2012 Dutchman Coleman 183QB - soft floor

[i57chevy]

I have soft spot when you walk into the door continuing past the bath door. I talked to a couple of people who said support/strengthen from underneath.

I can't find any repair videos or much support on the project.

Any suggestions?

Billy

[franktafl]

the floors on the trailers are made up of two pieces of thin plywood with styrofoam sandwiched between them, usually an inch to two inches thick. Your soft floor is most likely the styrofoam degrading. You can find this out by removing the inspection panel under your shower and you should be able to see the floor from there.

Good luck!

[i57chevy]

Thank you. If that is indeed the case, do I access it by pulling up the Linoleum. What do I replace Styrofoam with?

[franktafl]

nothing, the styrofoam is actually glued to the two pieces of wood. i toyed with the idea of using expandable foam and expandable epoxy to strengthen the floor but ... ruled them ALL out. IF you can live with it, just leave it alone after you check for water leaks or anything else that could have damaged the floor.

[i57chevy]

Well, one spot is really soft. I can hear the wood crack. Small camper so hard to avoid. There has to be a way to pull up the Linoleum and strengthen it. I just can't find any videos anywhere.

Someone has to have repaired this type of camper before.

[franktafl]

Now is a good time to choose a new flooring.

You can always pull up the linoleum and cut the floor with a dremmel so you can lift off that section and look at it.

[i57chevy]

I've seen a couple of videos where they drill into the first layer and inject some type of epoxy.

[i57chevy]

pulled up lino.

[franktafl]

Originally Posted by i57chevy

pulled up lino.

Looks like you have had water issues.

[i57chevy]

still wet! never saw any water or wetness until I pulled up the lino. And it rains a lot in Louisiana!!

[franktafl]

Originally Posted by i57chevy

still wet! never saw any water or wetness until I pulled up the lino. And it rains a lot in Louisiana!!

Yup- same here. Did you get any damage from the hurricane?

[i57chevy]

yes, but everyone ok and still livable. Question is - who is gonna pay deductibles!

[BigNorthernBear]

Just 2 cents worth but seems like the water is coming through your door frame not much point in repairing unless you address that too.

[i57chevy]

I suspected that. under the lino in the bathroom is wet too. not sure if same leak or 2 separate leaks.

[capeharj]

You can't fix the floor back to it's original condition, it will always be soft. When they build the trailer, they sandwich it together with glue then put a bag around it and compress it with vacuum. The best you can do is remove the rotted 1/4" wood and the 1 1/2" styrofoam and replace it, also putting in 2 X 2 supports. That will fix it so you can walk on it but it will still feel soft. Also, find the leak and fix it, probably under the tub/shower.