Brazilian Apitong Aka Keruing For Truck & Trailer Decking

Apitong, also known as Keruing, is a dense and durable hardwood native to Southeast Asia. It is widely recognized in the trucking industry as the gold standard for truck and trailer decking because of its unique combination of strength, longevity, and natural resistance to wear.

Here’s why it’s a top choice for truck decking:

• Superior Strength: With a Janka hardness of 1390 lb, Apitong is harder than red oak, making it exceptionally strong and able to handle heavy loads and constant traffic.
  
• Durability: Naturally resistant to fungi, termites, and decay, it performs well in tough outdoor and industrial conditions without requiring chemical treatments.
  
• Dimensional Stability: It has low shrinkage and low moisture content, which means decking stays stable and reliable over time.

Cost-Effective & Long-Lasting: Compared to alternatives, Apitong offers excellent durability at a competitive price, lowering long-term maintenance and replacement costs.

Apitong (Keruing) is significantly harder and more durable than many domestic hardwoods commonly used for trailer decking:

• Apitong (Keruing): Janka hardness of 1390 lb
• Red Oak: Janka hardness of 1290 lb
• Hard Maple: Janka hardness of 1450 lb
  

That means Apitong is about 8% harder than red oak and only slightly softer than hard maple, while still offering better resistance to decay, fungi, and termites than either domestic option.

Apitong (Keruing) is extremely strong, naturally resistant to decay and termites, and stable under heavy loads. Its hardness and durability make it the preferred choice for flatbed trailers and truck bodies, lasting longer and requiring less maintenance than domestic hardwoods.

No special preservation is required for Apitong trailer decking. Its heartwood is naturally resistant to decay, fungi, and termites, so it holds up well in outdoor and heavy-duty conditions without chemical treatment. Basic care, such as keeping the boards clean and checking fasteners regularly, is usually all that’s needed to maximize service life.

Apitong vs Angelim: Both Apitong (Keruing) and Brazilian Angelim Pedra are popular hardwoods for truck and trailer decking, but they differ in performance characteristics:

• Strength & Hardness
  
  
  • Apitong (Keruing): Janka hardness of 1390 lb – very strong, comparable to maple.
  • Angelim Pedra: Janka hardness of 1912 lb – significantly harder and denser than Apitong.
• Durability
  
  
  • Apitong: Naturally resistant to decay, fungi, and termites; long track record as the industry standard for trailer flooring worldwide.
  • Angelim Pedra: Extremely durable and dense, also resistant to decay and insects, but can be heavier and more challenging to machine or install.
• Performance in Use
  
  
  • Apitong: Balances strength with stability, making it easier to work with and widely available in trailer decking profiles (shiplap, rough sawn blanks, etc.).
  • Angelim Pedra: Offers even greater hardness and wear resistance, but its extra weight can increase fuel costs and handling difficulty.

Summary: Apitong is the proven standard for truck and trailer decking due to its excellent balance of strength, durability, and workability. Angelim Pedra is harder and denser, offering extreme toughness, but is heavier and sometimes less practical for everyday fleet use.