Now some of the early aluminum steel Trailets that's a different story.

The warranty on the Hawks are 5 years for the Custom series, 7 years on the Elite series. It sounds as if they didn't use pressure treated plywood, because of the aluminum skin they have inside the steel ramp frame.

The ramp could be rebuilt using new pressure treated plywood, and changing out the aluminum trim panel to steel. Or a barrier coating could be used on the outside of the plywood, to protect the aluminum from the wood treatment.

In time, you may have problems around the edges of the aluminum panel, where it rests against the steel frame. The aluminum edges should be surfaced with a barrier coating, where ever it contacts the steel frame, before it is installed.

You have several issues of incompatibility with the various materials. The wood treatment attacks aluminum, The aluminum and steel don't get along. Untreated plywood will wick and trap moisture, delaminating the layers when the glue joints fail.

Gard

Wow! I certainly understand the astonishment.  As I read your post I thought:

• Trailer wasn't in mint condition, just appeared to be.
• There must be a "possible way" that water got to the plywood.

Trailers are interesting things in that the surfaces may be an indicator of whats inside but not necessesarily.  I recently helped a friend take his trailer in for service for similar problem.  In his case it wasn't a LQ, just a dressing room.  Everything looked good and well maintained but the ramp had a very soft spot.  After we removed the rubber mat we got a good look at rotted plywood and two broken welds.  Pretty sure water caused the rot but we are still looking for the "source."  The broken welds appeared to be caused by stress from closing the ramp up on shavings,etc. over and over through the years.  The trailer is still in good shape . . . just needed some repair/maintenance.  Not bad for a ten year old trailer, really.

Good luck on your repairs.

Roll on.

PS  I love ramps.

Hi,

Just wanted to pipe in on this one since I know the original poster - we were on a ride together and I saw what happened to her ramp.  When I got back to my barn I was telling some folks, who also have a Hawk trailer (bought used in mint condition) about what I had just seen.  We turned to look at their trailer and saw the tell tale dimpling on the ramp.  Sure enough, the wood in their ramp was rotted through as well.  Fortunately, they have a pony who wasn't heavy enough to break through the ramp - yet.   Two Hawk trailers in one weekend!

Reading on different forums, I've definitely seen issues where they plywood had to be replaced on an aluminum ramp - and where it wasn't done soon enough as happened here.

I can't say that the times I've read of the issue have been with Hawk - I simply don't remember - but it is something that does happen and isn't uncommon. I also understand that it can be repaired and now that you know there can be an issue with the plywood, you are in a better position to avoid it.

I'm glad that your horses were not injured. 

I have no connection to Hawk or any other trailer builder.

I had a steel trailer with a ramp.  The ramp was built of plywood cased with steel on the outside and edges.   The walking surface was covered by rubber matting.  After a few years the ramp started to buckle and sag under a horse...  Yup .. The plywood was rotted.  Water had run down the edge and into the ramp core.  New plywood and straightened the metal for a few bucks.  Even reused the mats.   Attached a small piece of plastic over the top to divert the water away from the ramp.

Don't be afraid of stuff.  It happens.  Be prepared instead.  Those people with ramps, notice if the ramp is bending under a horse more than before.  Then look for the reason.  Nothing stays pristine forever.  If it did, we couldn't afford it.

Here's a picture of my rusted, rotted ramp in the middle of the repair process.  The plywood has been removed and I'm trying to straighten the metal. (By me, stepping on the end of the ramp with the concrete block in the middle.)   Notice, without the plywood, the metal ramp is quite flexible.

 Keeping that ramp up in the transport position when not in use will help it last alot longer. Not alot of surface area for water to pond and soak in. It don't hurt so much for it to get wet, it's when it soaks through and no way for it to dry..... Keeping the ramp up will also help preserve what little tension you got in those lift assist springs.

Our new bumper pull has an all aluminum rear and side ramps with the rubber non-slip tread surface. No wood in the ramp at all, that was a big selling point for me. We had another trailer that had aluminum frame/plywood ramps that looked like the horse was going to break through from day one when it was new in 2008. That trailer's gone on down the road now.......SOLD!!!

When the ramp on our old 2H steel BP trailer failed, I replaced the original plywood with a product called "Baltic Birch" plywood. It is an all hardwood product, with no voids and a high number of laminations, making it very rigid and strong. After the wood was cut to size, I applied two coats of a marine grade epoxy to the edges, to seal them from wicking moisture.

We sold the trailer many years ago, and occasionally see it at horse shows. At last glance, the ramp is still intact, and no feet were protruding from the surface.

Hey all! I'm new to the forum and also a new horse trailer owner. I just bought a 2001 Bison Alumasport last week and am having the same problem with the ramp. I've been reading this thread and I know it's mainly directed towards Hawk but just curious if anyone could help me out a bit with what I should do next. The trailer is built on a steel frame with aluminum skin. The trailer ramp is solid except for a spot on the edge that sits on the ground when it's down which is completely soft. Is this something I could attempt to fix myself? Is it as simple as pulling off the rubber matt and replacing the plywood? Pressure treated or non? Thanks again for any input, I've had horses for years but this is my first trailer. -Jenny