Hello! Searching for an answer.

[rvancour]

First time user!! My hopes are high that I can find an answer to a question that I have spent hours searching for, only to come to a dead end.
Long story short...I own a 2008 Jayco 32BHDX. It's been great. No issues. A dream! Recently, had water damage under the closet that holds the hot water heater and more damage down the middle of the camper. So, I contacted the insurance agency...declined. Contacted a repair man who said he could fix the camper for $3,800.00. Ok. That's a lot of money. I'm a teacher and very handy. Not scared by big projects by any means. I have a history of fixing things. Anyway, even called the RV dealer where I bought the camper from. They said that price sounded reasonable. Ok. The repair man never got back with me.
My question that I cannot find an answer to is, "Can the floor be fixed and the slide outs become a permanent fixture?" I never intend to move the camper. It is on my private lot. Here's my logic. Put the floor aside. Reinforce the existing slide outs with permanent steel beams and somehow forever seal off the slide outs so they will not leak. I don't ever need them to slide back in, so paying a bunch of money so that someone can pull the slid outs all the way to fix it seems questionable. I just cannot find anyone or any information about permanently making a slide out part of the fixture of the housing. Anyone have any knowledge on this?

[SlowrideHD]

I have seen people on seasonal sites just put posts under the corners of their slides for support. Pressure treated 4x4's seem to be the thing.

[CurtPutnam]

Run the slide out and then repair/replace the flooring to your heart's content. Or did I not understand the question?

[bikendan]

Since your Jayco is not a Forest River product, not sure if anyone would know how your particular trailer is constructed. Unless they have previously owned one.

[aceinspp]

Before installing any time post to support slides I would remove the tires and block axles up. If you don;t do this eventually your tires will go flat resulting in heavy damage to slide outs. Later RJD

[moose074]

Originally Posted by aceinspp

Before installing any time post to support slides I would remove the tires and block axles up. If you don;t do this eventually your tires will go flat resulting in heavy damage to slide outs. Later RJD

X2 set your “foundation” first, then look at your long term goal. If you are never going to move it. Will it get covered eventually, in which case you can get away with the original seal most likely. If you not going to cover the trailer. I would suggest drive through some rv parks in your area that has full timers do it for ideals.

Since you aren’t planning on moving you can use more of residential material since you don’t need to worry about weight. Just be aware have a set plan because those small to medium size jobs can become big quickly. Good luck

[Semperfi24]

For sealing the slide, I would consider something like Eternabond. Use the 6" wide roll. Might want to put a few layers, overlapping, to make a 10" wide strip when you are finished. It isnt going to leak, should stop drafts from coming in, etc. That stuff is awesome.

[CedarCreekWoody]

Don't use particle board for anything!

[awellis3]

Originally Posted by CurtPutnam

Or did I not understand the question?

I think he wants to install the floor as one piece running into the slides as well, making a one-piece floor covering all the floor area.

[2corvette]

Originally Posted by rvancour

First time user!! My hopes are high that I can find an answer to a question that I have spent hours searching for, only to come to a dead end.
Long story short...I own a 2008 Jayco 32BHDX. It's been great. No issues. A dream! Recently, had water damage under the closet that holds the hot water heater and more damage down the middle of the camper. So, I contacted the insurance agency...declined. Contacted a repair man who said he could fix the camper for $3,800.00. Ok. That's a lot of money. I'm a teacher and very handy. Not scared by big projects by any means. I have a history of fixing things. Anyway, even called the RV dealer where I bought the camper from. They said that price sounded reasonable. Ok. The repair man never got back with me.
My question that I cannot find an answer to is, "Can the floor be fixed and the slide outs become a permanent fixture?" I never intend to move the camper. It is on my private lot. Here's my logic. Put the floor aside. Reinforce the existing slide outs with permanent steel beams and somehow forever seal off the slide outs so they will not leak. I don't ever need them to slide back in, so paying a bunch of money so that someone can pull the slid outs all the way to fix it seems questionable. I just cannot find anyone or any information about permanently making a slide out part of the fixture of the housing. Anyone have any knowledge on this?

First off, the price you have does seem out of line to me. I'm a retired general contractor, State Lic. in Florida).
Secondly, can you post pictures?? It would be much easier to advise you.
Thirdly, where are you located? If you are near the central east coast of Florida, I may be able to help you facilitate the repair. Post pics if possible first. Thanks.

[5picker]

You absolutely can make the floor whatever you want and extend it into the slides too... but... as mentioned... you MUST support the R/V on something other then the wheels and tires BEFORE supporting the slides.

If you support the slides and then a tire goes flat, the R/V will settle and bend/break the supported slide. Put the R/V on piers or pilings of cement blocks on the frame area and use whatever you deem necessary to support the slides.

As mentioned, I've seen everything from pressure treated 4x4's, cement blocks, jack stands to steel pipe used for slide supports. It really doesn't take much.

I'll second the motion to use WIDE Eternabond for permanently sealing the slides if you believe you will have leak issues. Start at the lowest point and overlap from above to keep runoff from trying to enter the overlap seam.

[rvancour]

Yes, that is exactly what I am wanting to do!