Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Was in Menard's the other day and found 4x8 1/2" and 3/4" sheets of recycled rubber composit . This would totally eliminate the dredded floor rot and the black goop exercise. I wish I had known this was available in April when I built my floor. I did get some for the galley floor as a floor covering and am considering building up the sleepy side floor 1 1/2" with foam and then a floor of this to eliminate the wheel well lumps. If you are starting a floor take a look at this stuff It would be water and mud proof and easy to clean as a finished floor inside and as a under side should be bulletproof. Thought I'd pass it along ......

Bob

Bob, if you are talking about using this material as a bellypan...BEWARE...that you don't create something that will hold moisture against the wood and induce rot...a belly pan is not recommended for that reason......
madjack

madjack wrote:Bob, if you are talking about using this material as a bellypan...BEWARE...that you don't create something that will hold moisture against the wood and induce rot...a belly pan is not recommended for that reason......
madjack

This would replace the plywood floor sheet goods completely. The only wood it would contact would be the 2x2 or 2x4 mounted to the frame. If wood rot of these members is an issue I'd suggest they be ripped from treated stock.

Bob,

Are you talking about the flexible mats used for horse trailers and such? How rigid is the stuff you're looking at? Based on plastic deck material, this stuff has a big weight penalty.

When building a trailer box, I go to the extra expense of using high grade (BS 1088) marine plywood. Same stuff I build boats with. Two light coats of epoxy is all it takes to seal it up and make it waterproof. Okuome (Mahogany) marine plywood is much more stable than fir plywood. Fir expands and contracts more causing hairline cracks. This will fracture a rigid finish and let moisture in over time, then rot starts. If your interested in more info let me know.

schaney wrote:Bob,

Are you talking about the flexible mats used for horse trailers and such? How rigid is the stuff you're looking at? Based on plastic deck material, this stuff has a big weight penalty.

.

Nope This sheet is recycled rubber pressed into a machinable sheet. It cuts just like plywood. I inherited a piece with my ebay HF 4x8 frame and this was the first I had ever seen of it. I had never seen it AVAILABLE until I walked into Menards. The 3/4" is more dense than 3/4 plywood and I'd judge just as ridged. It would be a direct replacement for the plywood. It is heavier but no goop to add to preserve it.

...well Bob, this some new stuff to me...I guess, I need to see if I can find some locally and check it out...I have used a couple of different kinds of plastic lumber in 1 and 2 by sizes and while a pretty good product, it is not as ridgid as wood and needs adequate support under it...please...keep us informed as to your experience with it(if you decide to use it).....
madjack

Maybe it's this stuff

http://tinyurl.com/34epy7

Caution: PDF file 1.59M -- slow to load

Geron

Geron wrote:Maybe it's this stuff

http://tinyurl.com/34epy7

Caution: PDF file 1.59M -- slow to load

Geron

I went looking after my initial post and I found this sight also . I coouldn't tell if this is exactly the same product. What I saw was predominatly grey with a fleck of red and blue in it. I kinda reminds my of that epoxy garage floor finish in grey. I'll snap a shot of the stuff I have at home with the old 35 mm. It'l be a few days but I will follow up.

Hmmm, this is also new to me. If you come up with a manufacturers link or spec info I'd be curious to check it out. Also how much was a sheet of it?

http://www.tnttt.com/gallery/image.php?image_id=25808

I had a picture sorry it not a close-up.
This is the 3/4 piece that the previous owner had installed on the 4x8 hf trailer I bought off of E-Bay. I cut it with a circular saw and installed it as the floor for my galley area. The big dumb lookin' pipe on the right is just that , a pipe clamp.
The floor is also painted gray so you have to look close for the specks in the rubber sheet.

Bob, how ridgid is it compared to, say that piece of wafer board sittin in the galley.........................

The 3/4 is probably as ridgid as 1/2" osb. I intend to purchase 2 pieces 1/2" thick sheets ( unless the price scares the Hell out of me) and will use it as the finished floor in my 5x8 over the foam to level out my floor. The fooler is I think you could bend it (with extreme difficulty) to almost 90 degrees . Try that with osb or plywood. I learned to wear eye protection when cutting it, it's like setting in the 3rd turn at Daytona rubber crumbs flying ( bouncing) everywhere.

1/2" was $49.00 a sheet. Too rich for my scotch blood. And heavy as hell

bobhenry wrote:1/2" was $49.00 a sheet. Too rich for my scotch blood. And heavy as hell

I guess you would need to place bolts to hold it down and Madjack's aluminum to keep the sides up. Don't think it would hold a screw...

Might be useful for People in really wet climates or those who might be fording steams.

Don't get me wrong I think it would make an excellent tear floor.
Totally impervious to water rot and bugs. I was looking at it for a inside finished floor at the point of the build I am at and it was too expensive for glorified floor covering. When I start the 4x8 I will use it with treated wood framing lumber for the floor.