Rice Trailer refurb.....help needed on type of materials

[laceyfreckle]

Ok, so we are now refurbing my old rice trailer.

Floor has now been removed (which was hardwood-mahogany) and the metal work underneath will be painted with hammerite. New floor of 25mm marine ply will be put down as the new floor.

Am i right in that if i put rubber matting down on top of the marine ply floor that will offer better grip and mean I won't have to use additional bedding too? Or would just the marine ply floor sealed be better/the same?

What thickness rubber flooring would i need? or eva foam?

When we took the floor out we noticed a hole in the side of the trailer behind the (rotten) wooden plinth, the metal hs corroded there. It is a side panel so hubby was going to take the side panel out and replace it...but what to replace it with? We looked at plastic but plastic is mega expensive. Could it be replaced with wood? (The roof is metal and good (needs re-riveting at the top as has come apart) so will be keeping the roof as it is so just the side panels and the front panels as they look a bit battered.

So basically

* what mm thickness/type of rubber flooring for the trailer floor?

* what can i replaced the side panels with? wood? if so what type/thickness

*Probably using eva foam for the side bumpers as have found sheets suitable as trailer/stable bumpers for £20 per 6 x 4 sheet is that ok? it's 25m thick.

*Anyone know any good suppliers!?