Horsebox flooring

[Elitemareslol]

I was hoping that someoen might be able to advise on the type of wood to use to refloor a trailer. I can see from the existing floor the dimensions, but was wondering whether anyone out there had any good advice on type of wood please.

 

[sassyequine]

I wouldnt use wood, I would suggest you go for aliminium, its lighter, safer and stronger.

Good luck

 

[flyingfeet]

Don't bother - spend the extra and go for aluminium planks or sheets (planks are stronger).

 

[Elitemareslol]

Do you know where I might get such a thing?

 

[Steeleydan]

Ideally you would use aluminium planks but would be expensive, you can get a special type of wood for floors of horse boxes, trailers and flat bed trailers, its wood with like a brown shiney coating on it so water cannot be absorbed into it. Sorry I can only discribe it i dont know the correct name for it. Once you have re done your floor in the future if you need to hose the rubber mats down take them out and do them on the yard, if you do it with them in the trailer the water sits between the mats and wood and cannot get properly dry and thats what rots the floors.

 

[Elitemareslol]

Thank you all. I am looking for the cheapest and safest option. I think aluminium is too expensive by the sound of it so far.

I was thinking 6 by 1.5 inch wood planks topped with a layer of marine ply to strengthen, but I was hoping that there would be some similar experience out there.
cheers

 

[maggiehorse]

tanalised softwood 1/12 inch or a hardwood, but alluminium is much better long term

 

[LCobby]

Marine ply, on top of 'keralin' wooden planks - a very hard hardwood.

You'll need new sharp new drill bits and saw blades to cut and dril it but its superb wood.

 

[charltonhorseboxes]

If you don't want to go for the aluminium, use 1inch thick phenal board. This is the brown shiny product that some-one mentioned earlier. It is not easily available but if you phone your nearest horsebox builder, they may be able to help.
Failing that, marine ply is the next best which you can buy at any hardware store. Keep the floor as dry as you can and check your floor regularly.

 

[PeterNatt]

Only use aluminium planking or sheeting if the steel cross members and supports have had a membrane applied to them. Otherwise you will get a galvanic action between the steel and aluminium which will rot the supports and aluminium causing the floor to drop down.

 

[Elitemareslol]

Thank you all very much for your input. It looks as though I need a strong hardwood, preferrably treated in some way to prevent further rot. I can't do aluminium based on the last comment. Ta, should be up and running in a couple of weeks.