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Topic: Basement flooring? (Read 1062 times) previous topic - next topic

Basement flooring?

Yes I know, I am obsessed with the basement on our coach but I'm just working my way up from bottom to top! ::) How about basement flooring? Has anybody here ripped out the nasty old gray carpeting and replace it with something better in the basement? One thing I am considering are the kind of recycled rubber tough mats that are often found in gyms underneath the free weights and such. I ripped out the old gray carpeting from the storage bay and I have one of those mats that is a half inch thick and 4' x 6' so I would need another one just like it to cover the 6' x 8' floor in the basement storage area, or possibly buy two thinner ones of the same type. One issue is that the half inch thick mats of this type weigh about 75 pounds, so two of the quarter inch thick ones would be similar in weight to just one of the thicker ones. I don't know how concerned that I should be about the weight differential in the whole scheme of things, but one nice thing about the thicker mats are that they lay flat with absolutely no persuasion and so would not need to be glued over the entire basement floor area as was the case with the carpeting that I took out. I figure with these maps just a bit of polyurethane around the edges and in the seam would do a nice job of sealing and holding in place along with the bolts of the joey bed. I have considered vinyl, but I don't think that would be durable enough and would show any scratches or cuts and be slippery to boot. I'm sure most of you know how I feel about rust, and one consequence of the use of carpeting in the basement is that it has created a coat of rust on the bottom of the Joey bed frame. Obviously some things were spilled over time down there in the history of our coach and carpeting tends to absorb moisture and then hold it against the metal.

Thanks, Don
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Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Basement flooring?

Reply #1 –
Don .......... I don't know a thing about the flooring.  But I will tell you that getting out of the driveway is going to tell you a lot about the coach and what it needs!  ;-)
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: Basement flooring?

Reply #2 –
Carol,
It will happen soon, in June!  ...because Tys might kill me if it doesn't ;D and I'm sure most juries would rule it justifiable homicide. I'm trying to get as much done as I can, because once I sell the house, it might be a long time before I get it in drydock again. Believe me, if I knew how to get it done any faster, I would... there is nothing I want more than to be on the road!
Don
Quote from: Carol Savournin –
Don .......... I don't know a thing about the flooring.  But I will tell you that getting out of the driveway is going to tell you a lot about the coach and what it needs!  ;-)
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Basement flooring?

Reply #3 –
I don't mean to bust you .... I just would never have the patience to polish the basement where eyes will never see and then agonize over flooring.  I will tell you that hauling stuff in and out of bays requires a material like carpeting that has the right balance between slide and non-slide.  That grey stuff may not be the most beautiful, but it certainly seems to hold up well for long periods of time.  Make friends with Bill Chaplin, Gary Omel and a few others who have just the right locations for you to perform some needed projects.  I watched Dave Katsuki manage a fridge replacement in an Escapee location in Benson, AZ ... they have very nice shop facilities with some tools that are there to borrow if need be.  You will be fine ....... and I am sure that your abilities will overcome the lack of a permanent dry dock!  Traveling is WAY more fun that crawling around under that thing.  FWIW ... IMHO ... and free advice is worth what you pay for it ...  my advice is don't over think things too much.  Wrap it up and get the wheels going!  Oh ... and be sure to let us know where you are parked.  If I need a "technical advisor" when we are on the road, I will do a Tom Sawyer number and cleverly connive you into helping us effect the repair!!!  Kent Speers is the master of that particular maneuver ... but I am a a quick study! 
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: Basement flooring?

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Carol Savournin –
If I need a "technical advisor" when we are on the road, I will do a Tom Sawyer number and cleverly connive you into helping us effect the repair!!!  Kent Speers is the master of that particular maneuver ... but I am a a quick study! 

Hey, my shoulder really does hurt. Is there anybody around St. Augustine? I have a little work to do!!!

Just Kidding!! Truthfully, we are leaving for Kansas City this week for a shoulder replacement.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Basement flooring?

Reply #5 –
Don,
 While the idea of a rubber mat in there sounds good, I believe it would make the moisture retention problem worse. The "carpet" in my basement floors is a water permeable fabric that allows any spilled or leaked water to evaporate. With a rubber mat I think the moisture would be trapped indefinetly and may mold up on you. Just my thoughts, Good luck.
Rick
Rick

Re: Basement flooring?

Reply #6 –
You might try Tractor Supply. Those mats come in 1/2 and full inch thickness--but are very heavy

Re: Basement flooring?

Reply #7 –
Not sure I would go the rubber mat direction either.  I have a Chevy Avalanche I live and work out of, and it has a rubber mat.  Recently I emptied and cleaned under the mat, and see moisture has been there, up thru the drain holes in the body.  I like the idea of the moisture being able to evaporate.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: Basement flooring?

Reply #8 –
Kent,
Good luck with your shoulder replacement.  I had a total right shoulder replacement in October 2011 and I would guess it is now at 99.5%.  Do your PT both at the PT clinic and at home.  I had a lot of Post surgical pain, but that is all gone and has been for nine months, or so.
Paul
2000 U320 36'
1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Paul
36' 2000 U320
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit

Re: Basement flooring?

Reply #9 –
Interesting point guys... Although the cargo bay is not exposed to the elements like a truck bed, moisture could get in there particularly if there's any spills. I guess if the perimeter sealing of a rubber mat wasn't hundred percent effective, moisture might get underneath a mat and then it would stay... Not a good thing! I guess it would work if it was glued down with 100% coverage, but that has its own problems. Not really in favor of adding some weight which doesn't do anything structurally, so I will probably pursue other options. But after grinding the rust off the joy bedframe where it sat on the carpeting, I won't be putting carpeting back in there! For now, I'm just going to both the joey bed directly to the fiberglass skin on the basement floor with some washers as spacers and move on to the other parts of the project. Right now I'm thinking some kind of bedliner material... Found an interesting product it's meant to be rolled on it looks like it might work well. Bed Liner Paint, Do It Yourself Bed Liner, Roll On Bed Liner
It is nonskid and should prevent any moisture retention...
Don

Quote from: Rick –
Don,
 While the idea of a rubber mat in there sounds good, I believe it would make the moisture retention problem worse. The "carpet" in my basement floors is a water permeable fabric that allows any spilled or leaked water to evaporate. With a rubber mat I think the moisture would be trapped indefinetly and may mold up on you. Just my thoughts, Good luck.
Rick
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Basement flooring?

Reply #10 –
Kent, Good luck with the shoulder.  After three Rotater( sp ) cuff repairs I am well aware of how bad a shoulder can hurt.  Hope you find an aggressive physical terrorist ( therapist ), that seems to be the key to full recovery. 
Gary B
 

Re: Basement flooring?

Reply #11 –
Many years ago when folks were doing actual machine language programming, it was the usual joke that sometimes you just had to go in a rip the floppy out and us whatever they had at that point. They would just keep tweaking it on and on "till death did them part". Don get a grip (on the steering wheel) and get on down the road. We'll se you and know that there are still things to do to your coach but you will both be enjoying it! And, BTW, have a great trip!
Larry
1996 U295 36'
Build # 4805
Actually we sold it but just like to lurk