Jayfeather hybrid floor issue

[Sharopete]

I saw a thread on the owners forum regarding floor issues where the luan, foam sandwich became soft from use not water infiltration. Has this been a problem with hybrids lately or just a bad batch? This gives me some concern as I am considering selling my 5th wheel and buying a hybrid. :E

[mdcamping]

poppin_fresh wrote:
"Found large entrance wholes under the floor deck that were not properly sealed by the factory".

To be fair, I think a lot of manufacturers do the same thing, for example, my 2005 Starcraft is the same way. They cut overly large holes for all pipes and wires and didn't use anything to keep "stuff" out.

Actually the utility holes under my trailer deck are sleeved. The holes up front where there was plenty of room were caulked. The holes by the back 2 axles & tanks where space was limited and tough to get at were not.

In addition, found about a 2"x3" piece of missing floor deck near the rear wheel well, very tough to spot. I filled that with plywood and caulk and caulked everything else.

Mike

[Campfire_Time]

Sharopete wrote:
Hi Chuck:
It's this thread "New Hybrid . .. soft floor .. is this normal?" on the Jayco owners forum

I remember that thread. I never read through it for 2 reasons, it's a rarity and I assumed it was wet plywood.

bikendan wrote:

Campfire Time wrote:
Are you sure you're talking about the floor? Jaycos are built with plywood floors and standard linoleum, not a sandwiched foam floor.

pretty sure it has the luan floor like all current hybrids, even Jayco.

it does probably have plywood under the frame.

My '03 Kiwi had a plywood floor. I never realized that they changed the construction on these.

My statement still stands though, this issue is an exception and not the norm.

[bikendan]

Campfire Time wrote:
Are you sure you're talking about the floor? Jaycos are built with plywood floors and standard linoleum, not a sandwiched foam floor.

pretty sure it has the luan floor like all current hybrids, even Jayco.

it does probably have plywood under the frame.

[AngelaVance]

2005 Jayco Jayfeather 19H hybrid and it has sandwich floors and roof! Not much there at all.  Floor issues are frequent, but if you keep the water out they are amazing!  My Floors were fine then the next spring they were falling through at the dinette.  Faulty seals on outside storage, water heater, and leaking connections inside the wall at city port and outside shower.  Have totally redone my roof with Henry's Tropicool and am in the process of repairing the floor.  I have decided to go back with a thicker plywood sheeting that I have primed heavily with kilz.  I plan to add some metal banding for extra support.  I am looking into extending my connections outside the inside wall in the hidden area under the bench, and opening up a square section so I can see any future leaking or issues.  Going back with carpet and a transition piece that will split the kitchen from the living room area.  I think we are going to completely redo the floor after this season though, so I'm planning to glue lightly. 

[mikebte]

Any trailer that says lite has a laminated floor. Keystone montana, alpine, Avalanche all did that in 2015 and switch back to wood for 2016.
It works great for weight. Not really any light trailers without it.

[poppin_fresh]

"Found large entrance wholes under the floor deck that were not properly sealed by the factory".

To be fair, I think a lot of manufacturers do the same thing, for example, my 2005 Starcraft is the same way. They cut overly large holes for all pipes and wires and didn't use anything to keep "stuff" out.

[mdcamping]

I have a 2011 X20E I believe the floor is the vacuum bonded luan/foam/luan sandwich floor as mentioned above.

I have not been totally happy with mine, first season had a seam pop on the roof. With in a 60 day period the front face of the trailer started to D-lam. ended up having whole front face of trailer replaced, luckily covered under the 2yr warringtee.

Found large entrance wholes under the floor deck that were not properly sealed by the factory. Mice came in and ate through one of my canvas ends. :M I have since patched under the floor deck and have not seen a return of any mice.

Lastly I have to re caulk about every 2 trips on the front bunk ends. flexing from driving and usage seems to "pull up the caulk". I have had to re-caulk the roof once and other areas too.

What this all means is....I'm not all that impressed with the quality of Jayco construction. I have MORE maintenance than I would like, and I have keep a CLOSE eye on my FLOOR. If I see just one sign of floor water damage I will be unloading the trailer.

FYI my first trailer had a floor failure, was a non Jayco but same style construction. I Just don't want to go through this again.

Mike

[Sharopete]

Hi Chuck:
It's this thread "New Hybrid . .. soft floor .. is this normal?" on the Jayco owners forum

My 2006 Jayfeather 23B had a vacuum bonded luan/foam/luan sandwich floor and the Jayco site states "TuffShellTM vacuum-bonded, laminated floor, side, rear and front walls including slide walls".

I wish they would put actual plywood instead of lightweight luan in the floor, but I don't believe they do.

My 2006 floor was fine, but I only owned the unit for 2 years.

[Campfire_Time]

Being that the X20E in my signature is our second Jayco hybrid and that we had our previous Jayco hybrid for 10 years, I can tell you that I never had an issue, nor have I seen mention of this anywhere. If you have read of an issue it is not the norm.

Are you sure you're talking about the floor? Jaycos are built with plywood floors and standard linoleum, not a sandwiched foam floor.

[AngelaVance]

2005 Jayco JayFeather 19H owner here, and mine is luan foam luan glued together with not much support at all.  Love my travel trailer though and will fix it.  It has lasted for years and was built better than the brand new 2021 crossroads zinger 330BH that I bought in August of 2020! It's been nothing but a  nightmare.  the floor is already rotting in the half bath, and I believe it is a gray or black line leak in the wall going to the underbelly as it is  next to the outside kitchen and the sink has never drained! I can't get a snake through it either.