FLOORING
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16116
Printed Date: 17 Jun 2025 at 11:51am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: FLOORING
Posted By: hogone
Subject: FLOORING
Date Posted: 17 Jan 2025 at 7:20am
Walked into the pod yesterday and noticed the vinyl flooring had split/cracked. I had mentioned in the past it was getting spongy. Obviosly need to replace. Not sure whether to go with vinyl or laminate planking. Either one will be a simple project, just thoughts on which material. Jon
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Jon & Pam
2013 RP177
2023 F150
2017 HD Streetglide
CHEESEHEAD
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Replies:
Posted By: JR
Date Posted: 17 Jan 2025 at 8:52am
My only thought is that the laminate planking will offer you a little bit more structure for the spongy floor. It may not be enough though to cure the problem. You may want to remove the current vinyl to get a look see at the condition of the underlayment. Just some thoughts.
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Jay
179/2019
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Posted By: gpokluda
Date Posted: 17 Jan 2025 at 9:40am
Having flipped a few homes, I would strongly suggest you address the spongy floor, first before you invest in flooring. One issue is going to be the thickness of the floor you use. If you can accommodate something thicker than sheet vinyl, I would consider luxury vinyl plank flooring. It holds up really well to traffic, especially in camping situations where sand, dirt and other stuff are tracked in to the camper.
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Gpokluda
2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023)
2022 Escape 5.0TA
2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB
Kawasaki KLR650
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Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 17 Jan 2025 at 10:26am
Starting pulling up vinyl,,,,,,its soaked ,,,,,,obviously from condensation,,,,,ya, laminate i think is best for stabiity,,,,,I have both in my house,,,,,needs to dry out before i can do a further eval,,,,,not sure how to addreess spongyness
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Jon & Pam
2013 RP177
2023 F150
2017 HD Streetglide
CHEESEHEAD
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Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 17 Jan 2025 at 12:02pm
further inspection,,,,,,,zero leaks in regards to windows, slide,,,anything,,,,,,its comoing fom underneathe,,,,its soaked,,,,,but the pod will travel... jon
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Jon & Pam
2013 RP177
2023 F150
2017 HD Streetglide
CHEESEHEAD
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Posted By: gpokluda
Date Posted: 17 Jan 2025 at 3:44pm
I would suspect a leaking water connection, maybe a bad toilet valve? I just saw a video from a full time van lifer and they had a similar situation and discovered it was a very small leak in a water connection at the sink. If you have an outdoor shower, check it as well water will make it's way between layers in wall panels. Leave no stone left unturned when looking for a water leak. Good luck.
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Gpokluda
2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023)
2022 Escape 5.0TA
2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB
Kawasaki KLR650
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Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2025 at 6:51am
Concur on further inspection. Wouldnt one think if it was coming in from walls there would be some sign of that on the walls/ceiling? Also its not just one or two spots, its the entire floor under the vinyl. Will have to dig in once it warms up and drys out. One other thing. The camper is winterized so no water in system has been turned on for months. All thoughts and comments highly apprecited. Thanks, Jon
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Jon & Pam
2013 RP177
2023 F150
2017 HD Streetglide
CHEESEHEAD
|
Posted By: JR
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2025 at 9:01am
Can you determine the epicenter of the spongy flooring? Water is a funny thing and can travel a long way out of sight to puddle and cause damage. Maybe the water pump has a small leak and over time it is the cause. As G has pointed out the cause can be any water line connection in the trailer. I have a 179 2019 and the water lines run under the vinyl and luan flooring in a cavity that was created by removing the styrofoam. The water lines are running east and west in the trailer. Can you determine if the bottom side of the flooring has been compromised in the same area that you see the damage on the top side of the flooring? There are many spots where the water maybe coming from, good luck in finding it.
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Jay
179/2019
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Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2025 at 10:13am
Need to finish tearing up vinyl,,,,let it dry......fire up water.......need t ot warm up (although I could just fire up the furnace........Ill keep yaall posted. Gonna go buy vinyl flooring today.....MENARDS!!!!! Jon
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Jon & Pam
2013 RP177
2023 F150
2017 HD Streetglide
CHEESEHEAD
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Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2025 at 10:22am
Once that underfloor has been compromised, I think you need to fix that before you put anything else on top of it.
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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
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Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2025 at 11:54am
you helping......ill ship you in
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Jon & Pam
2013 RP177
2023 F150
2017 HD Streetglide
CHEESEHEAD
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Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2025 at 11:55am
and i will offer my special packer chili
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Jon & Pam
2013 RP177
2023 F150
2017 HD Streetglide
CHEESEHEAD
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Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2025 at 11:05am
Update: GlueGuy:You never took me up on my Packer Chili offer!.....So I have tore the floor out down to the base (can see styrofoam/aluminum beams/wood supports/etc). This thing got very wet from something, still diagnosing. Its dried out now, but need some good rain and power up the water system. Lots of rot/softness. I have thoughts on repair, but as always open to positive ideas. I did buy some good quality vinyl flooring, but obviosly need more than that. All positive ideas, suggestions, thoughts, comments appreciated. Jon
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Jon & Pam
2013 RP177
2023 F150
2017 HD Streetglide
CHEESEHEAD
|
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2025 at 1:03pm
Replacing the floor on an Rpod scares the bejeebers out of me.
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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
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Posted By: gpokluda
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2025 at 1:10pm
Don’t you have to remove or lift the sides of the trailer to do that?
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Gpokluda
2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023)
2022 Escape 5.0TA
2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB
Kawasaki KLR650
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Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 05 Mar 2025 at 8:52am
I guess what I am finding rather strange to this point is where the damage (rot/softness is). Its only in the main area(meaning not in the rear storage areas, under the bench seats, area where hot water heater is, etc). It seems to be the main living area which would be the area where or was heated during cold and damp times. My plan at this point is to see how much height I have to play with, replace with underlayment and the vinyl flooring. Stay tuned.
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Jon & Pam
2013 RP177
2023 F150
2017 HD Streetglide
CHEESEHEAD
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Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 05 Mar 2025 at 9:29am
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Jon,
Make certain you pinpoint with 100% accuracy where that leak or leaks originate from. Much wisdom given from the above posters on this. Do not put new floor down until the leak problem is addressed. Once you dry out I would get someone with a water hose outside and start spraying the outside continuously until you can find the source of this leak issue. If your pod is setting outside and a rainstorm barrels your way, get inside during the storm with your flashlight, maybe something will show up during that event as well.
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God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 05 Mar 2025 at 9:35am
gpokluda had a good thought and i believe he was steering you in a good direction as far as finding the culprit. Once you unwinterize, fill up your lines, and run everything one at a time: cold and hot water outlets, both sinks, as well as your toilet and with your flashlight look for signs of leakage, whether at the lines or unions or at the traps. Also, don't forget to look at your waterpump below the sink, quite a few connections even on and around the pump, maybe a hairline split in the screen/bowl upstream of your pump or in the pump itself. When the pump is turned on for a long period of time, does it cycle at all, with nothing is turned on?
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God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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