Flexing Shower pan

[Bob Landry]

After showering a few times in my new Outback(Standup shower) I noticed while I was moving around in the shower, the pan seems to flex a lot. There is an access in the front, assuming to get to the drain connection. Is this a concern and has anyone gone into that access and added any kind of support to the shower pan?

[Handysam]

Mine flexes also, but mostly just around the drain itself. I'm not too concerned at this point, its not enough flex IMO to cause a problem. In other words, mine seems to be normal flexing to me.

[Chas883]

When I had some warranty work done I complained about that very thing. I'm 260 lbs and thought it flexed way to much . The dealer added a little platform out of osb underneath the pan, and it feels a lot firmer, doesn't feel like its going to bust through now.

[Bob Landry]

Originally Posted by Chas883

When I had some warranty work done I complained about that very thing. I'm 260 lbs and thought it flexed way to much . The dealer added a little platform out of osb underneath the pan, and it feels a lot firmer, doesn't feel like its going to bust through now.

I'll probably do the same thing. Constant flexing has to creat weak areas just like bending a piece of metal back and forth until it strees cracks. I think that's one of the many things RV builders don't address because it's out of sight and a person who isn't somewhat mechanically savy probably won't think much of it. I make my living fixing stuff that breaks and looking to see why it broke.

[JRTJH]

One possible solution would be to use the "NON EXPANDING" spray foam. Access the area under the pan through the access panel, put a piece of 1" insulation foam on the back side, another on the front, put several pieces around the drain so as not to seal it in case of plumbing problems, then spray a can of foam under the pan. Once it dries, it'll be firm and last for a number of years as long as it's not exposed to sunlight.

Be careful not to use expanding foam, that may very well buckle the pan, but non expanding foam, once hardened will give a custom fit reinforcement under the pan.

[Bowline]

I noticed the same problem with my shower - the pan was flexing a lot, and i'm a relative lightweight. I removed the front panel and found that the pan was resting on a wooden platform with several pieces of styrofoam on top of it. There was very little foam next to the door opening and back to where the drain is attached. I cut a block of foam to size and wedged it into the opening to create additional support. The pan flexing dramatically decreased.

PS: It is a good idea to remove the shower's front panel periodically to check for leaks in both the drain and in the silicone seals. I found some major leaks in the sealant which I was able fix promptly to avoid water damage.

[chuck&gail]

Had our last TT 7 years and 50,000 miles. Shower pan seemed to flex under foot. Never reinforced it, never leaked.

IMO if it ain't broke, don't fix it.