What is the best color to have my horse trailer roof painted? ?

Question

Trying to do research but having a hard time.

I’m having my steel horse trailers roof repainted and don’t know if I should have it done white like the rest of the trailer or have it in silver. I’m assuming it is a silver spray with the metal reinforced paint to help with the durability, but I have read about that cracking and flaking after a few years (which I don’t want). Hopefully this will be the only time I get this thing repainted so I’m trying to go for longevity. It can get pretty hot in the summers (75-95F) and below freezing in the winters with snow and ice, and the trailer stays outside. I’m kind of leaning towards white paint but should I consider silver more? My main concern is heat control for the horses and durability. I’ve tried asking the body shops around here but they all are pretty noncommittal with any questions without seeing the trailer first. Thanks.

? · Accepted Answer

White is the best, coolest. Horses have a normal body temperature from 99-101 and can really get overheated in trailers.

? · Answer

Light colours are the best for trailers if you have the need to reduce heat. Dark colours, especially red are more prone to UV damage, and are the quickest to fade and show wear.

? · Answer

White helps keep it cool. Any paint will take a lot of prep work an usually more than the painting itself. If possible I highly suggest aluminum to avoid the paint issue an mainly help reduce rust an weight. Our eby an featherlight trailers arent cheap thoe.

? · Answer

Hot Pink

Anonymous · Answer

We have had the best luck with white paint. There are white, silver, dark green and red trailers on property, my white ones almost 30 years old and still doesn’t need a repaint. The paint on the sides is getting thin and the very front edge of the trailer roof where the grey primers peeking through. The trailers starting to show its age, its been retired several times (mostly to bring up to the ever changing code) and we had a no slip plate added to. The orig floor with drain holes for wash out to make it dry better.

Hope this helps.

The colored ones pretty much are all primer, the silver ones are bare metal and are like solar ovens in the peek summer. The police and rescue vehicles are all painted white on top. Less heat absorbed.

Hope this helps.

The colored ones pretty much are all primer, the silver ones are bare metal and are like solar ovens in the peek summer.   The police and rescue vehicles are all painted white on top.  Less heat absorbed.

zephania666 · Answer

I agree with ?.  A horse trailer in summer can be an oven, and whatever you can do to keep it less hot is what you should do.  Dark colors absorb heat and make it hotter.  Light colors reflect heat, and keep it cooler.

I'd take whichever paint - silver or white -  has the best record for longevity.  Don't skimp on the quality.  Generally, metallics last longer because they have two coats of clear finish on top.  They're more expensive because of this, but last longer...  though if they do get damaged they're more expensive to fix.  Perhaps a third coat of white would be better.

Also don't skimp on the workmanship.  The roof will need to be completely sanded and primed before painting multiple coats.

TK · Answer

A light color will reflect the sun's rays.  I don't think there will be much difference between a white and a light silver.

What is the best color to have my horse trailer roof painted? ?

7 Answers