Mesh Like Material on Underbelly ---- Questions

[ford-willy]

On my Grand Junction 5th wheel the whole underbelly has a hard cover side to side, front to back.

But on my newer 2nd trailer, a Forest River Salem TT, on both "outside" edges of the underbelly, about the first 12 inches, for the whole length of the trailer on each side is a 12 inch strip of a black mesh like material. This would be the long area on each side of the rig that the tires would splash on (like long wheel wells) with water, mud, and throw rock up on during next summers 3 month trip to Alaska.

I assume this black mesh material covers up the (otherwise exposed) outside edge of the plywood flooring. When I push up with my finger on the mesh I can feel no hard plywood above, so there must be a large void between the mesh and plywood floor. This mesh must be just stretched across the open area.

Questions-----
1. I can't imagine this mesh holding up to tire and road junk being hurled against it for a long Alaska trip. Will it hold up or not?
2. Is there any reasonable thing that I should do to to avoid damage?

Am I missing something here? On the Alaska travel forum on this site, one of the biggest Alaska travel concerns is rocks coming off someones tires and breaking windshields, radiators, and paint. I would think my own trailer tires would surely throw stuff through this flimsy material ??????

[CavemanCharlie]

My mesh also holds up insulation. I had a compartment door leak and when it did the insulation got wet. I had to cut slits in the mesh and pull out the wet insulation.

[ford-willy]

Thanks guys. FYI I found this site that has replacement material, spray glue or repair tape plus a repair video to view.

http://www.mobilehomerepair.com/extremebelly.htm

[RavensFan24]

The mesh is a polyethylene material and many refer to it as Darco. It's a moisture barrier. The only time I've ever had it get damaged is when I had a tire blow out a while back on my old trailer and it ripped that material. There was a void in that area where it ripped, but where it was covering plywood there was no damage. It's pretty tough for the most part, meaning every day use shouldn't cause damage unless something drastic (like a blowout) happens. It's on pretty much every trailer, so it must work fairly well.

[Jay_Pat]

I think it is an important water barrier.
I had a tire blow and throw the thread. The blown thread did cut up some of the barrier you are describing.
I cleaned up the area and used Gorilla Tape to cover the tears. This was several years ago and still holding up.
I check the areas above the tires looking for any tears or holes that may need taping.
This has worked well for me!
Pat