New floor for camper

[derowe82]

Hey everyone,


Wife and I are looking to remodel our camper inside, but also keep weight in mind. We are looking to remove the old carper from the floor, and the slide out floor, and replace it with either that thin, fake wood snap together floor, or peel & stick tiles.



Also looking to paint the cabinets... tip and tricks on painting the vinyl face of the cabinets???



Any info on the best way to accomplish this would be awesome. Maybe some Do's and Don'ts on this project???


Thanks in advance

[bsmith0404]

I’ve used thin laminate on floors, actually installing that in a 1976 Holiday Rambler now, attached pic. I’ve also used Allure flooring, I believe it’s by traffic master, bought it at Home Depot. It’s a thinner material and has glue strips. That worked very well also. The biggest concern is the slides. If you look at the carpet in the slide, there’s a flap that extends beyond the edge. That flap covers the slide mechanisms/floor strip. If you remove the carpet, you’ll expose that. Doesn’t hurt it, just doesn’t look good. New RVs use a floor that looks like vinyl, but is very durable, but they still have the flap. Don’t know how you would be able to create that with either of the options you’re talking about. I never replaced the carpet in the slide when I did mine, just the main floor.

[derowe82]

Originally Posted by bsmith0404

I’ve used thin laminate on floors, actually installing that in a 1976 Holiday Rambler now, attached pic. I’ve also used Allure flooring, I believe it’s by traffic master, bought it at Home Depot. It’s a thinner material and has glue strips. That worked very well also. The biggest concern is the slides. If you look at the carpet in the slide, there’s a flap that extends beyond the edge. That flap covers the slide mechanisms/floor strip. If you remove the carpet, you’ll expose that. Doesn’t hurt it, just doesn’t look good. New RVs use a floor that looks like vinyl, but is very durable, but they still have the flap. Don’t know how you would be able to create that with either of the options you’re talking about. I never replaced the carpet in the slide when I did mine, just the main floor.

That looks really nice. Yea I put in something similar when I built my wifes salon in out house, so I am somewhat familiar with the flooring... although the stuff i laid down just had a water barrier, and not glue strips, so that's good to know.


The carpet in out slide is somewhat of a burgundy color. Not horrible, but for what we are going with color wise on cabinets and such, may clash. I did notice the flap of carpet though. Maybe I leave the flap and about 6" of carpet on the slide and then do the wood floor vinyl with a threshold to join them???

[travelin texans]

The other issue is painting the cabinets. You won't be able to sand the vinyl clad or use any type harsh cleaner to prep the cabinets for fear of lifting the vinyl. Then what kind of paint that would adhere to them without chipping or rubbing off of the vinyl.

[derowe82]

Originally Posted by travelin texans

The other issue is painting the cabinets. You won't be able to sand the vinyl clad or use any type harsh cleaner to prep the cabinets for fear of lifting the vinyl. Then what kind of paint that would adhere to them without chipping or rubbing off of the vinyl.

This came to mind as well. I had ready that if we lightly sand them just enough to take the shine off, the paint will adhere. I am not 100% sure it would work.



I have heard that Chalk paint as a primer helps alot, as well as a Tile & Laminate primer too. I have no experience with either of these, so not sure, but might be worth a shot???

[chuckster57]

If you replace the floor, be aware that some slides count on the carpet to slide on and it may mar the surface. You might want to consider getting something for the slide to “ride” on.

[derowe82]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

If you replace the floor, be aware that some slides count on the carpet to slide on and it may mar the surface. You might want to consider getting something for the slide to “ride” on.

Oh good advice. I'll investigate.

[bsmith0404]

Lippert (and others as well) make slide out slickers. I’ve seen them used, seem to work pretty well. They’re around $60 on Amazon.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by derowe82

Oh good advice. I'll investigate.

I put vinyl plank floor in my camper and the slide will scratch in four places with our slide. The ends the heaviest. I bought 1/8" plywood and cut into 3' strips about 6" wide and put in the area where it was initially scratched to keep it from marring worse. They make expensive bits to do the same thing but the 1/8" plywood works fine. My slide comes out a bit over a foot then settles when retracted and I put the plywood in place after bringing the slide in a bit. The couch, dinette and chair are now gone. I didn't put the tie on the slide out as has been mentioned there is an ugly black strip the length of the slide that would be hard to hide and since the carpet gets little traffic, just left it. I now have a dining table and chairs with a plastic floor protector under to keep the carpet from getting dirty.

[derowe82]

Thanks all!

[derowe82]

So how would one know if these are needed before trying the slide and at that point almost too late? Also, how would you know where to put them?

[chuckster57]

IMO, if you have any doubts, get them. Better safe than sorry

[derowe82]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

IMO, if you have any doubts, get them. Better safe than sorry

Yea, I was kind of thinking the same. Now I just need to figure out where to place them. The carpet doesn't seem to have any marks on it from the slide... so I will investigate.

[Outbackman57]

Do be careful. Brings to mind a heartbreaking rookie mistake I made with the 37G and its beautiful hardwood kitchen floor. I was installing some things inside and unknown at the time a screw got away from me. Noticed nothing as we closed the slide to move on but at the next stop as the slide went out the errant screw gouged a line in that nice floor. Sometimes it’s painful to learn the hard way!