|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: Cockpit floor - anything besides carpet? [message #277704 is a reply to message #277668] |
Mon, 11 May 2015 22:16   |
Steve
Messages: 506
Registered: September 2013
Location: East Greenville, Pa
Karma: 1
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Good question. Opinions will vary. I am trying to remove as much carpet as possible. I did vinyl tiles with overlapping joints in my rear bath and they worked really well. The brand is Allure and is available at Home Depot. I have used the allure in apartment kitchens and bath and the overlapping joints create a nice water tight joint.
After the rally this weekend the carpet is coming out of the main living area. The plan is to paint the plywood and use a carpet runner or throw rugs. My wife and I have done painted plywood and throw rugs in bedrooms and it has worked out well. She has even changed the color to match a change in decor, and done stencil patterns around the edges. Anything to get rid of carpet. If we don't like it I will only be out a gallon of paint. Save on weight too.
I think I will cover the step with a hardwood stair tred and riser. For the cockpit I think it will be sound and heat shield on the engine side and painted plywood on the interior side. Just add a couple of floor mats and a throw rug over the engine hatch.
1978 GMC Royal
Eastern Pennslyvania
1968 Chevrolet C20 396 Camper Special
1969 Chevrolet C20 Camper Special
1985 Buick Electra Park Avenue
1992 Camaro 25th Anniversary Heretage Edition Black
|
|
|
|
| Re: Cockpit floor - anything besides carpet? [message #277717 is a reply to message #277704] |
Tue, 12 May 2015 06:03 |
Joe Weir
Messages: 769
Registered: February 2013
Location: Columbia, SC
Karma: 7
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Have you seen that new rigid vinyl laminate plank out called Smartcore that is a floating floor, like Pergo, but waterproof?
http://www.smartcorefloors.com/construction-specs
Just the thing for that inevitable cockpit leak...
76 Birchaven - "Wicked Mistress" - New engine, trans, alum radiator, brakes, Sully airbags, fuel lines, seats, adult beverage center... those Coachmen guys were really thinking about us second hand owners by including that beverage center...
Columbia, SC.
|
|
|
|
| Re: Cockpit floor - anything besides carpet? [message #277718 is a reply to message #277668] |
Tue, 12 May 2015 06:31 |
Gatsbys' Cruiser
Messages: 91
Registered: August 2014
Location: Illinois
Karma: 0
|
Member |
|
|
When I brought my GMC home, the PO had just replaced the carpeting with a new, heavy loop type carpet. It really looked nice, as they do new, but using the camper for camping, the carpet soon became a mess and did not stand up to constant cleaning. It was a huge problem when being worked on at the mechanics as well. No amount of covering the carpet helped.
A couple years ago I ripped out the main carpet, entrance, hallway and in front of the couch and put in vinyl tile squares, the self stick kind. My thinking was if they didn't work out, they can easily be removed. They are fabulous, easy to clean, light weight, attractive. If you have pets that need a carpet for traction when walking around, there are some good rubber backed throw rugs available. Very nice on their feet, some insulation value and can be taken outside for cleaning. Best of those worlds.
The step and drivers area is a different matter. I want to tile that area as well but the po raised the floor, adding some sort of insulation to reflect heat back to the engine compartment. It lacks the support to put tile on or even carpet tiles.
I have considered putting a reflective, fireproof type insulation or sheet, on the engine side and remove the PO added insulation then add a surface tile.
Because the hatch is so large and obvious, I sometimes think it would be easier to hide with carpet tiles but I don't think I would ever install a one piece carpet ever again because of cleaning and replacement issues.
If you have the original floor in your captains position, you could easily go either way, just a matter of choice. That area does not seem to see a lot of dirt, other than when a mechanic is working on the engine, then, if you use tile it is a simple wipe up, if you use carpet tiles and you can't clean it, the tiles replace easily.
I have been getting away from carpet in the GMC motorhome for some time and it looks much better for it.
I think when you are considering floor coverings, you really need to be concerned about ease to clean or maintain rather than fashion statements. GM original thoughts on the GMC Motorhome, as I think I read about it, was for short term get-aways thus, they used carpeting. For long term use, I think there are better coverings.
Just my thoughts
|
|
|
|
| Re: Cockpit floor - anything besides carpet? [message #277724 is a reply to message #277668] |
Tue, 12 May 2015 09:58 |
77Royale
Messages: 461
Registered: June 2014
Location: Mid Michigan
Karma: 6
|
Senior Member |
|
|
For what its worth this winter I did a hardwood laminate for most of the coach and the step going up to the cockpit. Then thick carpet pad and some scrap Berber we had in the garage attic for 10 years. The carpet and pad were free so that's what I used. It was not a hard job and its a small area if it needs to be replaced its not a big deal. Its obviously softer on the feet. The dog seems to like it up there, and if needed its soft enough that someone could sleep there on a sleeping bag pad. The carpet and pad also provided some sound proofing. How much, who knows.
As for eventual tear out. May be a 10 minute job when the seats and bases are removed. A few staples holding the carpet pad and thats it. I dont know that I would want to glue anything down to the plywood.
77 Royale, Rear Dry Bath. 403, 3.55 Final Drive, Lenzi goodies, Patterson carb and dizzy.
Mid Michigan
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: Cockpit floor - anything besides carpet? [message #277732 is a reply to message #277668] |
Tue, 12 May 2015 15:25 |
armandminnie
Messages: 864
Registered: May 2009
Location: Marana, AZ
Karma: 2
|
Senior Member |
|
|
I turns out that the Pergo I wanted to match (a tile pattern) is discontinued so that is out. If I had a lot of time I might think about doing real wood but not the case. Instead, I plan to use carpet tiles and carpet tape to hold them together at the seams. There will be enough squares left over to replace dirty ones for a while so it should last a few years.
Armand Minnie
Marana, AZ
'76 Eleganza II TZE166V103202
visit my gmc blog
click here to visit gmcws.org
|
|
|
|
GMCforum
Search
Help
Register
Login
Home
