The camper thread! Pulling, using, equipment, maintenance!
Thread Starter
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Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
Just finished replacing the floor by the door, next is the floor by the bed (front of camper).
I have come to the conclusion that the water didn't leak in from rain or snow or any overhead precipitation but from driving down wet roads. I can see now that "tarp" they use to seal water out from the bottom does hardly anything. There are so many holes in the tarp from missed stapes at assembly, even the weave itself has some separation.
I have come to the conclusion that if you don't want floor rot don't drive on wet roads (during rain).
I would like to seal the bottom with something different. What can I apply to the bottom side of the "tarp" to help seal out water if we ever do have to drive in the rain?
I have come to the conclusion that the water didn't leak in from rain or snow or any overhead precipitation but from driving down wet roads. I can see now that "tarp" they use to seal water out from the bottom does hardly anything. There are so many holes in the tarp from missed stapes at assembly, even the weave itself has some separation.
I have come to the conclusion that if you don't want floor rot don't drive on wet roads (during rain).
I would like to seal the bottom with something different. What can I apply to the bottom side of the "tarp" to help seal out water if we ever do have to drive in the rain?
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 11,273
Likes: 100
From: North Dakota
I was layin under mine thinking the same thing.... Mine has a enclosed underbelly, so I'd have to worry about just the stuff on the outside of the frame rails. Especially over the tires. Thought of mounting some single axle trailer fenders over each wheel to keep impact to the bottom of the slides to a min... Idk, what you could spay/roll onto the bottom.
Thread Starter
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Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
I was layin under mine thinking the same thing.... Mine has a enclosed underbelly, so I'd have to worry about just the stuff on the outside of the frame rails. Especially over the tires. Thought of mounting some single axle trailer fenders over each wheel to keep impact to the bottom of the slides to a min... Idk, what you could spay/roll onto the bottom.
Mine at least has plastic wheel wells so nothing gets effected there but the whole rest of the underside is just that black plastic crap. The main areas that got wet and rot was at the front side of the camper I assume from tire spray from the X/truck and then behind the trailer tires where again tire spray off the trailer tires.
I really would like to be able to spray something instead of roll it on but I won't be to picky if whatever I use will actually work.
Maybe that flex seal stuff you see on tv with the guy in the boat with a screen door for a floor.
If it were all just flat on the bottom I would be willing to put in some sort of aluminum or plastic sheeting. But like most the frame sticks down which I could still sheet in the center section easily but the outer sides have tapered braces off the frame which would make sheeting sit funny and be hard to seal at the sides of the camper.
I can see why some people build their own campers from the frame up. They use the absolute most cheapest materials in these things. And while I assume allot of it has to do with weight there are places I personally wouldn't have skimped.
That airstream builder idea is starting to look better and better.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Pompano Beach
Saw this at Home Depot last week. Probably not as durable as bedliner, but may be easier to apply.
Rust-Oleum® NeverWet® Liquid Repelling Treatment
Rust-Oleum® NeverWet® Liquid Repelling Treatment
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 11,273
Likes: 100
From: North Dakota
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is a BAAAD MAN
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,738
Likes: 5
From: Winston Salem NC
Saw this at Home Depot last week. Probably not as durable as bedliner, but may be easier to apply.
Rust-Oleum® NeverWet® Liquid Repelling Treatment
Rust-Oleum® NeverWet® Liquid Repelling Treatment
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Pompano Beach
What'd it do? I was thinking about getting some to play with, but if it's that bad I'll heed your advice.
Thread Starter
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Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
I bought some of that never wet. It is a two part system and needs to be redone "when needed" or every year or so. Still doesn't plug the holes and stuff either.
Has anyone used that 'Flex seal' stuff? That sounds like a good deal as long as it would stick to the plastic tarp stuff.
Has anyone used that 'Flex seal' stuff? That sounds like a good deal as long as it would stick to the plastic tarp stuff.
is a BAAAD MAN
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,738
Likes: 5
From: Winston Salem NC
It drys real tacky, wears off if you rub it and it stains surfaces. You can't use it on anything that will be touched or it will wear off. I have no idea where any use of it could be used where you or anything else doesn't touch it or if you don't care about it changing the appearance of it. Also doesn't work on cloth or canvas, carpet or really slick stuff.
No way it would work as a bed liner. Get a can of it and read the fine print. I wish I did.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 11,273
Likes: 100
From: North Dakota
I bought some of that never wet. It is a two part system and needs to be redone "when needed" or every year or so. Still doesn't plug the holes and stuff either.
Has anyone used that 'Flex seal' stuff? That sounds like a good deal as long as it would stick to the plastic tarp stuff.
Has anyone used that 'Flex seal' stuff? That sounds like a good deal as long as it would stick to the plastic tarp stuff.
It drys real tacky, wears off if you rub it and it stains surfaces. You can't use it on anything that will be touched or it will wear off. I have no idea where any use of it could be used where you or anything else doesn't touch it or if you don't care about it changing the appearance of it. Also doesn't work on cloth or canvas, carpet or really slick stuff.
No way it would work as a bed liner. Get a can of it and read the fine print. I wish I did.
No way it would work as a bed liner. Get a can of it and read the fine print. I wish I did.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,406
Likes: 229
From: Pa
I hate packing the camper, especially for the first trip out. It was a whole lot easier when my checklist was Beer, check, 6pack of Hoagies, check, Sleeping Bag, Check!
With the children, now I have to buy more beer, and more Hoagies!
With the children, now I have to buy more beer, and more Hoagies!