Cargo Trailer Floors

Get the type of floor that’s best for your needs

The bottom of the plywood/OSB should have been pre-painted to help protect the wood from exposure to the elements such as water and snow. This is normally done in the frame painting area and then moved to the flooring area when the paint has dried.

As you may know, bare wood can soak up a great deal of paint. For this reason, the paint may look somewhat thin after it is soaked up by the wood. Applying enough coats of paint to completely saturate the wood would increase cost which would in turn, be passed on to the buyer.

Some higher end manufacturers use special flooring which is already been waterproofed and does not require painting. While this type of flooring has obvious advantages it will increase the price of the trailer.

The plywood or OSB is cut to fit the floor and attached to the crossmembers either with screws or special nails. It should fit as tight as possible to keep water and other road debris from entering the inside of the trailer. Although the inside of the trailer corners should get caulked, the tighter the floor material fits the less amount of caulk needed.

Inside walls

Not all trailers are built with plywood/OSB on the inside walls. Some are built with no covering on the inside walls leaving the studs visible.

If the walls are to be covered, the wood/OSB is installed in this same construction area as the floor. If the walls will be covered with other types of materials such as carpet or plastic sheeting, it is normally taken to the options department for installation.

Notice the plywood is being attached to the wall studs and crossmembers.