A while back were some pics posted of a Trails West wth a LQ. The LQ area flooring was OSB and the frame looked like it belonged to a garden cart. Do a search and see what other people have posted.

Gard

I recently was talking with my Vet.  He sees all kinds of trailers, every day as horse owners pull into his vet clinic. He told me his next trailer was going to be a Steel Trails West. I don't think he cares about a LQ, he goes to ropings which are mostly held at fairgrounds. His logic was that they are just a solid strong trailer that last.

I believe the post refered to by Gard above had a reply from the president (or some officer of the corp) that they had tested many materials and found that the OSB held up just as well if not better than the other materials available. I recently went and inspected a home that was left unfinished for three years. A bank forclosurer. It's waffer board had faced the elements for three straight years. Yes there were a few pieces that needed to be replaced, primarily on the roof where the snow sat on it all winter and stayed wet. But most of the walls (vertical surface where the water ranoff) were still solid.  It would be interesting to hear just how many owners of those trailers needed to replace that material and at what intervals.

I live in Utah and Trails West are made in Preston Idaho, Not far away. So I see lots of those trailers around. People complain that they are heavy, but I've never heard anyone complain that they didn't hold up.

The area in which you live will have a great affect on the longevity of your trailer. The high plains desert states and the storms and winters of the North East have conditions that vary greatly.

 I would never own a LQ that didn't have a full aluminum floor. I have seen unprotected OSB delaminate and expand in one winter storm. I am not willing to spend $60K on any trailer, built with the least expensive flooring material that's available. There are many good trailers constructed with solid floors, better frames and materials in the same price range.

Gard

What is the "OSB" you are talking about and where would I look for it?

c.will

OSB is orientated strand board. It is comprised of wood chips glued together. On the Trails West is the flooring material in the LQ. It is not designed for constant exposure to weather, as the material will expand and delaminate when it is wetted.

Gard

It looks like I better check mine first thing in the morning and see what it has.  Mine is not very old and we have not had much rain.

What is the avg. like that you could expect out of a floor like that?

c.will

Here is a lik to the technical guide that details OSB and Wafer board. They have said they are using OSB ( not wafer) which is stronger.

The guide also details how that the wood chips are  

"After slicing they are dried, blended with wax and waterproof exterior type binders"

As a builder I use both products. We have houses get absolutely soaked in the winter, Where it takes 3-4 weeks to get them framed and they have snow 2 feet deep that gets packed into ice from workers walking over it. It holds up much better than any of the old plywood products we used to use.

http://www.osbguide.com/pdfs/TB103.pdf

That is what I have heard.  I did recieve the information back from the manurfacture of the OSB and was told that this product is great in construction work in case there is bad weather and/or  delays in the building process.  And also let me know it is not intended for extended exposure to the elements (water or humid weather) and that would decrease the life of the product.  (ie: good upto a few months before it needs to be covered)

Thanks c.will

We have a 2006 Trails West Adventure MXll. The paint and smooth construction of the side walls and dividers is top notch. The dividers are extremly easy to use and lie flat against the wall with a great latching system when you want to haul others items.

I think Trails West needs to improve the rubber lined walls though. It is too soft and tears easily if a horse braces against the bulk head wall. I have been trying to get a return call from TW to get a replacement piece of rubber as a small piece has torn near the back corner and floor. I will try again tomorrow. Need to fix it as we are getting ready to sell it and buy a three horse instead.

Other than the lined walls, I am pleased with the quality of the trailer as far as steel trailers go.

I would take into consideration where you live.    Harsh winters take their toll on  a steel trailer. My friend bought a new  Steel Trails West , He just got it paid off last year , took him about 4 yrs and it   already has a significant amount of surface rust .  He LOVES the trailer just not happy  about the surface rust already .   We live in the NE Region. 

Altho My first Trailer was a 20 yr old Steel Monarch that  was still  strong as an Ox and I got another 5 yrs out of it .