is american hardwood a good material for trailer floor??

[tillyd]

I am going to look at a trailer on Weds with view to buy. On phone chap said had a new floor recently, made from American hardwood - anyone know if that is good/safe material to use?? I guess I should just look carefully to see if any signs of rot anywhere? thanks

 

[Madasmaz]

Dunno, good question...try the Horsebox owners organization...they were really helpful when I was thinking about buying a lorry...damn the interest rate rises!

http://www.horsebox-rescue.co.uk/

 

[piebaldsparkle]

Would be strong enough, but would add a lot of weight to the trailer.

 

[flyingfeet]

I will never trust wooden floors - i've lost a horse in a trailer and there is no way I'd ever rely on wood not matter how good they say it is!

Take a screw driver suck your teeth and say you need £500 off the price to refloor it with aluminium!!!

 

[custard]

We used to have a Rice trailer and replaced the floor with a kit made by Rice at the time. It was hardwood, Keroin (sp?) I think and hard as concrete. Hardwood wears very well which is why it's expensive, just make sure you can inspect the floor fully and have a good poke. Be suspicious if you can't remove rubber mats and the like for a good look.

 

[miketdt]

Whats the name of this america hard wood? there are hundreds

 

[Tiffany]

Does he mean Hardwood Plywood or Hardwood? If it's Plywood it would need to be minimum 18mm thick. Whatever it is you might be advised to look underneath trailer and lift rubber mats in trailer. I'm paranoid about floors cos I'd be devastated if a horse put it's foot through the floor.

 

[PeterNatt]

You need to not only check the wooden planking but also the metal sub-structure and cross members that are supporting it.

Do not fall in to the trap of thinking that aluminium is any safer as aluminium flooring can set up a corrosive action with the metal sub-structure and cross-members causing corrosion and the aluminium to just drop down.

Check the ramp thoroughly as well.

 

[tillyd]

thanks everyone for all your advice, this forum is great!

I did ask if I could get to the floor to inspect and he said yes so i will have a good poke about - lift the rubber mats etc. He did also tell me what mm the wood was so will ask again as can't remember. i will try and get him to knock a few pennies off - do any of you have an idea what you'd expect to pay? also has new electrics and padding, is a Rice front and rear unload, approx 15 years old.