Why Trailer Manufacturers Are Switching to PolyCor

In today’s competitive trailer manufacturing industry, builders are under constant pressure to create stronger, lighter, and longer-lasting trailers while maintaining a clean, professional appearance. Whether manufacturing enclosed trailers, cargo trailers, toy haulers, or specialty vehicles, material selection plays a major role in overall trailer performance and customer satisfaction.

Traditional materials like aluminum, plywood, and fiberboard have long been standard choices for trailer siding and interior construction. However, many trailer manufacturers are now shifting toward advanced composite materials that provide better durability, improved appearance, and long-term value.

A leading solution driving this transition is PolyCor™ AP. Designed specifically for trailer siding and specialty vehicle applications, PolyCor AP delivers a lightweight, wood-free alternative that helps trailer builders improve durability, reduce maintenance concerns, and eliminate common issues like oil canning. From siding panels to ceilings and headliners, the PolyCor product line is helping manufacturers build quieter, stronger, and more dependable trailers.

The Growing Demand for Better Trailer Building Materials

Trailer manufacturers today face several major challenges, including:

• Eliminating siding distortion (oil canning)

• Reducing trailer weight

• Improving fuel efficiency

• Preventing water damage

• Reducing long-term maintenance

• Improving durability for enclosed trailers and specialty vehicles

As customer expectations continue to rise, traditional materials often fall short in key performance areas. Wood-based products can absorb moisture, swell, rot, and deteriorate over time. Aluminum siding can experience oil canning, creating a wavy or distorted appearance that negatively impacts trailer aesthetics.

Because of these issues, many trailer builders are investing in advanced composite materials like PolyCor AP that offer better long-term performance and reliability.

What Is PolyCor AP?

PolyCor AP is an engineered composite sheet designed specifically for trailer siding and specialty vehicle applications. It was developed and is sold exclusively by Piedmont Plastics to provide trailer manufacturers with a lightweight, stable, and durable alternative to traditional aluminum and wood-based materials.

Unlike many conventional trailer building materials, PolyCor AP is:

• Wood free

• Waterproof

• Lightweight

• Dimensionally stable

• Resistant to oil canning

• Durable in outdoor environments

• Compatible with printing and graphics

These characteristics make PolyCor AP an excellent solution for enclosed trailers, cargo trailers, toy haulers, and other specialty vehicle applications where long-term durability and appearance matter.

Why Trailer Manufacturers Are Using PolyCor AP

The Need To Eliminate Oil Canning

Oil canning is a common issue in aluminum trailer siding. It appears as visible waviness or distortion across large metal panels. Temperature fluctuations, vibration, and panel stress often cause aluminum siding to expand and contract, resulting in an uneven appearance.

For trailer manufacturers, oil canning creates several problems, including poor visual appearance, reduced perceived quality, graphic distortion, customer dissatisfaction, and increased warranty concerns.

How PolyCor AP Solves the Oil Canning Problem

PolyCor AP was engineered to maintain dimensional stability across varying temperatures and road conditions. Unlike aluminum, PolyCor AP resists the expansion and contraction that often causes oil canning. The result is a smoother, flatter trailer siding surface that maintains a clean appearance over time.

This is especially important for enclosed trailers and specialty vehicles that feature large side panels, vehicle wraps, printed graphics, branding elements, and custom finishes. A smooth exterior helps improve overall trailer appearance while providing a better surface for graphics and paint applications.

Lightweight Trailer Construction Without Sacrificing Durability

Reducing trailer weight is critical for modern trailer manufacturing, but durability cannot be compromised. PolyCor AP helps manufacturers achieve both goals.

Lighter trailers can provide better fuel efficiency, easier towing, increased payload capacity, improved handling, and reduced wear on suspension systems. At the same time, trailer siding materials must withstand road vibration, outdoor exposure, moisture, temperature changes, impact from debris, and long-term use.

PolyCor AP offers an excellent balance of lightweight performance and structural durability, making it ideal for enclosed trailers and specialty vehicle applications.

Improved Noise Reduction for Enclosed Trailers

Noise reduction is another major advantage of PolyCor materials. Traditional aluminum and wood materials often transfer vibration and road noise directly into the trailer interior. Over time, deteriorating fiberboard materials may also create gaps that allow additional sound penetration. PolyCor AP helps reduce these issues through its sound-dampening properties.

A quieter trailer interior can improve comfort and overall user experience for toy haulers, mobile workspaces, recreational trailers, specialty vehicles, mobile medical units, and command centers. By reducing vibration transfer and supporting insulated construction methods, PolyCor AP contributes to a quieter and more comfortable trailer environment.

Advancing Wood-Free Trailer Construction With PolyCor AP

The trailer manufacturing industry continues to move toward wood-free trailer construction due to the long-term benefits of advanced composite materials. Unlike traditional wood-based trailer designs, PolyCor AP helps eliminate concerns related to water intrusion, wood rot, swelling, and delamination. Its waterproof composite construction resists moisture absorption, helping reduce maintenance costs, material degradation, trailer weight, and warranty claims over time.

At the same time, PolyCor AP helps improve trailer longevity, exterior appearance, structural stability, and overall customer satisfaction. Its durable composite design also contributes to noise reduction and long-term reliability in demanding environments. As more trailer builders focus on performance, durability, and reduced maintenance, wood-free construction is becoming increasingly common across enclosed trailers and specialty vehicles.

Better Graphics and Branding Opportunities for Trailers

Trailer appearance matters more than ever, especially for enclosed trailers used for business advertising, motorsports, mobile services, recreational applications, and brand promotion.

To suit this purpose, PolyCor AP provides a smooth, stable surface that works well for vinyl graphics, wraps, printed branding, painted finishes, and custom trailer designs. Because the material resists oil canning, graphics remain cleaner and more visually appealing over time. This helps trailer manufacturers produce premium-looking trailers that maintain a professional appearance on the road.

PolyCor HL for Trailer Headliners and Ceilings

While PolyCor AP is a leading solution for trailer siding, the PolyCor product family extends beyond exterior applications to support complete trailer construction. PolyCor™ HL is specifically engineered for trailer headliners and ceiling applications, offering trailer manufacturers a lightweight, water-resistant alternative to traditional fiber-based materials.

Designed for enclosed trailers, toy haulers, and specialty vehicles, PolyCor HL helps improve durability, reduce moisture-related deterioration, and create quieter, longer-lasting trailer interiors.

Problems With Traditional Trailer Ceiling Materials

Many enclosed trailers and toy haulers use fiber-based ceiling materials that can absorb water, sag over time, deteriorate, develop mold, and increase interior noise. These issues often lead to costly repairs and reduced trailer lifespan.

Benefits of PolyCor HL

PolyCor HL provides a water-resistant alternative that offers several performance advantages, including:

• Lightweight construction

• Washable surface

• Chemical resistance

• Improved durability

• Noise reduction

• Long-term moisture resistance

Its fluted rib structure also adds strength while helping reduce sound transmission throughout the trailer. For trailer builders looking to improve both durability and interior performance, PolyCor HL offers a significant upgrade over traditional fiberboard materials.

Applications for PolyCor Products

PolyCor materials are used across a wide range of trailer manufacturing and specialty vehicle applications.

Choose PolyCor AP for:

• Interior and exterior trailer siding

• Interior cabinet faces

• Door panels

• Ceiling covers

Choose PolyCor HL for:

• Ceiling headliners

• Other insulating applications

Why Trailer Builders Choose Piedmont Plastics

Trailer manufacturers need more than just materials. They need a dependable supply partner that understands the challenges of trailer building and specialty vehicle manufacturing.

In addition to being the only supplier of PolyCor products, Piedmont Plastics is a leading distributor of performance plastics and composite materials. We excel in supporting our customers with:

• Cut-to-size and fabrication

• Local and nationwide inventory access

• Trailer industry expertise

• Reliable supply chain solutions

Piedmont Plastics works closely with trailer builders to help identify the right materials for trailer siding panels, ceilings, interiors, and specialty vehicle applications. Learn more by connecting with our material experts!