Extruded Aluminum Trailer Floor

[xcr800man]

Do any of you use a trailer with an extruded aluminum floor? I am thinking of buying a Featherlite that has an aluminum floor and I am wondering how to protect it. Thinking of a thin layer of plywood, rubber matting or UHMW plastic. I would assume that most of the high end race trailers have this type of floor and not plywood.

Anybody have any experience or suggestions???

 

[MTdream]

have a featherlite Horse trailer, great quality!!!

of course it has rubber mats in it...there is a spray in liner substance used on Legend (I think) trailers, that would be yoru best bet IMHO...


Correction, it is Mirage Extreme that has the floor coating they say will withstand carbides etc.

 

[F-Bomb]

Your best bet is hitting the farm and feed store for livestock trailer matting. That way your trailer floor will be protected for sleds and it's removable. On the ramp we install runners on one side and simply use it only as access. That way the diamond plate ramp stays nice and works for auto use and doesn't devalue your outfit. Another more expensive option for temporary trailer flooring is racedeck or other branded removable insert flooring. Big money but looks and works great.

 

[NM]

I used Line-X on my floor and ramp. I went 18 inches up the wall as well. It is amazing tough and you can steer on it with carbides but not leave a mark. 2 yrs now and looks like new. I had to make something for the leading edge of the door though. The carbides can be a bit hard on it, but a bit of eurathane and fixed. A removable matting would prabably work good too.

 

[F-Bomb]

Our big trailer is coated with permanant floor liner and I agree it works great! I was assuming from what I read that he wants temporary removable protection?

 

[xcr800man]

I probably am looking for a semi-permanent solution. I will in all likelyhood, never take it out, but when I go to resell it, I may want to return it to it's original state.

I am thinking of getting a high density rubber mat for the whole thing. Hoping that I can find some tough enough so that the carbide doesnt "grab". i dont care if it cuts it up a bit, but grabbing skis wont work.

 

[Wyoming T/A]

got carpet in my 27 footer -- could remove if i wanted to---

 

[xcr800man]

What kind of trailer do you have T/A? And what kind of carpet?

 

[Supplicate]

Carpet seems like a good idea between ski glides.

 

[Wyoming T/A]

What kind of trailer do you have T/A? And what kind of carpet?

Interstate 27 footer and gooood quality indoor outdoor carpet--i'll post some pics

 

[Rocky]

I bought a gooseneck race trailer last year. It had a beautiful diamond plate floor and ramp. Big money to LineX it, so after getting it all outfitted etc. I decided for the first year to put indoor/outdoor carpet. Cost me about 200 bucks. Cut and layed it in there, pulled up the edge trim and put it back on top of the carpet.. Looks good. Key is, I used the SLP ski skins, worked great until you decide to pull them out backwards..On a V-Nose, should be no problem. I just opened it up after trips and let it dry out, no problems, mold, smell etc...

For what it's worth...

 

[F-Bomb]

Yea those Polaris and SLP skis are brutal in reverse on my lined trailer floor. I have to do alot of patching right at the back door. I've often wondered why someone isn't making a heavy duty snap in and out carpeting system for sled trailers. (similar to what we see in high end pleasure boats) If you have a good heating system and run salem vents things dry out quite well. We spend plus $1500 to line our high end trailers and it's only reasonably functional.

 

[Wyoming T/A]

here are some pics of my floor after a full winter of use every weekend and a few week days october thru june--we DO NOT USE ski skins or any protection--all our sleds have stock skis with carbides and the only thing you will see is rust from the wear rods--no snags or cuts--veeeeery happy

 

[Hawkeye]

Carpet looks like a good idea, is it ok to have the LP tank inside, or do you move it outside when using? Thanks

 

[Wyoming T/A]

Carpet looks like a good idea, is it ok to have the LP tank inside, or do you move it outside when using? Thanks

furnace draws external combustion air so its very safe

 

[thinksnow]

Carpet is the way to go. I have had the same carpet in mine for 7+ years now and still looks good. Just needs a good cleaning (haven't cleaned in once in all that time-too lazy).LOL I run ski boots that I customized so they won't come off in forward or reverse.

 

[PLUMR]

I use the rubber horse mats, but my trailer has hideaway wheel chocks for hauling bikes. Pretty handy removing the mats.

 

[Hawkeye]

on the carpet edges at the doorways, do you guys just glue it or put a metal strip over the edge? Thanks

 

[dcturbo]

Carpet trailers

I have been carpeting trailers for over 5 years. I use a heavy duty commercial carpet that has a unibond backing (thermo plastic) That way the snow-water stays on top and does not go to the wood subfloor easy to sweep out, and when I get home I just open the doors and the carpet is back to dry in no time. You can steer your sleds on the carpet. just lock the brake and the sleds stay put. Also with this type of carpet you will not get any runs or zippering from the carbids hooking on the loops. We staple the carpet down and we do not use any metal at the edges, the metal will tear up quickly from the carbids. We also carpet both ramps. Great traction for the sled and no more slipping on your tush when wet. We have carpeted over 20 trailers and have never had any problems. I highly recommend this type of carpet!! If I can help anyone on more info please PM me with you phone #. I do own a carpet store and can ship carpet almost anywhere, or at least get you to a store that has what you need... let it SNOW.. DC