Rotten plywood floor.

[Poul J.]

Hi, my name is Poul and I've just become a new member. I have a 17ft Boler which I have stripped inside ready to remodel, and discovered that the plywood floor under the fiberglass covering has rotted in a rear corner and just inside the doorway - the floor gives as one walks on it and a bolt is sticking up under the fiberglass. I checked underneath and my suspicions were confirmed...the plywood has rotted and will have to be replaced. I cannot figure out how the plywood is attached to the shell as I cannot access the area where the two meet. Has anyone dealt with this problem? I would appreciate any advice as remodeling work is on hold.

Thank you, in anticipation!
Poul

[EllPea in CA]

Originally Posted by Poul J.

Hi, my name is Poul and I've just become a new member. I have a 17ft Boler which I have stripped inside ready to remodel, and discovered that the plywood floor under the fiberglass covering has rotted in a rear corner and just inside the doorway - the floor gives as one walks on it and a bolt is sticking up under the fiberglass. I checked underneath and my suspicions were confirmed...the plywood has rotted and will have to be replaced. I cannot figure out how the plywood is attached to the shell as I cannot access the area where the two meet. Has anyone dealt with this problem? I would appreciate any advice as remodeling work is on hold.

Thank you, in anticipation!
Poul

Hello Poul, welcome! Lots of people here have replaced their floors. Some have completely removed the fiberglass shells and repaired/rebuilt/replaced, or simply repainted their frames. You should find lots of help here... Soon...

[daveandbonscott]

Paul
I have a 17 ft Boler trailer and my floor also gives when I walk on it, and dips at the door. An idea I had and found can be done ( talked to a trailer repair place here in Vancouver) is to weld angle iron to trailer frame and slip plywood pieces
in (like a waste tray holder under your barbecue) in order to reinforce the plywood floor. Have to be careful about welding heat and the wood/fibreglass floor.
Since you have gutted the trailer, you may have easier options. I know there is a detailed video on separating Boler trailer from trailer frame to replace floor and it is very good.

good luck!

[Casita Greg]

Another item of concern with rotten trailer floors is the fact that, although adding plywood over rotten or soft areas may provide for a more solid feel, it does absolutely nothing to strengthen or reinforce the actual mounting bolts which hold the trailer shell to the trailer frame. Chances are, that if your floor is rotten, then "dollars to donuts" your mounting bolts have probably rusted away as well.
Just something to take into account during your "repairs."

[Mary F]

Hi Poul. Welcome to FiberglassRV.com. As Ellpea said, there are several folks who have replaced their floors in the various trailer brands, including Bolers. I did a Google-forum search for "Boler floor replace" and came up with several things. Check out Wood Floor Replacement on a 13 ft Boler. It's just a couple of posts, but includes a link to Johnny M's thread - which may have some helpful info. (I haven't recently read the whole thing, but he addresses it at least twice.)

Also have a look at Plywood Floor Replacement 72 Boler, and Plywood Floor Replacement, Previous Owner Tried and Failed.