Cheap over foam flooring ideas

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Cheap over foam flooring ideas

Postby kimphan » Mon May 03, 2021 12:08 pm

Has anyone try any idea for cheap flooring directly on 1.5 inches foam?

My heaviest family member is 250 lbs, it's a 4 feet Teardrop so they will never stand on it, however, they will be sitting and lying on a camping memory foam mattress.

Do you think Vinyl Sheet Flooring ok? what about upgrading to 2 inches foam? would that be good enough for Vinyl Sheet flooring?
What about eva foam puzzle flooring?
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Re: Cheap over foam flooring ideas

Postby QueticoBill » Mon May 03, 2021 12:54 pm

It would depend some on the foam. Mot EPS but XPS maybe in the stronger version. Even 1/8 (3 or 4 mm) paneling would work. And 1" foam no better than thicker if its on a floor as pictures show. Some people report fine with no foam in floor, just the mattress. Just put vinyl on your ply and mattress on top. Throw in an area rug for exposed floor. Go real inexpensive and just paint the ply. If you don't like it, install vinyl on later - sheet, tiles, or planks. Or those interlocking rubbery pads used fir play floors and exercise rooms.
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Re: Cheap over foam flooring ideas

Postby John61CT » Wed May 05, 2021 12:07 am

Assuming the foam is fully supported from below, flat and strong, not spaced out support joists.

Compression strength is fantastic, all you need for the top layer is

protection from abrasion, and

puncture resistance, protect from say high heels rather than runners, 4-legged chair vs wheels

in other words, spreading out the PSI loads

1/4" ply even cheap rough will do

strong vinyl / linoleum,

horse stall mats if you want max durability

gym matting if you want more comfort, people take shoes off indoors

fake wood flooring for pretty, real would add too much weight IMO
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Re: Cheap over foam flooring ideas

Postby tony.latham » Wed May 05, 2021 9:53 am

...flooring directly on 1.5 inches foam?


Kim:

I build my floors with a 3/4" framework sheathed by 1/4" plywood on both sides and the voids are filled with foam board. So I can't directly help but they are strong enough to walk on.

What I'm curious about with a foam floor in a foamie is how you are planning on attaching the cabin to the chassis? :thinking:

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Re: Cheap over foam flooring ideas

Postby kimphan » Wed May 05, 2021 11:38 am

Hi Tony,
Thanks for your help.
Sorry if I was being too vague, I meant to have foam on top of my flatbed which is 1/2 inches thickness placed on a very solid and nicely spaced frame.

I do worry about the glued foam structure just blown off if not adhere correctly to the flat bed.
Since I observe that the flatbed is old (I bought it used) but in good condition (some peeling and chipping), I planed to have strips of 1/2 inches new plywood (4 inches wide) around the frame of the flatbed so the foam will sit on a new bed without adding another sheet of plywood on top of the old one.

So far, I like the idea of using eva foam directly on top of the old plywood bed the best. If it's too cold, we will consider adding foam board on top and another 1/4 inches, but ok for this summer I think.

Thanks,
Kim.
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Re: Cheap over foam flooring ideas

Postby tony.latham » Wed May 05, 2021 11:47 am

I do worry about the glued foam structure just blown off if not adhere correctly to the flat bed.


I'm still confused about how your foam cabin will be tied to your flatbed. Maybe I need another cup of coffee. With a wooden cabin, the floor is bolted to the chassis.

:thinking:

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Re: Cheap over foam flooring ideas

Postby kimphan » Wed May 05, 2021 12:27 pm

According to what I've seen online and tutorials, it's just wood glue to foam.

I actually have additional adhesive area because there is a 2x4 frame outside my flat bed that I can add another 1.5 inches strip of adhesive area to the wall.
I'm also cutting my 1/2 fly wood to strips of 2 inches long (nailed to the floor) and sandwich glue the foam between that outter frame and that strip.

Not sure if that's enough, that's why i need consultant lol.
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Re: Cheap over foam flooring ideas

Postby tony.latham » Wed May 05, 2021 1:33 pm

According to what I've seen online and tutorials, it's just wood glue to foam.


I think you need mechanical fasteners --bolts-- set in plywood to attach the cabin to your chassis. But ask Glen. He knows foamies and I don't.

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Re: Cheap over foam flooring ideas

Postby kimphan » Wed May 05, 2021 10:31 pm

Hi Tony,

Thanks for the pointer, I will type up my overall plan in a post soon.
Watching George's video of his foamie bug out build, it seems he only glue the foam wall to the floor and the wood inner frame the he made.
https://youtu.be/Z7wo6-Z9amM?t=711
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I'm open to do anything to secure my wall, just not sure what other ideas out there since it's foam and I can't use screw.
I have windows that need framing and thinking about embedded a 2X2 windows frame to floor into the foam, I think that will help keep the foam secure too... I'll type it up in a new post soon.

Thanks,
Kim.
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Re: Cheap over foam flooring ideas

Postby tony.latham » Thu May 06, 2021 8:30 am

I'm open to do anything to secure my wall...


I'm not talking about the walls. Yes, they get glued and then mechanically attached to the floor with a canvas wrap. But what it sounds like you are planning is a foam floor and I am wondering how you would secure the foam to the chassis. In the video link you provided the guy was attaching his walls to an OSB (ouch) floor which I assume he subsequently (mechanically) bolts to his chassis.

Last week, we were towing our teardrop into a forty-mile wind at 60 MPH. A 100-mile wind. So in a sense, we have to build these great campers to live through a hurricane.

:thinking:

You're doing some serious research so I'm sure you'll build a nice little camper. :thumbsup:

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Re: Cheap over foam flooring ideas

Postby QueticoBill » Thu May 06, 2021 10:25 am

Possibly some confusion? Another post by Kim has a photo of her trailer ( I think) which already has a ply deck firmly attached. It is a different starting point than we usually see.

http://tnttt.com/gallery/image.php?image_id=164996
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Re: Cheap over foam flooring ideas

Postby tony.latham » Thu May 06, 2021 12:05 pm

Possibly some confusion?


Maybe a quart or two. :thumbsup:

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Re: Cheap over foam flooring ideas

Postby kimphan » Thu May 06, 2021 7:31 pm

Hi Tony,

Thank you so much for your help.
I have described my plan here, maybe it could clear things up a bit?
viewtopic.php?f=55&t=73766
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Re: Cheap over foam flooring ideas

Postby tony.latham » Fri May 07, 2021 8:18 am

Thank you so much for your help.


Now I'm scratching my head and wondering how I helped you? :thinking:

It'll be fun to watch your build come together.

Tony
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Re: Cheap over foam flooring ideas

Postby ghcoe » Sat May 08, 2021 10:29 am

tony.latham wrote:
I'm open to do anything to secure my wall...

In the video link you provided the guy was attaching his walls to an OSB (ouch) floor which I assume he subsequently (mechanically) bolts to his chassis.


Nothing wrong with OSB if it is protected well. I have done quite a few water crossings with the floor totally submerged in the water as well as being stored outside for the last two years. No problems at all.

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