Need help making trailer decision/how long do floors last.

[DITZ]

I am torn between two trailers. Theres a nice 5 year old Bateson with wooden floor and rubber matting that I am on the verge of buying but I'm really not sure how long floors last? Do I need to factor in replacing it in the next couple of years and if so perhaps I should go for an Ifor with a aluminium floor. Any experiences/advice greatly appreciated.

[MeMe]

Im not sure as not really had trailers, but I would imagine the ali floors would last longer, but wood would be easier and cheaper to replace I would imagine?

Not much help I know really sorry! :D

[Murphs]

i've got a bateson but only had it 2 yrs and that was from new so not sure on how long the floor will last! Will depend on how well it's been looked after - if the floor has been allowed to get wet and the rubber matting not lifted up reularly to allow it to dry out that will have an affect on how quickly it's rotting now - lift the matting and take a screwdriver with you to dig in the floor to get an ideal of how solid it is - also look underneath. Also depends on where the trailer is stored - if it's kept on grass, during the winter the floor will draw the moisture so it will be damp and hence rot quicker.

Not had experience with an aluminium floor so difficult for me to comment - i was told that horse urine is acidic so will eventually burn thru the floor (this may of course be an untruth :o ) - i don't think you can lift the rubber mtting in an Ifor either so you've got no clear way of knowing if it's starting to go.

I chose a bateson because i prefer the trailer and it's unladen weight is lighter than an ifor so gave me more "horse & tack weight" to play with without going over the gross weight that my vehicle can tow

[Gill]

I have been looking at new IW trailers and the man said about 10 yrs for an aluminium floor before replacement needed.

[DITZ]

10 years that doesnt sound much unless I am being unrealistic? I'd expect a wooden floor to last that long. Maybe theres not much of a difference then.

Murphs what do you think to your Bateson? I am looking at a Deauville Pullman. They are asking £2500 for it (I think its about £4000 new?).

[Murphs]

I love it - i've got the boston with the american doors and that is great. Particularly liked the batesons because they are so light and airy inside . Mine has the full length glass panel down the front and a reversing mirror so you can see where the towbar is for hitching up - which is great as it means i can hook up on my own :D You don't tend to see that many batesons around but on the odd occasion that i've met people with them, everyone seems pretty happy with them.

If you like it and it's well priced i'd go for it!

[Wally]

We have aluminium floors, I'd go for that over wood.

[DITZ]

Any particular reason Wally? I spoke to someone yesterday about the pros and cons of both and they said that aluminium will rust/rot when it comes into contact with steel and also that because its built in strips it starts to creak after a while? Apparently a new floor in a Bateson is only £120 anyway, I thought it would be more.

Murphs - I like the look of the barn door type one but wonder if it might not get too hot as I assume you cant travel with the top flap open like a ramp/

[Murphs]

Ditz - you can flap part of the top of each door down on the american doors - it's not open as much as an ifor williams would be but to date my girls have not had a problem overheating.

Hope that helps - let us know what you buy in the end!

[Jessey]

I have an Ifor williams with an ally floor, we lift the rubber a few times a year to check the floor and clean thoroughly. We sling down a bucket of water to rinse out if a horse pee's but mine rarely does. Its now 5 years old and there is no sign at all that there is anything even starting to go wrong with the floor (or the rest of the trailer on that note) :D

[Ruskii]

I've got no experience with owning a trailer with an aliminuim floor (only borrowed/hired them) but my husband has had the same trailer for 6 years and it's a wooden floor in it. It's a Rice trailer quite heavy, but the floor is very solid, we take up the rubber mats after it's been used and it's still in great condition, so I think wooden floors last just as long, you might just have to inspect them that bit more often than an aliminium ones :)

Ruskii x