How easy is it to replace trailer ramp floor?

[xStephx]

Hi,

As the title really, as the bottom of my ramp has gone rotten near the hinge and needs replacing. Is it easy to do yourself? Its a Bateson Derby trailer and looks like if I just unscrew the wooden batons around the edge I should be able to get the old wooden floor out. Only thing is I'm not sure how the wood is secured to the ramp itself until I take this apart and have a look and then how you fix the new plywood. I've looked at both Marine Ply and Buffalo Ply and neither come in a size that fits the ramp in one piece, it would have to be two boards cut to size (I imagine horizontally), would this be ok to have two separate pieces? My ramp is approx. 1420 wide x 1520mm long and about 40mm depth from timber batons to outside of ramp. I was thinking of using maybe 18/22mm thick ply with a gripped rubber mat on top like it already has which is about 5mm and then putting new timber around the edges to secure everything.

And if anyone has any experience of a claustrophobic horse and getting it used to being in a trailer without doubling barrelling the ramp and kicking the hell out of it that would be great! Loads fine and stays in (until he has an episode), I'm just not allowed to leave!

Thanks

 

[Beausmate]

I've just done a ramp replacement on my Rice Beaufort. It was fiddly and took a while, but we left it connected to the trailer; I think if I did it again, I'd take the ramp off first.

The Buffalo board (phenolic ply) was very expensive as I also don't have a ramp that could be done in one with a standard size sheet. In the end I used normal (best quality I could get) 18mm ply and painted it with roof seal (rubbery stuff), which seems like a nice, resilient finish. I've added a layer of rubber for grip and to protect the finish on the board, but is't only 3mm and I'm not sure how long it will last.

I'll find a pic.


Trailer mirror for the horse?

 

[Beausmate]

Before

During

After

 

[xStephx]

Thanks for that might give it a go. Looks pretty neat! Someone is meant to be coming out to give me a quote but I'd rather save money and do it myself if possible. I also don't want spend a lot and have him ruin it.

I have a mirror and was thinking about using this. I bought it when he had to be box rested and it made no difference. Might sound silly but I think he knows it's him. I showed him it the other week when he was having a fit on the yard because a mare left (a bit riggy now on rigcalm) and he took no notice. I left it in between bars of stable at an angle so I didn't have to hold it and he knocked it off and broke one corner.

 

[Beausmate]

My claustrophobic horse (at 17.3hh is too big for the trailer really) was sedated when he travelled. I take the partition out and cross-tie him to stop him turning round. He doesn't go anywhere, except to move yards, but the sedalin worked so well, that if I had to take him out a lot for riding, I would dope him and take him out a few times, gradually reducing the amount of sedation.

He travelled so well, he didn't sweat up, didn't poo (!) and wasn't in any kind of rush to get out. VERY impressed! A mirror wouldn't work for him because he would be too wound up to notice it. He is a pillock.

Cost for the ramp was (approx) £100 for the ply (10' x 5'), £40 for 5m rubber, nuts and bolts £6 from a fixings supplier, £28 for the Thompson's 10 year roofseal and I've still got a load left and another £6 for the wood. It's tanalised and I got it from a timer yard, they even cut it to length. I did plane and sand it though.

I have enough ply left to do the front ramp too.

If you go ahead, don't forget to remove anything that may be screwed into the ramp. Number plate, lights etc.

If you can operate a tape measure, saw, screwdriver and spanner, then you should be able to do it yourself. I do recommend an assistant though-even if it's just to make the coffee!


If he boots the ramp, I'd use much thicker rubber. It will make the ramp heavier though. Or maybe a padded gate type thing to put between him and the ramp?