Lifted vinyl and rotten flooring

[ftwildernessguy]

So the other day I was changing the oil in my scooter and I needed some metric sockets, so I ran over to the Kiwi and dug into the front storage compartment to pull out the tool kit for the trailer. "Hmmm", I say to myself silently, "that vinyl flooring in the storage compartment looks lifted." After my scooter maintenance was finished, I went back and lifted up the cushions on the dinette over the compartment and, sure enough, a lifted area of vinyl and a spongy feel to the floor. "Goodnes gracious", I exclaim, "whatever can this be? Surely it isn't good." So tonight after work I went in with my trusty utility knife and cut a big hunk of vinyl floor out. Beneath the vinyl, and above Jayco's laminated floor, is a layer of 1/4 inch plywood, or at least there should be. I have a pile of rotten crap. By the time I was done removing the flooring, I have an area about 18 inches by 3 feet exposed. The gasket on the compartment door is crap and allowed water to leak in between the vinyl and this plywood. I am drying it out now, and will hopefully be able to repair everything. Fortuneately, the damage is under the dinette seat and so the mismatched vinyl won't show. So much for resale value. "I wonder", I wondered, "what the other side looks like? Dare I venture over and peek?" Now, you might think that old FWGuy is about the luckiest SOB alive, but then you would be wrong. Sure enough, there is a matching lifted area of vinyl with the associated spongy floor on the other side! The only good thing I can say is that, by the time I get over to that one, I will have some experience doing the job. FWGirl says "Buy a new one!" Sorry, my dear, but too many happy memories in the Kiwi to let her go just yet. Man, do I love camping!

 

[disney4dan]

Been there Jim, and it is a sinking to your knees kind of feeling when you discover it (like we did in July). Not as bad as when we found our kid was going in for 12 hrs of surgery, but nearly as bad.

In FtWGirl's defense, the prices on new trailers are down about 30 to 35% right now.

But, if you insist on doing the repairs, might I suggest a minor modification? I'm thinking you could put in a relatively small water storage tank with a supplemental 12volt pump, outside tap and you could quickly recover any money for a new trailer by selling Kungaloosh refills during upcoming grand gatherings!

I just warn ya, cash only for this crowd and keep a close eye on the otters.

 

[I'mDownWithDisney]

I started chasing floor rot a few years ago on our 94' Coachman TT. I completely removed the bath room and replaced the flooring. I thought it was due to a loose membrane underneath. Fast forward a few years, and I now have rot under the bunks and back in the bathroom. I discovered that the membrane had become permeable. I tore everything out and was planning on fixing it, but I have decided to just sell it as it...just bough a new 5'er. I would take a hard look at the membrane. Mine looks good...no tears or holes, but you can mist it with a sprayer and watch it sorb through.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Been there Jim, and it is a sinking to your knees kind of feeling when you discover it (like we did in July). Not as bad as when we found our kid was going in for 12 hrs of surgery, but nearly as bad.

In FtWGirl's defense, the prices on new trailers are down about 30 to 35% right now.

But, if you insist on doing the repairs, might I suggest a minor modification? I'm thinking you could put in a relatively small water storage tank with a supplemental 12volt pump, outside tap and you could quickly recover any money for a new trailer by selling Kungaloosh refills during upcoming grand gatherings!

I just warn ya, cash only for this crowd and keep a close eye on the otters.

Dude,,I like your way of think'n !

Sorry bout the floor Jim.

 

[Just Beachy]

Sorry about the rotten floor. No fun! We had a similar situation with the Lance, but the rot was behind the fiberglass outside wall at the back end. Thank goodness DH is very handy. He was able to remove the fiberglass and replace the plywood. However, I'm still waiting for him to replace the reflector that was sacrificed. No job too big. No job too small. No job ever finished!!!

 

[bama_ed]

Jim,

Be thankful you found out now when it was only a little problem. If it gone unnoticed for another season who knows what would need to be replaced?

I had a similar experience with my home this summer. The back door of the house had some water leakage/rot around the frame so I had it replaced. While the guy was doing it he found the water had leaked down in to the wooden sub-floor around the door. He kept peeling back carpet and pad trying to find how far the damage had gone. Finally he stopped peeling. But if I had let it go much longer, it coulda been TROUBLE.

Good luck!

Bama ED

 

[ntsammy5]

Good luck Jim - this seems to be a common theme in trailers.

 

[liv luvs disney]

Dang, you sliced half of your thumb off a few days ago and now this! It's not been a good week for you. I hope it gets better.

 

[Gatordad]

I blame Obama.

 

[AuburnJen92]

I had the same problem when I had my Kiwi. I ended up replacing a good bit of floor by the door and used an aluminum plate to reinforce the stairs because they were attached to the rotten mess. Good luck in your endevors!

 

[LarryJ]

The best advise I can give in general is to do what I did sooner than later and get rid of all that caulk and use something that works like Eternabond. There are just too many potential issues with the caulk, screws, etc. that really can't be determined if really good visually. THIS is what I have done and am glad it's now done and I'm bascially thru with worrying about leaks. One needs to read all the captions to fully understand what I did.

Now this is not a project for the faint at heart since to do it right is a major time consumer, but not really hard, just not a quick fix ... but the options are IMO much worse, more time consuming, and costly.

Larry

 

[auntie]

We were thinking of using the Eternabond on the roof seams..and on one of our rear side seams..the one near to the ladder. We have had some spliting of the seam, from when water got in, froze and then thawed. We have caulked it..but I don't care for the way it looks and we are concerned that it won't hold up over the long run. Unfortunately leaving the trailer on site in the campground during the winter months is what caused the problem. We weren't there to see it happen..only deal with the ramifications. I'm not entirely clear on how you replaced the calking in the side seams. If you wouldn't mind elaborating, or PM'ing I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

The problem actually was the rubber gaskets that seal the two doors to the front storage compartment. They have become compressed with time and now leak when it rains, allowing the water in which ran under the vinyl flooring in the storage compartment, lifting it and keeping the plywood underneath wet. Now that the rotten plywood is up and the floor underneath has dried, it's not so bad. I have some towels by the doors keeping the rainwater contained (hasn't stopped raining for days) and will be putting the new gasket material on the doors when things dry out. I'll then tackle the floor with some new plywood and patch the section of the vinyl. Since it is in the storage compartment, it doesn't show. Just a pain. I looked at a North Trail 21FBS the other day with the wife and I think next spring I will be trading for it.

 

[ntsammy5]

and now leak when it rains, .

I pretty much leak when I drink beer. Speaking of beer I just bought a case of Spaten Oktoberfest at Sams for $23. Great deal. I also stopped at Wallyworld and bought a Bills pop up shelter because I expect a lot of rain this year - it's the cleanest Walmart I've ever seen, but it just opened a couple of weeks ago. The normal clientele were there though so I wasn't too disappointed!

What does this have to do with leaking floors you ask yourself? Absolutely nothing.

 

[Live4FW]

I also stopped at Wallyworld and bought a Bills pop up shelter because I expect a lot of rain this year - it's the cleanest Walmart I've ever seen, but it just opened a couple of weeks ago.

We just picked one of these up (UGA version) at our wallyworld for $25 on closeout. What a deal! They couldn't keep the pallet stocked.

 

[LarryJ]

We were thinking of using the Eternabond on the roof seams..and on one of our rear side seams..the one near to the ladder. We have had some spliting of the seam, from when water got in, froze and then thawed. We have caulked it..but I don't care for the way it looks and we are concerned that it won't hold up over the long run. Unfortunately leaving the trailer on site in the campground during the winter months is what caused the problem. We weren't there to see it happen..only deal with the ramifications. I'm not entirely clear on how you replaced the calking in the side seams. If you wouldn't mind elaborating, or PM'ing I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

Sorry, but I'm not sure what you are asking. Can you link or show a pic of the area you are concerned about.

Larry

 

[LarryJ]

Dupe post, sorry

Larry