New laminate floor over thin gray carpet?

[Tim in AR]

Hi, I have an 85 Casita with what appears to be original carpet-thin gray indoor/outdoor looking carpet that is still in good shape. I'd like to cover it with an interlocking laminate floor and wonder if anyone has done this. I don't want to rip out the carpet that is in good shape but am trying to have a floor more appropriate for boondocking or dry camping. I guess my concern is that there might be enough give in the carpet to cause the strips of laminate to uncouple. Thoughts?

[cpaharley2008]

I have installed the laminate in 3 campers and would not recommend it over carpet. It needs to be on a solid surface and with either molding or matching caulk along the opposite side, the floor can expand and contract with the temperature change.

[40bpm]

Instead of a laminate floor, how about some of these interlocking tiles. They're kinda' soft but firm. Easy clean-up and adds a little warmth to the floor.

[Borrego Dave]

Originally Posted by Tim in AR

Hi, I have an 85 Casita with what appears to be original carpet-thin gray indoor/outdoor looking carpet that is still in good shape. I'd like to cover it with an interlocking laminate floor and wonder if anyone has done this. I don't want to rip out the carpet that is in good shape but am trying to have a floor more appropriate for boondocking or dry camping. I guess my concern is that there might be enough give in the carpet to cause the strips of laminate to uncouple. Thoughts?

Wouldn't recommend it Tim. The film used under lam floors is very thin and more for lam movement. The give in the carpet may well be enough to break the lam seams. I boondock 99% of the time and don't see a problem with the Casitas carpet. Using an outside mat has worked well for me for many years. A dustpan and brush takes care of it and the shop vac finishes it off when we get home. OK, there's one thought for you .

[mary and bob]

The PO of our '96 Casita put laminate floor over the original carpet and it's been OK. Been there about 3 years now. Trim job is not all that great but we haven't felt the need to replace it.

[gordon2]

I would strip out the carpet, prepare a smooth sub-floor, and install Allure.
TrafficMASTER Allure 6 in. x 36 in. Barnwood Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring (24 sq. ft. / case)-261222 - The Home Depot

[librarianocnj]

Lots of people cover the carpet with Allure from Home Depot. Search Casita Forum. I did. It overlaps by about an inch for water proofing.

[Tim in AR]

Some great ideas-thanks to everybody.

[k corbin]

I would not overlay old carpet in a little travel trailer. There is a reason for my opinion on that. Any residual dirt in the old carpet fibers is a breeding ground to feed mold spores and mold does happen in tiny fiberglass travel trailers. It would be better to begin with a clean subfloor base, brand new mold resistant foam padding made for the purpose and then your new flooring. Plus remember that the old carpet fibers will wick up and retain moisture for a considerable length of time if there is a spill that allows water to drain through the cracks. The foam padding flooring won't absorb moisture.

What people do in a fiberglass trailer should NOT be based on what you see people doing in their houses. They don't have kitchen sinks and one piece bathroom showers in their living rooms where they are installing laminate flooring over their carpet. Their living rooms are not typically subjected to the types of moisture condensation issues found in a fiberglass trailer. I don't think you want to create a mold trap that could create ongoing smells that can't easily be remediated without pulling up the plank flooring.

IF---Then (what happens next) thinking is always required when redoing the interiors of the FGRVs

[librarianocnj]

Couple of thoughts.
People have been using Allure since 2010. I've yet to see any posts complain about mold.
And if you do have a spill, just pull up the Allure dry carpet, and replace Allure for $40.

[Radar1]

We installed Allure flooring in our Scamp, but we removed the old carpet first and made sure there was a solid smooth floor to place it upon. The quote below is from the Allure installation instructions, we complied with the carpet part, but obviously ignored the part about camping trailers.
"You can not install Allure in Solariums/Sunrooms, over Carpets, or any Exterior Application including seasonal porches, camping trailers and boats."

[k corbin]

Originally Posted by librarianocnj

Couple of thoughts.
People have been using Allure since 2010. I've yet to see any posts complain about mold.
And if you do have a spill, just pull up the Allure and replace it for $40.

It is not the Allure itself that will have a mold issue, it the old carpet under it that will have dirt still in it. Dirt (other than pure silica sand) contains food for mold spores

[TheRedDawn]

Originally Posted by Tim in AR

Hi, I have an 85 Casita with what appears to be original carpet-thin gray indoor/outdoor looking carpet that is still in good shape. I'd like to cover it with an interlocking laminate floor and wonder if anyone has done this. I don't want to rip out the carpet that is in good shape but am trying to have a floor more appropriate for boondocking or dry camping. I guess my concern is that there might be enough give in the carpet to cause the strips of laminate to uncouple. Thoughts?

We were faced with a similar challenge, and had a soft spot close to the back of our casita too. We thought laminate might unclick.

We went with engineered hardwood on top of the old carpet No issues at all.

A tiny bit thicker and we needed to get fancy with 1/4 round trim, but it worked great and we're very happy with the results.

[sharpstick]

Originally Posted by librarianocnj

Lots of people cover the carpet with Allure from Home Depot. Search Casita Forum. I did. It overlaps by about an inch for water proofing.

I used that vinyl with overlapping glue strips on my kitchen and I will never use it again! It is hard to get it lined up when laying on, AND IF IT ISN'T PERFECT, YOU GET A GAP. I recommend building up a solid flat base with Advantech AdvanTech Flooring, AdvanTech Subflooring, AdvanTech Floor | Huber Engineered Woods copletely waterproof subfloor. Shim up under it first to make sure it is supported everywhere, and maybe chisel or rout it where it sits on high spots or screws. Then get interlocking vinyl, as thick as you can afford. (I live in florida. Resistance to spills and humidity in general is important.)

[J Ron]

We have a 2010 Casita 17 LD. PO put laminate over carpet and all is well. Slightly soft spot in one small area but not a problem. Much easier to keep clean.

[Kai in Seattle]

Another thing to consider is simply to find some gorgeous little machine-washable throw rugs and place them strategically...definitely entry, then next to each bed, by the galley, etc. They can be lifted whole and shaken out easily each day--or a dozen times a day if you like...and the under-carpet can be vacuumed thoroughly at home.
(You also need a good hose-washable entry mat for outside_


OR you could do like our son did and get a Dustbuster and keep it set up in a closet and vacuum as needed right on the spot. Do you heavy vacuuming at home (again). I agree entirely that you can sweep a carpet...


YMMV, so many ideas!


BEST
Kai

[Franswa]

rubber mat outside (with big holes in it so rocks/grit stays out)

full length "runner" (from entry door to bathroom door)
with my lay-out it's nice to have carpet to stand on coming out of the shower

and a short piece of same at the door to shake out (WIPE YOUR FEET!)



just like you said, at home it all gets a good vacuum on my deck....and I have a 12V vac in the coach too

[Tim Nolan]

We removed the carpet, sanded the floor clean and then put down a few coats of Kilz as a primer. We got 4ft vinyl stick-on strips from Lowes and they worked fine. Used 1/2 in quarter round as a boarder and looks great.

Use a mallet to stick the strips down, but don't whale on it too hard and knock out soft spots in the floor like I did!

[Kai in Seattle]

Hey, Tim! Meet Tim, OP. It can be done. Take the plunge, bite the bullet, pull out that carpet and do a great EZ maintenance fix! Kilz is a great choice for underlayment!


I am assuming there are TWO Tims here, one the OP and the other, well, another who already solved the issue?

BEST
Kai

[Tim in AR]

Thanks again for all the ideas. We are planning to do a lot of camping this fall and I will probably wait until mid winter to do my floor work... I love places like Utah and am already anticipating that famous orange Moab dust that seems to stain everything it gets on.