Remodel Bathroom '71 Overlander

[mwells4654]

I am trying to remove the bathroom floor. I am down to removing the floor but am stuck. How to you remove the flooring. I have searched and search but have found nothing about removing the floor (search engine gives way to many choices to sort thru).

Thanks in advance
Mel

[Wabbiteer]

If someone has put in a one-piece floor it needs to be peeled & scraped off the plywood, same goes for any vinyl tile etc..

I also had the joy of facing rusted and plain nasty carpet tack strip - like herding a dozen rabid bats. Be careful, wear gloves if the plywood has any sanitary issues!

On the plywood floor itself on my 1973 it had large self-tapping Philips or cross-point screws that had sunk into the wood and each one required attention to clean out accumulated gunk before a bit would grip to turn the fastener out.

I found a bit chucked in a long armed socket wrench made for the proper persuasion to get the screw started - then a 1/2" electric drill w/ bit chucked in to spin it the rest of the way out.

You may need to cut the rear panel into two pieces to extricate it - if you scab on a couple of boards with screws, remove and mark the screw bores and then cut with a shallow circular saw so once you have the two sheets out by replacing the scab pieces it gives you a good template to START to layout the new sheet. I found the original floor was a sloppy fit only after I had cut the new sheet and wish I had used a DIFFERENT template to get more accurate location on the curved sections of the rear shell....

[mwells4654]

Ok - I got the bathroom subfloor removed - What type of plywood would be the best choice for replacement. I will be sealing the edges and an extra 6 inches inside. I plan on using cork flooring as the new flooring. Any help will be appreciated. I will be posting pics as soon as I can.

[Wabbiteer]

If you look at the ply count of the wood a standard rule would be the more layers the better... so 7 is better than 5, etc.

You want an exterior grade plywood that is made for humid locations. I spent $85 for a sheet of marine grade plywood and think now I could've done just fine with a quality construction exterior grade - but I just replaced the one rearmost sheet and I splurged a little bit.

Often the private lumberyards have better line of merchandise than the big box depot style stores - call around or drop in and chat with with a manager to learn more.

[mwells4654]

Any suggestions on where I can get another cover for this window (Pic 1). The slide down part is all broken. How is the best way to repair this broken part with the pen stuck in it (Pic 2)? Last but not least - any suggestion on how to repair this mess (Pic 3 & 4)?

[mwells4654]

All Pics

[mwells4654]

After looking at pic 2 it might need an explanation - this is the piece that goes on the kitchen window for the blind. The one end (as you can see) is all broken, also the bottom is split. The sliding cover in pic 1 is broken in various places and it is hard to close. In pics 3 and 4, the PO screwed this in place. I have the inside all removed and figured this is the time to repair this. Finding an alum. welder has been nerve racking. Is there anything that would do the repair right and I could do it myself. Getting tired of waiting on on others to "GET ROUND TO IT". I am still trying to get the black water tank holder done. At this rate I will be able to use the trailer sometime in 2020 LOL.

[mwells4654]

I have another picture of the rear section, what is the best plywood to fill the hole, LOL.

[utee94]

I used 3/4" ACX plywood for my floor replacement. Definitely go to a good lumberyard, they have better wood and typically better prices than the box stores.

[mwells4654]

Thank you very much utee94 - short and to the point. I know what I need and where to go.

Thanks Again

[TG Twinkie]

Have you given any thought to the pressure treated plywood? 3/4" of coarse.

[shermantic]

I used a product called Dry Ply (gueranteed never to rot worp or twist) Did a Fine Job for me (lowes)

[mwells4654]

I am open to all suggestions - I will be ready for the new subfloor as soon as my Black Water tank holder is ready.

[Wabbiteer]

Pressure treated is an absolute "NO" - the metal salts used as preservative eats aluminum rapidly.

[mwells4654]

Can I get a new C Channel for the rear of the Overlander? Mine is broken in two places or can I just reinforce what is there? It is in pretty bad shape.

[scorpiontimo]

Hi not sure on the C channel but just a quick hi antlers did not know any other airstreamers there, we come down to stay a K River campground when we can just love Tom and his camp and your post has helped me figur a few things out our 71 31ft solv is all redone except the bath and I am getting ready to get on it soon but trying to figur out way to do it without demoing the entire inside my bath area is droped about 1 inch but not the out side so I think my black tank straps have been eaten away and floor weaken enough to drop the floor I know the water heater floor was good as I just replaced it my work is just starting good luck with yours will let you know when we make it to antlers woul love to see your finished product. Charles & Rondie

[mwells4654]

I was stationed in Albuquerque for a few years, loved it. Next time you are coming out, give me a yell. I go to McGee Creek and the Kiamichi River alot. I have a house not to far from McGee Creek and it has great campsights. I have not been to K River Campgrounds I normally go to Rattan Landing. McGee Creek Lake is nice but there is noting like putting a boat in at Rattan Landing and go all the way to Hugo Lake. At the right speed it will take an hour and there is no telling what animal you might see along the way. I also want to spend some time at Broken Bow Lake this year or maybe next. I am still trying to finish the work on my trailer.

[scorpiontimo]

sounds good we love the area was planing to be in area about 3 weeks ago but they needed us at Santa FE Rancheros campground early so we bypassed, looks like Oct vist will be in order will give ya a yell hope all goes well with your remodel we have to start our bath next week best reguards Charles & Rondie

[mwells4654]

I was wrong - I am trying to replace the U Channel in the rear of my Overlander. I thought it was C channel. Can you purchase it TT specific or do you purchase some ands have it bent?

[68 TWind]

I replace the same floor section in my 68 Trade Wind. After final fitting, I painted top and bottom edges ( in to about 6 inches) with 2 coats West System epoxy resin. On the remainder of the surface I put 3 coats of a premium marine urethane spar varnish. I hope I don't have future leaks, but if I do the floor is somewhat protected.
FYI, I had to put the floor in in two pieces. the single piece won't slide into the C-channel. I split it over the street side frame rail. Used elevator bolts and self tapping floor screws to secure the pieces.
Finally, if you haven't done the work yet, I strongly suggest getting a piece of luan plywood and making your pattern from that. Get it fitting perfectly then cut the heavy floor from the luan pattern. A cardboard pattern is not stiff enough. Getting the heavy floor into the c-channel was a big job and having it fit very close helped a lot. Also I ran my router with a slight round over on the edges that go into the channel and it made the final install much easier.