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  • #16
    I'm certainly open to suggestions. Not only to medium, i.e, sheet aluminum or galvanized steel. And as to thickness, i.e, 16ga vs 22ga, etc. Also, what sealant to use to seal edges. Whether something like Proflex would be ok, or if a polyurethane product would be better. Since edges of the sheet metal can be in a direct stream of water coming off the tire, it needs to be durable and checked often. A small hole made from a caulk line failing would put water under the sheet metal, and as Howard said, that would make matters worse.

    @Cate & Rob, I just saw your post, good suggestion as to ideas where took look to get an idea on the flooring material. Thanks, I'll take a peak.
    Last edited by Krohsis; 03-24-2020, 07:20 AM.

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    • #17
      Originally posted by howson View Post

      OK--now I understand what you're asking.

      I had to run out and look at mine. I've put >18K miles on the trailer and those locations look fine. The only complaints I've read is when a tire blows and the flapping rubber obliterates the underside of the trailer. Unless you build a tank frame under there, a flapping tire is going to tear stuff up.
      On my 2014 Reflection 337RLS, I had a tire fail and tear up the flooring. It tore up the water proof membrane and shredded it. then it ripped out the fiberglass insulation. Next to go was the OSB subfloor. And finally, it deformed (but did not tear) the vinyl flooring. Here is a photo.



      ​​​​​​​Jim
      Jim and Ginnie
      2024 Solitude 310GK
      GDRV Technical Forum Moderator
      GDRV Rally Support Coordinator

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      • #18
        Once my trailer was damaged by the tire, I decided to cover the affected area in stainless steel plate before hitting the road again.



        Jim
        Jim and Ginnie
        2024 Solitude 310GK
        GDRV Technical Forum Moderator
        GDRV Rally Support Coordinator

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        • #19
          Nice work, Jim. That is kind of what I was thinking, but not quite as beefy. But I think I like your beefy approach. Did you do anything to prevent water migration into the wood before attaching the SS?

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          • #20
            TucsonJim

            According to your analysis there is the plastic layer followed by insulation and then the actual floor of the coach?

            GDRV-Megan

            Could you please see the pictures above and clarify a few questions?

            1- What are the layers of the floor directly above the tires , from the bottom up?

            2- Is this structure laminated?

            3 - Krohsis has posted a picture of the plastic that is above his tires and after a trip thru the rain this plastic seems to be pretty warn , Should this be a concern for all owners?

            Thanks

            Brian
            Brian & Michelle
            2018 Reflection 29RS
            2022 Chevy 3500HD

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            • #21
              Krohsis

              I think 16 gage painted steel or stainless steel ($$) would be sufficient in this area. If you get it fitted good I think a bead of silicone around the outer perimeter and then screwed to floor as Jim has done would do a good job at sealing this. Make sure all surfaces are clean. I also would wonder if that "putty tape" not sure what the name is , would work as well.

              Brian
              Brian & Michelle
              2018 Reflection 29RS
              2022 Chevy 3500HD

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              • #22
                Originally posted by Krohsis View Post
                Nice work, Jim. That is kind of what I was thinking, but not quite as beefy. But I think I like your beefy approach. Did you do anything to prevent water migration into the wood before attaching the SS?
                I put a bead of silicone caulk where the stainless and the frame met. It worked for many miles until I lost the RV in an unrelated fire.

                Jim
                Jim and Ginnie
                2024 Solitude 310GK
                GDRV Technical Forum Moderator
                GDRV Rally Support Coordinator

                Comment


                • #23
                  Originally posted by Country Campers View Post
                  TucsonJim

                  According to your analysis there is the plastic layer followed by insulation and then the actual floor of the coach?

                  That is correct.
                  Jim and Ginnie
                  2024 Solitude 310GK
                  GDRV Technical Forum Moderator
                  GDRV Rally Support Coordinator

                  Comment


                  • #24
                    One last question for @TucsonJim, what thickness of SS plate did you use?

                    I know you were trying to prevent damage in the event of another tire letting go, which is a good idea. I was thinking even though my primary purpose for putting a shield in is to prevent water migration, why not make it beefy enough to mitigate damage from a tire failure. No one is immune to tire failures. Fortunately, knock on wood, we have never had a tire failure. But as the saying goes, there are two types of RVers, those who have experienced a tire failure and those that will.

                    @Country Campers, for my coach I can tell there is no insulation between the fabric and the flooring, only the fabric, but we have a Reflection TT so perhaps it is lesser made. Or maybe GD was concerned about the insulation retaining water if the fabric failed. Only speculation on my part. You will know if you crawl under there and touch the area in question.

                    I'm still not sure if my flooring above the fabric is solid plywood or perhaps OSB or if it is the sandwich stuff. I'll do some checking. My guess is it is just OSB since this is a lower end RV and the fancy flooring is reserved for the higher end GD coaches.

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                    • #25
                      Originally posted by Krohsis View Post
                      My guess is it is just OSB since this is a lower end RV and the fancy flooring is reserved for the higher end GD coaches.
                      Honestly, I think the floor in our TT is better than what they put in the 5vrs--all of them--including the Solitude. I've seen both types of floor construction on the production lines and, while I'm no expert, the laminate "sandwich" assembly GD uses on the Reflection TT looks fantastic.

                      This may be a bit OT, but TucsonJim and/or Cate&Rob -- do you know why there's the difference in the floor constructions?
                      Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.

                      2017 Ford F-350 DRW, '19 315RLTSPlus

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                      • #26
                        Originally posted by howson View Post
                        do you know why there's the difference in the floor constructions?
                        I would agree that the lighter weight laminate construction with rigid foam insulation, as used on the TTs and smaller 5th wheels, is a better floor construction. I don't like the fiberglass insulation "sponges" under the OSB floors (as I referenced earlier). The larger 5th wheels can tolerate the heavier weight OSB flooring and this likely provides more tolerance for where interior cabinets and walls can be fastened to the floor. I would expect that with the lighter weight floor, they have to be more careful about getting walls and larger cabinets fastened directly to the aluminum grid under the floor laminate. (Just a guess on this last part).

                        Rob

                        Cate & Rob
                        (with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
                        2015 Reflection 303RLS
                        2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
                        Bayham, Ontario, Canada

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                        • #27
                          Originally posted by Country Campers View Post
                          TucsonJim

                          According to your analysis there is the plastic layer followed by insulation and then the actual floor of the coach?

                          GDRV-Megan

                          Could you please see the pictures above and clarify a few questions?

                          1- What are the layers of the floor directly above the tires , from the bottom up?

                          2- Is this structure laminated?

                          3 - Krohsis has posted a picture of the plastic that is above his tires and after a trip thru the rain this plastic seems to be pretty warn , Should this be a concern for all owners?

                          Thanks

                          Brian
                          The layers of floor for our travel trailers are:

                          #1 - Darco (moisture barrier and rodent deterrent)
                          #2 - Hand sorted lauan
                          #3 - Tubular aluminum floor joist
                          #4 - TWO layers of hand sorted lauan with staggered seams (adding more strength)

                          Click image for larger version

Name:	floor layers - tt.PNG
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                          All of our Reflection travel trailers, 150 Series, 29RS, 28BH, 31MB all have laminated floors.


                          Everything larger will have the alum stud floors with the 5/8" 1 piece of big board.

                          The layers of floor for our fifth wheels are:

                          #1 - Darco
                          #2 - 2x3 aluminum studs (used for support and stuffed with wood for screw retention)
                          #3 - "Big Board" Marine Grade 1 piece decking that is fastened to the aluminum floor frame

                          Click image for larger version

Name:	floor layers - 5w.PNG
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ID:	15328
                          (Sorry this picture doesn't have the numbers labeled like the above one does)


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                          • #28
                            GDRV-Megan

                            Thanks so much , that is great information.

                            Brian
                            Brian & Michelle
                            2018 Reflection 29RS
                            2022 Chevy 3500HD

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                            • #29
                              GDRV-Megan
                              Thanks Megan .

                              Rob
                              Cate & Rob
                              (with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
                              2015 Reflection 303RLS
                              2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
                              Bayham, Ontario, Canada

                              Comment


                              • #30
                                Thanks so much GDRV-Megan ! That was a direct answer to my question about the floor composition of the 315RLTS.

                                So, GDRV-Megan, given the problem I have with road spray damaging the Darco, and it is even failing in a couple small spots. What's the fix in GD's opinion? I was pretty set with screwing some sort of sheet metal there. But after seeing the composition of the floor I will be screwing into, I'm not so sure that is a good fix, particularly it seems I would be screwing into a thin piece of lauan at the inboard side of the area. Suggestions requested.

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