Hi Everyone,
We are new fgrv owners with a 17' widebody Burro. I have enjoyed reading some of the forum topics and have already learned so much from all of you. I'm hoping to learn more.

We recently discovered the carpet floor covering was wet after some heavy rains and located, I think, the source of the water entry. Failed silicone caulking around the fridge and water heater vents. The carpet was stained and not very good looking to begin with so we tore it out. We had planned to replace it anyway, the removal just took place sooner than expected.

Now my question; What should we replace it with, and why? Per W. has already offered some very good insight and suggestions through a pm, but wanting to see what alternatives might be available and draw on experiences from the group. We are considering a pergo-type floor covering as it is easy to keep clean and swept. Your comments are much appreciated. Thanks

I put maple laminate from Sam's in our Compact Jr. It has worn very well, is easy to clean, and shows no wear yet. It was not hard to install. We like the light color as it makes the small area seem bigger.

http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/ViewPhoto?...&p=70829465

Tom Trostel

my new floor just replaced with the pergo laminate flooring....

Click to view attachment


I didnt want it put under the table tho....

Tom, thank you for your response. I really like the look and I know we would like the ease of cleaning. How is it fastened down?

Christi, thank you for your response, also. This floor is also very beautiful. Same question, how is it fastened down? Why not under the table, seems like this would be easier to clean than carpet etc?

I just paint ours with a good floor enamel. When it gets a little rough looking, I just sweep it , sand lightly with 50 or 60 grit and roll on a new floor. Takes about an hour.

We also have a couple of throw rugs strategically placed.

Another thought:

If our Scamp floor would completely rot out, I would likely replace it with one of the plastic decking materials. I don't even think I would be terribly concerned about small gaps between the plastic boards. The greatest downside is they are pretty heavy.

Oh, by the way, how much does a stack of Pergo weigh that would be enought to cover a 16ft Scamp floor?

Hi David,

Here's a link to a previous thread re. flooring that you may find of interest (if you haven't already read it).

We put a laminate oak floor in our Casita and truly love both its look and ease of cleaning. Our floor is a couple of years old now, and we haven't had any problem with it. However, a carpenter friend of ours told us that it can develop problems if it comes in contact with moisture. Another member of this forum recently wrote in that his pergo type floor swelled up in response to water and would need to be replaced. So, if you put in a floor like this, be sure to wipe up any drips/spills quickly!

Jeanne

Hi Jeanne,
Thanks for your input and pointing out the previous thread. You are right, the possibility of moisture has been brought to my attention, and would be my only reservation. But I do like what you all have shown me with your own projects using this type of floor covering. I know the pergo-type floor coverings require some expansion room around the perimeter (and that's without the introduction of any moisture) as the product expands and contracts with humidity changes.

I'm going to wait til spring I think before installing the new floor (whatever we choose), to see if there are any more leaks.
David

Hi Loren,
I would guess the pergo to weight less than 100 pounds.
David

Hi David,

I just put in a new floor last night. Here's my story.....

Last week I bought a 2000 Scamp 16 in great shape. The in/outdoor carpet is in very good condition and I wanted to keep it that way; also, I like the wood look. So, I bought a 5x8 bamboo rug at the Sam's Club ($35) and cut it to fit the Scamp floor...took about 1.5 hours. Put it right on top of the carpet. Turned out great! If interested in the details let me know.

Michael

My flooring is installed like the instructions for home use. Foam underlay was placed on the existing floor. Pieces of laminate were cut to allow 1/4" open space between new flooring and walls. Quarter round was mitre cut to cover space between floor and walls. The only place the new flooring is attached to the original floor is where the wood screws hold the pedestal cups for the two table legs.

We've had no problems with moisture. We've tracked in water, spilled coffee, etc. Of course, we live in a dry part of the country.

Tom Trostel

Hi: We are new 3rd owners of a 13' Boler... Previous own. had shag in loose lay...I pulled it out and cut a paper pattern of the floor area...2" smaller than area to be covered...I used my large square for the straight lines and a block of 2x4 for the rounded lines at back of the dinette...when pattern is done mark top side on the patt. and flip it over,,,mark under side on bottom...We purchased a remnant of Berber @ local Carpet One dealer...It was marked $35. and when we went to pay he said make it $20...WE ran b/4 he changed his mind and took it home...Flipped it upside down on the basement floor and with patt. marked bottom on the carped put pencil lines on 2" wider than mark on patt. and cut on these lines with a razor knife... Flipped it over and slid it in the Boler....AHHHHH perfect fit...Loose lay can be removed turned over and bang out the camping dirt.. Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

Hi Michael,
Thanks for your response. Another great idea!
David

Hi Tom,
This is very encouraging, thank you!
David

Hi Alf,
Thanks for your input. I like this idea, too!
David

Although I'm not quite there, yet; my intention is to install a bamboo hardwood-type floor. My initial research has found it priced any where from $2-4 per sq.ft, which would be prohibitive except for the fact that the egg's actual floor area is so small, I could cover it with cashmere if I wanted. Your idea of the bamboo rug cut-to-fit is very interesting. Could you post a photo? Thanks a milliion.

I plan on using Bamboo flooring from Ikea. I purchaced one box from their as-is section for ten bucks. I hope to find another "as-is" box so I can do the project, I really don't want to have to cough up the 48 bucks for the second box.

cheep-cheep!

Hi Kristi,

Sorry for the late reply, I have been in the North Carolina mountains for the last few days. Fall is fast approaching, the leaves are just beginning to turn and a nip is in the air!

I'll be happy to post a picture and give you further details this evening. Of course, I say that never having posted a picture before. Wish me luck.

Michael

<<<We recently discovered the carpet floor covering was wet after some heavy rains and located, I think, the source of the water entry. Failed silicone caulking around the fridge and water heater vents.>>>

Once again silicone has caused problems. When will folks learn to stay away from that stuff.

I bought a roll end of woodgrain, foambacked, cushioned linoleum from Home Depot, and put it in mine. It is so comfy to walk on. I hope that I can add a picture tomorrow.
I have enough left over to do my Class B+ van, so that I can take out the old tacky tan shag out of it !!

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and offering many wonderful suggestions. Once we get a new floor installed, I will post pictures
David

Our 74 Trillium 1300 still has the original orange lino which is starting to curl up around the sides. It also had a burn spot in the centre, which we cover with a round green rug. We've been thinking about bamboo flooring, but we are hesitant to pull up the old lino as we're not sure how uneven the floor will be.

Has anyone else had this experience?

Yup!

On our '84 Scamp the only plywood I had to replace was the small piece next to the door.

However after pulling the vinyl linoleum that had previously stuck down with copious amounts of contact cement the floor was certainly not too even. The screws that secured it to the frame had also rusted off, so the plywood was a bit "bouncy". I don't think you could ever expect this kind of floor to be very even. As you tow down a rough road, there must be quite a bit of flex in the chassis, so any seams are bound to open up and accumulate dirt/debris which will cause uneveness.

I used a floor leveling compound from Home Depot after cleaning all the contact cement residue off. The compound is a paste-like substance that you trowel on. It dries quite quickly and is easily sanded flat. I used a quarter sheet sander (Makita) with 50 grit paper and a vacuum hooked up to the sander.

Once that set up, I just painted it with grey floor latex. I haven't gone any further than this because I see potential problems with about any kind of floor covering. Wood is visually enticing, but not too desireable in our damp climate; carpet is nice feeling, again not too practical in our damp climate; vinyl seems practical until it curls at the edges, etc.

So we just have a couple of throw rugs placed where needed and repaint the floor when it begins to look too dowdy. This is not a final solution, but workable.

After seeing this series, I am going to check out the bamboo mat. Another idea is a poly olefin carpet bound at the edges like a throw rug that you could roll up and hose off in the driveway when needed.

Click to view attachmentHere is the cushioned vinyl I put in mine.