Hi Y'all:BI'm toying with the idea of removing and replacing a large section of the belly cover from my fifth wheel toy hauler.I want to do this for several reasons:1- There is a plumbing leak that will be very difficult to locate and repair otherwise.2- I have a concern about the tank supports for my fresh water holding tank. A while back I peeled away a section of the belly cover for another reason, and discovered that one of the supports had pulled away from the trailer frame. These tank supports are attached to the frame with self tapping screws in such a way that if the screws came loose, the tank could literally fall out of the bottom of the trailer. 3- Because of said plumbing leak, the belly cover is retaining water in a way that reminds me of an infants overfull diaper.4- I would like access to all the systems covered by the belly cover.Now, for my questions:a- Is it okay to be on the road for a while without the belly cover (I,m in relatively warm, but rainy weather in the south)b- It seems that the type of coroplast material most available to me is 48"x96"x4mm. Is this a proper replacement(Is it heavy enough)?c- I'm considering adding cross bracing at the overlap points of the coroflex. Basically, angle iron long enough to span the width of the trailer screwed to the frame. I will attach a diagram if I can figure out how. Any comments/suggestions very welcome.Thanks Mike:h

You haven't said why you think the current cover needs to be replaced. Take it off, repair the problems, reinstall it.

Moved to Tech Issues forum from DIY.

Ten of thousands of RV's was built without the undercover for years and years. Ofcourse you can remove it and NOT replace it.I removed mine (no insulation by the way) to repair a frozen drain line (no insulation) AND to add support to the fresh water tank.I left it off. Why not??

I neglected to mention the reasons for wanting to replace it. For one, when I partially removed it the last time, it was nearly impossible to get it aligned properly because of the awkwardness of dealing with such a large piece. I think 4x8 sheets will be much easier to handle. In addition, it's in poor shape because of all the holes cut into it by previous mechanics (tape doesn't really stick to it very well).And lastly, installed in sections, it will be much easier to deal with in the future. As for wanting to keep a cover down there, I believe it provides some insulation in the event of a freeze. Might be just enough to prevent pipes from bursting, etc Thanks for the replies Mike

My trailer was manufactured without the coroplast underbelly. I added 4'x8'x.25" sheets across most of the bottom and used angle aluminum at the overlaps. It's been this way for over 10 years with no problems. One time I had to cut a section to run some wiring. I just repaired it with Eternabond tape. It has held up well also. Nobody can see the white tape on the black underbelly. No big deal.

Removal of coroplast belly cover | Good Sam Community

agesilaus
Explorer III
Jan 22, 2017
You haven't said why you think the current cover needs to be replaced. Take it off, repair the problems, reinstall it.
BarneyS
Explorer III
Jan 22, 2017
Moved to Tech Issues forum from DIY.
MWJones
Explorer
Jan 22, 2017
Ten of thousands of RV's was built without the undercover for years and years. Ofcourse you can remove it and NOT replace it.
I removed mine (no insulation by the way) to repair a frozen drain line (no insulation) AND to add support to the fresh water tank.
I left it off. Why not??
Mgr1001
Explorer
Jan 22, 2017
I neglected to mention the reasons for wanting to replace it. For one, when I partially removed it the last time, it was nearly impossible to get it aligned properly because of the awkwardness of dealing with such a large piece. I think 4x8 sheets will be much easier to handle.

In addition, it's in poor shape because of all the holes cut into it by previous mechanics (tape doesn't really stick to it very well).

And lastly, installed in sections, it will be much easier to deal with in the future.

As for wanting to keep a cover down there, I believe it provides some insulation in the event of a freeze. Might be just enough to prevent pipes from bursting, etc

Thanks for the replies

Mike
TurnThePage
Explorer
Jan 22, 2017
My trailer was manufactured without the coroplast underbelly. I added 4'x8'x.25" sheets across most of the bottom and used angle aluminum at the overlaps. It's been this way for over 10 years with no problems.

One time I had to cut a section to run some wiring. I just repaired it with Eternabond tape. It has held up well also. Nobody can see the white tape on the black underbelly. No big deal.
ScottG
Nomad
Jan 22, 2017
I think once you remove it you'll find a lot of very loose wires and water lines. Without the colorplast to hold and support them, these things will be blowing, bouncing and moving around when traveling down the road - especially the wiring.You could end up with stuff coming loose.
Trailers that were made without colorplast had everything secured.
Almot
Explorer III
Jan 22, 2017
Several sheets of 4x8ft @1/4" thickness is fine. It doesn't have to be "heavy enough". It's role is largely overstated, very minimal protection, mostly from small debris. Cover exposed copper tubing and loose wires with split-loom plastic tubing and leave the coroplast off if you like. Or cover it selectively with those 4x8, not the entire belly.
agesilaus
Explorer III
Jan 22, 2017
Just a note, 1/4 in is 6 mm not 4 mm. Not that I know if one is better than the other.
Almot
Explorer III
Jan 22, 2017
agesilaus wrote:
Just a note, 1/4 in is 6 mm not 4 mm. Not that I know if one is better than the other.

Thinner sheets won't make a difference if you use 4x8. Drive more screws with less spacing if you notice sagging. I would "drive" with the cover off. Depends on where you go.
TakingThe5th
Explorer
Jan 22, 2017
If you do replace it, think about some of your storage needs. You might cover one of those seams with a new fabrication of a pvc sewer hose storage compartment. Another seam might be covered with a place to store fishing rods. Still another might store a place to slide in a folding table. You get the idea.