Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 06-25-2017, 06:49 AM   #1
Rivet Master
 
2007 31' Classic
Gulf Breeze , Florida
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 500
Images: 1
Rotten subfloor

I have properly sealed the rear bumper in our 2007 International Signature CCD 28 and now need to remove and replace the rotten, spongy flooring. The soft spots are on either side of the bed toward the rear of the trailer so I will have to remove the bed and closets.

I have looked inside the closets and cannot see any screws or attachments. Has some done this who can give me some pointers?
trumpetguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2017, 07:13 AM   #2
Site Team
 
Hans627's Avatar

 
2009 25' FB International
2018 27' Globetrotter
Tavares , Florida
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,654
I had a water leak in the back of my 2009 25FB but since I have a front bedroom I didn't need to remove the beds. But I have to remove the dinette and the seating on each side of the dinette so I could have access to the wet floor.

I removed one thing at a time and didn't rush. Kept all the screws in containers and marked where they went. After removing the furniture I had access to the floor. I pealed back the linoleum so I would have access to the sub floor. Nothing was rotted but I did have some soft spots. I applied a two part epoxy sealer to the entire surface after it dried out. It seemed to do what it was supposed to do.

In my case I had to replace the linoleum because it shrank and I could not get it back to the original shape. It was a long drawn out process but I am satisfied with the results and I no longer have the leak. Plus I took the opportunity to replace the dinette with a custom made folding table and a recliner.

So I guess the message is to take it slow and easy and do one thing at a time and eventually it is done!
Hans627 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-26-2017, 07:34 AM   #3
Rivet Master
 
2007 31' Classic
Gulf Breeze , Florida
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 500
Images: 1
Thanks for the encouragement. So your floor was soft but not rotten? Maybe there's hope for mine. I don't quite understand why sub floor would be soft though. I think the most daunting aspect for me is removing the queen bed platform.
trumpetguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-26-2017, 07:53 AM   #4
Rivet Puller
 
SeeMore's Avatar
 
2003 28' Safari S/O
Atlanta Burbs , Georgia
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,002
Images: 3
You will rapidly discover that removing the bed is the easiest part of the project. Getting the floor sections replaced back into the surrounding groove under the wall sections will be the difficult task. There are many posts on floor repair.

Check this forum section for threads:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f36/

This particular thread addresses the issue I mention:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f36/...nt-165829.html
__________________
"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."

Sir Tristan
Air #48582, S/SO #003, WBCCI #4584
SeeMore is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-26-2017, 08:08 AM   #5
4 Rivet Member
 
Morgan guy's Avatar
 
2007 27' Classic FB
Fredericksburg , Texas
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 300
Have you had your AS pressure tested to ensure that the place you sealed is the only source of your leak? I first sealed the bumper area, then had to seal the caulking around the window and still had leaks. Pressure testing showed that the upper seam in the outside aluminum had to be re-sealed. Now no more leaks. I have a FB and had to remove the banquettes and their associated cabinets and the table. I then carefully cut the fabric covering in places where it would show the least to gain access to the inside aluminum covering. I then drilled out enough rivets so I could peal the aluminum back to get to the bolts in the C channel. I pealed the vinyl flooring back until I could get to a brace under the flooring and removed the sub-flooring in pieces. Some of the bolts were in locations that could not be removed and I just cut a notch in the new flooring to fit around the bolts. I then cut new sub-flooring in several pieces (you cannot fit one whole piece in because you must get in under the C channel on either side). I put several coats of sealant on both sides of the sub-flooring. After I installed them and bolted them in, I then caulked the seams between them. I then folded the aluminum back down, riveted it in place, then re-glued the fabric covering.
I replaced the vinyl under the table with contrasting vinyl plank flooring.
__________________
The Tex-i-can is Ready to Camp
Morgan guy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-26-2017, 08:50 AM   #6
Half a Rivet Short
 
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle , Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 15,674
Quote:
Originally Posted by trumpetguy View Post
Thanks for the encouragement. So your floor was soft but not rotten? Maybe there's hope for mine. I don't quite understand why sub floor would be soft though. I think the most daunting aspect for me is removing the queen bed platform.
Hi

If the water has simply destroyed the glue in the plywood, it will not be as solid as it once was. The epoxy (if it fully soaks in) will be way better glue than anything that the plywood manufacturer used.

Soft can also mean dry rot. Head over to the boat forums to read never ending arguments about how to (or not to) address that. Epoxy or epoxy / fiberglass is indeed one of the alternatives. I've spent a few summers on projects like that ...

Bob
uncle_bob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-26-2017, 01:59 PM   #7
Rivet Master
 
2007 31' Classic
Gulf Breeze , Florida
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 500
Images: 1
Thanks. It all sounds pretty daunting.
trumpetguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2017, 05:39 AM   #8
Site Team
 
Hans627's Avatar

 
2009 25' FB International
2018 27' Globetrotter
Tavares , Florida
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,654
Quote:
Originally Posted by trumpetguy View Post
Thanks. It all sounds pretty daunting.
It was daunting, but it is doable. I learned a lot and feel confident that I've saved the subfloor.

If I can help in any way please let me know!
Hans627 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-28-2017, 07:40 AM   #9
Rivet Master
 
2007 31' Classic
Gulf Breeze , Florida
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 500
Images: 1
I plan to start the project in November when the temp. Is cooler here in NW Florida. Thanks for the encouragement.
trumpetguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2017, 12:42 PM   #10
Rivet Master
 
2007 31' Classic
Gulf Breeze , Florida
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 500
Images: 1
Wet floor

I am so frustrated. After removing the belt trim at the rear of my trailer. Metal too.caulking with Vulkem, replacing the molding...I still have evidence of water in the corner of the bedroom. I took the new caulk all the way to the wheel well. This is the rear bed International with closets on either side of the bed. I tested for moisture today (lots of rain this Summer) and the meter flashed red. Blue is normal. When I peeled back some of the Linoleum it was apparent that the floor is very wet... mushy, slippery, with that moldy smell you get with wet wood.

Where in heck is the water coming in?

Please. Any suggestions.

Street side, rear bed, in the closet.
trumpetguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2017, 12:53 PM   #11
CRH
Rivet Master
 
1995 25' Excella
xxxxx , xxxxxx
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 2,349
Do you have exterior storage compartments on back or sides of trailer? If so, try sealing the rivet heads that hold the door hinges.
CRH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2017, 01:03 PM   #12
Rivet Master
 
2007 31' Classic
Gulf Breeze , Florida
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 500
Images: 1
Wet floor

I am so frustrated. After removing the belt trim at the rear of my trailer. Metal too.caulking with Vulkem, replacing the molding...I still have evidence of water in the corner of the bedroom. I took the new caulk all the way to the wheel well. This is the rear bed International with closets on either side of the bed. I tested for moisture today (lots of rain this Summer) and the meter flashed red. Blue is normal. When I peeled back some of the Linoleum it was apparent that the floor is very wet... mushy, slippery, with that moldy smell you get with wet wood.

Where in heck is the water coming in?

Please. Any suggestions.

Street side, rear bed, in the closet.
trumpetguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2017, 04:43 AM   #13
Site Team
 
Hans627's Avatar

 
2009 25' FB International
2018 27' Globetrotter
Tavares , Florida
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,654
Quote:
Originally Posted by trumpetguy View Post
I am so frustrated. After removing the belt trim at the rear of my trailer. Metal too.caulking with Vulkem, replacing the molding...I still have evidence of water in the corner of the bedroom. I took the new caulk all the way to the wheel well. This is the rear bed International with closets on either side of the bed. I tested for moisture today (lots of rain this Summer) and the meter flashed red. Blue is normal. When I peeled back some of the Linoleum it was apparent that the floor is very wet... mushy, slippery, with that moldy smell you get with wet wood.

Where in heck is the water coming in?

Please. Any suggestions.

Street side, rear bed, in the closet.
I'm sure you feel very frustrated which is understandable!

I can only offer generic advice without seeing your situation. Plus I'm not an expert. But I also had an additional leak that was disguised by the belt line issue. I got a ladder and started at the top. Every seam was investigated and sure enough I found a small crack in the sealant at the top of one of the windows. I resealed it, put some Captain Tolley's on some other rivets that looked suspicious and it solved the problem.

Finding and fixing leaks seems to be the nature of the beast, unfortunately!

Good luck!
Hans627 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2017, 05:15 AM   #14
Overkill Specialist
Commercial Member
 
GMFL's Avatar
 
2020 30’ Globetrotter
2014 23' International
Dadeville , Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,516
Images: 4
Blog Entries: 52
What about top of bumper below bottom belt line. Common area referred to as rear bumper leak?
GMFL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2017, 05:31 AM   #15
2 Rivet Member
 
1992 29' Excella
Powder Springs , Georgia
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 33
I second the bumper leak as a prime suspect. After you dry it up if the woods not to rotten Depot sells a rotten wood restorer, its in the paint section. Hope you find it soon, leaks suck! Once your trailers dry again use the water probe to keep an eye on things.
Deja-vu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2017, 06:45 AM   #16
Rivet Master
 
TG Twinkie's Avatar
 
1974 Argosy 26
Morrill , Nebraska
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,014
Images: 2
Blog Entries: 5
Window and clearance lights, seams etc.
TG Twinkie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2017, 09:15 AM   #17
Half a Rivet Short
 
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle , Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 15,674
Hi

In a lot of cases, you just have to take a deep breath and step back from things for a day or two. Put it all down and go birdwatching When you come back with a clear head, you will look at it a bit differently. Leaks on trailers, boats, and homes can be a real pain to track down, it's just part of the "fun" we signed up for.

Bob
uncle_bob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2017, 09:08 AM   #18
Rivet Master
 
2007 31' Classic
Gulf Breeze , Florida
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 500
Images: 1
Thanks for the encouragement guys. I have focused on the top of the bumper area so far and did a good job on that area. Pulled off the flexible molding, removed the metal strip and caulked the joint where the bumper meets the coach. I did not check anything up top including windows or tail lights. I'm putting this on hold until I take the bed and closets out to replace rotten sub floor. This will be in Nov. Dec. when it is cooler here in NW FL. With everything out and the area opened up I can perform more complete testing. Hopefully will be done before Canopener 2018.
trumpetguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2017, 09:21 AM   #19
4 Rivet Member
 
malinois38's Avatar
 
2008 28' International
Happy Valley , Pennsylvania
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 270
I have a 2008 28' International with the same leak on the curb side. Took it to the JC and they sealed rear bumper etc... It leaked again like yours and I returned to JC and they found the leak to be the rear window. Might want to seal it while your at it!

Good luck and hang in there.
malinois38 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2022, 06:15 PM   #20
New Member
 
2006 28' International CCD
Rhinebeck , New York
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 2
i have a 2006 Int'l with a couch in front and a big 18" soft spot in front of couch near the front door-don't know how to research the source of any leak-haven't peeled back the floor yet-what do you think is my first step-any help is appreciated-thanks
Bob Lawless is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
1964 Globetrotter rotten back end koltys 1960 - 1964 Globetrotter 5 06-28-2007 09:44 PM
What to do? Rotten floor cbl3030 Repairing/Replacing Floor &/or Frame 13 08-24-2006 12:25 PM
Rotten floor BurnBound Repairing/Replacing Floor &/or Frame 16 02-05-2006 08:03 PM
Rotten egg / sulfur smell niss1679 Electrical - Systems, Generators, Batteries & Solar 17 10-17-2005 06:08 PM
Rear toilet platform rotten, now what?? MontanaArgy Cabinets, Counter Tops & Furnishings 9 08-14-2005 06:46 AM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:22 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.