Repair Plastic Sheet Under Trailer Floor

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Jim Hill - 28 Dec 2006 16:43 GMT

The underside of my '91 Terry Resort travel trailer is covered by a
black plastic sheet. I would like to make a small hole in the sheet so
I can replace the lag screw securing the gaucho to the floor with a
bolt.

Any suggestions regarding how to close the hole when I'm finished? I
thought of duct tape, but could not press the tape on with much
pressure as there is insulating material between the tape and floor.

Thanks, Jim

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Frank Tabor - 28 Dec 2006 16:49 GMT

> The underside of my '91 Terry Resort travel trailer is covered by a
> black plastic sheet. I would like to make a small hole in the sheet so
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Thanks, Jim

Duct tape will deteriorate over time. Check with your local hardware
store and see if they have a polyethylene based tape.

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Frank Tabor

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Tom J - 28 Dec 2006 16:56 GMT

> The underside of my '91 Terry Resort travel trailer is covered by a
> black plastic sheet. I would like to make a small hole in the sheet
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Thanks, Jim

Get a "hoop" needle and nylon thread and sew away when it's time to
close the slit!!

Tom J

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JerryD(upstateNY) - 28 Dec 2006 23:12 GMT

>> Any suggestions regarding how to close the hole when I'm finished?<<<

When you cut the hole, cut it "U" shaped and leave it attached at the top of
the "U".
Just fold it down and when you are done, fold it back up.
That way whatever you use to close it up won't have to support the whole
patch.

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JerryD(upstateNY)

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James - 28 Dec 2006 17:28 GMT

Jim Hill;

> Any suggestions regarding how to close the hole when I'm finished? I
> thought of duct tape, but could not press the tape on with much
> pressure as there is insulating material between the tape and floor.

Eternabond patch kit.
http://www.rvtoyoutlet.com/p-RV0064.html

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Tom J - 28 Dec 2006 22:53 GMT

> Jim Hill;
>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Eternabond patch kit.
> http://www.rvtoyoutlet.com/p-RV0064.html

I believe what he wants to put back together is the open mesh fabric
cover on the belly of many rigs, so Eternabond would no doubt stick to
it, but would be expensive overkill IMHO.

Tom J

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Frank Tabor - 28 Dec 2006 23:04 GMT

>> Jim Hill;
>>
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Tom J

You snipped too much out. From the original post:

>The underside of my '91 Terry Resort travel trailer is covered by a
>black plastic sheet.

How you got to open mesh fabric is beyond me.

Signature

Frank Tabor
Do unto others before they undo you.

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Tom J - 28 Dec 2006 23:41 GMT

>> I believe what he wants to put back together is the open mesh
>> fabric
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>> The underside of my '91 Terry Resort travel trailer is covered by a
>> black plastic sheet.

I've seen the under side of a lot of RVs and all I've seen with
"black" covering have been mesh. Do you suppose that may be where I
came up with that? The original poster has not been back to clarify
after I made the 1st reply suggesting needle & nylon thread, so maybe
I gave him the correct answer. ;-)

Tom J

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RAM³ - 29 Dec 2006 17:33 GMT

"Tom J" <tomnews@earthlink.net> wrote in news:xCYkh.4694$yx6.4504
@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net:

>>> I believe what he wants to put back together is the open mesh
>>> fabric
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> Tom J

The underbelly covering of my Montana is a solid sheet of black plastic
that's ~.05" thick and is attached to the frame with self-threading hex-
headed sheet-metal screws.

To get through it will require either drilling, sawing, or cutting with a
"hot knife" [aka a knife blade on a soldering iron] due to the durability
of the plastic.

A needle wouldn't be much help.

For this type of covering, a better choice would be to drop the whole
"pan", do the work required (including newly-discovered needs), add
insulation as desired, and then reattach.

The alternative would be to epoxy a patch over the created hole(s).

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Max - 11 Jan 2007 01:14 GMT

> The underside of my '91 Terry Resort travel trailer is covered by a
> black plastic sheet. I would like to make a small hole in the sheet so
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Thanks, Jim

Gorilla tape works well for me.
http://amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/104-5804696-6331139?url=search-alias%3Daps&fiel
d-keywords=Gorilla+tape
Lowes and Home Depot usually carry it.
I have also used construction adhesive (Liquid Nails) to hold patches in
place. If you cut a piece out and want to patch it with an overlapping
patch, plastic dealers and sign makers have a black plastic similar to what
the trailer manufacturers use.

Max

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