Why Rumber & Galvalite Interiors Are Better
Quick Answer
Rumber® flooring is made from recycled rubber, eliminating the need for heavy mats. It resists moisture, rot and vibration and reduces heat transfer by up to 75 % compared with aluminum floors. Galvalite® interior panels are five times stronger than .040‑inch aluminum sheets and don’t warp or corrode. Together, these materials save hours of cleaning and create a quieter, cooler environment for your horses.
5-Star Proof: “The Rumber floors… contribute to a safe and comfortable ride. They practically jump into this trailer, and travel very quietly.” — Carl & Sandy, IL
What Is Rumber Flooring?
Rumber planks are a composite of recycled tire rubber and plastics. They are designed for long life and minimal upkeep.
- Impervious to moisture and rot: Unlike wood, Rumber doesn’t absorb urine or harbor mold.
- No heavy mats required: The textured surface provides traction without removable mats
- Noise & vibration control: The rubber dampens road chatter, making horses calmer during travel.
- Reduced heat transfer: Rumber and treated lumber floors stay up to 75% cooler than aluminum under road heat.
- Longevity: Owners regularly report 15–20+ years of use without replacement.
Learn more in our deep dive: Six Reasons to Add Rumber Flooring to Your Custom Trailer →
The Pros and Cons of Rumber Flooring
Most horse owners love Rumber for its durability and low upkeep, but it’s important to acknowledge concerns. A small number of users have reported slipperiness, particularly in winter or with shod horses. Solutions include:
- Scuffing the surface when new.
- Using shavings or grit until natural wear increases traction.
- Regular rinsing to avoid smooth buildup.
Survey data shows two-thirds of owners report no traction issues at all.
Explore survey results and tips: Pros and Cons of Rumber Flooring →
How Long Does Rumber Really Last Compared to Wood or Aluminum?
When buyers ask, “How long will my trailer floor last?” The honest answer is: it depends on the material and how much upkeep you’re willing to do.
- Rumber® (Recycled Rubber–Plastic Composite):
Rumber floors routinely last 20–25+ years with virtually no special maintenance. Their non-porous design eliminates rot, urine damage, and the need for rubber mats. Hose it out and you’re done. That’s why Rumber has the best cost-of-ownership advantage over time.
- Pressure-Treated Wood:
Despite what you might read online, a properly installed treated-wood floor can also last 25+ years. At Double D Trailers, we’ve never replaced a single wood board from rot, because we use salt-treated lumber that shrinks slightly as it cures, leaving small gaps for drainage and airflow. The key to longevity?- Pull the mats periodically
- Rinse the floor thoroughly
- Let it dry before putting mats back in
Done right, wood holds up beautifully and doesn’t corrode when exposed to urine.
- Aluminum:
Aluminum floors can also reach the 20-year mark, but only if they’re washed after every single use. Horse urine and aluminum are a bad combination. When urine seeps under the mats and dries, corrosion sets in quickly. We’ve seen aluminum floors eaten through with holes in as little as 7 years when owners skipped regular washing. With meticulous upkeep, though, aluminum will serve as long as wood or Rumber.
Bottom line: All three materials can last decades… but the difference is in effort.
- Wood: durable, requires periodic mat removal and rinsing
- Aluminum: strong, but must be washed after every haul
- Rumber: longest-lasting with the least maintenance
That’s why many owners choose Rumber. It saves time, prevents mistakes, and gives you peace of mind that your horses are always standing on a solid, safe floor.
See six reasons Rumber outperforms wood and aluminum →
Horse Trailer Flooring Comparison
5-Star Customer Proof
Carl & Sandy (IL, 2-Horse SafeTack Bumper Pull) “I chose this trailer specifically for the well-being of my horses. The Rumber floors, bright interior, padded and slatted dividers, insulation, ventilation, and hay feeders all contribute to a safe and comfortable ride. They practically jump into this trailer, and travel very quietly.”
Mickie (MI, 1-Horse SafeTack Bumper Pull)
“The Rumber floor is a plus. The whole trailer is easy to clean up after hauling and traveling on dirt roads.”
Why We Don’t Recommend WERM, Polylast, or Rhino Lining
Spray-on coatings like WERM, Polylast, and Rhino Lining are often marketed as “permanent” flooring solutions, but they come with serious drawbacks most owners don’t realize:
- Hide underlying rot and corrosion: Once applied, you can’t see what’s happening beneath. If urine or moisture gets trapped, the floor can deteriorate unseen. In extreme cases, a horse could fall through a corroded floor masked by the coating.
- Installation risks: These products rely on proper surface prep and adhesives. Any mistake during application can lead to bubbling, cracking, or separation.
- Moisture entrapment: If drainage holes clog, liquid becomes sealed under the coating, accelerating rust or rot.
- Costly repairs: If the coating fails, it’s extremely difficult and expensive to strip off and redo, often requiring full floor replacement
Bottom line: Spray-on coatings may look seamless, but they can create a false sense of security. You can’t inspect the floor beneath, and when failure happens, it tends to happen suddenly and with serious safety risks.
Get the full breakdown here: Why We Don’t Recommend WERM, Polylast, or Rhino Lining →
Galvalite Walls: Strength & Hygiene
Double D Trailer’s Galvalite® interior wall panels are an upgrade over thin aluminum sheets.
- Strength: Five times stronger than .040-inch aluminum, protecting horses from kicks.
- Hygienic: Smooth, powder-coated surface wipes down easily and resists odors.
- Durability: Won’t corrode or warp under heat, moisture, or impact.
- Quieter & safer: Dampens noise and reduces stress for horses.
Explore the science behind wall strength: Are Your Horse Trailer’s Walls Strong Enough? →
Are Galvalite Walls Stronger Than Aluminum?
Yes, significantly. The difference becomes clear once you compare the actual material properties.
- Thickness Matters
- Most competitors use .040" aluminum siding (about the thickness of a soda can).
- Double D Trailers use 16-gauge Galvalite steel panels, which measure 0.0598" thick.
- That’s nearly 50% thicker right out of the gate.
- Density & Strength
- Aluminum is lightweight (≈ 0.097 lb/in³), while steel is nearly 3× denser (≈ 0.283 lb/in³).
- Galvalite steel also has higher yield strength meaning it can withstand more stress before permanently bending
- Real-World Stiffness
- A square foot of .040 aluminum weighs about 0.54 lb.
- A square foot of 16-gauge Galvalite steel weighs 2.44 lb.
- That added heft translates into 3–4× greater resistance to denting, flexing, or warping compared to aluminum.
- Durability & Maintenance
- Aluminum: corrosion-resistant but prone to dings, warps, and “oil canning” (wavy panels).
- Galvalite steel: powder-coated for corrosion protection, wipes clean easily, resists odor absorption, and stays rigid even under pressure.
The Bottom Line: For a horse trailer wall, strength means safety. A Galvalite panel won’t cave in if a horse kicks, leans, or shifts weight during transport. It keeps its shape, resists dents, and lasts for decades, giving your trailer a more solid, secure feel compared to the paper-thin aluminum sheets found in many competing brands.
👉 Read more about wall strength →
Real-World Proof: When a Horse Panicked in Transit
Accidents happen, even with the calmest horses. In one of our trailers, a horse panicked during transport and repeatedly kicked the walls.
As you can see in the photos, the interior panels were scuffed and dented… but the hoof never penetrated the wall. The Galvalite steel absorbed the impact and kept the horse contained safely.
If these walls had been made from .040-inch aluminum (what many other horse trailer manufacturers use), the results would have been very different. Aluminum would have punctured, leaving dangerous sharp edges and even the risk of the hoof going through the wall.
This is why material choice matters. Stronger walls don’t just look better longer, they protect horses when the unexpected happens.
Maintenance & Cleaning Tips
- Hose down after each trip.
- Use mild soap if needed on Galvalite panels.
- Let water drain, no mats to haul out.
- Total cleaning time: 5–10 minutes vs. an hour with mats.
Everyday cleaning with Rumber and Galvalite is fast… hose it out and you’re done in minutes. But if you ever want to do a full seasonal refresh (tack, mats, dividers, walls), see our step-by-step guide on How to Deep Clean Your Horse Trailer →
Floor Failure Is Real… Here’s What to Avoid
Too many horse owners have suffered catastrophic floor failures, often from hidden corrosion in aluminum or rotted wood. Horses have literally fallen through failing floors, leading to injuries and fatalities.
Rumber eliminates these risks. With strong Z-Frame® supports every 16 inches, it provides a rigid, rot-proof foundation.
See accident reports and comparisons: Horse Trailer Floor Failure →
Structural Supports Matter
Even the strongest material can fail if it isn’t supported correctly. Many aluminum trailers use I-beam supports spaced far apart, creating stiff, noisy rides and increasing the chance of fatigue cracks.
Our design places close-set Z-Frame® cross-members under Rumber or treated lumber, creating a strong yet flexible floor that’s easier on your horses.
See diagrams and analysis: Structural Supports on an Aluminum Trailer Floor →
Real-World Testimonials
Owners routinely share that after 7–10 years their Rumber floors and Galvalite walls look as good as new; no rot, no odor, no mats. The ease of cleaning alone saves hours of work per year, while horses travel calmer on the quieter, cooler surfaces.
Is Rumber flooring ever slippery?
Most horse owners report excellent traction with Rumber’s textured surface. In a Double D survey, about two-thirds of respondents said they had no issues at all. A few noted slipperiness in winter or with shod horses, but this was solved by scuffing the surface or using shavings until the boards wore in.
Why not use WERM, Polylast, or Rhino Lining instead?
Spray-on floors like WERM, Polylast, and Rhino Lining can look sleek at first, but they often trap moisture, hide corrosion, or fail if adhesives or drainage aren’t perfect. Repairs are costly, and problems may go unnoticed until major damage occurs. That’s why we recommend proven materials like Rumber or treated lumber instead.
What happens when horse trailer floors fail?
Floor failures are among the most dangerous risks in trailering. Horses have suffered serious injuries, even fallen through the floor, when wood rotted unseen or aluminum corroded under urine. Rumber eliminates this risk by being impervious to rot, corrosion, and urine damage, especially when paired with close Z-Frame® cross-member supports.
What role do structural supports play in floor safety?
The floor material is only as strong as what holds it up. Many aluminum trailers use I-beam supports spaced far apart, creating stiff, noisy rides and fatigue cracks. Double D trailers use Z-Frame® cross-members every 16 inches, paired with Rumber or treated lumber, for a floor that is strong yet flexible and much more comfortable for horses.
How often should I deep clean my trailer?
With Rumber and Galvalite, you’ll rarely need more than a quick rinse. For seasonal maintenance or after long dusty hauls, we recommend a full deep clean.
Related Guides (Your Next Step)
- Pros and Cons of Rumber Flooring – survey data and traction solutions.
- Why We Don’t Recommend WERM, Polylast, or Rhino Lining – hidden risks of spray-on flooring.
- Six Reasons to Add Rumber Flooring – deep dive into Rumber’s long-term advantages.
- Are Your Horse Trailer’s Walls Strong Enough? – why Galvalite and SafeKick® matter.
- Horse Trailer Floor Failure – case studies of catastrophic failures.
- Structural Supports on an Aluminum Trailer Floor – why Z-Frame support spacing is critical.
Ready for an Easy-Clean, Durable Horse Trailer?
Rumber floors and Galvalite walls make cleaning easier, protect your horses, and add years of life to your trailer.
