2005 Safari 25, Floor softness, HELP~

[2005Safarguy]

Hi I am new to the Airstream world! And love it so far, but during the winter, I noticed in the thaw now this roughness in the vinyl at the entry way in a rear twin model, how bad is this to change? And do I have the dreaded water intrusion from the rear bumper storage thingy down the channel? Thoughts all?

Thanks!

[tjdonahoe]

There are posts and complete articles here on that...

[2005Safarguy]

That is great. If you have search tips please do chime in.

To all, I did have a small water intake regulator leak.....can this attribute to the water problems in the subfloor plywood in this area? The regulator has been replaced of course.....)

[dkottum]

Take out some of the screws holding the little vinyl baseboard near the door, and around the rear perimeter of the trailer under the table, and look at them. If shiny, no water. If dull, some water. If rusty, lots of water and you may have floor rot.

Then lift the edge of the vinyl flooring careful, just enough to get a peek at the subfloor. Does it feel wet? Is it like fresh plywood (there is a black factory topcoat around the perimeter of the plywood about six inches in) or is it like rotted, mildew maybe soft plywood?

[2005Safarguy]

Has anyone had this problem that ended up just being bad glue that holds down the Vinyl to the plywood?

[bugdoc]

Originally Posted by 2005Safarguy

Has anyone had this problem that ended up just being bad glue that holds down the Vinyl to the plywood?

Vinyl is not glued down and the floor check recommended by removing the molding strip and lifting the vinyl should give you good or bad news. Also, having experienced this, check for leaks in the window seams. I not only had rot from the poor design of the back storage compartment, but also a window seam that should have been welded (Airstream now does that) but not on my year trailer. It is very difficult to keep sealant in so it leaked inside the wall to the floor and added to the rot problem.

[KJRitchie]

Buy a Sonin moisture meter. It has a cord with probe with two sharp points. You can push it through the vinyl. Wet plywood will also sound different when you knock on it with your knuckles. It will sound like a dull thump when wet vs when dry.

My 2008 Classic 25fb has buckled in a few places due to temperature extremes while in storage over the last couple of winters. Where it has buckled the moisture meter showed dry.

You will need to have the vinyl replaced. Many have used a click together luxury vinyl tile and floated it between the cabinets and furniture then use quarter round at the base of the cabinets. Some glue down the vinyl planks. The stick together vinyl planking will separate and I wouldn't use it. Others have used sheet Marmoleum. The problem with about all vinyl is it expands and contracts and is only really designed for conditioned environments. Most RV manufactures put sheet vinyl down with glue. Airstream just tack down the edges near the shell and left the majority of it floating then installed the cabinets and furniture on top. My next floor is probably Marmoleum and it will be glued.

[DuramaxTowRI]

Thanks all for the replies

Under the Lino is dry and fresh looking plywood.


May had gotten lucky and all it is is the vinyl


Anyone do a pressure leak test to find leaks?

[DuramaxTowRI]

Hi All, under the plywood it is dry, here is the same scene near the bathroom, it seems this is a low quality floating vinyl........so the lock together stuff is best in new vinyl with quarter round?

We needs weight savings, can I still get this new floor product from Home Depot or Lowes? Thanks guys!

[Chilicook]

I have a 25 ft '05 Safari with the same vinyl flooring. It is also peeling away from the wall molding strips near the doorway. No moisture problem that I can detect.