Rubber matting in trailer

[BridgetMiller]

I bought a new Rice Beaufort trailer last year for my 17hh 7/8 TB last year. I have been really pleased with it apart from the rubber matting. Within a month of buying it the screws holding the matting sown under my horses back feet came loose and the mat curled up leaving him stood on the slippery plastic floor. Rice sent me some bolts and I had these fitted instead of the self tapping screws Rice had put in. They only did the back mats. Yesterday there was a commotion in the trailer and when I stopped to check my horse the mat under his front feet had torn away from the screw and he was again stood on the slippery floor underneath. i had a hell of a job to get him to lift his feet so that I could put the mat back down. Poor chap was very frightened and I was in a lay-by on my own so could not risk unloading him. Had to travel him home on the other side. Now lost my confidence so am off to try and buy some thicker mats as they don't seem man enough for the job. my horse is an excellent traveller, I show him the ramp and he walks on himself and usually doesn't move. i use the trailer about twice a week for lessons and competitions. Rice say they have never heard anyone else having these problems, they would of course. Has anyone else had any similar problems?

 

[Christmas_Kate]

This isnt good enough for a big company like rice. Send them a stern (but polite) letter asking them to send someone out to have a look. They should do this under warranty. State that you think the matting is dangerous, and what happened in the lay by. If they refuse to acknowledge the problem get in touch with the MD or equivalent and say you want a full or partial refund, OR new matting fitted. This shouldnt have happened after a year.

 

[Louby]

Dont buy any more mats. Get onto Rice, Im sure they will replace and fix them properly free of charge. I think Ifor may have had a similar problem as when I took my last trailer for a service I was asked why I hadnt took it back as my year of trailer had been recalled. Didnt know anything about it but they replaced the 'bolts' holding the mats down with a sort of squared off spur shaped bolt (sorry for description cant think what the proper name is) free of charge.

 

[BridgetMiller]

Thanks, I know I should do that but what I don't want is it replaced with the same matting it just isn't strong enough and stretches. I am going to my local trailer dealer who always serviced my previous trailers to see what he recommends. I'm thinking of getting some 18mm mats like stable ones as I know they won't shift.

 

[TheBlackMoth]

Hi

Can you let me know what year your Ifor Williams is as I have one and have been having some problems with the matting.

Thanks

Nuala

 

[Louby]

It was my old trailer, it had the Aluminium floor and I bought it new in Oct 2000 or 2001 I think. It had bolt like screws holding the matting down but I never had a problem although it wasnt used much. The dealership replaced them in 2004/5 just before I sold it. I got another trailer recently and it had the new style fastenners on.
Give them a ring. I'd ring Ifor Williams direct rather than your dealership first.