8313 rockwood floor buckling

[davidl340]

It is 1/2 plywood with a 3" foam core, then a 1/4" piece of plywood.

The floor seems to be made of about 10 foot sections and bow up near the middle and have valleys near the ends. One section bows near the end of the kitchen counter near the middle of the camper.

The camper is very usable, except the cabinet is obviously a bit lifted and the side rubs a bit excessively on the flooring in the rear.

These floor are rock solid, no bounce or sogginess, I see no water damage signs. I believe either the floors are under unusual amounts of stress, perhaps from a frame issue, or it is simply the laminate floor has some sort of manufacturing defect in the way the foam was injected. The pictures show the floor bowing up off the cross member by 1/2", so very strange.

Regardless, I don't trust any average RV place for diagnosis, I would want some place with experience with these floor/frame systems. Has anyone ever had work done out of pocket at the manufacturer before?

[crocus]

"The floor seems to be made of about 10 foot sections and bow up near the middle and have valleys near the ends."
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That sure sounds like the thicker upper plywood is swelling.
It is pretty humid where you live, I assume?

[davidl340]

I wouldn't say it is not possible, yes it is very humid, but I am fairly confident that there is no water leaking into the floor, there is no sign of such, the bow is a large well rounded bow that is solid, and the bottom of the sandwiched floor is lifting off the crossmembers, so it appears the upper plywood, 3" of foam, and 1/4" lower ply is bowing as a unit. Like squeezing a piece of plywood from the edges causing it to bow in the middle.

[crocus]

No, I am not suggesting that the floor is actually getting "wet", but I know high humidity can work its way into the tightest of areas, and even if plywood only gets damp, it can bow with power.
The floor would rise as a unit, as all of the layers are glued together, and glued very well.
I simply cannot think of any other reason why the floor would buckle in the strange way you describe. But I am just guessing too!

[campallthetime]

We have had troubles with the floor in our wildwood, but our dealer was able to fix them. We had more luck going to the plant that the wildwood was manufactured rather than wildwood corporate. I would try to get a new brochure for wild wood and see where the plant is that makes them, then call and ask if you can speak to someone there.

It probably is due to high humidity, but they may have some suggestions as to how to fix it, and who would know better about them than the manufacture. Since it is out of warrenty make it clear that you are not wanting them to take care of it only suggestions as to what to do. Hope that helps.

[cheese53073]

One problem with wood is that it moves and moves alot at times. the upper plies of the top layer of plywood are swelling from excess moisture. just the humidityin the air can be enough to move these plies as much as 1/2" in width.
The foam sandwich prevents the moisture from getting into the bottom plies of the top layer of plywood thus causing the panel uplift you are experiencing.
Now we understand how the floor buckled. Unfortunately my experience is in woodworking and home remodeling not in TT repair. With my experiences replacement is the only sure fire resolution.

[davidl340]

Guys, thanks for the responses! Those ideas make the most sense I've heard so far. I'll see if I can find out where these things are made (looks just like a couple other manufacturers) and see if I can beg to speak to someone who can tell me anything other than "bring it to your dealer" (and pay an arm and a leg for a guess).

I still sometimes wonder if it is some bizarre frame issue. I purchased it used, sort of didn't know any better, no telling what the previous owner did.