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Topic: Can Shower Floor Survive Use of Shower Stool (Read 2591 times) previous topic - next topic

Can Shower Floor Survive Use of Shower Stool

My knees have finally declared they need help.  This years hiking has done enough additional damage that I am uneasy standing in the shower and feel a shower stool would allow me to safety bathe until we can get back home and get the bionic solution. The typical shower stools are four legged affairs with rubber non-slip feet. Is the base of the shower strong enough to take these four "point loads"?  I certainly wouldn't want to have the flooring crack or puncture. Thoughts?

Thanks
Randy (N4TDT) and Karen Crete
Sarasota, Florida
SOLD:  2000 U270 34' WTFE Build 5756 "Ole Red"

Re: Can Shower Floor Survive Use of Shower Stool

Reply #1 –
Randy,

We'll all reach that point eventually - some sooner than others.

Our shower floor feels pretty sturdy.  I remembered seeing a photo of the underside of the shower "floor" in a old thread.  It shows the shower drain pipe sticking down through plywood.  If, like in the photo, your shower floor rests on a plywood base, then it should be plenty strong enough to support the chair legs.  Link to the photo below:

Shower not draining - Caused by unlevel coach?

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Can Shower Floor Survive Use of Shower Stool

Reply #2 –

Randy, Susan broke her leg just above the ankle last winter while we were traveling.  We got an Amazon adjustable height, 4 legged stool for the shower for her to sit on. It had rubber feet that were an inch and a half in diameter. It worked fine, no indication of floor stress. 

Best part was it came with a suction cup shower wall handle.  We both use it still and it is now a shower fixture.

Here is what we got.
Amazon.com: OasisSpace Shower Chair, Adjustable Bath Stool with Free Assist...

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Can Shower Floor Survive Use of Shower Stool

Reply #3 –
Randy,
No worries, we purchased the exact same shower stool Roger and Susan has. It's been in use for about a year. The rubber feet do a good job of spreading the load. The floor seems very solidly built.
We liked the suction cup handle so much, we bought another. Those handles are really handy.
Bob
Bob & Suzy
2000 U320 4010 SPEC
2006 Honda CRV

Re: Can Shower Floor Survive Use of Shower Stool

Reply #4 –
Good luck with your knees. . .

We wondered about our shower floor too.

The side of our shower base has a large rectangular air vent which we temporarily removed. With a lamp looked inside and verified like others, that looking up we see (hopefully ¾") plywood which we assume supports the plastic shower floor.

Wanting to do what we could to improve the life of the shower, we installed a floor support through the air vent opening:

Rectangular piece ½" wood up against the "ceiling" of the under-shower space, lightly forced up with two turn-buckles pressed against the sound-insulated floor.

No idea if the support helps, but it makes us feel better.

Re: Can Shower Floor Survive Use of Shower Stool

Reply #5 –
If you are in doubt about the weight distribution, buy some small plastic cutting boards which will help distribute the weight

Re: Can Shower Floor Survive Use of Shower Stool

Reply #6 –
What Ernie is getting at is PSI, meaning pounds per square inch.
Standing on one chair leg concentrates ALL the weight downward  on the one chair foot whereas distribution of the weight occurs when there are multiple chair feet on the floor.
A snowmobile stays on top of the snow because the PSI is very small due to the large track area.
Do like Ernie says. Calculate what the PSI would be if concentrated on one chair foot. All it takes to put most of the weight is leaning forward while seated. Ernie's idea is to distribute the weight over a larger contact area.
Better safe than sorry is the axiom applied here.

Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Can Shower Floor Survive Use of Shower Stool

Reply #7 –
Our coach came with this. I believe FT installed them back in the day as an accessory. You might check with parts. Very sturdy.
Chris
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Can Shower Floor Survive Use of Shower Stool

Reply #8 –
I bought one of these a few months ago, I see they popped back up for sale on WOOT.com.
Very light, folds to a small size, very sturdy.
NATURA LIFE Folding Stool
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.
 

Re: Can Shower Floor Survive Use of Shower Stool

Reply #9 –
Quote from: gracerace –
Our coach came with this. I believe FT installed them back in the day as an accessory. You might check with parts. Very sturdy.
Chris
Metal studs back behind to carry the load ?

Hans & Marjet
1995 U300 "Ben" (#4719)
3176B Cat,4060HD,Jake
SKP#139131
Motorcade#17579
2006 Honda Element (towed)