Replacement of complete subfloor in travel trailer

Question

I bought a 2005 Dutchman Kodiak Scamper a month ago in "as is' condition with the expectation I will be replacing the entire floor as it has a lot of water damage and walls that have sagged about 4 inches down from the frame. The prior floor was a combination of 1/8 luaun, 2 inch foam board and 1/8 luaun with limited supports. I have jacked up the sides of the camper, ripped out some of the floor and plan to use wood framing. I am planning on framing with 2x3 horizontally laid with 1/4 ply on bottom and 3/8 ply on top (with insulation between studs). I planning on framing to the metal sides of the camper with lag bolts and then connecting to the frame. Has anyone out there done this before? Would you recommend a different frame structure? I am just not sure if this will be able to support the walls so they don't sink again.

As far as the water damage... I think I have that under control and I have not noticed any leaking since I have been resetting windows and working on the roof. Thank you for your help!

romore · Answer

I am in the middle of a similar project but the damage is nowhere as severe. Where did the water enter? Are the walls structurally sound? The roof is also likely compromised. IMHO, that one would be better left alone.

n7bsn · Answer

The typical RV is built from the bottom and and inside out. That is the floor is put on the frame, usually to "finish" that is the sheet-roll flooring is even put down at this stage.
Next the base cabinetry is installed, sometimes the wall cabinets are brought in even before the walls are framed.
Often the shower, refer and other large items are brought in, before the walls are framed. This is because the door will be too small to allow those items to easily be installed.
Then the walls are framed up and the inside finish work is continued.

For a complete floor replacement, the cabinetry, walls (roof), appliances, etc all need to be removed.

Basically you are starting over from a bare frame.

I've done RV rebuilds, I would walk away from something this complex and look to sell the piece parts for what I could.

heatlyn · Answer

The walls and roof are solid other than some de-lamination in the top front of the camper.  I have inspected the roof and found some areas where water could of penetrated and took care of them and the windows as well.  I have not seen any new leaks since then.  I do need to hook up the water and make sure something is not leaking.  This definitely is quiet a project for my first camper project.  I think the most difficult part right now is trying to save the membrane under the camper while building the floor on top.  Does anyone know if the membrane is actually glued to the plywood?

mbutts · Answer

I had a 2007 Kodiak hybrid and it had many water problems. Floor rotted through in several locations and walls were starting to delaminate. Cause was not a roof leaf but water coming in through the top edge of all three bunkend doors. The latches at the top corners of the bunks caused the doors to warp leaving a huge gap in the middle. There are a few Youtube videos on how to rebuild the doors.

Good luck!

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Replacement of complete subfloor in travel trailer

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