Enclosed Trailer Flooring Input

[Harley#356]

Hey guys,

I've got a 24'x8.5' enclosed trailer. Floor needs some TLC.

Ceiling is vinyl, walls are still bare wood but will be getting paint on the upper half, indoor/outdoor carpet on the lower half (easier on car doors), the floor I'm undecided on. There's several oil stains, and a bunch of what looks like wiped up black paint stains. I debated on painting it, but I'm leaning towards a rubber/mat type of flooring. Looking for suggestions.

-Requirements: Not super thick/heavy. Trailer is aluminum and nice and light, so I want to be weight conscious to keep things reasonable. That doesn't mean EXTREME light weight, but it doesn't mean 1/2" rubber matting.

Needs to be easy to clean and not retain dirt like some grooved rubber matting I've seen.

Needs to look reasonably nice. Not a show queen, but I do like things to have a visual appeal/nice clean look.

Can't be super slippery when wet.

I saw some like 1/8"-3/16" rubber interlocking mat at Lowes that was a coin pattern, 2'x2', looked pretty nice. Leaning towards that direction but open to ideas.

I'll be installing Mac's Tie Downs Versa-Track on top, and parking my race truck inside.

Couple pics of the trailer...and one of my garage...just because lol

 

[Garage Flooring]

Many manufacturers are using G-Floor as their choice for OEM Trailer Flooring. Please note it is PVC and not rubber. The small coin is by far the most popular. While we lead with the large master rolls, if you scroll down we have smaller sizes available in other patterns and non felt-backed.

We also get a list twice a month of 'shorts' of the felt backed material. Anyone in my office can help you look and see what is around. Many people do the door too so you will want a tip to tip measurement if you are going to do that.

G-Floor has a marine adhesive to glue it down. Often you can find PVC safe acrylic adhesives at a lower price locally. Just make sure they are appropriate for your application.

Also make sure you get that floor clean or put a layer of plywood on top.

 

[Cobra_Bob]

Good topic.

Looking for options for my enclosed trailer also.

BTW – nice garage.

 

[Slowgsr]

My gooseneck car hauler has diamond plate aluminum flooring. It's bolted down. I could remove a section to gain Ccess

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

I put five coats of Rust Bullet on my brand new Bravo trailer floor. So far that is working out pretty good. My race car has a tendency to leak oil and gear lube, so I needed something that would clean up really good, and Rust Bullet does that. Actually putting down the Rust Bullet is not very time consuming, but removing all the trim along the floor, removing the winch, and doing a ton of masking ... and then putting the trim back on, re-installing the winch, and removing the masking was very time consuming.

We race in the rain so I was concerned about whatever I put down would not be slippery. Rust Bullet fills that bill. Water on it, wet shoes ... not slippery. Oil and gear lube cleans up easily.

I had diamond plate put on the rear door ramp.

If you're going to put E-Track down on top of "something", make sure that the "something" won't interfere with hooking the E-Track do-dads into the E-Track. My trailer dealer told me not to put E-Track over carpeting.

My trailer has carpeting up the first 24" of the sides. I wish I would have gone all the way to the top of the walls. The grey carpeting Bravo puts on the walls does a really nice not showing dirt. The white walls show every smudge and finger print.

 

[Garage Flooring]

I put five coats of Rust Bullet on my brand new Bravo trailer floor. So far that is working out pretty good. My race car has a tendency to leak oil and gear lube, so I needed something that would clean up really good, and Rust Bullet does that. Actually putting down the Rust Bullet is not very time consuming, but removing all the trim along the floor, removing the winch, and doing a ton of masking ... and then putting the trim back on, re-installing the winch, and removing the masking was very time consuming.

We race in the rain so I was concerned about whatever I put down would not be slippery. Rust Bullet fills that bill. Water on it, wet shoes ... not slippery. Oil and gear lube cleans up easily.

I had diamond plate put on the rear door ramp.

If you're going to put E-Track down on top of "something", make sure that the "something" won't interfere with hooking the E-Track do-dads into the E-Track. My trailer dealer told me not to put E-Track over carpeting.

My trailer has carpeting up the first 24" of the sides. I wish I would have gone all the way to the top of the walls. The grey carpeting Bravo puts on the walls does a really nice not showing dirt. The white walls show every smudge and finger print.

Sounds like that little project (little only in comparison to the main project) went well!

 

[Ch3No2]

I've had race trailers all my adult life and everything from plywood with peel & stick to polished diamond plate
My current trailer has polished aluminum diamond plate and I obtained a few color coordinated rental carpet mats from a janitorial company. To clean pull the rubber backed mats out, laundry detergent and a broom brush and water...rinse and hang to dry...diamond plate just gets swept/

 

[Foxrider64]

I literally when through the same series of questions last week.

My 7x16 trailer needed a face lift.

Torn between the variety of options and doing a cost/benefit/lifespan analysis I opted for an inexpensive indoor/outdoor carpet on the floors and 30 inches up on the walls. I painted the walls with a gloss white paint.

Last night I put in the E-Track on the floor. No issues at all with the attachments as the carpet is a very low nap (not plush).

In total the carpet cost me $85 and the carpet knife cost $5. I did buy the adhesivse but then later found out it is not recommended for use on treated plywood or painted wood. Staples and time have been my method of installation. Worst case scenario it lasts me a year- I have less than $100 in to supplies so it was worth the attempt.

 

[Cruzin90]

LINE-X

 

[Garage Flooring]

LINE-X

This is an awesome option and I am surprised it is not taking the market by storm.

 

[Cruzin90]

This is an awesome option and I am surprised it is not taking the market by storm.

I think it's fairly common, you just don't see it because it's inside the trailer.

I can tell you that it works very well.

 

[UpNorther]

I was going to say Rhino Liner, but someone already said Line X
I think those are the best options, its my plan for my next trailer.
Trailer i have right now is just Kilz tinted gray.

 

[APEowner]

How much does bed liner weigh per sq. Ft and what does it cost to have it installed? I really like the looks but I cheap and I don't like the idea of hauling unnecessary weight.

 

[triple0beretta]

I used an oil based paint on the wood floor and added color chips. I put the aluminum diamond plate where the car sits and on the ramp door. This picture is right after I painted and spread the color chips.

 

[jloehlein]

How much does bed liner weigh per sq. Ft and what does it cost to have it installed? I really like the looks but I cheap and I don't like the idea of hauling unnecessary weight.

I think cost is going to be the big factor here. If I did my math right, covering 320 sq ft (figure 24' trailer + 8' door, 8.5' wide + 6-9" up the walls) at 125 mills (1/8") would require ~25 gallons (3.3 cu ft) of solid product. Even at 10lbs/gal, that's only 250lbs - I don't consider that to be much weight in a 24' trailer.

Cost on the other hand - I got a LineX quote to do my 18' open trailer of either $1200 or $1500 a few years ago. I'd expect a 24' trailer + door to be ~$2k. It's really not that expensive considering how much product is used (you will spend more if you buy UPol Raptor and spray it yourself), but it's soooo much more expensive than other options.

I ended up buying 3 gallons of some 2-part bedliner for $250 (similar to UPol Raptor) and doing my trailer myself, but only ~25mils thickness. It's held up surprisingly well - but is chipping a little where it's been bashed hard (e.g. cluster hooks hanging under car while towing, continually being slammed onto the trailer surface) or scraped (e.g. dragging cars that have no wheels onto the trailer). I'm sure the LineX would have been fine - and if not, they repair it for free.

 

[greenbikemike]

I used Sherwin-Williams ArmorSeal Tread-plex with shark grip,two coats,covered great and its not slippery at all with the shark grip added to it,$ 50.00 a gal. It seems to be real tough,it's supposed to withstand hard wear, abrasion, grease, oils,etc. but I just did it and time will tell. Check it out,

http://www.sherwin-williams.com/pro...alog/armorseal-treadplex-water-based-acrylic/

Greenbikemike

 

[Cruzin90]

How much does bed liner weigh per sq. Ft and what does it cost to have it installed? I really like the looks but I cheap and I don't like the idea of hauling unnecessary weight.

LINE-X weighs .7 lbs per square foot at 1/8" (125 mils) thickness. An appropriate thickness for the trailer is at least 70 mils up to about 100 mils. LINE-X dealers set their own prices, so prices will vary.

 

[Oceandweller]

I just picked up some 2 part garage floor epoxy in gray and it looks really good with the chips in it. Allows me to wash it out and mop it not to mention the 50$ price tag to do it

 

[Harley#356]

Sorry folks, haven't been around since I posted. Appreciate all the feedback though!

I don't want diamond plate for several reasons.

1.) it's expensive (which I don't mind spending some money, but all the other things below are why I don't want to spend a decent chunk with all these caveats against it)
2.) sweeping it is a PITA compared to coin pattern
3.) it's hard on the knees and elbows (will be crawling under to strap the truck down, and maybe occasionally wrench inside
4.) it's heavy (light in small quantities, but enough for an 8.5x24' trailer will add a good chunk)
5.) it eventually dulls up and doesn't look as good

@GarageFlooringLLC, any chance you guys can get me a ballpark price range for the coin pattern you mentioned for 8.5x24' trailer? Figure 8.5x32 to count the door. Doesn't need to be an exact quote, just ballpark range so I have an idea

The mention about using e-track, I'm using Mac Custom Tie Downs Versa-Track on the floor. The back is closed unlike e-track, so over carpeting wouldn't matter, but I don't want carpeting on the floor. I do want to do e-track on the walls, but my wall carpeting is only going to come up to the bottom edge of the e-track, and the e-track will be the border with above it painted.


@Foxrider64, trailer looks great! I plan on doing a similar thing with the walls. Will probably do a 40-48" belt line with the carpet, and e-track at the top edge.

@Cruzin90, what did that line-x run for yours? Or if you do those since you posted 2, whats a ballpark range for 8.5x24? I know it can vary, just looking for ballpark. If it's in the several grand range, probably not the route I'll go. Again don't mind spending some coin, but can't be unlimited on budget lol. Need to also get an eletric tongue jack, winch, etc.

I contemplated doing a painted floor with the color chips like @triple0beretta but with the few oil stains on the floor, was hoping to avoid the prep of trying to get oil out of porous wood and potential issues down the road with it peeling.

@greenbikemike do you have a close up pic of how that finish looks?

And on the topic of floor paints, if you guys didn't coat brand new floors, what did you use to prep the wood if there were any stains?

 

[roc_on_the_rocks]

What about sheet vinyl, less than a buck per square foot?

Armstrong Kempton Sheet Vinyl Flooring Maxwell II 12 Ft Wide

http://www.menards.com/main/floorin...424313996-c-6618.htm?tid=-2313055429957246018

 

[arca 54]

Sorry about pics I know it not of the floor but you can see some of it ,just old porch paint from lowes every 3-4 yrs.it's a 1994 trailer that has held up well

 

[UpNorther]

Sorry folks, haven't been around since I posted. Appreciate all the feedback though!

And on the topic of floor paints, if you guys didn't coat brand new floors, what did you use to prep the wood if there were any stains?

My trailer was used, I didnt have any oil stains, just dirt. I just swept mine up good and used 2 coats of oil based Kilz. Kilz is a primer anyways. Also had them add black tinting as much as they could without altering paint makeup, ended up with gray color.
The paint is holding up fine at 4 years now, except where i drive my studded 4 wheeler across..
Pretty cheap floor upgrade for $40.

 

[jhelrey]

Those diamond tiles you can buy at Lowes are decent weight.

 

[Garage Flooring]

Sorry folks, haven't been around since I posted. Appreciate all the feedback though!

I don't want diamond plate for several reasons.

1.) it's expensive (which I don't mind spending some money, but all the other things below are why I don't want to spend a decent chunk with all these caveats against it)
2.) sweeping it is a PITA compared to coin pattern
3.) it's hard on the knees and elbows (will be crawling under to strap the truck down, and maybe occasionally wrench inside
4.) it's heavy (light in small quantities, but enough for an 8.5x24' trailer will add a good chunk)
5.) it eventually dulls up and doesn't look as good

@GarageFlooringLLC, any chance you guys can get me a ballpark price range for the coin pattern you mentioned for 8.5x24' trailer? Figure 8.5x32 to count the door. Doesn't need to be an exact quote, just ballpark range so I have an idea

The mention about using e-track, I'm using Mac Custom Tie Downs Versa-Track on the floor. The back is closed unlike e-track, so over carpeting wouldn't matter, but I don't want carpeting on the floor. I do want to do e-track on the walls, but my wall carpeting is only going to come up to the bottom edge of the e-track, and the e-track will be the border with above it painted.


@Foxrider64, trailer looks great! I plan on doing a similar thing with the walls. Will probably do a 40-48" belt line with the carpet, and e-track at the top edge.

@Cruzin90, what did that line-x run for yours? Or if you do those since you posted 2, whats a ballpark range for 8.5x24? I know it can vary, just looking for ballpark. If it's in the several grand range, probably not the route I'll go. Again don't mind spending some coin, but can't be unlimited on budget lol. Need to also get an eletric tongue jack, winch, etc.

I contemplated doing a painted floor with the color chips like @triple0beretta but with the few oil stains on the floor, was hoping to avoid the prep of trying to get oil out of porous wood and potential issues down the road with it peeling.

@greenbikemike do you have a close up pic of how that finish looks?

And on the topic of floor paints, if you guys didn't coat brand new floors, what did you use to prep the wood if there were any stains?

If you would give myself or the office a call we can see what is available for you in short rolls

 

[Toofast28]

I'd ask about Bedliner, see if it'll adhere to the oil stains. Any coating I think the oil stains are going to present a problem. So a sheeting of some sort seems like your only option.

Wouldn't hurt to try paint thinner or mineral spirits to see if you can pull the oil out. If it comes out, sand it, paint it, throw sand in it for texture, paint again. If it doesn't pull the oil out, you're out $5 and your time and go with a sheeting of some sort for a floor.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Anybody else have any input for an epoxy style product with color chips ?

I just ordered a 28' trailer last night and need to get my ducks in a row for the interior. I want to do the floor first before I start tracking in and out of it. I've fired off an email to Rustoleum and inquire about some of their products.

Not interested in mats, bedliner or Line-X/Rhino.

 

[Garage Flooring]

Anybody else have any input for an epoxy style product with color chips ?

I just ordered a 28' trailer last night and need to get my ducks in a row for the interior. I want to do the floor first before I start tracking in and out of it. I've fired off an email to Rustoleum and inquire about some of their products.

Not interested in mats, bedliner or Line-X/Rhino.

You need to check the flexibility of the coating and you will need to top coat if you use flake. We have had people do Rust Bullet in this application but it has not been tested enough to make it a sure thing.

 

[Pay2play]

Great topic. I put Bed liner in my snowmobile trailer. It is holding up ok. Trailer was over 10 years old when I put it down and the only fail parts were from the ski carbides. Pretty sure it was a Kevlar based product. Can't remember the brand...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[skidozer670]

I had rubber conveyor belting in my 7x14 v nose snowmobile trailer it was a little heavy 1/4" but held up great to snowmobile studs and carbides I bought it used from a buddy at the local gravel pit for $75 its been in there since 2006. Floor is in great shape under it.

I'm done with snowmobiling so I plan on removing it and coating with harbor freight bed liner material its on sale for $39 a gallon.