Riveted the floor to frame?

[takmanii]

Has anyone tried riveting the wooden subfloor to the frame, rather than just bolting it? or instead of bolting it?

I am about to bolt the subfloor down and realized that it would be easier to rivet the sheets to the frame. Is there a problem doing this?

[ericpeltier]

I think of rivets for holding thin things together. Going through 5/8 plywood and (maybe) 1/8 steel as pretty thick for a pop rivet.....

But, good and pertinent question, as I'm a few weeks from doing as you say - laying plywood.

[takmanii]

I was wondering because they have rivets that are long. I was planning on sealing the seams, between the plywood with staples, like they had originally or else fibrglassing the seams. The rivets seem like a simple solution to holding it down.

If it doesn't work, though, tapping and bolting the floor is easy enough.

Thanks for the response

[Belegedhel]

The 70's trailers used a self-drilling, self tapping screw to hold the floor down. I bought new ones that were identical to the originals, and screwed down my floor quick and easy. I am certain that these screws have greater strength than a pop rivet would. Just remember that there si a lot of flex to your frame and movement to the complete structure. You don't want pop rivets shearing underneath your flooring and allowing your subfloor to float, rattle, and squeak.

good luck!

[takmanii]

Thanks, That makes sense.

[ericpeltier]

The description on this page is very helpful

http://www.vintagetrailersupply.com/...-p/vts-387.htm

[HiJoeSilver]

Though you do need to drill pilots for these ones I liked the larger heads. Personal choice.
http://odmrv.com/catalog/index.php?m...roducts_id=638

The ones ericpeltier mentioned can usually be found in the big orange or blue hardware store on the big wall of screws.

[takmanii]

Thanks again,
At those prices and with it being so simple, it just makes sense to do it correctly.

Thanks

[Kemblkr]

You should use 1/4" x 1 7/16th inch wafer head screws to screw the subfloor to the frame everywhere but the perimeter. The perimeter should be bolted through the channel and subfloor with grade 5 or grade 8 1/4" bolts with nylock nuts.