Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Has anyone ever watersealed their undercarriage with PMF? I'm thinking about doing it in lieu of a tar paint/ liquid rubber/ epoxy. Thoughts?

I think using plasticore would be more durable and probably same cost with little to no maintenance. It's the stuff they make yard signs out of.

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linuxmanxxx wrote:I think using plasticore would be more durable and probably same cost with little to no maintenance. It's the stuff they make yard signs out of.

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I kind of would like it to be continuous and wrap up the sides a bit. I like the idea of a continuous barrier with no gaps. I assume you'd glue/screw the plasticore to the underside thus making holes for moisture? Correct me if i'm on the wrong track.

Glue and seal it no screws. It's the underside and only subject to splashing so never submitted to same levels of moisture as roof and walls. Adhesives are a water barrier as well as the plasticore. No UV exposure so it will last a very long time. Simple not messy and very light.

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linuxmanxxx wrote:Glue and seal it no screws. It's the underside and only subject to splashing so never submitted to same levels of moisture as roof and walls. Adhesives are a water barrier as well as the plasticore. No UV exposure so it will last a very long time. Simple not messy and very light.

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That makes a lot of sense. Now the only problem is that I'm 5x10, so I likely would have some seams. Thus my leaning towards another solution.

KendaldaCosta wrote:

linuxmanxxx wrote:Glue and seal it no screws. It's the underside and only subject to splashing so never submitted to same levels of moisture as roof and walls. Adhesives are a water barrier as well as the plasticore. No UV exposure so it will last a very long time. Simple not messy and very light.

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That makes a lot of sense. Now the only problem is that I'm 5x10, so I likely would have some seams. Thus my leaning towards another solution.

A seam underneath isn't a problem glued as the glue is a barrier sealing the seam. Plus it will never have standing water so it's not really relevant as long as you install it correctly. Exposed canvas can absorb and rot but plasticore can't do either.

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I have used plasticore, aka Coroplast, as in underbelly material, and so far it has held up fine. As far as seams go, you can just use tape designed for adhesion to polyethylene.

With that said, I'm not seeing the clear benefits over an elastomeric coating, unless you're using some type of OSB or plywood that doesn't take water-based coatings well.

The only "maintenance-free" underbelly, IMHO, is aluminum sheeting.

You can also look into a polyethylene-impregnated woven fabric, often used for RV's and mobile homes, that commonly goes by the brand name "Darco." Again, it is pretty easy to patch up if damaged.

linuxmanxxx wrote:Glue and seal it no screws. It's the underside and only subject to splashing so never submitted to same levels of moisture as roof and walls. Adhesives are a water barrier as well as the plasticore. No UV exposure so it will last a very long time. Simple not messy and very light.

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Agree on the minimal moisture and splashing. This is the underside of my 10 year old tear. I've even had it off road muddin' with a 4x4 tv. I'm rewiring the cable to the tv here to use a 7 wire cable.

The underside of trailers doesn't need any more protection than a coat of paint, IMHO. Start looking under old trailers, all the ones I looked at were only protected by paint and looked just fine. We painted ours with wood stair paint and 10 years later it looks like new.

Bruce

You seem to be looking for a solution to a problem that does not exist. Remember anything that will keep water out will also keep water in. How often are you towing in the rain?