A Better Trailer Floor

A Canadian manufacturer of lumber products says its unique construction method results in a more durable laminated hardwood trailer floor.

Most laminated wood floors use a jagged-looking hook joint between strips of hardwood. Prolam, of Cap-Saint-Ignace, Que., uses what it calls “Zig-Zag Technology”-a fingerjoint-style of profiling at the ends of each strip. The idea is to provide better weight distribution over the floor during forklift loading. Prolam’s design naturally directs load-bearing stress along the length of the floor, reducing stress on glue lines around joints-the exact opposite of when hook joints are used.

Indeed, the company claims its Zig-Zag joints are nearly twice as strong as hook joints. The company also says its flooring material is up to 18 per cent stronger in direct dry and wet shear tests, and 40 per cent more durable over the life of a trailer.

A secondary benefit is the seal the joint creates. Prolam says more than 90 per cent of its floor joints are sealed tight during assembly compared to just 40 to 50 per cent built with traditional hook joints. The result is more protection against water penetration.

Another differentiating factor is the hand lay-up during the floor laminating process. Employees assemble a continuous jigsaw puzzle of advancing trailer floorboards in the gluing process, ensuring an even distribution and keeping all joints evenly spread over the boards in a floor for the maximum strength, the company says.

The floors are available at Great Dane, Wabash, Utility, and other trailer manufacturers.