Floor Collapse -wet floor
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Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
Forum Discription: Perplexed/need help with a problem - ask here
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13692
Printed Date: 09 May 2025 at 1:04am
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Topic: Floor Collapse -wet floor
Posted By: Junkinpod
Subject: Floor Collapse -wet floor
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2020 at 9:04pm
 2014 182g with a floor that has collapsed on the slide side. I’m hoping to learn how to repair this issue. I've visited 2 local shops - one wants to put plywood on top and that all (doesn't address the structural issue) and the 2nd said its not repairable. HELP!!! After noticing the wall was dropping, I removed the flooring and discovered that the entire floor was wet. The floor on the slide-out side appears to be collapsing. On the slide side (from slide to rear corner) the floor is collapsing 1-2" and it appears that the wall has shifted down with it. The floor starts slanting down along the lines of the steel frame under the floor. Is there not a picture type aluminum frame in the floor??? Can the outer frame of the floor collapse? I also noticed a small bulge in the outside wall between the pop-out and the back hatch. I've had the axle checked and was assured that it was fine. I have no idea how the water has entered my trailer. I'm guessing that it came in around the slide. I see not signs of water on the walls. I'm struggling to attached photos ... will keep trying. Any ideas how to fix this???? How do we lift the wall/floor and re-stabilize it? Love my RPod - but afraid its not going anywhere until this is repaired. I contacted FR as they have repaired some floors under warranty (even on older units) - but was told the issue was due to water damage therefore no warranty coverage. Thanks! ------------- Belinda |
Replies:
Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 23 Jun 2020 at 6:08am
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Wow! That's a project and can see why they past on it.. The cost for them to do this is far beyond the value of the unit, labor wise. Now, you (or someone willing) it can be worth the effort. Your going to need to lift the cabin just above normal height. The issue here is where the joists (crossbeams) actually are (someone here has a picture from the factory), I suspect at the corners of the slide-out. Then how much floor panel needs to be replaced to regain structural integrity. Best I could tell (drilling holes) the floor is a layup of plywood and foam (kinda S.I.P. panel). Shooting from the hip, I'd be thinking of raising the wall and welding outriggers off the frame to hold the wall in place. Frame is thin steel, so having a good welder do this is a must (and may require sistering a plate on first). Doing this you may then be able to replace the floor in the area. All gets revealed as you open up and start removing damaged material. I do hope you have/know someone capable of assisting nearby. ------------- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways 2017 Tacoma http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build 2004 F150 My Overlander |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 23 Jun 2020 at 7:30am
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You can see the rpod construction here. might help you get oriented. Anything is possible but you'll need to decide if you feel that you want to put in the effort to save the trailer. Good luck!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXNYA73rCNE - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXNYA73rCNE ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 23 Jun 2020 at 8:05am
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Sadly, this looks more like a disposal problem than a repair problem. You could easily sink twice the value of a comparable trailer into trying to fix it and may not end up with a satisfactory repair. Effectively it would be a little like lifting a house to try and replace both the foundation and the floor. It can be done, but at what cost? Best of luck in trying to resolve this awful problem. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 23 Jun 2020 at 8:06am
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For some reason that link isn't work for me.. This one did though.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMXneKc_fDo - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMXneKc_fDo ------------- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways 2017 Tacoma http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build 2004 F150 My Overlander |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 23 Jun 2020 at 9:58am
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Looks like I copied the link wrong. Fixed now. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2020 at 3:46pm
I belong to a Build Group and am on my second build (first real deal). This is far from a disposal, if you have the ability. I'd be happy to take it off their hands, but I'd feel like I did them a dis-service.. You wish to have a peek, follow the link in the signature. To the folks that own the trailer, follow the link, join the group and learn how to do the deed. Some very good builders over there that are happy to share. Haven't heard from the OP in a bit.. How are you doing? ------------- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways 2017 Tacoma http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build 2004 F150 My Overlander |
Posted By: Junkinpod
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2020 at 8:35pm
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Thank you for the insight. I have 2 sons - one wants to ditch it fast and the second is willing to help mom fix her trailer. Thankfully the second one is a welder by trade and knows of a shop he believes can do the welding to add the supports. Sounds like I need to make the dive and start removing flooring to see the amount of damage ....ouch... will keep you posted. thanks for the reply. Belinda ------------- Belinda |
Posted By: Junkinpod
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2020 at 8:42pm
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Thanks for the reply. I have 2 sons who are going to "help" mom get her Rpod back on the road. One says ditch it - as is - and quick, the other is willing to assist with the repair. Thankfully my youngest is a welder by trade and knows of a shop he says can help as I've shown him the extra supports added by others. It's way beyond my skill or ability. I've watched every video and picture of RPod construction... at this point I feel that I have no real choice but to dig and start breaking up the floor. I will post an update as I go. Thanks for your input. ------------- Belinda |
Posted By: Junkinpod
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2020 at 9:12pm
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Now inspired by what I have seen of your projects! Thanks for sharing the link Olddawgsrule . ------------- Belinda |
Posted By: Cocared
Date Posted: 29 Jun 2020 at 5:00pm
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Hi, I was wondering if I could get your opinion? We just bought a 15 178 from a private owner and just discovered there must have been a leak. We can not locate the leak yet but we have found the whole underbelly wet, some areas super soft and wet. In your opinion, is this salvageable? Thank you in advance! We started removing the black cover to let the wood dry out. ------------- 2015 Rpod 178 |
Posted By: Junkinpod
Date Posted: 29 Jun 2020 at 10:06pm
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I removed all of the flooring first. I have not opened up the underbelly yet, but I assume that this is a step that I will have to do. My floor was always soft in front of the sink/bathroom - but had no idea how bad the floor was until I saw that the wall and floor had dropped. I believe the water came in around the slide on mine - but will post more as I start to work on it. Sorry you have had this experience - how frustrating. ------------- Belinda |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2020 at 4:45am
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The floor is a composite of foam insulation with plywood on top, then the finish floor. The whole trailer is built on top of that. The structural strength is in the plywood, so if that becomes saturated and delaminates then you have a problem. If its still intact then you can probably just dry things out and be fine. If its delaminated and soft in some areas but not sagging then you can probably repair it by adding another layer of plywood over top, cut out to fit around the walls and cabinets, and glue and screw it down. The first step either way is to find the leak, fix that, and get the trailer dried out. Open up the bottom so the moisture can get out of the foam, and remove the finish floor in any areas where the plywood is wet and get some warm dry air blowing on it.
------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2020 at 7:25am
I'd get that outside wall jacked up and some jack stands under the wall. I would span the length in question with another support (I'd use some sq stock steel I have around) and at least a couple jacks (I would use my 3 bottle jacks) once up support with the jack stands. I won't do much messing around till that is supported, never know what else can occur. A 2016 video shows a 2" sq stock aluminum floor frame. It will be interesting to learn if it's on yours and if it goes to the outside wall. My belief is it's a composite 'on' frame and explains the dropping away.  ------------- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways 2017 Tacoma http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build 2004 F150 My Overlander |
Posted By: Junkinpod
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2020 at 9:28am
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See new post - Broken welds on floor joist to see what I've discovered after removing the flooring. ------------- Belinda |
Posted By: Teck2
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2022 at 1:59pm
| We are having the same problem with our R-pod 182g right now. Were you able to fix the floor? |
Posted By: AlistairF
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2023 at 11:53am
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Anyone ever do a step-by-step guide/video to how to replace their R-Pod floor? |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2023 at 4:06pm
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Seems to me that a full floor replacement's cost in labor and material would exceed the fair market value of almost every rPod in need of such a drastic repair. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: gpokluda
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2023 at 5:56pm
+1 I would speak with your insurance company and see what options there are. ------------- Gpokluda 2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023) 2022 Escape 5.0TA 2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB Kawasaki KLR650 |