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How To Replace The Floor of a Horse Trailer

Replacing The Floor Of Horse Trailers

You will agree to the fact that horse trailers do not last for eternity, that means that you will have to replace them when it time. Replacing the floor of horse trailers would ensure that they do not rot. Replacing the floors is an important task that must be accomplished, this is to ensure that your animals do not come crashing. While replacing the floor of horse trailers, there are certain factors that you might just have to consider. They are;

  • Durability; ensure that the material to be used is durable. This means that the wood to be used should be strong enough to stand the test of time.
  • Transfer of heat; during summer, the inside of your trailer could turn to an oven. Ensure that the flooring material you choose does not contribute to this.
  • Vibration and noise transfer; noise would add to the stress level of your animals while vibration would cause fatigue. These are the reasons why you should choose a flooring material that is capable of dampening the vibration and noise from the road.
  • You have to also consider the maintenance cost as well as the time that is spent.
  • Finally, the cost of the flooring material is another factor that must be considered. If you can, endeavor to get a flooring material that can offer the necessary features at an affordable price.

Replacing Horse Trailers

Step 1: Prep The Trailer

This means carefully examining the metals in which the wood is attached to for rusts.

  • If the trailer floors are rusted, it becomes more difficult for you to remove nails that were used to lock the woods down.
  • To remove the nails, you have to turn them around. This is important because if these rusts are not dealt with, it would become difficult to replace the floors.
  • An important part you have to check is the steel where the woods meet. You have to carefully check for any sign of rusts. If there are any signs of rust, you have to clean them, how?
  • To ensure that the rusts from the metals are cleaned, you have to make use of these tools;
  • Descaler
  • Airbrush
  • Airflow tube
  • Headphones or ear cover
  • Light mask or nose mask.
  • A fan that would be placed near you

How to use these tools:

Generally, there are two types of descalers. You have to use the bigger one which comes with twelve nails. Basically, these descalers are like little hammers that you would use to break down all the rust scales.

To begin cleaning, you connect the airflow tube to the descaler. This could make a lot of noise, so it is imperative that you use headphones or ear covers so as not to damage your hearing. Once connected, you use the descaler to clear all rust scales across all parameters of the trailer.

As a preventive measure, ensure that a fan is placed near you. This will help push the rusted air out, you could also use masks to ensure that you do not breathe in this ear. It could be detrimental to your health.

What to do when the metal has deteriorated

You have to remember that these tools are used only when the rust is not very bad. If the rust has deteriorated the metal way beyond repair, it is advised that you replace the metals.

If the rusts on the metal are worse than expected, you can weld new pieces into them. While doing this, ensure that you have properly cleaned all scraps. You can weld new metals that are smaller or identical to the rusting metal. This will allow you to make use of it for a long time.

You have to look for How To Replace The Floor of a Horse Trailermetals that are strong and identical or even thinner than the ones used. It is advised that you contact a good company or expert because if the metal used is not strong enough to hold the woods, your animals would come crashing, some could get injured or worse die in the process.

Step 2: Choose The Flooring Material

As mentioned earlier, the flooring material you choose would determine if the trailer would last or not. So while choosing a material, take to heart those factors that were mentioned at the beginning of this article.

It is advised that you make use of pressure treated lumber woods. Why? These woods reduce heat transfer, level of vibration as well as noise. They are also durable and could last you for a long time, although that is if they are properly maintained. Most importantly, it is quite cheap compared to other flooring options.

With this flooring material, you have to properly take care of it as it is quite difficult to clean.

Step 3: Painting The Trailer

After properly prepping the trailer and doing away with the rusts, you have to paint the metal right before placing the woods you have chosen.

You have to paint the trailer with rust inhibition paints. This is done to prevent or reduce the rate at which the metal rusts. It is a very important aspect and must not be overlooked for any reason.

After painting with rust inhibitions, you leave to dry then you paint with the regular paints. While choosing paints, choose one that does not cause heat or one that could make the animals uncomfortable.

Step 4: Placing and Watering The Wood

Before screwing the floorboards to the trailer, shim them together

Endeavor to keep even spaces between the boards. To do this perfectly, you could make use of door shims or point stir sticks.

After the shims have been placed properly on the floorboards, you have to properly wet the floorboards and leave them for about 24 hours. This is done to ensure that they swell and conform.

As these woods begin to dry after you have watered them, the shims would come out easily. Once they come out, your trailer is ready to use. You could decide to paint the floorboards as well.

About the Author

Hi, I’m Johnny Shelton with NC Trailers, the #1 rated trailer dealer in the Carolinas. With over 300 trailers in stock, we’ve proudly served contractors, adventure seekers, and everyone in between since 1996. Having sold and serviced over 10,000 trailers, we’re grateful for the trust our customers have placed in us. We’re committed to using our experience to help you succeed in all your trailer and towing needs. Let’s thrive together!

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First Last N.
12:41 13 Apr 25
Nctrailers Team are awesome !!! Sam the sales representative was very helpful on the phone and when I should up on site. Shanice with my contract. Tammy explaining each process during the DMV registration and paperwork. Ryan was very patient in the pouring rain preparing and getting me connected to the truck and doing the safety checks 5 times to make sure no issues. Thanks nctrailers of Thomasville for professionalism and attention to detail. I definitely be seeing you guys in a few months for a car trailer .
Desiree B.
18:02 12 Apr 25
Had the pleasure of buying our first trailer for our new business from them this weekend. And let me say I can’t say enough about this company. From the first call with Donna, till we drove off the lot hooked up, they were absolutely amazing! Their inventory is intensive yes, but the customer service is extraordinary! Our purchase experience start with a transfer to Zach who was welcoming and extremely knowledgeable! Shancie took care of the financing and made everything so easy and simple, and Tammy was fast with our paperwork! Noah and Ryan went above and beyond for the install and hookup of all the accessories we choose! These folks are the best around and hire the most wonderful crew! Highly recommend them for any trailer purchase or service needs!
Mitch O.
12:47 12 Apr 25
I would like to take a minute and recognize several people at NC trailers. From the start it was Zach & Sam in sales which went above and beyond the process of helping me pick the correct trailer and helping me complete all necessary paperwork when I was literally 1800 miles away driving down the road.

Shanice in financing made financing the trailer simple and quick, and behind the scenes Tammy in tag/title department was doing her magic so it all came together as one cohesive unit the day of picking the trailer up.

Speaking of picking up the trailer, Ryan & Noah truly went above and beyond expectations working in the pouring rain, while not compromising standards of making sure everything went smoothly and that I was hooked up correctly while taking the time to fully go over every aspect of the trailer and how to hook and unhook the trailer.

Tyler in Service & Parts was very helpful with information regarding the Gooseneck hitch for my next trailer.

Thank you to each Team member of NC trailers. I HIGHLY recommend this company to anyone needing a trailer.

So, if you need any type of trailer, accessory or even a repair, NC trailers should be your First and only stop. They truly make you feel like Family and the trailers are rated top in the Industry and priced very reasonably.

Head on over to NC trailers and get your trailer today. Tell them Mitch with a “M” not a “B” sent you, and you should receive an extra smile or two.
Anthony T.
21:34 10 Apr 25
Awesome place to do business!
Shaun O.
04:19 09 Apr 25
I have to say I had great experience with the staff at NCtrailers in Thomasville, NC. The staff up there were amazing. I had the pleasure of being David’s first sale for his new career dealing in this type of equipment. He has had many years in sales and it shows but he decided to venture into a new atmosphere of sales. Working through the contract side of things Shanice was very thorough and was able to give me all the details I needed. She was so inviting and made you feel comfortable through would could be a stressful process.

Tammy was a sweetheart with the tag and title paper work and talked me through all the necessary links and info I would need to setup the last little bit of info.

Ryan and Noah had me all hooked up and ready to go and even took the time to help me find a short in my connection on my truck so I would be comfortable knowing all the lights and everything worked properly on the new trailer.

All in all I had a great experience with the entire staff from parts to sales to service. I will most definitely be recommending them to anyone I know for their trailer needs.

Now wish me luck on my lawn care company venture.
Lawn Legends LLC.
Conard B.
14:22 07 Mar 25
The staff was very helpful and motivated I went back and forth with two trailers figuring prices and add ons they were very patient and provide me with two different layouts for two different prices. I finally made my decision. I would highly recommend for your next trailer go too NC trailer sales.
Keith B.
02:54 07 Feb 25
After searching many sites, I settled on calling NC Trailers of Thomasville, NC. Zach was very helpful over the phone answering my questions. After I decided on a trailer I drove 3 1/2 hours to arrive at their location only 30 minutes before they closed. They didn’t mind my late arrival or staying to complete the sale. I changed my mind on the trailer I wanted and Shaun was very quick to redo all the paperwork for the sale. Noah was also helpful in going over the trailer with me and answering questions I had. And thank you Tammy for saving me a trip to NCDMV, at NC Trailers they can do your DMV registration and you leave with tags already installed. The trailer pulled smoothly all the home.
Jenny D
00:33 11 Dec 24
Tyler at NC trailers was knowledgeable, helpful & communicated well. Tyler made getting the replacement part I needed hassle free. Thanks again!
Stephen J.
18:46 09 Dec 24
What a great place to purchase a trailer!! Such a huge inventory and very competitive pricing. My sales representative was Zach and he really went over the top to satisfy what I wanted. Shaun handled my contract and was super efficient as with Tammy, who handled my DMV paperwork. Many thumbs up to this great group!!
Thanks so very much!!
Frederick H.
10:06 07 Dec 24
Bought a Landscaping trailer from them 5 years ago. Great trailer! They service and have parts in stock! Went and seen Tyler for parts the other day and he's very knowledgeable and friendly. Would recommend these guys to anyone! Dec 2024 Update: This is my second review. Lol. I some new HD axles installed on a trailer back in the spring and they are holding up GREAT! Thanks Tyler again for your sales work and Wes for an amazing flawless install! Great knowledgeable crew here!
Stephanie N James R
03:44 07 Dec 24
This company was great! Zach showed us great options, and helped us pick the perfect trailer for our needs. Shawn explained all of the extra packages we could add to it, and finalized the contract. Tammy did a great job at making sure we had our title, tag,and registration taken care of. And, Ryan and Noah got us hooked up and ready to go. Because they have an on-site parts and service department they were able to install the needed brake controller the our truck wasn't equipped with. Wonderful place. Will definitely recommend!
william C.
20:34 27 Nov 24
This is my second Trailer I bought from NC Trailers. Everyone that helped me went above and beyond with their service.
Sales- Shancie
Finance- Shawn
DMV/paperwork- Tammy
Hookup-Ryan & Noah.
Their Service department helped me out a week later too.

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