We own a 2001 Cedar Creek 5th Wheel that has been generally problem-free
since bought used in 2003. The trailer has a wood-grain laminate in the
kitchen area that extends from the aft end of the kitchen to the steps to
the upper room. It looks similar to Pergo and is installed in strips with
three simulated boards in each strip
This morning I noticed a noticable, flat-topped bulge in the floor about the
size of a football. The flooring has raised about 1/16" to 1/8". It extends
across one strip and and the edge of an adjacent one. It also involves an
end joint. My first thought was water since the hot water heater is under a
cabinet about 1 foot from the buldge. However, on inspection there is no
sign of moisture under the cabinet or anywhere around the buldge. Even the
flooring seams, that are very slightly separated, show no signs of moisture,
dried sediment or staining. No ceiling leaks above. Also, the buldged area
feels pretty rigid, not spongy.
I described it to my RV dealer (an honest, straight-shooter) and he suspects
simple laminate failure and nothing more ominous. He tells me that the floor
is similar to Pergo but a different material. It is also a floating floor
and if I have installed Pergo (I have), replacement should be fairly
straight forward. Apparently the floor panels are assembled on the bench in
the factory and laid in place in one piece. He has only seen one similar
case and mine sounded like that occurance.
QUESTIONS: Has anyone experienced this with a Forrest River or any other
product? Should I be worried obout moisture, with no signs of stain,
sediment or other usual signs around the site of the bulge? Is the repair as
straight-forward as we think it is (I would probably replace the floating
floor in place, not on bench).
We are planning a trip fairly soon and the fix can certainly wait unless
there is reason to suspect a more serious problem. BTW, this trailer does
have a full under-belly cover.
Any input will be greatly appreciated.
RonB
RonB - 31 Jul 2006 20:58 GMT
Additional Info:
The bulge does not extend from the cabinet that encloses the water heater.
The edge of the bulge is about 6 to 10" from the cabinet.
> We own a 2001 Cedar Creek 5th Wheel that has been generally problem-free
> since bought used in 2003. The trailer has a wood-grain laminate in the
[quoted text clipped - 34 lines]
>
> RonB
Paul Johnson - 01 Aug 2006 00:00 GMT
> We own a 2001 Cedar Creek 5th Wheel that has been generally problem-free
> since bought used in 2003. The trailer has a wood-grain laminate in the
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
>
> Any input will be greatly appreciated.
Laminate floors absolutely have to have expansion space at the ends or they
will buckle, especially if they were installed in cooler days. For a home
floor they say to allow 1/2 inch on each facet of the floor perimeter. I
don't know where you are located, but the hot, humid weather we are having
in most of the country could surely affect it.
Paul Johnson
RonB - 01 Aug 2006 00:41 GMT
Paul:
I am in Kansas and yes we have had a week or two of 100 plus degree highs.
Heat came to mind for me too. The thing that seems a little strange is that
most of the bump is more in the flat surface of the panel but there is some
wrinkling at the affected joints. If I could describe the bulge in
geological terms I would call it a Mesa. Most of raise in elevation is
around the edges of the 6 x 12 inch area and the top is pretty flat and
rigid.
Ron
>> We own a 2001 Cedar Creek 5th Wheel that has been generally problem-free
>> since bought used in 2003. The trailer has a wood-grain laminate in the
[quoted text clipped - 39 lines]
> we are having in most of the country could surely affect it.
> Paul Johnson
Rick Onanian - 01 Aug 2006 01:37 GMT
> This morning I noticed a noticable, flat-topped bulge in the floor about the
Would you have noticed it if it wasn't "noticable"? <G>
RonB - 01 Aug 2006 01:55 GMT
Yeah, yeah, yeah. These darned posts always look like that 30 seconds after
I hit the send button. If that's all you have seen you need to read it
again. It is like one of those "what's wrong with this picture" puzzles.
RonB
>> This morning I noticed a noticable, flat-topped bulge in the floor about
>> the
>
> Would you have noticed it if it wasn't "noticable"? <G>