Wet rot in travel trailer floor - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

SaltPork · 05-24-2006, 08:25 PM

For the last 2 years we noticed that the floor in the back of our 35 foot travel trailer was a bit spongy. So last year, we sealed all around the windows, the roof seams and the skylights. I believe the leaking has stopped. However, now I have to replace the plywood and carpeting in the back of the trailer. It's about a 9' x 8' section that needs replacing and I'm not sure about the joists, but I'll probably need to do those too. Has anyone had to do this before? Any advice?

thingstodo · 05-25-2006, 06:56 PM

I haven't done it in a travel trailer but in other places. Just clean out anything rotted and then more than you think. It's kind of like the dentist...you need to get rid of all the bad for sure. Then just replace what you took out. You may even have metal floor joists!

Tirian · 05-26-2006, 09:47 PM

also check out this site.... it's mostly guys building teardrops from scratch - certainly not 35' trailers, but they are a good bunch and may be happy to answer questions. I just started tonight tearing into a '67 travelair with major rot. MAJOR. I am posting pics in the teardrop forum as well.

link is here....

http://www.mikenchell.com/forums/index.php

mazak · 05-28-2006, 01:27 PM

just a thought but after the repairs are made you need to find out how it got that way.maybe a leak in the roof ?

SaltPork · 05-30-2006, 06:52 PM

Thanks for the posts guys. So this weekend I replaced the floor with the help of a good friend, whom I owe a huge debt of gratitude to, and my brother-in-law, who I will always be indebted to for one reason or another.

We removed the bed from the back and pulled up the carpeting and linoleum and the plywood, joists (2x3 wood joists), and insulation all came with it. Needless to say, I had quite the "oh jesus" moment. We inspected everything and there was no mold anywhere....phew! $100 in lumber and screws later we had a solid floor. The bed went back pretty quickly and we used carpet tiles for the floor.

Total cost of project:
2.5 sheets of plywood= $63
9 - 2x3x8'= $15
2 - 2x4x10'=$8
2 - box of screws~$12
2 - boxes of carpet tiles=$180
1 - case of beer=$22 (Sam Adams)

$300 on the nose

Overall, it was a pain in the ass and took longer than I wanted it too.

But it beats shelling out $12K or more for a new, or at least new to me trailer.

The bottom line: though it seemed daunting at first, especially when we realized how far gone the floor was, it really wasn't a tough job to do.

To follow on with mazak's comment, last year we had sealed the entire trailer; windows, doors, roof seams, etc. I'm going to double check for cracks, which I found already on the skylights, and for any gaps we missed. We should be good by the end of next weekend.

mazak · 06-01-2006, 06:01 PM

awesome glad to hear,it,and happy camping!!!!

05-24-2006, 08:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
SaltPork Everything's better with bacon Location: In your local grocer's freezer.	Wet rot in travel trailer floor For the last 2 years we noticed that the floor in the back of our 35 foot travel trailer was a bit spongy. So last year, we sealed all around the windows, the roof seams and the skylights. I believe the leaking has stopped. However, now I have to replace the plywood and carpeting in the back of the trailer. It's about a 9' x 8' section that needs replacing and I'm not sure about the joists, but I'll probably need to do those too. Has anyone had to do this before? Any advice? __________________ It was like that when I got here....I swear.

05-25-2006, 06:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	I haven't done it in a travel trailer but in other places. Just clean out anything rotted and then more than you think. It's kind of like the dentist...you need to get rid of all the bad for sure. Then just replace what you took out. You may even have metal floor joists! __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.

05-30-2006, 06:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
SaltPork Everything's better with bacon Location: In your local grocer's freezer.	Thanks for the posts guys. So this weekend I replaced the floor with the help of a good friend, whom I owe a huge debt of gratitude to, and my brother-in-law, who I will always be indebted to for one reason or another. We removed the bed from the back and pulled up the carpeting and linoleum and the plywood, joists (2x3 wood joists), and insulation all came with it. Needless to say, I had quite the "oh jesus" moment. We inspected everything and there was no mold anywhere....phew! $100 in lumber and screws later we had a solid floor. The bed went back pretty quickly and we used carpet tiles for the floor. Total cost of project: 2.5 sheets of plywood= $63 9 - 2x3x8'= $15 2 - 2x4x10'=$8 2 - box of screws~$12 2 - boxes of carpet tiles=$180 1 - case of beer=$22 (Sam Adams) $300 on the nose Overall, it was a pain in the ass and took longer than I wanted it too. But it beats shelling out $12K or more for a new, or at least new to me trailer. The bottom line: though it seemed daunting at first, especially when we realized how far gone the floor was, it really wasn't a tough job to do. To follow on with mazak's comment, last year we had sealed the entire trailer; windows, doors, roof seams, etc. I'm going to double check for cracks, which I found already on the skylights, and for any gaps we missed. We should be good by the end of next weekend. __________________ It was like that when I got here....I swear.

05-26-2006, 09:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tirian Addict Location: Canada	also check out this site.... it's mostly guys building teardrops from scratch - certainly not 35' trailers, but they are a good bunch and may be happy to answer questions. I just started tonight tearing into a '67 travelair with major rot. MAJOR. I am posting pics in the teardrop forum as well. link is here.... http://www.mikenchell.com/forums/index.php

05-28-2006, 01:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
mazak Crazy Location: louisianna	just a thought but after the repairs are made you need to find out how it got that way.maybe a leak in the roof ?

06-01-2006, 06:01 PM	#6 (permalink)
mazak Crazy Location: louisianna	awesome glad to hear,it,and happy camping!!!!