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05-21-2012, 12:56 PM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
1988 34' Limited
All Over The USA..
, USA
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 16
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Marble/Granite in the Kitchen? Is is a good idea?
I am thinking on replacing the Formica with Granite or Marble. my trailer is a 1988 Airstream Limited. the shop said the counter will weigh around 250lb which doesn't look to heavy to me.
does anyone have experience with this? should i do it?
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05-21-2012, 01:00 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1982 34' Limited
Brunswick
, Georgia
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,084
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I have 3cm travertine countertop. No issues
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1982 34' Limited
2000 Excursion V10 4x4
WBCCI #3321
TAC #GA-24
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05-21-2012, 01:01 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1981 31' Excella II
New Market
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 6,145
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That is a lot of weight considering that your total payload maybe 2000-3000lbs. It is not a good idea to carry extra weight if you don't have to. It puts a lot of strain on the structure. For the same reason, tile floors over large areas is not a good idea. Laminate over plywood is probably the lightest for the durability. You also need to think how much structure will have to go into supporting that much weight. Ask yourself if you would put granite counters in an airplane?
Perry
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05-21-2012, 01:09 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1973 27' Overlander
Loganville
, Georgia
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,741
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Granite is way to much weight and Marble is soft and would not withstand the stress and vibration. They make some fake granite materials that would work. They look good also.
Brian
__________________
Brian & Adrienne
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05-21-2012, 01:09 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1968 24' Tradewind
Oxford,
, Mississippi
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,564
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I watched a show on high end motor coaches last night on TV. They used granite but it was only 1/4 in thick with built up edges so it would look like normal thickness to keep the weight down. These were million $ coaches for rock stars. If you are must go that way it might save some pounds but I am sure it will be expensive.
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__________________
Bruce & Rachel
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68 Trade Wind
2001 Toyota Tundra
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05-21-2012, 01:11 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1991 34' Excella
Princeton
, New Jersey
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,070
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That amounts to 200 lbs of STUFF you will not be able to carry with you. I would rather have STUFF.
It is not hard to exceed the GVW of a 34 fter with just the things you want with you while traveling. I would rather have my bikes on the back, my kites in the closet, a small wet vac for those spills when the refg door comes off, hydraulic jack, and my gas grill tucked in behind the refg.
__________________
WBCCI 12156 AIR 3144 WACHUNG TAC NJ6
2004 Excursion 4x4
1991 34 ft. Excella +220,000 miles, new laminated flooring, new upholstery, new 3200 lbs axles
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05-21-2012, 01:54 PM
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#7
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4 Rivet Member
2005 25' International CCD
Lilburn
, Georgia
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 286
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Check out a company called Granite Transformations Granite Kitchen & Bath Countertops & More | Granite Transformations . They do thin granite over existing laminate countertops. They are not everywhere, but maybe in your area. The advertisement is that they are less expensive than granite.
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05-21-2012, 02:46 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1964 26' Overlander
Richmond
, Virginia
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 790
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I have a friend that is a granite installer. Yes the ones you're seeing on TV are thin sheets, supported underneath with ply or mdf, and then a built up lip to give it a thicker look.
Keep in mind the inertia. Every bump is going to magnify the inertia of that material to move either up, or down. Start or stop are going to be the same. You're fastening this heavy top to the floor with screws, but the wall is going to be aluminum rivets. Keep in mind the constant flexing and that aluminum suffers metal fatigue when bent over and over.
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05-21-2012, 03:17 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1982 34' Limited
Brunswick
, Georgia
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,084
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I would guess that the weight is less than 250lbs. It seemed light when I carried it inside to install. The cutouts for the sink and stove take most of the material away.
I have had no adverse effects, cracking, bowing, or other movement. I have supported the counter from below and no connection to the walls. It looks/performs great.
I would say that particular attention should be given to supporting and securing the material to ensure that it stays in place and and is properly supported. If you are considering granite, you may be able to go with a 2cm or thinner material to help reduce weight.
__________________
1982 34' Limited
2000 Excursion V10 4x4
WBCCI #3321
TAC #GA-24
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05-21-2012, 03:29 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2005 19' Safari
GLENDALE
, AZ
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,453
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Wouldn't one worry about cracking over long, thin expanses? There is a lot of vibration and flexing in a moving trailer, that doesn't occur in homes, or even bus-type motorhomes.
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05-21-2012, 03:39 PM
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#11
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Moderator
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Alamo Heights
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,534
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Quote:
Originally Posted by c_lewis77
I would guess that the weight is less than 250lbs. It seemed light when I carried it inside to install. The cutouts for the sink and stove take most of the material away.
I have had no adverse effects, cracking, bowing, or other movement. I have supported the counter from below and no connection to the walls. It looks/performs great.
I would say that particular attention should be given to supporting and securing the material to ensure that it stays in place and and is properly supported. If you are considering granite, you may be able to go with a 2cm or thinner material to help reduce weight.
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Travertino is going to be quite a bit lighter than granite probably noticeably lighter than marble as well since it has more void space within the surface. Marble is basically travertino that's been heated and compressed to squish out all the empty space (in the earth over millenia).
I'm a bit skeptical about loading up an RV with all that excess mass for stonework and tile, but then again I have a Formica countertop in the house kitchen (a funky mid-century boomerang pattern, but Formica nonetheless.)
__________________
— David
Zero Gravitas — 2017 Flying Cloud 26U | WBCCI# 15566
He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire. — Sir Winston Churchill
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05-21-2012, 03:43 PM
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#12
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4 Rivet Member
1965 22' Safari
1987 34.5' Airstream 345
Kansas city
, Missouri
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 443
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We are having granite transformations out to do the countertops in our 65 safari on the first. They claim it comes with a lifetime warranty against cracking and breaking. They are going to have to make their own countertop from plywood and mount to that as ours are home depot specials. Get the side wet and that particle board expands like nothing else!
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05-21-2012, 03:46 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1982 34' Limited
Brunswick
, Georgia
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,084
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kreimer
We are having granite transformations out to do the countertops in our 65 safari on the first. They claim it comes with a lifetime warranty against cracking and breaking. They are going to have to make their own countertop from plywood and mount to that as ours are home depot specials. Get the side wet and that particle board expands like nothing else!
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You will have to post some pics after you get it done!
__________________
1982 34' Limited
2000 Excursion V10 4x4
WBCCI #3321
TAC #GA-24
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06-02-2012, 11:17 AM
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#14
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4 Rivet Member
1965 22' Safari
1987 34.5' Airstream 345
Kansas city
, Missouri
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 443
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Here is the before and afters. Green is the before. The hole is the stove. Haven't reinstalled it yet.
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06-02-2012, 11:49 AM
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#15
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Moderator
2006 19' International CCD
Olathe
, Kansas
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,224
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Very nice!! I can't wait to see it next week.
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06-02-2012, 12:45 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1982 34' Limited
Brunswick
, Georgia
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,084
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Looks great!
__________________
1982 34' Limited
2000 Excursion V10 4x4
WBCCI #3321
TAC #GA-24
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06-02-2012, 01:21 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Portland
, Oregon
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 685
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We just changed out our 2009 27' FB to corian. It's heavy, but not near as much as granite. The bathroom with the intergrated bowl sink is especially nice. One problem though. They glued the corian on top of the existing dining table. The combined weight made it so heavy, it's difficult to lower the table to make the bed. Fortunately, we never do that. However, when moving, the weight also caused so serious flexing where the table top attaches to the shell. I attached some small chains with turnbuckles to keep it from moving while towing. 5K miles so far and no problems have shown up yet, even with frequent inspections. I know it sounds a little hokey, but the chains are not obtrusive and can be removed in 10 seconds. I'm in Palmer, AK right now on the way to Tolsana Wilderness. I'll post a picture when I get settledd.
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