How to Clean a Horse Trailer - Keep Your Trailer Good As New With These Tips

When you first take delivery of your horse trailer, everything is spotless. But between the mud, hay, manure, and miles on the road, even the best-built trailers need regular care to keep them in peak condition.

The good news? Cleaning and maintaining your trailer doesn’t have to be hard. It just has to be consistent. Done right, it not only extends the life of your trailer, it also keeps your horses safer and more comfortable during travel.

Here’s your comprehensive guide to cleaning and maintaining your trailer safely and effectively, with special focus on advanced materials like Rumber flooring and our rust-resistant Z-Frame® design.

Why Safe Cleaning Matters

Cleaning your horse trailer is more than cosmetic. It's about:

• Preventing long-term structural damage
• Keeping harmful bacteria and mold away from your horse
• Avoiding costly repairs from rust, corrosion, or floor decay
• Improving air quality and comfort for your animals

Even small maintenance routines can make a big impact over time.

Step-by-Step: How to Safely Clean Your Trailer

1. Start with the Interior

Remove all hay, bedding, manure, and mats. Open doors and windows to ventilate. Wear gloves and a dust mask if needed.

Sanitize floors using a 10:1 bleach-to-water solution. Mop thoroughly, focusing on corners and seams. Let air dry completely before reloading.

Rumber Flooring Tip: If you have a Double D Trailer with Rumber flooring, you’re in luck. These rubber/plastic composite floors are waterproof, rot-resistant, and don’t require rubber mats. Just sweep, hose down, and sanitize, it’s that easy!

2. Clean Walls, Dividers & Padding

Use a mild soap and water solution with a microfiber towel. Check for damage, exposed screws, or tears in padding. Repair or replace damaged areas to prevent injury to your horse.

3. Wash the Exterior

Use an auto-safe cleaning soap and a microfiber wash mitt. Work top-to-bottom and rinse as you go. Avoid harsh pressure directly on seals, lights, or decals.

Z-Frame® Advantage: Our patented Z-Frame® combines steel strength with aluminum rust resistance. That means less corrosion, easier maintenance, and better long-term durability.

4. Windows, Vents & Hinges

• Clean window tracks and screens
• Check rubber gaskets for cracking
• Lubricate hinges and latches with silicone spray

Our trailers use Statewide brand windows with mid-latches and integrated bars, they’re easier to open and keep airflow strong.

Discover how we do horse trailer windows the right way 

5. Inspect and Maintain Tires

Check:

• Tread depth
• Sidewall cracks
• Tire pressure

Even if tires look fine, they age out every 4-5 years. Use tire covers or a full trailer cover if your rig stays outdoors.

Read our guide on choosing and maintaining your trailer tires 

Prevent Rust Before It Starts

Even with rust-resistant materials like Z-Frame®, it’s wise to check:

• The coupler
• Axles
• Rear door hardware
• Landing gear

Found light surface rust? Sand it down, clean the area, apply a primer, and touch-up paint. Avoid harsh abrasives. Keep those protective coatings intact.

Avoid All-Steel Trailers: These rust quickly, especially in humid environments or around urine-soaked bedding. Double D Trailers never uses full steel walls or floors for this reason.

Pro-Level Tips

• Use baking soda under mats (or on Rumber) to neutralize odors
• Keep a checklist for monthly and seasonal maintenance
• Store trailers with a cover or inside if possible - learn the right and wrong ways to use a horse trailer cover 
• Use your trailer often to keep water and appliances in working condition

Safer Materials Make Maintenance Easier

Choosing a trailer with smart materials makes upkeep easier and safer for everyone.

• Rumber Flooring: Easy to clean, no mats, non-slip, durable
• Z-Frame® Technology: Rust-resistant with steel strength
• SafeBump® Roof: Molded, seamless, and won’t crack or leak like aluminum
• Statewide Windows: Secure, user-friendly, and built to last

Final Thoughts: Clean Trailer = Safe Ride

Regular cleaning is an act of care. It protects your investment, gives you peace of mind, and most importantly, keeps your horses safe.

If your current trailer is hard to clean, shows early signs of rust, or has floors that trap urine under mats, it might be time for something better.

Explore custom-built trailers with smart materials and safety-first designs.

👉 View Our Custom Horse Trailer Models

👉 Learn Why Z-Frame® Is the Smarter Choice Than Steel

👉 Compare Flooring Types and Discover Rumber Benefits

FAQs

How often should I clean my horse trailer? Light cleaning should be done after every use. Deep cleaning and inspections should happen every 3–6 months, or more often in humid climates.

Can I use a pressure washer inside my trailer? Only if the trailer has Rumber flooring and sealed joints. Avoid excessive pressure on aluminum seams or near electrical components.

How do I remove the urine smell from my horse trailer? Use baking soda or a vinegar solution. Rumber floors resist urine absorption, but baking soda helps neutralize lingering odors.

How do I clean a trailer with rubber mats? Remove the mats, sweep out debris, sanitize the floor, and allow full drying before replacing. Consider switching to Rumber to skip this step entirely.