Posted 2012-06-06 7:38 PM (#144622) Subject: Hole in Werm floor
Regular
Posts: 93 Location: Nebraska
When I purchased my used trailer we drove to another state to get it, part of the reason I wanted it was because it had a werm floor installed over an aluminum floor. When we got there we found that there was a hole worn through the werm to the aluminum, done so by the horses rear feet during travel. This hole was in the first stall and after we got the trailer home I got a patch kit, the floor was loose for a large area around this hole and so we patched an area approximately 2x2. Now a year later, after a 500 mile trip while on vacation, a horse in the rear stall worked a hole in the werm there also, this horse was shod with a plate shoe. I'm sure it will be the same senario, loose for a large area around this hole. I am going to purchase mats, but I am disappointed to have to mess with mats when I thought I had a trailer with a minumum maintenance floor. My question to you is whether this is typical of a werm floor or if it was improperly installed. Are there many aluminum trailers besides Dream Coach that can be purchased with a rumber floor?
Posted 2012-06-06 11:02 PM (#144632 - in reply to #144622) Subject: RE: Hole in Werm floor
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Many people have resorted to using mats over the WERM material, because of the lack of cushioning of the WERM. Any holes in the material can trap liquids against the flooring, which can accellerate the corrosion process.
Mats are an ideal protection and cushioning solution.
Posted 2012-06-07 9:16 AM (#144639 - in reply to #144622) Subject: RE: Hole in Werm floor
Elite Veteran
Posts: 681 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
I replaced the mats over my DIY WERM floor as soon as it was dry.. The mats add extra cushion, protect the werm, and I would imagine provide further dampening of road-noise.. Before I did my floor, I spoke to a lady that I had met a a trailhead about her WERM floor, and she said one of her horses, who was never a pawer in a previous trailer, began pawing in her new (WERM-floor) trailer until she put mats back on top.
Posted 2012-06-07 8:13 PM (#144652 - in reply to #144622) Subject: RE: Hole in Werm floor
Regular
Posts: 51 Location: VA
I've had a WERM floor in a 2h sl bp trailer for almost a year. Installed at the Adam Trailers factory in Rural Retreat VA. They are a WERM dealer. Just hauled a shod horse 600 miles round trip, probably 2K towing with horses, and no noticeable wear. If the floor was installed properly, it should not be loose. My floor has a 2 year warranty. We discussed that if a horse was shod with Borium or Dril-Tex over time it would wear through. When I had horses shod that way and rubber mats, the mats would show considerable wear. Borium or Dril-Tex will gouge concrete so any softer material is at risk. Was your patch kit of the WERM material? Supposedly, you have to chisle or grind out the worn place, according to the WERM guy, before you can patch it. I find that WERM has as much cushing effect as rubber mats. I prefer the ease of cleaning with no mats, even if there is some wearing.
Posted 2012-06-10 5:02 PM (#144713 - in reply to #144622) Subject: RE: Hole in Werm floor
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385 Location: high desert, CA.
Our Classic Westerner 2h, BP, has rumbar floor, and after 5 yrs of weekly hauling, and long trips to Oregon and Washington, it still looks like new after a good pressure wash.
Posted 2012-06-12 9:04 PM (#144754 - in reply to #144622) Subject: RE: Hole in Werm floor
Member
Posts: 16
Location: UT
I've been told that the werm floor that I have was not installed properly. I have cracks running along the boards in some parts. I took it to a Werm dealer to look at repairing and he said that the floor should have been installed over plywood rather than directly on the wood with duct tape over the seams. FWIW I've been happy with mine other than this and certainly haven't had the wear you describe.
Posted 2012-06-13 5:04 AM (#144771 - in reply to #144754) Subject: RE: Hole in Werm floor
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Originally written by mkenngen on 2012-06-12 9:04 PM
I've been told that the werm floor that I have was not installed properly. I have cracks running along the boards in some parts. I took it to a Werm dealer to look at repairing and he said that the floor should have been installed over plywood rather than directly on the wood with duct tape over the seams. FWIW I've been happy with mine other than this and certainly haven't had the wear you describe.
I don't think I would want WERM on any type of WOOD flooring... I would replace the wood with RUMBER, or just keep the pressure treated wood with some good mats. Wood and mats have worked that way for many years, probably the best ride for the horses.
I got a 2006 4 Star 6 horse head to head with factory WERM floor... No problems.
Posted 2012-06-13 9:49 AM (#144777 - in reply to #144622) Subject: RE: Hole in Werm floor
Regular
Posts: 51 Location: VA
The first question asked when I called the dealer/installer about getting a WERM floor was whether I had an aluminum floor. He replied that they will not install WERM over wood as it never holds. Wood is too flexible and there are gaps between the boards that will guarantee it will crack. Basically, a waste of money.
Hole in Werm floor
