Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I'm starting to work on the galley and I'm considering using some ceramic tile I salvaged from my kitchen remodel. I'm concerned the vibrations of the traveling camper will constantly dislodge the tiles or grout. I don't want to be re-bonding the tiles after every camping trip, but I do like a more durable counter top than just varnished plywood. My wife is agreeable to either decision.

In a test, I laid out the tile on the counter top to see what it might look like. My thought it to router out a base to lay the tiles. Once I do the routering on the top, I'll be committed to the tile.

What do you think and if you have tile in your galley, how did you bind the tiles to the plywood? Thinset doesn't seem like the right way to go since that is brittle and susceptible to the vibrations.

Thanks
Jim

I've worked for about 15 years in the RV and horse trailer industry. The RV place used regular methods to deal with tile. Mostly successful with some cracking of the grout. The horse trailer place I work for now occasionally uses tile for backsplashes. Their approach is to use silicon caulk to bed the tile. No failures as yet. You should remember though that your installation is behind the axle and thus may receive rougher treatment than what I'm familiar with.

Best,
Tom

Our Tear was built in 2008 by forum member B Bodemer. It has a tile countertop and there has been no cracking at all so far. Between the 2 owners, I would guess it has been on at least 20 trips all together.

I really love the tile and think it is a unique addition that you don't normally see in a camper.

Sorry, I don't know how it was applied.

Do you want tiles becuase you like the look of them, or do you especially want a hard ceramic finish?

If its mainly the look you like, how about this type of thing?

http://www.homedepot.com/Smart-Tiles/h_d1/N-3wrZ5yc1v/h_d2/Navigation?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053&searchNav=true
Not cheap I know, but I would imagine far less susceptible to vibration and WAY lighter

I used glass tile for our galley counter. The counter was 1/2" plwood. I adhered the glass tile to the plywood using PL Premium. Later, I came back and filled the joints with epoxy tile grount. It has held up quite well - no popping of tiles or cracked joints.

Wow... thanks everyone for sharing your experience.

I'm glad there was good success and I'll probably use what I have. It really looks nice in your tears! I hope mine turns out as nice.

Jim

When my Dad and I rebuilt our old pop up trailer, we inset tile into a counter for a trivit to set hot pots on. The area was routed out of the formica counter top. We used the adhesive for wall mounting tile rather than thin set as it is more flexible and less likely to fail. We grouted with a mildew resistant silicone for easy clean up. When the trailer was sold years later, the tile and grout were as good as new.

Bill

In general, you shouldn't have any problems.
If your trailer shakes, vibrates, or bounces so violently that it will break ceramic tiles...something is terribly wrong with your trailer!
If it helps...
I just cut out a hole in a tile covered countertop for a sink, in a trailer that has been bouncing down the road for 6 years.
It took quite a bit of effort to break/crack and remove the tiles that were in the cutout area.
They were installed by the previous owner with regular mastic using a notched trowel (typical installation).



Rob

I used PL premium adhesive and it worked like a charm and like Tom i did an epoxy grout and loved how it came out. (Thanks Tom)

I did it in my first trailer, no problems. I would do it again.

I chose to use ceramic tile also and am in the process of installation now. The folks on the forum here were very helpful answering my questions. I used silicon caulk to bed the tile, and am using sanded caulk for grouting detween the tile. Seems as if it will flex if it needs to. Will post further when all is completed.