Aluminum trailer floor -- pea sized hole

[ToTheNines]

I pulled up my trailer floor mats to clean under them, and noticed a pea sized hole in the trailer floor. The floor is aluminum “planks” and the hole is about in the middle of the floor – a bit toward the back.

What is the best fix for this? I have a local welding shop, but no specialized trailer repair nearby. I certainly don’t want just a patch. Maybe a support bar underneath?

I just had the trailer brakes fixed and bearings packed/replaced, and asked the guy if he noticed anything to worry about on the underside. He said he was under there for four hours and did not see any problems. I do not expect him to have seen the small hole I found because the mat would have been over it.

But when trailer floors fail, how do they fail? Of course, everyone’s nightmare is a sudden failure. Stories welcome!

[beau159]

Are you sure this isn’t just a drainage hole that is supposed to be there?

If you look closely, you should find a few others. There has to be a way for the urine to escape through the floor if you aren’t using shavings to soak it up.

[ToTheNines]

beau, its definitely corrosion. The floor is getting white-ish in that area. Also, the hole is jaggedy. There is an intentional drainage hole farther to the back, and it is larger and has smooth edges.

[airhorse]

I believe they will drill out the area to shiny metal, acid wash, and fill with either epoxy or weld.

[Foxtrot_s]

What brand is it - there are threads on this…

[hosspuller]

If the aluminum planks have corrugations … I wouldn’t worry about a single hole. Look around the hole and check for other spots. A generalized thinning bigger than your hand I would be concerned. Most of the strength to support a horse is in the vertical portion of the plank.

Prove this to yourself with a sheet of paper… Then fold it like an accordion fan