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Jonesy1178's avatar
Jonesy1178
Explorer
Aug 26, 2013

Fixing or repairing flooring

I recently purchased a 13' Cikira Classic Cruiser TT. Got a great deal but knew that some of the flooring has alot of water damage. Walking on the floor reveals a few large "soft" areas. I don't believe there are any joists for the flooring? From what I can see, there is the structural steel beneath the floor, some thick black plastic to protect the flooring from water coming up from the road, the actual wood flooring and the vinyl floor covering. My thoughts are (1) to take up the floor covering and use a dehumidifier to try to suck as much moisture out of the wood as I can (2) find some types of epoxy that I can soak into the existing wood flooring so that it will become more solid (3) cover this floor with plastic sheating (4) install 1/4" or 3/8" marine grade plywood on top and then add some type of flooring.

Has anyone done something like this? Is my thought process in the right direction? or is there another way I should attack this?

Many thanks in advance for any information or tips or help you can offer!

9 Replies

  • jdc1's avatar
    jdc1
    Explorer II
    Jul 18, 2020
    downtheroad wrote:
    Not good...who need this?

    Suggestions: First, find out how the water got in. Locate the leak and fix it.
    Next, the 'best' way to repair leak damage (soft, rotted sub-floor) is to cut out and remove the rotted wood and completely replace it.
    I don't envy you. It can be a big job and there aren't really any short cuts.

    Good luck with it.


    Agreed.
  • robertj2000's avatar
    robertj2000
    Explorer
    Jul 18, 2020
    Jonesy;

    Are you still active here? I've got a 2006 Cikira with a rotten floor, too. How did your's turn out? What did you end up doing? What would you do differently?

    Thank you,

    Robert Johnson
  • Jonesy1178's avatar
    Jonesy1178
    Explorer
    Sep 08, 2013
    Sorry I haven't replied here in a while, I am not receiving notices by email that tell me there has been a response? I will have to check my settings. Tomorrow I am taking out the linoleum so I can see what is below and maybe figure exactly what the damage is. The people who I picked up the trailer from were less than honest in their description of the trailer and its my own fault that I have to do all of this work, but like I said, I am retired and enjoy fixing things....this is just another challenge. I have found this epoxy (on line) called CPES. It is supposed to help halt the progress of mold and also help to bind the wood back together? Not sure how it works but it sounds like it might be worth a try? Anyone used it?
  • DiskDoctr's avatar
    DiskDoctr
    Explorer
    Sep 03, 2013
    Be sure to check your walls and roof if the leak was high.

    Watch when cutting the floor, as ductwork, water lines, propane lines, water and waste tanks, even electrical wiring may be present near where you are cutting.

    Is the flooring wet and soft, or does it have black or rotted wood?

    Be aware, it is also common to have soft spots in some campers over things like the water tanks and such- due to poor bracing.
  • JSIMS's avatar
    JSIMS
    Explorer
    Sep 03, 2013
    We are also tackling a floor replacement project on a Cikira - sent a message your way, would like to share ideas! What a project....the floor on our used one is 100% saturated - unbelievable that it could get so completely soaked! Still working on figuring out where all that water came from...especially since supposedly the water system was never used!
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Aug 27, 2013
    Have you inspected the floor so that you know how it is constructed? You may have a composite panel or there may be joists that support the floor sheathing. Very few late model TT's have just plywood supported by the steel frame.
  • ksbowman's avatar
    ksbowman
    Explorer II
    Aug 26, 2013
    Run wood floor joist perpendicular to the steel joist and you can install them on 16" centers. Simmons makes all kinds of different joist hangers or go to Lowes or Home depot and see what's available, then sheet metal screw them to you steel joist.
  • Jonesy1178's avatar
    Jonesy1178
    Explorer
    Aug 26, 2013
    I have stopped the leak and am ready to tackle the flooring. I'm retired so have plenty of time, and I need something to "tinker" with during the long, cold, snowy winter here in southern Ontario! I am not sure about how to support new flooring if I cut out the bad sections? The metal framing on the underside of the trailer looks to be spaced at 2', maybe 2'6 intervals so there is very little to use for support.
  • downtheroad's avatar
    downtheroad
    Explorer
    Aug 26, 2013
    Not good...who need this?

    Suggestions: First, find out how the water got in. Locate the leak and fix it.
    Next, the 'best' way to repair leak damage (soft, rotted sub-floor) is to cut out and remove the rotted wood and completely replace it.
    I don't envy you. It can be a big job and there aren't really any short cuts.

    Good luck with it.

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