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Trowel-On Rubber Coating Preserves Trailer Floors
A trowel-on rubberized floor system for horse trailers eliminates cleaning rubber mats, providing a cushioned surface and preventing corrosion.
"There's nothing else like it," says Kristofer Parmer, operations manager for WERM (We Eliminate Rubber Mats) Flooring Systems, based in Oklahoma City. "It solves a huge
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Trowel-On Rubber Coating Preserves Trailer Floors WAGONS/TRAILERS Accessories 31-5-11
A trowel-on rubberized floor system for horse trailers eliminates cleaning rubber mats, providing a cushioned surface and preventing corrosion.
"There's nothing else like it," says Kristofer Parmer, operations manager for WERM (We Eliminate Rubber Mats) Flooring Systems, based in Oklahoma City. "It solves a huge problem in the industry by eliminating the hassle of rubber mats."
Robert Winchester, who worked in the pool industry, developed the flexible urethane and rubber product. WERM uses a mix of recycled and virgin rubber.
"It's tougher than a rubber mat but has the same cushioning factor (as a rubber mat)," says Parmer.
Trained dealers have special equipment to mix the ingredients. They trowel it on at 1/2 to 5/8 in. thick. It takes about 1 1/2 hours to finish the floor in a three-horse trailer. After four hours the trailer can be moved. In 48 hours it's ready for horses. The non-slip surface smells like citrus.
Since WERM is nonporous, Parmer recommends people spread wood chips to soak up urine.
Scott Terpstra of Allegan, Michigan, owns horses and was impressed enough to become a dealer/installer for WERM in 2006. A professional floor installer by trade, he says there's a huge market for the flooring system.
"It completely seals and sticks," Terpstra says. "Urine can't get to the aluminum and oxidize, so it adds longevity to the trailer."
Since the product works with wood, concrete and other metals, horse owners are also having WERM flooring installed in stalls and arenas. Terpstra recently worked as a consultant at a University of Minnesota equine facility. He says he also sees a future for the product in milking parlors.
In areas where dealers are available, many horse trailer companies offer WERM flooring as an option. But the flooring can also be applied to older trailers.
Costs vary according to trailer size and condition, and area of the country, but start out at about $10/sq. ft.
Based on trailers that had WERM flooring installed five years ago, it is very durable, Parmer says. It comes with a 2-year limited warranty. The company sends patching material to customers if something knocks a hole in the floor.
"Once people have this they'll never go back to mats," Terpstra says.
Parmer is open to more dealers; WERM provides installation training.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Kristofer Parmer, 3996 E. I-240 Service Road, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73135 (ph 800 350-7564; sofdek@sbcglobal.net; www.wermflooring.com) or Scott Terpstra, WERM Flooring Systems of Michigan, LLC, 2723 126th Ave., Allegan, Michigan 49010 (ph 616 813-2269; wermofmichigan@ gmail.com; www.wermofmichigan.com).
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