Floor Rotten

[LowRyter]

I have a Weekend Warrior Super Lite 5th Wheel. The floor was rotted away at the entrance (side) door in area about 30 by 20 in.

It's a strange place since there is no plumbing there, although it's next to the refrigerator. The bottom has a vinyl insulation barrier but I believe it's rotted through. Perhaps the insulation gets wet there and holds moisture.

I've had the trailer for 10 years. I only use it about 3 or 4 weeks a year and turn the pump off when I am not using it. I winterize it as well and dump all the water. It's in covered storage when I am not using it.

For now I plan to screw a piece of plywood over it until I can get it fixed.

I am curious if anyone has experienced the same.

[judelaurenzo25g]

nayther wrote:

judelaurenzo25g wrote:
Because of this post I spent 4 hours removing my fridge and verifying the drain hose was connected and draining properly. I first tested it with a cup of water. When I failed to see water draining on the floor, the fridge had to come out.

That's a bummer. but you still don't know the source of the moisture do you?

I don't have issues with moisture. This was all preventative.

Thanks
JL

[nayther]

judelaurenzo25g wrote:
Because of this post I spent 4 hours removing my fridge and verifying the drain hose was connected and draining properly. I first tested it with a cup of water. When I failed to see water draining on the floor, the fridge had to come out.

That's a bummer. but you still don't know the source of the moisture do you?

[judelaurenzo25g]

Because of this post I spent 4 hours removing my fridge and verifying the drain hose was connected and draining properly. I first tested it with a cup of water. When I failed to see water draining on the floor, the fridge had to come out.

[DiskDoctr]

mr. old style wrote:
Drain line on mine exits out the vent area behind the frig.

Same here and on hot days running the fridge, it is almost a constant drip.

[mr__old_style]

Drain line on mine exits out the vent area behind the frig.

[nayther]

the drain usually peeks out through the outer cover, small 1/2" flexible black but with an anti-bug deal on the end, see them all the time on new units.

We don't have much come out of these here in CA but in more humid climates you might see more condensate (the drain connects to the trough under the finned evaporator in the refer).

[LowRyter]

I just surveyed the trailer today. I noticed that the rotten area was next to the refrigerator. I did some checking on Youtube to learn more. When I got to the trailer I only found remnants of a drain line. Nothing attached to the fridge.

So I need to fix about 2 x 2 1/2 foot area in the floor and figure out how to reattach and plumb a drain line system.

Although I didn't know about the drain line, I've replaced the ignitor several times. I've never even seen the service area damp before, so it's just never crossed my mind. There is also a heavy vinyl barrier under the floor, so I also don't know where the drain should terminate. I have a feeling that it was never installed right from the factory.

[LowRyter]

A friend of mine does contract work. He and I will come up with something after labor day. The area isn't huge, about 32 x 15 but is right at the entrance door.

Thanks for your input.

[Hap_Hazard]

Sorry if I gave you the impression that I was somehow being sarcastic. I appreciate your time and the answer you provided. I had no idea how to tackle that kind of a project.

I have no project.

I try and use this site to draw from the expertise of our members. I would rather learn now rather than wait till I'm in a pressure situation with a problem. I also like to have a concept of what's involved if I decide to use a shop.

Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. I'm sure that others have learned from it too.

Hap

[beemerphile1]

Hap Hazard wrote:
OK, sounds simple enough. However, I'll bet it's not as straight forward as that.

Thank,
Hap

I gave the CliffsNotes version, I am not going to write a book and I have no idea the specifics about what you may be working on or your skills.

[LowRyter]

After the camping season, I'll check my contacts and figure out where to go and what to do. The area is about 32 in wide by 18 in deep, right at the entrance door. I didn't see any wires or plumbing when I cleaned it all out and covered it.

[Hap_Hazard]

OK, sounds simple enough. However, I'll bet it's not as straight forward as that.

Thank,
Hap

[beemerphile1]

Hap Hazard wrote:
OK, we've got the idea that the floor material is questionable at best.

My question is how do you replace a floor section that lays under a wall? Can someone explain the process for repair or do you haul your unit to the scrapyard?

Cut or remove all pipes and wires. Use an oscilating saw to cut all screws that attach walls and cabinets to floor. Remove rotten wood and slide new wood in from outside.

[Hap_Hazard]

OK, we've got the idea that the floor material is questionable at best.

My question is how do you replace a floor section that lays under a wall? Can someone explain the process for repair or do you haul your unit to the scrapyard?