New Composite flooring expectations

[nipperguy]

Has anyone heard or does anyone know if the new composite flooring in the 2021 models will eliminate the creaking floors that have been present in recent Airstreams?

[matthewk]

Originally Posted by nipperguy

Has anyone heard or does anyone know if the new composite flooring in the 2021 models will eliminate the creaking floors that have been present in recent Airstreams?

10 days in no creaking.

[GMFL]

It’s a one piece system. Meaning no seams. Ours is squeak free after 5 months

[Foiled Again]

What kind of composite is it? Prior usage history? Guarantee against water damage? Weight vs. Plywood?

[GMFL]

It’s impervious to water based on my personal test. My understanding is it has been used in tractor trailer trailers for years. Comes from a US based company. Definitely lighter than plywood. And very rigid.

Few links below. One dates back to 2018

Per Colonial Airstream it’s called Transcore and made by Ridge Corp.
http://ridgecorp.com/

https://n1b.goexposoftware.com/event...e.php?__id=132

https://network.ibexshow.com/ibex201...&Task=Products

[GMFL]

Here is an Airstream link I found.
https://www.airstream.com/heritage/w...stream/design/

[skyguyscott]

So, according to the marketing hype on Airstream's website and from the folks that make Transcore, this stuff sounds almost too good to be true.

Being that I wasn't born yesterday, I take all the salesmanship with a huge grain of salt, but it does indeed sound remarkable, and in any event, I have to believe it's a huge and long overdue improvement over plywood.

Specifically, being essentially waterproof is the key advantage. Also being lighter weight is a plus. I must admit that installing it in one seamless piece seems a stroke of unexpected genius from Airstream. Hopefully if a section ever needs replaced, they can do that somehow.

The claim that this particular formulation allegedly accepts screws directly would make it superior to Blue Water Coosa Board.

If all this is, in fact, true, this represents a monumental advancement for Airstream. The plywood flooring has to be the Achilles' heel of airstream trailers.

I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop, (like this stuff is carcinogenic, or made from blood diamonds, or from the blubber of baby seals clubbed to death in the ever-shrinking Arctic ice fields or some other intolerable situation)

But, time will tell. A floor that never rots or get infested will greatly increase the longevity and value of these iconic trailers, so as these new trailers age, we'll find out just how well they do hold up.

[vintageracer]

Originally Posted by skyguyscott

A floor that never rots or get infested will greatly increase the longevity and value of these iconic trailers, so as these new trailers age, we'll find out just how well they do hold up.

You mean never rots or gets infested like the aluminum floors in the 77-79 6.0 metre Argosy Minuet's?

[skyguyscott]

Yes, Airstream did experiment with Al floors in the Argosy line. I never read what exactly led to them discontinuing it.

How is yours holding up after all these years? Any issues?

I have heard the particular design of the Argosy floor wasn't particularly strong like the Al floor in other trailers. I also heard something about metal fatigue, perhaps related to the strength issue.

It could also have been a cost issue for Thor. Would like to hear something authoritative on the history of that Al floor.

[vintageracer]

Aluminum floor in the Minuet was on 24 inch centers instead of 18 inch centers like every other Airstream and Argosy with a wood floor.

There is a little "bounce" with the aluminum floor on 24 inch centers.

Had that aluminum floor been on 18 inch centers the aluminum floor would be PERFECT.

Heaven forbid Airstream might actually make something PERFECT!

[gzvette61]

My 2020 FC 28' RBQ has the composite floor. There is a really pronounced floor squeak at the foot of the bed on the passenger side. Loud enough to be more than annoying, and can wake the wife is she's not sleeping soundly. We haven't had it looked at, as we just picked it up a few months ago, but it is on our list for attention.

[solomon.m]

It was my understanding the composite floor was installed beginning in the 2021 units. I see gzvette says his 2020 has composite as well. I have a 2020 FC 27' FB, what is the best inspection point to determine what floors are in my unit?
Thanks all, Michael

[guskmg]

Sounds like Coosa Board which is made of plastic and fiberglas. I would llke two samples of each to compare them side by side.
guskmg

[chrispe]

Hey Michael,


you might want to check post #80 here from Ronnie (GMFL):
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f54...ml#post2378086


And also his posted pic in post #84.


Cheers,
Chris

Originally Posted by solomon.m

It was my understanding the composite floor was installed beginning in the 2021 units. I see gzvette says his 2020 has composite as well. I have a 2020 FC 27' FB, what is the best inspection point to determine what floors are in my unit?
Thanks all, Michael

[gzvette61]

At pickup, I asked the tech doing the session whether ours had the composite. He looked by the water pump, and behind one other panel and couldn't see the base floor. He took off a small trim piece by the front door and was able to see the edge where the floor covering met the wall. Loud squeak aside, I'm glad we have the composite instead of the wood.

[Atomic_13]

Airstream has a new blog post regarding the updated composite flooring:

https://www.airstream.com/blog/compo...avel-trailers/

[skyguyscott]

Originally Posted by Atomic_13

Airstream has a new blog post regarding the updated composite flooring:

https://www.airstream.com/blog/compo...avel-trailers/

It's an interesting article that touts the advantages of composite flooring, but I do find it both curious and hilarious that not once in the entire article do they mention water resistance and elimination of plywood floor rot, THE key benefit and whole reason they needed to make the change in the first place.

CYA legal concerns?

[skyguyscott]

Actually on closer inspection, the article does contain the following single sentence:

This new flooring not only exceeds Airstream quality standards for being long-lasting and impervious to water, it’s also environmentally friendly which is a primary objective for the organization.

And exactly what, pray tell, are those "Airstream quality standards for being impervious to water?"

I'm sure forum members would have fun guessing. I would imagine the following standard:

All Airstream trailers, once closed and sealed and pressure equalized, shall meet our stringent Water Imperviousness Standard: no more than 5.675 gallons per minute from the exterior to the interior.

And as far as environmentally friendly, are they saying that a composite of recycled glass and plastic is more environmentally friendly than wood? I can just imagine the composite floor saying "Hi environment! Let's be friends! I won't rot or decompose naturally for centuries, perhaps even millennia, under the right conditions."

[GMFL]

Originally Posted by skyguyscott

Actually on closer inspection, the article does contain the following single sentence:

This new flooring not only exceeds Airstream quality standards for being long-lasting and impervious to water, it’s also environmentally friendly which is a primary objective for the organization.

And exactly what, pray tell, are those "Airstream quality standards for being impervious to water?"

I'm sure forum members would have fun guessing. I would imagine the following standard:

All Airstream trailers, once closed and sealed and pressure equalized, shall meet our stringent Water Imperviousness Standard: no more than 5.675 gallons per minute from the exterior to the interior.

And as far as environmentally friendly, are they saying that a composite of recycled glass and plastic is more environmentally friendly than wood? I can just imagine the composite floor saying "Hi environment! Let's be friends! I won't rot or decompose naturally for centuries, perhaps even millennia, under the right conditions."

I’ve soaked a piece of this flooring in water (held down with a weight) for over a month.
Upon inspection water just beads off of it like a ducks back. Dry as a bone!
As far as environmentally friendly goes Airstream states the flooring is 100% recyclable with no post use environmental impact.

[Atomic_13]

I’m glad to see Airstream being willing to innovate and make product improvements that focus on longevity and not only cosmetic changes. The former seems to be an uncommon focus in the RV industry as a whole.

Being the owner of a 52 year old airstream that required a shell off restoration, I appreciate the impact this structural and hidden change will likely have. I’d be curious to know if new buyers appreciate just how significant this change is. Regardless, I suspect those who purchase the 2021+ models might not need to do so much work on their trailers in 50 years to keep them on the road.

Regarding the company’s limited marketing focus on improved rot resistance, I can’t blame them for being subtle. It’s probably a smart business decision. Airstream is in a tough spot... they need to highlight improvement/innovation but not make anyone with a pre-2021 trailer lose confidence in their trailer/brand.

I feel compelled to point out that wood floors work very well. Heck, mine lasted 50 years before needing replacement. Many other old wood floor airstreams are still on the road, particularly if they were well maintained to prevent leaks.

I vote Airstream keep the “improvements” coming and do everything they can to keep their build quality as high as possible.