Flat or Duct Floor

The only thing I can think bad about a flat is when your trailer sits on an incline at some docks the forklifts might struggle on a wet floor.

Many meat loads are still floor loaded. Some customers are picky about any leakage because of bacteria issues.

 

Easy to sweep a duct floor with a leaf blower.

 

That's why the floors on flat reefers are textured. I unload ours all day long with a hand jack so if I could do it I'm sure a forklift would have no problem.

 

Good point. There are different kinds of flat floors. I have one trailer that is literally a smooth surface, but most have texture for grip, even better grip than a duct floor in my opinion.

 

Load locks. Most freight don't move. In the trailer that is. Bad shrink wrap has been a problem. 200 bottles of baby food fell once. 199 of them broke. 3 gallon bottles. Check your load.

 

Are there more ribs in a flat floor? More ribs means more strength, especially if you have I type duct. It becomes added strength. So the only benefit of a flat floor is cleaning it?

 

I can tell you from experience flat floors hold up just as good if not better than ducts. If you haul loads on pallets, I cannot think of one benefit of a duct floor.

 

Plus it's probably cheaper to get washed out. I just got a quote to wash out my reefer for $60. I told the guy no way. I went to beacon got it done for $35. I was in Kenly NC. I did have broken wood but it wasn't that bad.

 

flat floors are bit heavy .if u have a heavy truck and near full loads you might have some problems .my flat floor is 800 lb heavier than duct floor (same specs
) .

 

Wood can be tough to rid of certain unacceptable smells where aluminum won't retain the stench