Trailer flooring help needed.

[GSchlegel]

Thanks in advance.



We are replacing the floor in our troop's Boy Scout enclosed trailer. Today we ripped out the old floor. Last fall a tire blew and it blew a hole in the floor. It had 1/4" wafer(?) board over 3/4" plywood. We are thinking of replacing it with pressure treated 3/4" plywood with 1/4" plywood over that. (Shelving, etc. was sized for this floor thickness and the 1/4" plywood should keep the chemicals in the pressure treated plywood away from all the gear and food. )



Are we on the right track?



Is there a better way to do this (remember this is a scout troop and we need to keep expenses down).



Should we coat the bottom (exposed) side? If so, what would you suggest?



Any other ideas?



Thanks for all the help.

Gene

 

[Deezul1]

Apply undercoating to the "down" side of the plywood to protect it from road water other wise it sounds like a pretty good plan. I believe the undercoating can be bought at auto parts stores.

 

[mbrolin]

I would also silicone caulk all the seams underneath and then undercoat. Our Boy Scout Troop sell Christmas Trees as a fundraiser. Ive found records of this going back into the late 30s and early 40s. Its quite a huge operation plus the church sponsor owns 5 acres of land which allows us to grow some of our own trees. The Troop also built a cabin which was opened in 1970. All thanks to tree sales. I should add that it is Troop3 in Corvallis ,Oregon. It was the 3rd Troop to start in the state. I know Im off subject/

 

[JPope]

Pressure Treated Plywood

The new ACQ method of pressure treating does not contain heavy metals (chromium, arsenic, etc. ) as does the CCA method used in the past and still available. If you use CCA type, the industry does have a number of cautions involving respirators, saw cutting hazards, not disposing in landfills etc. The new ACQ method is ammonia based though, and will have an odor that the CCA does not have, so may be problematic in an enclosed trailer, especially with foodstuffs, packs, sleeping bags and other Scout stuff.

Also you may want to consider treating (painting, spraying) with a water repellant like Thompson's as the pressure treating process opens up the wood grain and the added repellant helps seal it back up, and not very expensive add. Has worked well on wooden horse trailer floors in the past, and they get pretty severe treatment from above!! as well as the road.

Maybe the 1/4" layer should not be pressure treated and towards the floor to provide some barrier, and you could consider a vapor barrier between the layers to help with sealing.

Vinyl type flooring is another option for a clean appearance and help sealing.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Have the inside floor Rhino lined. This will seal it and make it skid proof.



Start a collection and I'll contribute the first $20.

 

[ggorremans]

Seems to me that some of the coach manufacturers (Artic Fox and Cardinal come to mind) use 5/8" exterior grade plywood for their subfloors. Don't know the cost of that vs treated. Could use Marine grade also... .

gary

 

[GSchlegel]

Thanks for all the input.



Decided on using 3/4" pressure treated with 1/4" plywood overlay. Treated the bottom of the pressure treated and top (sanded) side of the 1/4" with a Valspar (?) water seal with a 5 yr. warranty. Now just have to cut and install and caulk ,etc. Sounds simple enough, right?



Thanks,

Gene

 

[DRR-24V]

Restroom Renovation !

GSchlegel,

I redid the restroom in my camper. Nothin to it. Give me a call if you need help. Pictures Look Good.