Floor seams? Which direction?

[aircooled4]

Im going to be cutting the floor out of the '67 Safari in the next week or so...I was looking and am trying to decide if theres an advantage to running the seams one way or the other.. (street/curb OR front to back) ?? Any thoughts?

[87MH]

Originally Posted by aircooled4

.. (street/curb OR front to back) ?? Any thoughts?

There would be three feet less of "seamed" length if you laid them from stret to curb.

Assuming a 7' wide trailer 28' as opposed to 31' if seamed front to back.

Given the monocoque construction of the Airstream, I would think that a strength edge would be in going from the curb to the street. If you went lengthways there would be a seam down the middle of the trailer all the way from front to back.

The frame (main structure) is strongest from front to back, and laying the plywood perpendicular to the frame would tie the outriggers (not much beef there) to the shell a bit more securely.

My thoughts -

The factory installed the sheets of plywood curb to street, as far as I know.

[Melody Ranch]

Less work if you install the panels front to rear, shell on, ...lengthwise. Strength? I really doubt if it matters...but, I guarantee...you will many strong opinions
here.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, I would go front to back, actually starting in the rear and working to the front. I think it would be better for the flexing of the trailer this way. Also if you go side to side you could end up with seams lining up with the flooring plywood. Better not to have seams in sub floor and top floor line up. [my opinion]

[InsideOut]

The factory installs them side -to-side.

If you do the seams side-to-side, the 4' sheets line up with the frame cross members so the seam is supported all the way across. Our 22' had three full 4' wide sheets and two "make-up panels" at the curved ends. The cross members of the frame are 2' on center, so the seams lined up perfectly. I would not want a seam down the center of the trailer - right where you walk front to back. There is a chance it will sag over time because it is unsupported between frame members unless you add to the frame.

I figure the factory knew what they were doing, they've been doing it the same way all these years - so we followed their lead.

Shari

[tallytwo1994]

If you talking about the plywood sub-floor you should do it just like it was originally done.

If you’re talking about a top floor in a wood laminate product it doesn't really matter which way it goes. Having said that, I think there is an advantage to laying it side to side because the cuts are easier to make but aesthetically I think it looks better if you lay it lengthwise.

Carol

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by tallytwo1994

If you talking about the plywood sub-floor you should do it just like it was originally done.

If you’re talking about a top floor in a wood laminate product it doesn't really matter which way it goes. Having said that, I think there is an advantage to laying it side to side because the cuts are easier to make but aesthetically I think it looks better if you lay it lengthwise.

Carol

Good point...FWIW, we laid our Marmoleum lengthwise - one seam (welded) about 9" off the streetside wall.

Shari