MikeJinCO wrote:
Being a mechanical engineer with a little structural experience, when one of the main rail beams(two 2x2's with some 1/8"/3mm plywood on each side) broke on mine I just did the calcs and ended up building a subframe with two 1-1/2" sq 16 ga steel tubes(side by side not top and bottom) under each side all welded up. I used some cross pieces and had to build around the drain pipe. When complete and painted with POR-15, I filled the large holes with sheet foam, then put a rubber pad on top. It is light enough for two small people to easily pick up to put in the truck and strong enough to support a very heavy camper with a long overhang.
If rebuilding I would use a TJI/BCI floor/roof joist which comes in 7-1/2", 9.5", 11-7/8" and 14" depths. Properties are strong, straight,won't warp and not much more expensive than structural lumber. Almost any real lumber yard has them, but not HD or Lowes.
I'd be happy to help.
Mike, not certain a Chipboard based wood I-beam would do me much good given that this is a 40 year old camper. They didn't have basements back when this model was built (Some of their later 70s models, early 80s did, but they were an entirely different design from the early 70s late 60's units).
My current floor is maybe 3" thick, trussing it from the outside is not feasible, as the holding tank is in the way.
What I'd like to do is use 2x3s or 2x4s for the new floor with plywood on both sides (if I go wood), with an new subfloor area in the rear built to house the newer holding tank and plumbing so that it's no longer hanging out in the air (Would allow for the addition of a heating pad for the tank so that I could keep it from freezing up during winter camping).
67avion wrote:
Well, that's a bit different alright. Take a look at the work being done by D1trout on the Avion rebuild string. He dropped the floor, but first he put in supports.You can see the whole explanation, with photos, on page 198. I understand your situation is different...but its worth taking a look.
Do you happen to have the page numbers for his part on that thread? It's gotten so huge, it's hard to find a specific person's work anymore.
