New carpet...Does adding a pad create problems?

[cannesdo]

I really need new carpet. I have a 2001 Alpenlite fifth-wheel. I would really like to get a pad put under it this time. I'm not a big fan of having RV places do the work. I've done a lot of work myself over the years and am thinking of getting a remnant and hiring someone to do the work directly...might check on Craigs/Angie's list or something. There's a place in San Diego where I can get the stitching for the slide edges done.

Anyone know if it creates any problems if you lift the carpet up with a pad underneath it? It seems like the slides lift up enough when they close in but am wondering if anyone every ran into issues when they added a pad?

[carpetguy2]

That is HUGE RIP OFF.Get that pad about half of that were we live.

[cannesdo]

westend wrote:
There is a high density moisture resistant pad available, about 1/4-3/8". It is expensive and I've only seen it used once, in the walkout basement of a lakeshore home. I believe it was a closed cell foam.

Want: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Scotchgard-1-2-in-Thick-Foam-Premium-Carpet-Pad-BZ0307/202561369?N=5yc1v

That would cover the main living areas of my rig. Ohhh, that would feel so goooood. Over the course of 10 years, that's $2/mo. For happy feet. 🙂 Going to measure the slide clearance tomorrow.

Hmm...reviews on that one not good -- too gushy they say and squeaky too.

This one might be better, both are from Home Depot.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Healthier-Choice-6-ft-x-45-ft-White-Premium-Carpet-Cushion-WHT270/2027889...

[westend]

There is a high density moisture resistant pad available, about 1/4-3/8". It is expensive and I've only seen it used once, in the walkout basement of a lakeshore home. I believe it was a closed cell foam.

[cannesdo]

Mayyybe a little squshier in the corners, ha...but not great. I want some serious padding. I have wood floors by the door and the cabinets have plenty of clearance and the slides seem to lift up a lot before sliding in. I think it might be do'able. Hadn't heard of the kind with the padding attached. I have some research to do.

I bought my 2001 rig in 2007. It had been lived in since purchase and I've lived in it full-time since then. It's beigy taupe. Thinking about going lighter. Would that be the dumbest move ever?

[doxiemom11]

Our rig came with padding and carpet -- pretty thick padding, however in the path areas that pad is worn and you wouldn't think there is much under it. Yours may just be worn out. Is it squishier in the corners where you don't walk? There must be some padding under there unless someone did a do it yourself install and didn't put any down.

[BFL13]

Our trailer came with the "upgrade" version of the flooring, a mix of tile and carpet. The upgrade was the standard $1.00 a square foot lino had lino tiles ($2.00 a square foot?) here and there instead of the regular lino. 🙂

The carpeting was arranged so you could not get from the doorway (tiled) to the bathroom (upstairs via carpet) to the bathroom (tiled) without stepping on your carpet with your muddy boots on. (No good at dog events)

The strip of carpet in the main living area was what the slide ran over and it did have a thin underlay. Unfortunately the dogs barfed enough that this carpet became unsat 🙂 (It wasn't that great anyway--maybe the dogs had a point)

So out came the carpet except for the bit on the slide, to be replaced by other cheapo tiling, installed by me. Komfort tech support told me to at least leave 2" of carpeting by the plastic round-down the slide rides coming in/out at the outer edge of the main floor.

I ignored that advice since it was inconvenient. So the slide scratches the new tiles I put everywhere on the main floor and stairs. Wax fixes that when we get keen.

So that strip of OEM carpet at the edge of the floor is what keeps the slide from scratching things before it gets to any tiling or lino in the kitchen or where ever.

So the issue now is can that carpet on the main floor that goes under the slide be too thick or high up so it gets damaged? No idea.

I sure would not put wooden plank flooring down there or it would be wrecked, since it is too high (thick) based on how the thin tiling I did gets scratched.

Lately I have been at a carpet place who has some Berber that they say does not need the edge bound, and it will not fray and they even have a warranty that it won't.

I have been thinking of re-carpeting with that for the slide and part of the main floor nearest the edge under the slide. If true, no need for getting the slide carpet floppy edge bound.

The rest of the floor farther over, past where the slide covers, can be any height (thickness) I want, even those wooden planks. This might be the next reno! 🙂

[tbred]

There's always the carpet with integrated padding, best of both worlds without too much bulk.

[cannesdo]

Carpet place...ah -- how much was the install? And how big was your rig? It doesn't feel like there's a pad under this carpet. If there is, it's really thin. And it's been lived in since it was new (2001) so it's pretty mushed down. I want a floor that feels gushy.

[Old-Biscuit]

My rig came with padding and carpet...just like in a S&B

We replaced carpet in living room couple years ago......new padding/carpet.
Had a couple of guys from a local carpet store do the install. They measured carpet for slide-outs and had the edges done....binding off.

Can't remember having a trailer that had carpet and no padding

[ScottG]

As others have suggested, it really depends. In my own case I can't use anything much thicker or the slide will rub too hard on it.
If your slide already leaves a deep impression then you don't wan't to go any deeper.

[carpetguy2]

They sell a moisture barrier padding that has a film of plastic on top.
I would use a 7/16 8 lb paddig.If you look up in the phone book and find a carpet flooring supply store .They would sell whole sale.And they most likely can recommend a good installer.
I replaced my carpet with no promblems.Just don't go buy some really thick carpet.

[Poppy___Nana]

My first thought was:

1) The slide - make sure it will clear!

2) Second thought was the moisture that may get trapped into the pad - from coming in with wet feet or leaving the door open with dew or rain. I met someone this past weekend who actually had a linoleum floor laid and then the carpet on top to act as a barrier to the wood frame/joists and possibly prevent wood rot!

3) Will your doors clear the additional height?

Just a thought!