Community Forums

Harold D · 02-23-2020, 02:28 PM

Getting ready to replace our Class A RV carpet with laminate and am looking for things others have learned to help in this process.

jacwjames · 02-23-2020, 04:42 PM

What Make/Model/Year rig do you have, it might help providing advice.

I replace the carpeting in the front LR and rear BR areas, I left the ceramic tile. I did use a floating floor type laminate and it was approximately the same height as the tile. I did use thin trim pieces at the transition between the laminate and tile. I made piece out of Oak, planned down to ~3/16" thick by ~1.5" wide and stained the same color as the laminate. I had to make sure the kitchen slide would clear the trim pieces.

I stripped out the old carpeting, it was hard to get all of it out from under the slide but when I started laying the new floor I started there, pushing the flooring all the way tight to the wall under the slide. The laminate was the snap lock type but I still used a good waterproof glue to help hold it together and prevent any split liquid from going into the joint. I still wanted the floor to float but when I got to the center I applied a large amount of gorilla glue and laid the laminate over it and then weighted it down. I figured this would help hold it centered and provide for a solid feel. I worked my way across the coach and when I got to the other side I made the seam fairly tight and when I was done I filled the void with silicone to prevent dirt from getting it it. I didn't even have to use a trim piece.

I also laid the laminate all the way to the front, working around the seat mount (I removed the seats to make it easier to work. I loosened the side consoles and was able to slide the laminate underneath. Same with the small console for the radio bumpout. I was able to use the trim piece around the stairwell, the laminate was thin enough so that it slide in where the carpeting had been, this provided for a nice finished look. I removed the plastic shroud around the steering column and lay the laminate right to the firewall.

In the bedroom I cut the carpeting up under the bed platform and was able to use wide pieces of trim to go under the platform. I did have to use some 1/4 type trim pieces next the bedroom cabinets.

I did this job in in 2009 and the laminate has held up well, don't foresee having to redo do it.

Harold D · 02-23-2020, 09:13 PM

Thanks for the input. Ours is a 2005 Fleetwood Bounder. I had not thought of gluing it but might not be a bad idea.

DRM901 · 02-24-2020, 08:49 AM

You need to plan for the expansion & contraction, which probably will be more than in a S&B due to greater temperature range. I thought this guy had some good data you can use to plan it out. https://www.floorstoyourhome.com/blo...cts-the-least/