Home Log in or Register

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Caravans and Caravanning - Caravan Repairs, Servicing and Maintenance

Topic: Non wooden construction caravan floors..

Jake Drummond

via mobile 03/12/2022 at 10:47am
Location: Fifeshire
Outfit: Saab 9.5 Est. & Europa Timberland Fr

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 24/1/2005

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 259

Site Reviews Total:	5

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

I'm taking a risk here posting about rotten floors and their wood construction after some nasty comments on another site, 🙂 but here goes; Quite a few modern caravans have timber free wall construction methods and plastic or GRP front and rear panels, but TT he manufacturers continue to use plywood in the floors, which still presents issues with damp - and in some cases rotten - floors. I'll not mention the names of any makes of the caravans prone to this issue as this sparked off some 'debate' on another site, but I believe that one manufacturer did/or has moved to a non timber composite floor construction. Did this work, or have any issues?
I'm sure most caravan owners would be interested in this subject.

-------------
There's nae pooches in a shroud, so spend it before the Government does it for you!

AndyDW

05/12/2022 at 10:25am
Location: Lincs
Outfit: Coachman Wanderer 19

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 18/9/2013

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 342

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

There was a range of small unitary GRP caravans made, (cant remember the name now though). One assumes they must have had a GRP floor.

............
Andy

Fiona W

via mobile 05/12/2022 at 1:15pm
Location: Ayrshire
Outfit: Auto-Sleeper MHs

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 10/4/2007

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 5144
Tent Reviews: 1

Site Reviews Total:	234

Site Reviews 2024:	18
Site Reviews 2023:	8
Site Reviews 2022:	12
Site Reviews 2021:	10
Site Reviews 2020:	4
Site Reviews 2019:	9
Site Reviews 2018:	18

Site Nights 2024:	37
Site Nights 2023:	25
Site Nights 2022:	32
Site Nights 2021:	25
Site Nights 2020:	20
Site Nights 2019:	28
Site Nights 2018:	30

Eriba have a tubular steel frame rather than a wooden one, but I don’t know what the floor is constructed with.

-------------
2024 = 20 sites / 41 nights. 2023 = 9/23. 2022 = 13/35. 2021 = 11/29. 2020 = 4/20. 2019 = 13/35. 2018 = 20/33. 2017 = 10/22. 2016 = 19/33. 2015 = 15 sites / 27 nights. Didn't count 1976 to 2014.

blueexpo97

05/12/2022 at 1:37pm
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 07/2/2009

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 9848

Site Reviews Total:	24

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	1
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	2
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

That's really good to know, but it's all about the floor.

aaet

-------------
XVI yes?

As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.

morepints

06/12/2022 at 8:47am
Location: Dartford Kent
Outfit: VW T6 conversion

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 06/5/2008

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 978

Site Reviews Total:	48

Site Reviews 2024:	7
Site Reviews 2023:	1
Site Reviews 2022:	2
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	1
Site Reviews 2018:	2

Site Nights 2024:	21
Site Nights 2023:	2
Site Nights 2022:	12
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	14
Site Nights 2018:	2

Thought this page might be of interest - i realise I didn’t understand what delamination was, even though our last van had it happen. So that would suggest the question is about the thin plywood parts of the sandwich, rather than, as I’d thought, a 18mm sheet of ply. Then presumably there’s a subframe of some sort that attaches to the Alko chassis. Mmm, might have to do more research…….

Paul_B

06/12/2022 at 10:23am
Location: Yorkshire
Outfit: Car & Caravan

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 24/9/2004

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 825

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

I believe that Elddis started to use GRP under their caravan floors when they started with the solid construction, I don't know if they kept it up.

They should really think about using drip rails as they did years ago, especially on the rear corners

Pickled Onion

08/12/2022 at 5:17pm
Location: Near Alton Towers
Outfit: Bailey Burgundy S7 H

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 23/2/2006

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 3042

Site Reviews Total:	11

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	3
Site Reviews 2021:	1
Site Reviews 2020:	2
Site Reviews 2019:	1
Site Reviews 2018:	1

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	11
Site Nights 2021:	5
Site Nights 2020:	9
Site Nights 2019:	8
Site Nights 2018:	1

There are plusses and minusses of a wooden floor construction. The older polystyrene foam in the middle was prone to delamination in heavily used areas but could be repaired. The later closed cell foam was a lot better at withstanding wear and it is cheap. simple to manufacture and relatively light.

The main problem seems to be that of constant water ingress, wherever from, it causes it to rot. Improvements have been made to replace the wooden internal framework with plastic as it doesn't rot, however, the ply on the top and bottom still does.

GRP instead of ply will cost more and be heavier.

The best thing of all would be if they could design a caravan so that the floor stays dry. I don't mean it won't get wet by towing it on wet roads, this dries out when you park up, I mean does not get wet by weather ingress.

But then again, if they lasted longer, we would keep them longer and the manufacturers and dealers would make less money off us?

Dave.

-------------
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day,
Teach a man to fish and you can get rid of him for a whole weekend.

In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravan Repairs, Servicing and Maintenance - Top of Page

Printable version

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

7021 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Recommend to Friend - Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums] [Caravan Sites & Camping] [Company Listings] [Features / Advice] [Virtual Brochure] [Shop!]
[Reception] [Competitions] [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale] [Event Diary] [Contact Us] [Tent Reviews]

Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024

UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder