Soft Floor

[murlsketeer]

Hello, I am new to rv.net sorry if this question has been asked. I am looking at buying a used travel trailer from a dealer. The camper has a soft spot in the storage area near the front. The sales person said that the spot is soft but not rotting. What does this mean? I think it means the floor had some water damage the leak was fixed the floor was dried. Causing in the floor to be soft but not rotting. Should I be worried about the soft spot or not since it was fixed?

[brownieab]

Hey Rhagfo, I also just pulled my water heater out this weekend to repair a rotted floor. My floor was collecting water as I drained the water heater. The water would find it's way back into the trailer while draining. Lesson learned on this was to add an extensin on the drain plug to direct the water away from the trailer body. I noticed your shut off valves and this prompted my response.

[sowego]

I agree...a soft spot is a damaged area that need to be looked at, probably by pulling up the vinyl or carpeting. I'd not go near such a unit you personally "see" whats under there and have the dealership repair the problem. They know its a problem...they just don't want to fix it!

[et2]

How big is the spot? A better definition of soft? Does it just give when walked on? This is difficult understanding it completely. Many times when we were in the market for TT & fivers there were "new" models at the RV shows we attended that had soft "areas" as we walked through them. Different mfg and models. I made up my mind then we would never buy one where the floor gave.

Some are made cheaper with the floor decking not that thick to begin with or well supported.

If it's over the storage area perhaps you can get look in there and see if you see any rotting or bracing issues.

[rhagfo]

travisej wrote:

Bobbo wrote:
If the salesman's mouth was moving, he was lying.

A soft spot in the floor is rotten wood. Period.

X2

X3

this is an extreme case, and the 5er was fixed for a minimal cost, BUT I am very handy and have carpentry skills above the norm.

[azrving]

Unbelievable. Run from that one. I looked at a TT this spring with a big rip in the linoleum, the sales guy said oh someone probably snagged it with their shoe. Ah ok goofball.

[travisej]

Bobbo wrote:
If the salesman's mouth was moving, he was lying.

A soft spot in the floor is rotten wood. Period.

X2

[darsben]

It was not soft when it left the factory.
Either have them fix it before giving them more than a deposit or if you are handy get a BIG HUGE discount if you buy it

[LOWELL731]

If it was a easy fix the dealer would have fixed it. I know I fixed my own after the insurance company totaled it for what looked like a small amount of water damage. RUN RUN RUN.

[Bobbo]

If the salesman's mouth was moving, he was lying.

A soft spot in the floor is rotten wood. Period.

[TomHaycraft]

How old is the trailer? Can you expose a portion of the floor to confirm the condition of the underlying wood?