forest management and resource-based economic development. Tropical forests in both countries are essentially public lands, managed and protected by their respective Federal and State Governments.


Southeast Asian Tropical Forest


Forest Certification programs have emerged in both Malaysia (through the FSC and the MTCC programs) and Indonesia (through the FSC, SVLK and LEI programs). Certification is very much market driven and is serving as a tool towards promoting legal, reliable and sustainable forest management. Certification is seen as a step toward ensuring the production of a continuous flow of desired forest products and services from the forest reserves. Further, certification is being actively pursued to ensure continued market access of Malaysian and Indonesian timber products, particularly in an increasingly environmentally sensitive market.

The Malaysian and Indonesian government and policy makers decision to promote a more stable currency policy is great news. Additionally, with the impetus of emerging Forest Certification Schemes offering a legal, reliable and sustainable supply situation, we feel confident that a reliable supply of Apitong in the trailer market is ensured.

We at Nova USA Wood Products and TrailerDecking.com offer a wide variety of Apitong products for the trailer and truck body industry. We purchase only the best materials from reputable mills that place an emphasis on quality and delivery. We are also one of the few suppliers who have overseas inspectors in place to ensure that material is thoroughly checked before it departs the mill. This final inspection ensures that you get exactly what you ordered each and every time. We certify all of our trailer decking products and warranty them against defects in workmanship. Contact us for a quote today.

Is Exotic Hardwood Trailer Flooring Better Than Domestic?

Trailer flooring takes a lot more abuse than regular hardwood flooring or decking. Even if you aren't a huge shipping company and only use your trailer bed for hauling every now and then, the flooring needs to be stronger, more durable, and more resistant to the elements than anything you might install in your home. At TrailerDecking.com, we sell Apitong, the tough-as-nails exotic trailer flooring material trusted by industry professionals for years. But does trailer flooring need to be exotic? Can domestic hardwood work just as well as trailer flooring? The answer, in our opinion, is no. Here's why:

Hardness
Janka hardness rating is probably the most important factor when considering trailer flooring material. A wood's hardness plays a big part in determining how much weight it can carry and how resistent it is to dents, scratches, and other common wear. The hardness rating of Aptiong trailer floorig is 1,270 pounds. Most common domestic hardwoods, such as Cherry, Pine, Fir, and Cedar, have hardness ratings upwards of 1,000 pounds and as low as 350 pounds. In short, exotic hardwoods almost always have a higher hardness rating than domestics, making them much more suitable for trailer flooring.

Durability
There are many factors that contribute to a hardwood species' durability; namely, strength, stiffness, and density.
Strength refers to how much weight the wood can carry before it will break. Stiffness refers to the bending strength of the wood; in other words, how much pressure the material can take before being deformed or warped. Combined, these two metrics can tell you a great deal about how much weight your trailer flooring will be able to hold. Apitong has strength and stiffness ratings of 19,900 PSI and 2,070 1000 PSI, respectively. Domestic hardwoods tend to have strength and stiffness ratings that are much lower; anywhere from 7,500 PSI - 12,600 PSI for strength and 800 1000 PSI - 1,700 1000 PSI for stiffness.
Density is another important factor when determining a wood's durability. The more dense the wood, the less susceptible it will be to changes in temperature and humidity. A high density also means the wood is less susceptible to wood-boring insects. Apitong has a density of 790 KG/m3, while domestic hardwoods usually fall into the range of 670 KG/m3 - 260 KG/m3. Clearly, exotic hardwood trailer flooring is more durable than its domestic counterpart.

Cost
While domestic hardwoods tend to have a smaller up-front cost, because they are less durable than exotics they tend to need replacing more often. Apitong, for example, can last in normal above-ground working conditions for up to 15 years. You'd be lucky to get a good 5 years out of some domestic hardwoods. The larger up-front cost of exotic trailer flooring may seem intimidating, but you'll save yourself a whole lot of time and money in the long run.

As you can see, exotic hardwood makes for a much stronger and more reliable trailer flooring material. Want to learn more? Contact TrailerDecking today to talk with one of our knowledgeable sales reps. We look forward to hearing from you soon!