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Post by lorddaxter on Sept 11, 2014 19:58:35 GMT
A few year back I bought an older horse trailer, I saw it sitting on a ranger road with a note for sale $3900, I'd been looking on kijiji for ages and it was a bargain compared to all the ones I saw, I offered $2900 and they took it!
Well it's sat doing nothing, mainly as hubby was too lazy to put new floor in, the floor that's in isn't bad, they were using it but I can see tiny gaps which I don't like.
We had a blow out 2 weeks ago and while I'm still not going to stick around, yes, still trying to grow the balls, he's been so nice and doing stuff without complaining so today I texted him and said if I go get the wood etc can we do the floor, he said yes!
So I picked up the wood, 2x8 treated spruce and screws and a bargain was had, wondered why it was so cheap, she only charged me for one piece of lumber and the screws! ...so for $78 I will have a good solid floor:)
We are just going to screw onto the existing floor, make it a double floor, we already took out a huge heavy metal partition for the dressing room just after I got it as it opened it up, made it lighter and roomier:)
I feel a little bad for getting a freebie, just a little!
Ill post some pics in a min:)
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Post by lorddaxter on Sept 11, 2014 20:08:16 GMT
  Horse trailer. Existing floor i have some pics before we ripped the inside out, I'll find them! |
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Post by horselover4life on Sept 11, 2014 23:12:44 GMT
That space...you need that space LD.
It is for urine drainage, wood board swelling and so the boards can flex and move some as the trailer flexes going down the road...
Hubby says the reason the space looks big to you is the wood is older and dried out..
That doesn't mean it is bad wood in the floor.
Hubby has seen as much as 3/8" wide between boards or known as a ten-penny nail between boards placed for uniform spacing and strength. I have also seen boards put tight side to side and those floors heave, rot because they can't dry properly and smell if you can't get that caustic stinky urine out and it saturates the wood and ick!!
Make sure you truly need that flooring covered/replaced..if it isn't rotten you don't need to replace...
If it is needing replacing...really replace it.
Rip it out and do it right while he is around to do it and willing. Putting a floor over a floor to me is a waste...you will track stench, germs and mold...all things I think will become objectionable to you quickly and more importantly a unhealthy environment for the horse to be trailered in...
Honestly, my trailer has about that size space so it can breathe, drain and dry out after I wash it out from use...
If the floor is matted, make sure after using it you flip or remove your mats so complete drying can take place. My mats are all flipped on their sides currently so the floor can breathe with the humidity...
It does look like a very nice trailer....
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nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429 
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Post by nhg on Sept 12, 2014 0:32:00 GMT
I agree with HL4L. There's supposed to be spaces there. You just have to watch out for rotted wood, particularly at the ends. The area in the picture looks great. I'd also never go over an existing floor. If the existing floor is bad the one on top will only be as good as what's underneath. Plus the extra weight will be substantial.
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320
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Post by mingiz on Sept 12, 2014 0:42:28 GMT
Agree totally with HL4L. The gaps are there for a reason. If the wood is good leave it. If bad replace all of it. Get rubber mats to cover the floor. The floor needs to breath. Also helps with air flow for horses. My wood floor in my stock is the original and it's 18yrs old and the wood is treated and still solid. You just have to wash it out every other time you use it and it will last. Looks like a nice trailer. Good size.  Maybe hubby knows and he's being nice to keep you around until he thinks all is well. He will fall back....  |
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redzip
Junior Member
Posts: 1,701
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Post by redzip on Sept 12, 2014 1:41:40 GMT
Nice trailer!  |
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Post by lorddaxter on Sept 12, 2014 12:17:21 GMT
Agree totally with HL4L. The gaps are there for a reason. If the wood is good leave it. If bad replace all of it. Get rubber mats to cover the floor. The floor needs to breath. Also helps with air flow for horses. My wood floor in my stock is the original and it's 18yrs old and the wood is treated and still solid. You just have to wash it out every other time you use it and it will last. Looks like a nice trailer. Good size. :)) Maybe hubby knows and he's being nice to keep you around until he thinks all is well. He will fall back.... ;) Exactly, it won't last, funnily he said last night why are you so desperate to get trailer fixed up?....I could hardly say why lol!....I just said well it would be nice if they get sick to be able to take them to the vet instead of having to pay the callout fee! |
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Post by lorddaxter on Sept 12, 2014 12:24:32 GMT
I hate to sound like a broken record but it's so different over here, in scotland it's common for trailers to have double floors, the rice trailers have a wood base and ply on top, the Richardson I had had a double floor wood too!
I'm getting him to check underneath existing wood a I worry about the metal braces, the existing floor is just a bit soft at the back and back corners, the lady who had it didn't appear too good at cleaning it after use.
Hoping to get him to take wheels off and check bearings and electrics etc too, just incase I need it and I'll be there watching and learning!
He seems set on having a double floor, I mentioned the extra weight but the partition we took out to the dressing room was much heavier than what we are putting in and he seems set on it so not sure what I can do to talk him out of it, plus I have screws and want to get this done, I don't have bolts and won't have time to go get any.
I plan to put mats down and shavings, I never had an issue with the Richardson but I always cleaned it out after every use and left the door open to dry out if needed, hubby did say we could drill some small holes in the floor as in small ones to deal with drainage issues, would this be ok?
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Post by horselover4life on Sept 12, 2014 15:21:00 GMT
I'm not sure about the drainage holes....
I guess it would work to let water/urine run out. You may need to continually unclog them though from manure and shavings...
Only trailers I have ever encountered that has double floors had gaping holes underneath and it was to hide a problem.
It is different here than there it surely sounds like.
Either way, if the floor is spongy in corners...be very careful as those areas usually have the most stresses put to them. Spongy flooring is usually a precursor to dangerous flooring. The back area is especially critical as the horse must put their weight going in or out in those areas...so concentrated and a snapping action done to the floor. With how a horse messes in the trailer I would expect if not well cleaned and dried it would have issues in those areas especially.
Checking braces is always a good idea...
Just tread carefully with how things are going...be careful and not let your guard down, nor let him sweet talk you around.
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Post by lorddaxter on Sept 15, 2014 12:21:41 GMT
Braces were good, there were 2 spongy areas, it's all done now so kinda happy but on looking Ive realised how much work needs done, need to cataloy back bumper thingy, all wiring needs new conduit on it, whole thing needs painted and prepped, of course new tires and brakes need off and checked, bearings too, don't think I'll get him to do all that before I drop the bomb so I'm going to look today to see if anyone does this kind of stuff, get a price and get them to take it soon, think I'll pop a post on ht.
His nice mode didn't last long, he started bugging me about stuff he knows stresses me sat evening, he knows I'm depressed but no just keep putting the pressure on, I have to do the deed this week sometime without fail, things are getting too awkward and I'm really suffering mental wise.
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