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05-15-2017, 04:16 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Windsor
Posts: 62
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Weak shower base upgrade for $40
Well we finally got around to ripping out the shower and reinforcing the extremely week shower base. For those that wondered why the shower base is weak when you step around the drain this is why.
In the picture what you are looking at is a 3/8" thick piece of crap! it is chip board with 5 riser to support the base of the tub. This chip board is so weak that I was able to break it in half when I was throwing it out in the garbage can.
We replaced it with a $16 piece of 3/4" Pressure treated plywood. Cut to fit the whole area. Here it what it looked like after installation.
There is no movement. Also we reused the same risers, just cut off 3/8" off the length of them and re-brad nailed them to the ply in the same locations. Not reinventing the wheel here. Just upgrading.
For those that are wondering how was the wall removal. it was very simple. The shower walls or surround is only held on with the 14 X-mass tree fasteners and 2 way tape. Here is the wall after the surround was removed.
All we did was cut the head off the clips, used a Exacto knife to cut the silicone around the edge of the tub and pulled. The surround came off very easy. Also the tap just unscrew and rescrewed to the wall/surround. On of the things we did notice that there needs to be a lot more silicone around the tap, for the 3 shower we have taken in the trailer, there is already some water damage behind the tap where it was not sealed properly.
IF we had the replacement X-mass clips for the 1/4" holes this would have been done in one afternoon. But seeing it was Sunday and Mother days, it will be done today.
The total price of this upgrade is around $40 US, the cost of the plywood, the cost of the replacement clips, and the 1 tube of silicone. You need a couple screw drivers, adjustable plyers, wire cutting plyers, and sharp knife. Over and above a jig saw to cut the wood. We used a band saw as it was easily available.
If anyone want more information by all means PM us and we'll do our best to explain what it was we did.
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05-15-2017, 04:51 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Las Cruces
Posts: 4,665
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Nice job and nice write up. Thanks for the info. I wonder if there is a difference in the design of different models. We've never noticed much flex with our Alpine, but a recent write up from another member about not stepping near the drain makes me think it's about the same.
__________________
Brent
2013 Alpine 3500RE
2019 Silverado 2500HD Duramax
U.S. Air Force Retired (25 yrs)
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10-21-2021, 01:56 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Vacaville
Posts: 2
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Nice thank you. I'm new to all this we have good sams extended but they won't cover our broken shower pan on our 2020 springdale I'm 210 lbs my wife a lot less and the kids well they probably only showered once or twice i think lol. But they want 2400 to do the job start to finish. I think I can handle it thanks for the advice and write up.
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10-22-2021, 04:46 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Ogden
Posts: 138
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I’d like to see how the walls looked after you put new stuff back in? Iv wondered about tile snd the whole thing. My converted cargo trailer I am building will be getting galvanized metal on the walls for that rough man cave feeling
__________________
2017 Silverado 3500Hd duramax
2008 keystone raptor Max -3712-TS
Anderson ultimate hitch
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10-25-2021, 07:09 AM
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#5
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Gone Traveling
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: North Huntingdon
Posts: 95
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Im gonna go a different route, just about have it engineered out. The problem is as I see it, as the tub ages and the oils come out of the plastic and it reacts to UV, it will do what all styrene based plastics do and get brittle and start cracking. the entire bottom needs supported so my plan is to enlarge the removable opening under and using marine plywood, build a floor and a ceiling for the space and use treated ballister sections (from like a deck) as columns with gorilla glue. I figure 10# tops in weight but cannot hazard a cost estimate as the prices fluctuate like bitcoin futures. a half or 1/4 sheet of marine wood will be the most.
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10-25-2021, 07:49 AM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Vacaville
Posts: 2
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That little opening sure would be best if it was longer and taller took of a 12 x 10 inch cover to discover a 3ish inch hole. Not straight cuts anywhere looks like they just broke pieces off with pliers
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10-25-2021, 09:37 AM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,858
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Miguel
That little opening sure would be best if it was longer and taller took of a 12 x 10 inch cover to discover a 3ish inch hole. Not straight cuts anywhere looks like they just broke pieces off with pliers
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When I was last at the factory, there were two "workers" on the roof of a travel trailer, before the TPO membrane was installed. They were "drilling holes" for tank vents. The method they were using was not a drill and hole saw, nor was it an auger or drill bit... They were using a standard claw hammer, "smacking the OSB decking with the hammer" and then forcing the hammer in a circular manner to enlarge the hole....
It's no surprise that the appearance of your shower floor resembles the holes in the roof decking.....
When I pointed that out to the "tour guide", he shrugged his shoulders and changed the subject back to how the TPO membrane adhesive is applied to the decking.....
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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10-27-2021, 05:28 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Florissant
Posts: 687
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Good grief! A claw hammer???
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Skids
2019 Bullet 248RKS
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10-27-2021, 05:54 PM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,858
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skids
Good grief! A claw hammer???
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One hard smack where you want the hole, the hammer will break through the OSB, then just "wring the hammer in a circular motion" and it will push the wood shards out of the way enough that a 1.5" vent stack fits "perfectly".... I watched the process on 3 trailers and every hole "looked great once the TPO covered all the ragged edges"...
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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10-27-2021, 06:41 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Monroeville
Posts: 1,548
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH
One hard smack where you want the hole, the hammer will break through the OSB, then just "wring the hammer in a circular motion" and it will push the wood shards out of the way enough that a 1.5" vent stack fits "perfectly".... I watched the process on 3 trailers and every hole "looked great once the TPO covered all the ragged edges"...
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So you have discovered the difference between the standard Keystone RVs and the luxury, premium RVs such as Lance and Airstream. We know they all use the same appliances, so I guess the price difference comes from the latter brands using a hole saw or otherwise appropriate tool to make the holes.
__________________
2014 Bullet Premier 29bh in Charocal
2019 Ram 2500 HD 4x4, CC, 6.4L
2011 Passport 2510RB (Sold)
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10-27-2021, 06:50 PM
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#11
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,858
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gegrad
So you have discovered the difference between the standard Keystone RVs and the luxury, premium RVs such as Lance and Airstream. We know they all use the same appliances, so I guess the price difference comes from the latter brands using a hole saw or otherwise appropriate tool to make the holes.
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Plus it's hard to get an "even hole" in the aluminum skin of an Airstream... They tried fiberglass trailers for a couple years, but those danged "Amish hammers" detracted from the "aura of an Airstream"... LOL
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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10-28-2021, 01:56 AM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Bellevue
Posts: 22
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Great write-up. Where did you purchase the clips?
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Robert & Penny
2018 Cougar 310RLS
2017 Ford F350 6.7L SRW
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10-28-2021, 05:53 AM
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#13
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,601
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH
One hard smack where you want the hole, the hammer will break through the OSB, then just "wring the hammer in a circular motion" and it will push the wood shards out of the way enough that a 1.5" vent stack fits "perfectly".... I watched the process on 3 trailers and every hole "looked great once the TPO covered all the ragged edges"...
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That technique and the many others like it explain all the debris found inside all the new trailers, those shards have to go somewhere. For another look at "true craftsmanship" just crawl under your trailer and look a the cutouts for the fenders. I've not had one that didn't look like a blind man didn't take of with a dull sabre saw trying to "feel" his way through an arc.
__________________
Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
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10-28-2021, 06:48 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Ogden
Posts: 138
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sourdough
That technique and the many others like it explain all the debris found inside all the new trailers, those shards have to go somewhere. For another look at "true craftsmanship" just crawl under your trailer and look a the cutouts for the fenders. I've not had one that didn't look like a blind man didn't take of with a dull sabre saw trying to "feel" his way through an arc.
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I was just under mine and it looks like they let a rabid dog chew them up. Then cover it all with that god awful plastic wheel well cover junk using two inch screws for some reason.
can you image what the quality control officer looks like?
__________________
2017 Silverado 3500Hd duramax
2008 keystone raptor Max -3712-TS
Anderson ultimate hitch
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10-28-2021, 06:56 AM
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#15
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,858
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sourdough
That technique and the many others like it explain all the debris found inside all the new trailers, those shards have to go somewhere. For another look at "true craftsmanship" just crawl under your trailer and look a the cutouts for the fenders. I've not had one that didn't look like a blind man didn't take of with a dull sabre saw trying to "feel" his way through an arc.
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The holes behind the tail lights on my Cougar are "unique to that trailer only"... The roadside hole is a 2" circular cutout, probably cut with a hole saw from the even, round shape. The curbside hole is "round on one edge" but is over an aluminum stringer, so there's a "hand cut, freeform hole" to extend it another 1.5" toward the side of the trailer. That hole is big enough to reach inside to grope for the wiring bundle.... Thank goodness for lots of butyl putty tape and ProSeal sealant !!!!!
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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12-06-2021, 03:15 PM
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#16
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Hackettstown
Posts: 35
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Looking to do this, can you post where you got the clips and part number. Thanks
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12-06-2021, 05:41 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 777
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH
When I was last at the factory, there were two "workers" on the roof of a travel trailer, before the TPO membrane was installed. They were "drilling holes" for tank vents. The method they were using was not a drill and hole saw, nor was it an auger or drill bit... They were using a standard claw hammer, "smacking the OSB decking with the hammer" and then forcing the hammer in a circular manner to enlarge the hole....
It's no surprise that the appearance of your shower floor resembles the holes in the roof decking.....
When I pointed that out to the "tour guide", he shrugged his shoulders and changed the subject back to how the TPO membrane adhesive is applied to the decking.....
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Interesting to read this, John. When my dad was younger, he worked briefly at a mobile home manufacturer. He said that the way the guys there would “drill a hole” in the floor of a mobile home for wiring or plumbing was to use a claw hammer and hit until there was a hole….sounds like nothing has changed in 60-some years….
__________________
--Lynette
2019 F-350 diesel 4x4 CC LB DRW, not the mom taxi anymore...
2021 Alliance Paradigm 340RL
2016 F-350 diesel 4x4 CC LB SRW, mom taxi - sold
2014 Cougar XLite 28RDB - sold
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05-24-2022, 09:36 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Middletown PA
Posts: 149
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Quote:
Originally Posted by merchjo
Looking to do this, can you post where you got the clips and part number. Thanks
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Most hardware stores Lowe's has them ask the hardware attendant for plastic Christmas tree fasteners ( this is slang I don't have a clue what theyre really called another source is the local body shop supply house
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05-24-2022, 03:04 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Wickenburg
Posts: 3,271
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A photo would be so nice... I can't even imagine what a "plastic Christmas tree fastener" is.
__________________
2019 Cougar 26RBSWE
2019 Ford F-250
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05-25-2022, 04:34 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: jackson
Posts: 1,109
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LHaven
A photo would be so nice... I can't even imagine what a "plastic Christmas tree fastener" is.
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This is what he means
__________________
JXNBBL (Jay)
Jackson, NH
2021 Keystone 330BHS
2023 Ram 3500 6.7L diesel, 3.73 ratio
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