An improperly maintained horse trailer significantly increases the risk of equipment failure, potentially resulting in injury. In most cases, the greatest risk arises from a weakened trailer floor. The flooring of horse trailers must reliably withstand daily use, heavy weight, and exposure to corrosive chemicals and weather. Bending, cracking, or warping of the trailer floor can pose a serious risk during transportation. To combat this and support the safe transport of horses, providing a trailer floor that’s structurally sound and reliable is vital. For this reason, trailer floors are typically constructed out of two main materials: aluminum and wood.
Aluminum is strong and lightweight, making it easy to tow. However, when exposed to alkaline substances found in urine and manure, aluminum corrodes, weakening its structural integrity over time and increasing the risk of damage or equipment failure. Woods like pressure-treated southern pine is another common material used for trailer flooring– it’s light, resists warping, and can be easily replaced. Still, over time, pine flooring will absorb moisture from weather, urine, and manure, which weakens its structure and reduces its lifespan. When stored outside, wood flooring can be especially vulnerable to damage caused by the elements. A compromised trailer floor isn’t just an aesthetic concern–it creates unsafe travel conditions that may put horses in unnecessary danger.
Over time and without proactive maintenance, these materials will significantly degrade in performance. When the structural integrity is at risk, any horse being transported is also at risk. In either case, metal or wood flooring alone will not guarantee long-term protection and longevity of your trailer. Properly protecting a trailer requires a solution specifically designed for the job.
