Trailers with wooden floors...

Paint it Lucky

Paint it Lucky

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Just wondering what people's oppinions/experiences on this are. I am looking to buy a second hand trailer and many of them have wooden floors, some of which are brand new but I am still a bit wary as I have heard of them rotting in the past. Mainly am worried that as they are under rubber matting it is hard to see the state of the floor, presumably aluminium ones are more long-lasting and so prehaps worth paying extra for? Can anyone share any advice on this. Also I don't want a trailer that is too heavy either, are wooden floors significantly heavier than aluminium or metal ones?

Thanks :)
 
I've never towed a trailer with an aluminum floor, so can't help with the weight, but as long as you check under the rubber matting regular for any signs of rotting you should be fine. Of course clean it out after each use, & some bedding will soak up urine. My old ifors floor did start to go last year, but I have a handy OH who put a new floor in. I know someone who replaced there's with aluminum, cost a few hundred quid I think xx
 
Aliminuim will also go in time if they are not cleaned out regually as urine & Faeces are both carosive so dont be fooled by the metal means safer, its all dependant on how its cared for.

i personally prefer a wooden floor as you can poke & prod it & "feel" any weak spots.
 
We've just replaced a wooden floor. Used 3/4" plywood (hardwood plywood?). It is going off to have 3mm aluminium sheets on top.

It's a three horse trailer, so needs to be strong enough to take a fair bit of weight.

Before we (um, well, by 'we' I mean D and D2 :cool::D) put the wood in, D rubbed down the framework and gave it three coats of Hammerite all the way round.
 
I would have one with a wooden floor without a hesitation. OH is handy and could replace if necessary and would also spot one that was rotten so wouldn't fuss me. I'll have a tiny budget when I buy so will definitely be looking at wood not aluminium.

Don't chevals come with a wooden floor anyway? I'm sure one of the makers is still using wood even today so it cant be all bad!
 
Thanks that gives me something to think about. There is one very near me that has just had a new wooden floor put in that is going fairly cheaply, maybe I should go have a look, there is also an ally one that is a bit newer and only a little more expensive, just trying to decide which would be best really!
 
Ours has a marine-ply floor, it's checked yearly for rotting and now, I suppose 4/5 years from new it's still in perfect nick :) It's regularly cleaned out, and never had a problem with it :) Do be careful with what sort of ply is used though, I know of somebody who had their lorry ramp replaced and the lorry people used the wrong sort and it totally rotted out! :eek: Luckily he kicked back the matting on the ramp and saw it had rotted before a horse went through it!

J&C
 
Mine has a hard wood floor it was done before we brought it. It is immaculate and looks as good as new. It was stored on hard standing so it didnt get damp underneath. It also has stable matting in with the grooves pointing to the back, he had a wee in it at the weekend and it all drained out and after I had hosed it when I lifted the mats the floor was still dry. So if it is set up well then I don't think it's a problem and as some one else said it is easier to spot problems with a wooden floor.
 
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