Floor installation/repair costs

[mocus]

I called a few places that repair/install trailer flooring (rot) today. All were booked up for several weeks, indicting the demand is great. What I would like to see is what's been paid, work required, etc., in order to possibly get a ballpark figure of the replacement/repair costs (this is an area new to most of us). I realize there are a lot of variables, size, etc., and no 2 trailers are going to be the same. If your bill was itemized, would make it easier. I know I sure would appreciate having some information before taking the plunge. What's say? Thanks

[CRH]

A 2006 with a rotten floor sucks. My previous camper was a 1974 of another brand. It was said to have been originally built with marine plywood. I am sure it leaked somewhere in 40 years. The floors were still rock solid, though.

[Tamgary211]

We just bought a 1967 Caravel and have some rot at the door. Wondering where else we will find more and would like to take it and have someone give us an estimate of the work. Anyone know of reputable place in Houston or surrounding areas, Austin, San Antonio....
Thanks

[mocus]

Darn things. I posted because I feel like owners with the same problem could see what the approximate going price would be for floor repair. Realizing different sizes, problems encountered, etc., are going to be different in each case. Having a list of known shops/dealers that do good work, at a reasonable price, would nice to know. A list, if any, of not-so-good places would be nice to know also. I wouldn't mind going a few extra miles to get quality work.

[Dingo Girl]

Originally Posted by Tamgary211

We just bought a 1967 Caravel and have some rot at the door. Wondering where else we will find more and would like to take it and have someone give us an estimate of the work. Anyone know of reputable place in Houston or surrounding areas, Austin, San Antonio....
Thanks

Open the bath room sink cabinet, if there is floor rot in the corner you can see it from there. Mine was literally powder.
up at the fresh water tank it was rotted away in both corners. Plus numerous other places.
Mine now has a brand new floor and frame.

[mocus]

Any idea of what just floor repair cost, and possibly mention any renovation to complete the job. Thanks

[perryg114]

No way to tell how much but most floor rot issues end up costing a lot. Since your trailer is relatively new, it probably does not have a rotten frame. I assume the floor rot is in the back where water went under the floor at the back. You have to put the floor under the shell and the shell and frame have to be connected through the new floor properly. You don't want a jake leg hack doing this a Billy Bob's RV emporium. You would be best off to find a restoration specialist to do the work or a least a very good Airstream dealer. I would consider taking it to Jackson Center for the repairs on a trailer that new. They might even give you a deal if it was cause by a missing seal or gasket or caulk back there. There have been some that were not sealed at all from the factory. I would start there and have details and photos to send them. Start pulling up flooring and photograph what you find. Small areas that are not at the extreme front or rear of the trailer can be fixed relatively cheap. The main attachment structure is at the front and back of the trailer between the frame rails.

Perry

[mocus]

Originally Posted by perryg114

No way to tell how much but most floor rot issues end up costing a lot. Since your trailer is relatively new, it probably does not have a rotten frame. I assume the floor rot is in the back where water went under the floor at the back. You have to put the floor under the shell and the shell and frame have to be connected through the new floor properly. You don't want a jake leg hack doing this a Billy Bob's RV emporium. You would be best off to find a restoration specialist to do the work or a least a very good Airstream dealer. I would consider taking it to Jackson Center for the repairs on a trailer that new. They might even give you a deal if it was cause by a missing seal or gasket or caulk back there. There have been some that were not sealed at all from the factory. I would start there and have details and photos to send them. Start pulling up flooring and photograph what you find. Small areas that are not at the extreme front or rear of the trailer can be fixed relatively cheap. The main attachment structure is at the front and back of the trailer between the frame rails.

Perry

Thank you very much for that suggestion. I was trying to save a few bucks and do it differently, but what's money--she is worth it (I keep reminding myself). This problem has me "floored" ...first water leak found a couple years ago, it was the fresh water intake. I repaired. I took up original carpet vinyl and found no rot anywhere on the left front, but water had worked its way across to just right of the door, causing about 14x14" rotten Area. I patched, checked floor the best I could and installed tile vinyl squares over the plywood. I took all original carpet vinyl up except under the cabinets and bed and did not see any other problems. FAST FORWARD...a couple months ago I was cleaning trailer and decided back of refrigerator needed cleaning. I sprayed the back and water soaked inside of trailer. Was going to remove refrigerator and found floor squeaking in front of it. Pulled up a tile, drilled a hole and could see rot and water. Floor just started squeaking from in front of refrigerator to vanity sink.

Finding that, and receiving your suggestion, I decided to let the professionals repair. i also detected there was/is no caulking on any of the underneath seams, including the area the spare tire fits. When I replaced that 14x14" section, I removed enough floor that I could see Where the spare fit up underneath, and the only thing between the spare and plywood floor was a sheet of aluminum with unsealed seams.

I hate to say it but I question AS's QC when a few of these 2006 Bambies 19' came through. I just read another almost identical complaint about a19'er 2006 having same problem. Misery enjoys company???

[mocus]

Originally Posted by Dingo Girl

Open the bath room sink cabinet, if there is floor rot in the corner you can see it from there. Mine was literally powder.
up at the fresh water tank it was rotted away in both corners. Plus numerous other places.
Mine now has a brand new floor and frame.

Will check what ya said in the morning. It will be interesting to see......thanks

[cswish1990]

Where is a place to get a new floor put in? I just bought an 84 excella and it has two bad places that I have found so far that need to be replaced. All the help I can get will be greatly appreciated. Thank you

[switz]

Paul Mayeux of A&P Vintage Trailer Works in Paradise, TX (just northwest of DFW airport) does floor work all the time on vintage units including building replacement frames when needed.

We used his services to modify both the 2014 Classic model 30 and 2015 23D International with solar systems, instant on water heaters, custom cabinet work, replacement skylights and ceiling fans plus many other details.

Great folks to work with and the job is done correctly.

A&P Vintage Trailer Works | Repair Restore Update Vintage Trailers by A&P Vintage Trailer Works

[sgschwend]

We are fixing our 1986 25' floor/frame, so our number will be based on material and labor hours.

Damage, rear frame, 3 feet in, not the rear cross member. Repair sistered 3/16 steel both side, welded.

Floor, rear 29". Remove and replaced with 3/4 Douglas Fir (DF) plywood, A face up. New R15 insulation.

Floor center, full inspection, no damage.

Floor front, door area, awning leak, window leak, removed front 6 feet. same repair as rear.

Front frame, 32" gap required 3/4 floor to span, does not meet flooring specifications. Added two 2X3" steel cross members 12" OC. Minimal rust, primed and painted exposed frames. Belly pan, used Urethane sealant where needed with aluminum inside over sealant.

Will install floating floor, which glues together, but should be serviceable so that the floor can be monitored. 5/8" thick DF plywood underlayment instead of 1/4", adds about 80 pounds more, but much stronger and if you read flooring requirements the floor needs a non flexing substrate, minimum thickness of subfloor is often given as 1". Glued and screwed.

Material:
steel $100
Plywood 6 sheets $240
Paint/Sealant/Glue/screws $70
Flooring $250, one square (100 sqft)

Labor:
To date: 80 hours, ready to install underlayment, then flooring (perhaps another 40 hours)

We are doing all the resto ourselves, but if you take our numbers time the shop rate of $75/hr you come up with 10-12K$ depending on if there is any additional uplift or profit.

Steve