Airline track (L-Track) recessed into floor?

[keeena]

Has anybody installed or seen an install up close of airline track (L-Track) flush mounted in the floor of a LL ToyHauler? I'm interested in how it was installed/mounted. I know ATC has it and their flooring appears the same as LL.

[img style="Aluminum floor flush L-track" style="max-width:100%;" src="http://aluminumtoyhauler.com/images/toy-hauler-options/airline-track-tie-down-ring.jpg"]

Here is a [a href="http://images.uscargocontrol.com/42496-100-airline-track-style-flanged-track-aluminum_3_640.jpg"]link[/a] to a picture of the product w/ measurements.

I'd imagine a wide aluminum backing plate to bolt up to would be needed the length of the track underneath. The recessed part of the track isn't narrow enough to fit between the flooring ribs, so a rib would be removed length-wise. This would leave the floor a bit weaker and you'd have to be real careful about how much you tighten the track down. The aluminum backing would have to be at least ~3" wide to reach a rib on each side. But I'd think that big void wouldn't be ideal?

I know the surface-mount angled L-Track is my next option, but flush would be preferred if there's a good way to install it. Thoughts?

[2moonunit]

If you can find a source for this stuff at a reasonable price get as much as you can.  I have a ton of it in my garage and it is the best stuff you can get.  Nothing beats aircraft rated stuff.

[keeena]

What's a reasonable price? The usual online suspects have them for about $55 for 100". I think this stuff is technically not suitable for airline (passenger) use per FAA guidelines. I have used it in the past and it's worked awesome, nice looking than e-track.

[2moonunit]

That's a great price. Keep an eye on how thick the base of the track is.  Strength is definitely affected by how much material is there.

[peislander]

I'd suspect recessing 100" of that track into the existing aluminum plank floor is problematic. Just seems too intrusive cutting that big a hole in the floor. To install a full strip the hole would be 100" long x 1.35" wide and then if you do that twice I'd imagine the integrity of the floor is being compromised. 

That said I'd be less concerned about recessing several shorter lengths. I'd imagine several shorter pieces of that track would still work well for tying down the toys. It also might make it easier to provide the needed reinforcements under the floor. (With a 100" long strip I'd imagine there'd be sections of it where you'd have trouble installing the fastings to suitable reinforcement every 4").

[whoofit]

Think I would have this welded in place from the underside preferably.

[subaruwx]

I don't think the track is flush - it has beveled edges, but it looks to me like the track is raised above the floor (notice the screw holes). This actually is much easier to install.

[peislander]

[quote timestamp="1464525928" source="/post/21662/thread" author="@subaruwx"]I don't think the track is flush - it has beveled edges, but it looks to me like the track is raised above the floor (notice the screw holes). This actually is much easier to install.
[/quote]Hi - if you view the link keena included in the original post, you'll note the one keena is interested in is meant to be recessed. It still extends above the floor 0.1 inch with a bevel. There certainly are surface mounted versions of such track but the recessed -when possible- means it isn't an obstruction or tripping hazard.

[keeena]

PEI is right - most of the track sits below the floor (1/2").

I fired off an email to ATC. They use "¼ inch flat aluminum bars and weld them to the cross members". So it does appear that the lengthwise rib is removed in their install.

I had another idea but it may be sacrilegious given the LL no-wood build: I'm debating installing 1/2" ply on top of the aluminum floor and flush mounting the track into that. I have rubber coin flooring from the factory, so would just lay that on top of the wood. 1" wide 1/4" thick aluminum fits well between the OEM ribs and seems to beef up a bolted assembly (see pic). I'm thinking this might be the best option. Thoughts?



[img style="max-width:100%;" style="TRS mount" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F7zgh_8b4yY/V00a41h613I/AAAAAAAAA_M/Y5bre9DfN7AakgNUJd8ubSQSbloOJJ3KQCCo/s400/IMG_20160531_245627_782.jpg"]

[peislander]

I can imagine surface-mounting the track to the existing aluminum floor --- using the extrusion's flanges to clamp down 1/2" thick flooring laid direct to the existing floor. For 1/2" flooring I'd suggest >> [a href="http://www.greatmats.com/products/flec-tile.php"]solid rubber fleck tile or sheet like this[/a] <<. Note the flooring is available in many colours so something really custom to your colour scheme is likely possible. That flooring is like what is used in quality weight rooms so its very durable. When the non-interlocking tile is used you can effectively use more than on colour -- so for instance you could have a diagonal stripe in a contrasting colour. (The sky is the limit). I'd imagine using >> [a href="http://www.kncrowder.com/thresholds/ct804.php"]an extruded aluminum transition strip like this[/a] << at the ramp end. They are available in mill finish or anodized. 

[keeena]

Thanks for the idea. Rubber floor would be nice. It is expensive though. 15 3x3 tiles at $44/pop would mean $660. 4 sheets of ply would only put me in the hole ~$100.

[wstott]

[quote source="/post/21484/thread" timestamp="1464142195" author="@keeena"]Has anybody installed or seen an install up close of airline track (L-Track) flush mounted in the floor of a LL ToyHauler? I'm interested in how it was installed/mounted. I know ATC has it and their flooring appears the same as LL.

[img style="Aluminum floor flush L-track" style="max-width:100%;" src="http://aluminumtoyhauler.com/images/toy-hauler-options/airline-track-tie-down-ring.jpg"]

Here is a [a href="http://images.uscargocontrol.com/42496-100-airline-track-style-flanged-track-aluminum_3_640.jpg"]link[/a] to a picture of the product w/ measurements.

I'd imagine a wide aluminum backing plate to bolt up to would be needed the length of the track underneath. The recessed part of the track isn't narrow enough to fit between the flooring ribs, so a rib would be removed length-wise. This would leave the floor a bit weaker and you'd have to be real careful about how much you tighten the track down. The aluminum backing would have to be at least ~3" wide to reach a rib on each side. But I'd think that big void wouldn't be ideal?

I know the surface-mount angled L-Track is my next option, but flush would be preferred if there's a good way to install it. Thoughts?


My ATC trailer from 2015 did not have any 1/4 inch plate under the track only a thin 1/8 inch strip of aluminum which failed at the weld point in the rear. Aluminum trailer is light weight but ATC is a little too light weight. 

[/quote]

[keeena]

Thanks for the pictures! I would've said 1/8" was too thin; your pics prove that. Also looks like the flat bar isn't resting on the ribs on both sides. Surprised they just relied on tapping the 1/8" for the bolts.

On mine I decided I'll be laying down 1/2" ply and recess into that using the 1/4" backing in between the ribs (as in my earlier pic).