Posted 8/24/2015 09:51 (#4750582) Subject: Rubber mat for livestock trailer?
N. IL
I have a Corn Pro 16' livestock trailer for 4-H animals. It is nearly new and the treated pine floor is very slippery. Looking for an affordable covering to add some traction for easier handling and reduced stress for pigs and cattle.
Posted 8/24/2015 10:35 (#4750625 - in reply to #4750582) Subject: RE: Rubber mat for livestock trailer?
Driftless SW Wisconsin
I have the same trailer and the wood floor does get slippery. One of my processors suggested putting a heavy layer of barn lime down on the floor and it appears to work. I was going to use cow mats but would be very difficult to clean. The barn lime shovels and washes out easily. You can't beat the price of barn lime!
Posted 8/24/2015 12:19 (#4750778 - in reply to #4750582) Subject: RE: Rubber mat for livestock trailer?
Leesburg, Ohio
TSC (or Rural King) has 3/4" thick rubber stall mats that work great for covering the trailer floor. They are about 4'x6'. Place them in the trailer by butting them up tight edge-to-edge. Cut to fit where necessary with a utility knife.
I put them in when I bought the trailer about 15 years ago. Wood floor still looks like new. They are thick enough that the cattle can't kick up the edges. We pressure wash it out a couple times a year. I sprayed the steel floor supports in between the boards with rust preventative before putting the mats down, and removed them and re-sprayed once since.
You do have to be careful about losing them out the back of the trailer under the door. Had a tire coming apart and vibrating the trailer going down the freeway empty. When I stopped to check out the vibration, one of the back mats had slid out under the door and lost it. Replaced tires and mat, haven't had a problem since.
Posted 8/24/2015 12:54 (#4750834 - in reply to #4750778) Subject: RE: Rubber mat for livestock trailer?
Eastern North Carolina
I use the 4x6 mats from TSC, been holding up well for several years now. Also use large flake pine shavings on top of the mats in the trailer, absorbes the urine and keeps it from splashing back on the critters legs when they go.
Edit. Pull the mats out when wash out and don't leave trailer out in the elements, those mats will hold moisture underneath and rot floor and steel crossmembers.
Posted 8/24/2015 15:18 (#4751033 - in reply to #4750582) Subject: RE: Rubber mat for livestock trailer?
I have an aluminum trailer that had rubber mats in it for the poor horsies' feet so they wouldn't have to stand on a hard surface. It held a LOT of moisture that never dried up under the material, so I took them out and stored them in the gooseneck for the next owner. I throw a few flakes of straw in when I use it now. The cows kick it around and scatter it, it absorbs much of their output, and is easy to fork out when I clean the trailer out after a few loads. By the way- the deck is made from diamond plate material.....
Posted 8/24/2015 19:17 (#4751312 - in reply to #4750582) Subject: RE: Rubber mat for livestock trailer?
Columbia City, Indiana
redfarm - 8/24/2015 09:51
I have a Corn Pro 16' livestock trailer for 4-H animals. It is nearly new and the treated pine floor is very slippery. Looking for an affordable covering to add some traction for easier handling and reduced stress for pigs and cattle.
Thinking rubber mats, but want easy cleanup.
I have the exact same problem with the exact same trailer. Put two 3x4 rubber stall mats from TSC in, problem solved. And just take them out for cleanout. Have to be careful hauling hogs, the one in the back pen can slide out under the door and be gone!
Posted 8/24/2015 22:45 (#4751782 - in reply to #4750582) Subject: RE: Rubber mat for livestock trailer?
Wellington, MO
Sand. As long as the spaces are not too far apart you won't lose much. It just takes a small layer. After done hauling, just get in there with a manure fork to throw out the pure stuff and pull the wet stuff away from the sides and stir around so it dries out.
Posted 8/27/2015 09:02 (#4755799 - in reply to #4750582) Subject: RE: Rubber mat for livestock trailer?
Guess I must be the weird one, I took the rubber mats out of mine because I felt like the rubber was way more slick than the wood floor. Wood with a small amount of sand is what I feel works best for me.
Rubber mat for livestock trailer?
