Posted 2007-05-16 3:45 PM (#60854) Subject: aluminum trailer floor pitting, can it be fixed??
New User
Posts: 2
Location: North Louisiana
the floor in my aluminum trailer is pitted a little bit. you can see the ground in some places how can I fix this?? some one said squirt some sillicone in it?? Help!!
Posted 2007-05-16 9:03 PM (#60872 - in reply to #60854) Subject: RE: aluminum trailer floor pitting, can it be fixed??
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Jess ... You have a serious problem. If the floor is penetrated by the pit as you say, it could be a structural issue. Meaning that the floor could give way to a hoof. Silicone sealant only plugs the hole, chewed bubble gum will serve as well.
You need a competent shop to determine the extent of the damage. Internet answers are only guesses.
Posted 2007-05-17 12:23 AM (#60885 - in reply to #60854) Subject: RE: aluminum trailer floor pitting, can it be fixed??
Regular
Posts: 70 Location: Northern, CA
Years ago, first aluminum trailer floor did that. We rinsed it out after each use, BUT...our fault for not bedding the trailer (we were used to plank flooring). The urine had caused the pitting. Will not mention manufacturer, as don't want to get into brand bashing. Manufacturer replaced the floor for us, for free. After the new floor went in, we started bedding real deep and have never run into the problem again (4 trailers later).
Posted 2007-05-17 4:17 PM (#60934 - in reply to #60854) Subject: RE: aluminum trailer floor pitting, can it be fixed??
Member
Posts: 7
Location: Chapel Hill, NC 27517
I have a trailer with an aluminum floor too. A friend recommended that I have it sprayed with the "spray in bed liner" material like they put in trucks. I know some aluminum floored trailers come like that. Has anyone had that done to their trailer? I think it runs around $300 - $400 depending on the size of the trailer.
Posted 2007-05-17 5:25 PM (#60936 - in reply to #60872) Subject: RE: aluminum trailer floor pitting, can it be fixed??
Veteran
Posts: 238 Location: West Coast
Originally written by hosspuller on 2007-05-16 7:03 PM
Jess ... You have a serious problem. If the floor is penetrated by the pit as you say, it could be a structural issue. Meaning that the floor could give way to a hoof. Silicone sealant only plugs the hole, chewed bubble gum will serve as well.
You need a competent shop to determine the extent of the damage. Internet answers are only guesses.
I agree, I would get the trailer to a good shop to determine the extent of the damage to the floor. Once the problem with the floor is taken care of, having rhino lining put under the mats can keep the problem from occurring again. If you don't want to spend the money on rhino lining, just be sure you pull the mats and rinse the floor every 2-3 months. Putting baking soda under the mats can also help slow down the pitting. Again I wouldn't haul horses in the trailer until you are sure the floor is structurally sound. Good luck and let us know how it all turns out. :)
Posted 2007-05-18 7:48 AM (#60957 - in reply to #60854) Subject: RE: aluminum trailer floor pitting, can it be fixed??
Elite Veteran
Posts: 824 Location: Kansas
I'd go with the rhino-lining. I was in the same situation with my trailer and did the cleaning out and also the baking soda thing. I had no structural problems but the pitting was only going to get worse. The rhino-lining was a good investment for me. Don't think you don't need mats afterwards though-it's a coating, not a cushion.
Posted 2007-05-18 10:21 AM (#60963 - in reply to #60854) Subject: RE: aluminum trailer floor pitting, can it be fixed??
Veteran
Posts: 112 Location: Columbus, Ohio
For gosh sakes don't put a horse in there if you can see the ground! At least not until you have it checked out by a reputable service department! If the floor needs to be replaced see if they offer plank alum. flooring. I have it- it will drain. It is also sprayed with a rhino-type material to never allow decomposing materials to have contact! The flat sheet flooring where they drill a few holes in seems sub-standard if there is a better option/new technology! Good Luck!
Posted 2007-05-18 8:37 PM (#60979 - in reply to #60854) Subject: RE: aluminum trailer floor pitting, can it be fixed??
Member
Posts: 24
You need to get WERM flooring installed. That will solve all of your problems. Spray in bed liners will chip eventually and your floor will be exposed again. www.sofdek.com
aluminum trailer floor pitting, can it be fixed??
