Just bought my first trailer, a nice 2 horse straight load Circle J in good shape.  Had the wheel bearings packed, brakes checked, emergency brake battery replaced, etc.  But I've got a few questions. 

Pulled up the carpet (gezz whose idea was that?) in the tack area under the manger.  Some rust.  Planning to scrub off the rust, paint with rustoleum and then...???  Should I put in thin mats to keep stuff from rolling around or paint with some kind of non-skid?  Don't want rust under the mats!!

Since I'm pretty much on my own here (a 58 year old with her first horse), I want to make certain that I can handle a flat.   I'd love to be able to leave the horse IN the trailer.  Found the "Jiffy Jack" and "Trailer-Aid" where you drive the good tire onto the platform and that lifts the flat tire.  Does anyone have experience with these?  Otherwise, what do you do??

Thanks for your help!!

Janice

Both of those tire as work great. The last 4 trailers I've owned all came with generic version included in the trailer.  I've never used it on the road. But have used it a lot at home to pull tires off so I can repack bearing etc.

Is it true that you need to have one on both sides so that undue stress is not put on the axle?

Thanks.

To yael, have you looked into US Rider Insurance - a road service in case you have a a problem?

I have re-done a few older trailers and I have used spray on undercoating then put a mat over the top after it had dried a few days.  I have also used a rubberrized roof coating for metal roofs that works great, but shows dirt bad unless you cover it with a rubber mat.

Either way, make sure you clean the floor out really well and let it dry good before you use either product.  My opinion the roof coating it the less mess of either product, I just dump some on the floor then use a large paint brush to cover the floor and all edges and cracks.  What I like about this is after it dries you can add more to make the floor coating thicker.

For changing a tire, NO

Since I'm pretty much on my own here (a 58 year old with her first horse), I want to make certain that I can handle a flat.   I'd love to be able to leave the horse IN the trailer.  Found the "Jiffy Jack" and "Trailer-Aid" where you drive the good tire onto the platform and that lifts the flat tire.  Does anyone have experience with these?  Otherwise, what do you do??

Oh,yeah.Had some REAL good experience with one on a Fri.PM,Memorial Day weekend,when we had a blowout about 9PM on the interstate going around Springfield,MO.And I'll tell you that they are worth their weight in gold.May not ever need one,it's kind of like a good surgeon--don't want to have to use him but if you do--it's sure a good thing to have around!

Don't be scared.  Be prepared.

Here's a flat tire with THREE horses in the trailer.  The trailer is on a "Trailer-Aid"  And we were back on our way in 15 minutes.

Agreed on the trailer aid, we had a flat with 5 horses on a 5 horse trailer last weekend and were changed and on the way in about 20 minutes...no horses unloaded.

Mike