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Regular
Posts: 57
| One of the trailers that I am considering has an aluminum floor. One of my horses urinates in the trailer very often. Would it be necessary to pull the mats every single time this happens? I like to take good care of my trailer but would go crazy if I had to pull mats every single time I trailer.What about adding WERM flooring or some sort of Rhino lining? Would this solve the problem? Is it very expensive? |
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Expert
Posts: 2614
  
| If I thought I had to pull those mats out every time I hauled,and wind up with a back injury,I would go ahead and invest in a WERM floor.I've always been hesitant to say I'd go with Rhino,because,you can't really see what is going on beneath the Rhino liner and the floor.I know that Rhino reps say that is exactly why they install it,you don't have to worry about the floor because it's covered,ect.But they usually install it in truck beds,not where 1000+ horses are standing and urinating.
So,I believe I would have either WERM,or Rumber flooring.The reason we don't worry so much in our LQ is that we seldom haul in it,and it's not a big deal for the two of us to pull the mats about twice a year.But it is still a lot of sweat and hard work,and getting them back in is maybe worse than getting them out.We bed pretty heavy with shavings that help but it will still seep between the mats to the floor,and it will speed up corrosion.Incidentally,we use vise grips to help maneuver the mats around a little easier. |
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Expert
Posts: 1205
Location: Arkansas | Suppose you put down the Rhino lining, then used your regular mats over that to protect from horses hoof wear...would that be do-able? |
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Expert
Posts: 2614
| I don' think you would need them.Rhino promotes their linings as being able to withstand hauling rocks,concrete,ect.course that's not taking into consideration a steel shoe on the end of a 1000lb+ animal with a Gforce of -no telling what! Plenty is all I know.I would discuss it thoroughly with my local Rhino liner dealer beforehand,but it certainly is an expensive way to go.Liner for 8'truck bed: almost $500.And it is Rhino lining,not a substitute.I was going to have it in one of my trailers,but the price changed my mind in a hurry. |
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Regular
Posts: 85
| If your horse urinates on an aluminum floor with just mats, I would for sure take them out and wash the trailer floor. Had a friend who "thought" she kept her trailer pretty clean, would pull mats and clean, etc. After 5 years, her floor had to be repaired. That is what swayed me to buy a treated wood floor instead of aluminum floor. I am not into having to meticoulously clean a floor every time a horse pees as I have a mare who is notorious for urinating the minute I shut the door. |
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Expert
Posts: 2689
| Here we go - AGAIN !!!
I wash the trailers out after every use.
I pull the mats maybe once a year.
I havn't used shavings for two or three years now.
I have no signs of aluminum floor corrosion.
BTW, Jamco and 4-Star - just in case someone suggests that there is an issue with the particular grade/quality of the aluminum alloy used in floors.
Opinion; The Jamco has a better (by design) drainage system than the 4-Star.
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Member
Posts: 6
Location: Iowa | I hose mine out after each use, pull the mats once a year and wash out. Done this for over ten years without any problems. |
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Veteran
Posts: 140
Location: NM | I'm a really bad horse trailer owner. I have a 94 all Al Featherlite. Yesterday, for the 2nd time since I have had it, I pulled the mats and did a good cleaning. The floor was fine. Granted for about 6 years this trailer sat around and didn't go anywhere. We also live in the desert so it is really dry and pee usually evaporates pretty quickly. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 648
Location: Coconut Creek, FL | guess I'm one of the lucky ones as my gelding has never peed in any trailer....... (sure glad he can't read!) |
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Expert
Posts: 2614
| The uric acid content in urine continues to have a corrosive effect after it has dried.It will combine with other moisture under the mats and just sit there.I'd at least hose mine out afterwards if I were you and leave it open to dry quicker. |
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Veteran
Posts: 112
Location: Columbus, Ohio | Well, if you have one that urinates in the trailer definately go for some type of spray on liner like the Rhino or poured like WERM. Another good alternative is Rumber. I went through this- ended up with a plank aluminum floor that drains (I've seen it as my mare thinks urinating in the trailer is fun) that also has a rhino sprayed on it. I think mats with shavings are always a good idea- would defin. need mats with the Rhino- not so much the WERM or Rumber. I ended up with Logan XTR but believe there are others that offer the plank for better drainage. Good luck. |
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Maintaining an aluminum floor?
