Flooring -- can't decide

[jeeps]

Vinyl VS interlocking mats?

If we go with the vinyl, we'd do it like a room in our house, with a seamless single sheet (like what comes in the 2015 models) using the type that has a thin layer of cushioning -- Armstrong makes it.  Then put rugs on top.  Also possibly install carpet on the narrow sections of floor along the sides of the bed.  (We bought our trailer used.  The factory mats were gone.)

Or use the interlocking 2x2 ft. cushiony mats like some of you have done.  Much cheaper, easier installation, and no additional rugs needed.

I have a feeling we'd be happier long term going with the vinyl, but the interlocking mats have their advantages.  Plus they would insulate better.  However, we camped in some cold temps in our Camplite with just some rugs on the bare aluminum floor and were fine, so I'm not sure the added insulation is that important.  Plus, we have a small dog who might think the mats are there for his chewing pleasure.

My priorities are comfort, maintenance (easier to keep clean), and appearance.

Those of you who have the interlocking mats -- how are they holding up after several months/years of use?  

Your input is SO helpful and appreciated!
 
Thanks!

[leslie]

Brenda, I have the vinyl wood plank flooring that the factory installed. I really would have been happy with the aluminum floor. I have not yet towed in the rain, but those who have, talk about water splashing up between the aluminum planks. Also, just with normal use, the vinyl will wear out and have to be replaced. If it gets wet from below, replacement will come sooner. I don't know what sort of adhesive was used.

My choice would be the foam tiles. They make the floor warmer. They are easily cleaned. If water splashes up from below, you just have to pull up the wet ones, wash them off, let dry and you are good to go.

Just my 2 cents. BTW, people who have taken the tour inside my trailer like the vinyl.

[spot1]

Brenda,

We installed vinyl interlocking tiles & like it. It's the same tile used on garage floors.  Have been
in newer CampLites with factory installed vinyl & like that too.

Towed in heavy rain with and without vinyl installed. Water would occasionally seep between the planks
when towing in heavy rain before installing vinyl tiles. Have not noticed signs of moisture where the
tile interlocks, but plan to clean between the tile & aluminum plank floor next year to see if any signs of
water seepage while towing in heavy rain. Have towed over 5000 miles since August with the vinyl tile
installed and did not see any moisture in the interlocking tile joints. Did not use adhesive between the vinyl
and aluminum planks.


We use rubber backed carpet rugs over the vinyl. The vinyl tiles & rugs take the cool edge off of the bare
aluminum floor when walking barefoot with temps in the 20s.

[a href="http://s657.photobucket.com/user/vstromklr/media/2013/2014/IMG_3804_zps24e30a69.jpg.html"]
[img style="max-width:100%;" src="http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu299/vstromklr/2013/2014/IMG_3804_zps24e30a69.jpg"][/a]

[a href="http://s657.photobucket.com/user/vstromklr/media/2013/2014/IMG_3819_zps3b74fcb7.jpg.html"]
[img style="max-width:100%;" src="http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu299/vstromklr/2013/2014/IMG_3819_zps3b74fcb7.jpg"][/a]

[a href="http://s657.photobucket.com/user/vstromklr/media/2013/2014/IMG_3998_zpsad649a86.jpg.html"]

[charliem]

[font size="3"]Brenda,

My preference is definitely the interlocking rubber flooring. I did the entire floor in our 21RBS with 7/8 inch Tatami tiles. Each one is 2x2 feet. The entire floor is covered including the cabinet floors and the wheel well exposure under the dinette. The CL needs all the insulation you can give it. The tiles are "fairly" easy to install, easy to clean, and very comfy on bare feet. If a tile gets damaged you just replace it. So far no problems with water underneath. I think some does splash up from below and occasionally you get some from the shower or condensation, but I've pulled a few tiles up and seen no mold issues. We don't use any additional rugs although we do have a small bamboo mat in front of the shower.

As for durability we are working on our 84th night in the CL with no wear visible and replacing tiles will be easy. May not be as attractive as vinyl tile, but it's warm and feels good underfoot. We have no dogs. Just us chickens!
[/font]

[jeeps]

Thank you!  This really helps!   We will probably go with the interlocking mats.

[drdave]

Brenda,   I went the interlocking floor tiles, but managed to find some with a wood grain pattern on top.   They were very easy to work with.  Just a tape measure,straight edge, and a sharp uitility knife for installation tools.  So far I am happy, no moisture issues.   I do agree that likely there is little if any insulation effect, but they are nicer to walk on bare footed than the bare aluminum when it's chilly out.   If I ever decide to go with a singe sheet of flooring I will remove the tiles and reassemble them for a template to cut out the floor shape.

Here's the link to what I used:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003R2CKHO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Pictures here:

http://livinlite.proboards.com/thread/418/flooring-pictures

[charliem]

[font size="3"]Brenda,

I agree with [font color="e63219"]tlbones[/font] that the installation of any of the 2x2 foam rubber mats is easy. Just like doing a jig saw puzzle on you knees. However, they do add needed insulation. Best I can find the rubber foams are R4 per inch which is about what Styrofoam is. That's what's in the walls of the CL. The R-factor is directly proportional to thickness so 3/8" thickness would have about R1.5 and 3/4" thick would be about R3. I used 7/8" thick tiles to get almost R4, but that required removing two trim pieces on the corners of the slide. No big deal. The biggest advantages to any foam covering is breaking the conduction path (cold on bare feet), stopping any splashing from the road, and stopping air infiltration through the floor joints. Another benefit is reducing or eliminating condensation on the floor. Before I put the foam in we actually had ice form on the floor in the morning when the temp dropped to the 20s. That can be very slippery and dangerous.
[/font]

[pinstriper]

I do agree that likely there is little if any insulation effect, but they are nicer to walk on bare footed than the bare aluminum when it's chilly out.

[p]That's pretty much the definition of "insulation", right there.[/p][p]
[/p]

[drdave]

I do agree that likely there is little if any insulation effect, but they are nicer to walk on bare footed than the bare aluminum when it's chilly out.

[p]That's pretty much the definition of "insulation", right there.[/p][p]
[/p]

 true enough...but by that definition the crappy camplite rugs are insulation?

[pinstriper]

Rugs. Yep, and they do also serve to keep toes freezing to the floor. The foam does more, and we put the factory rug/mats on top to protect the foam from dog paws. Barefoot on the rugs you can feel the cold floor. That doesn't happen with the foam.

[hdrehder]

Once again, thanks to the good folks on this forum... I can claim a wonderful new Tatami tile floor.  We too keep a rug on top because it seems pretty apt to puncture from our dogs' toe nails.  Agree with Charliem that install is "fairly" easy.  I'm a methodical perfectionist and have to admit that the whole job was probably 7 hours for me start to finish.  Measured some, eyeballed some and even made a template for the bathroom to make sure I got it right.  All in good fun...

[attachment id="522" thumbnail="1"]

[pinstriper]

Man, I'm definitely not showing pics of mine. You spent 7 hours and it looks professional. I spent 25 minutes on mine and it looks like a 6 year old did it. With his eyes closed.

But I left lots of room for expansion, and...uh...then I went and played golf and drank beer with some buddies. So...I win, right ?

[charliem]

[quote timestamp="1418261756" source="/post/5497/thread" author="@spunk4"]
Once again, thanks to the good folks on this forum... I can claim a wonderful new Tatami tile floor.  We too keep a rug on top because it seems pretty apt to puncture from our dogs' toe nails.  Agree with Charliem that install is "fairly" easy.  I'm a methodical perfectionist and have to admit that the whole job was probably 7 hours for me start to finish.  Measured some, eyeballed some and even made a template for the bathroom to make sure I got it right.  All in good fun...


[/quote][font size="3"]You went (and did) first class even if I do say so myself   Enjoy warm toes. Good job, CMac.
[/font]

[jeeps]

The floor is done!  We went with the interlocking mats, wood grain.  Big improvement!  Fitting it around the toilet was a challenge.  Now we're ready to hit the road!

[farmboy]

Living in Minnesota, we can have cold springs and colder falls.  ( I won't even mention yesterday's ten below)   The suggestions to use rubber or vinyl squares  to make the floors less cold sound  promising.  Any thoughts of using an underlayment under the squares?  I saw this at Home Depot the other day.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Roberts-AirGuard-100-sq-ft-40-in-x-30-ft-x-1-8-in-Premium-3-in-1-Underlayment-with-Microban-70-105/202299502?MERCH=REC-_-PIPHorizontal1_rr-_-100541278-_-202299502-_-N

We will be making some type of RV decision this spring.   The posts on this site have been very  informative and helpful, both about Camplites and RV's in general.