I bought a used mil-spec stainless steel 1-horse trailer that is extra-tall & extra-wide. It was inspected and the floor is ok but the mat seems thin to me. I read somewhere that Sundowner has optional 1" mats. Does this thickness seem like a good idea and would it be available elsewhere? I may haul 5-6 hours now, maybe longer distances later. More common are the short trips about 50 miles.
Posted 2011-03-16 8:56 PM (#131736 - in reply to #131732) Subject: RE: Trailer Mats
Member
Posts: 5
Location: Lone Oak, Texas U.S.A.
I don't know about Sundowner. You should be able to get a 1" thick, 4' x 6' mat at a farm supply (ie TSC). 1" mats are the only way to go, helps cut down the road shock. We use those with a good amout of shavings on top.
Posted 2011-03-17 9:47 PM (#131796 - in reply to #131732) Subject: RE: Trailer Mats
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 379 Location: Missouri
I picked up 3 mats for my day trailer at Orschlens Farm and Home for $30 each. They are 1" thick, ribs on one side textured on the other. Orschlens is a Missouri chain so you may not have any where you are. The good thing about a thick mat, it won't bunch up or slide around on you. These that I put in needed two people just to load them in the truck.
Posted 2011-03-18 9:03 AM (#131807 - in reply to #131796) Subject: RE: Trailer Mats
Location: USA
I called Orschelns in Springdale, AR (closest)& they said they only had 3/16th thick. The website did not show trailer mats. Which specific location in MO carried the 1" thick mat? None of the trailer distributors or repair shops here have 1" thick mats.
Posted 2011-03-18 9:31 AM (#131808 - in reply to #131732) Subject: RE: Trailer Mats
Elite Veteran
Posts: 824 Location: Kansas
You might look at equifoam mats by Dow Corning. I have these in my trailer and love them. They are close to 2 inches thick and weigh 28 pounds each. You can google to find them. They are a little pricey but I have had mine for several years and they show no wear. They fit snugly and don't move around.
Posted 2011-03-18 10:11 AM (#131810 - in reply to #131808) Subject: RE: Trailer Mats
Regular
Posts: 95 Location: Seattle "pshaw, its not raining hardly at all!" WA
Originally written by terri s on 2011-03-18 7:31 AM
You might look at equifoam mats by Dow Corning. I have these in my trailer and love them. They are close to 2 inches thick and weigh 28 pounds each. You can google to find them. They are a little pricey but I have had mine for several years and they show no wear. They fit snugly and don't move around.
I'm intrigued...do your horses wear shoes? do they paw at all? I love the idea of squishy comfy mats but worry that my shod arab would destroy them... (all you quarter horse owners can quit rolling your eyes now! )
Posted 2011-03-18 10:16 AM (#131811 - in reply to #131732) Subject: RE: Trailer Mats
Location: USA
You'd think that a regular trailer mat on top of additional cushion would hold up and be better than shavings. My horse only paws when he needs to urinate since he won't do it in the trailer (mixed "blessing").
I'm not having any luck finding closed cell foam mats though. I called carpet supply stores and insulation supply stores ... any thoughts?
Posted 2011-03-18 12:00 PM (#131815 - in reply to #131732) Subject: RE: Trailer Mats
Elite Veteran
Posts: 824 Location: Kansas
I say they have no signs of wear-yes, there is the start of an abrasion mark because I do have one who paws. But these mats are about 8 years old and have taken a lot of abuse. They aren't soft and squishy, more of a dense, high impact material, almost like a styrofoam. They are supposed to cut down the vibration underfoot and I thought that might settle the mare down. It was not a cure, darn it! But it did help.
Posted 2011-03-18 12:04 PM (#131816 - in reply to #131815) Subject: RE: Trailer Mats
Regular
Posts: 95 Location: Seattle "pshaw, its not raining hardly at all!" WA
oo! this sounds like an awesome product!! especially the light weight bit. I am NOT looking forward to the first time I have to wrestle the regular mats in my new trailer....
Posted 2011-03-18 2:35 PM (#131826 - in reply to #131732) Subject: RE: Trailer Mats
Location: USA
After many phone calls, I found that Dow no longer manufactures Equifoam. Clark Foam in IL (888-284-2290) carries a closed-cell polyethelene 9# in 24" x 108" x2" sheets and it ships by truck.
Posted 2011-03-18 8:04 PM (#131832 - in reply to #131732) Subject: RE: Trailer Mats
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 379 Location: Missouri
Has Been,
I bought the mats at Orschlens in Columbia MO, and I think they might actually be 5/8" instead of 1", but they are very heavy. Sounds like who you talked to quoted truck bed mats, they're about 3/16". I couldn't find them listed on Orschlens website either, I even tried Tractor Supply since they seem to stock the same kind of products as Orschlens. Not that it helps you but Orschlens here has them, I was just there today. Current price is $39.99, I got mine on sales for $29.
Posted 2011-03-19 8:22 AM (#131844 - in reply to #131732) Subject: RE: Trailer Mats
Elite Veteran
Posts: 824 Location: Kansas
That's the stuff. I bought it through them but thought Dow was the manufacturer? Anyway, I think you would like it if you bought some. Very easy to handle, would not have a trailer without them again. Just can't lug around those 100 pound mats anymore.
Trailer Mats
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