Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire RV flooring

What's a good flooring to use in a cold country camp trailer that sits outside all winter? The stuff in there now contracted in the cold and pulled the joints apart. When it warmed up, they buckled.
All the stuff I've looked at all say to not use in the cold. There must be something that will work.

Interested to hear what the replies are on this.

I've put the snap in vinyl in homes that I have just restored and shut down for a few years at a time without any climate control of any sorts and the vinyl does not respond well, more expansion and contraction that anyone would want to believe.

The snap in wood is better in the aspect that it has less expansion but it would be a poor choice for an RV that's actually used as an RV.

I'd have to say the best would be what some RV manufactures have done for years and put a high quality linoleum floor in that bad boy..

Was thinking the same about vinyl.
Easy and cheap to replace.

See what Montana campers use.

linoleum, or linoleum and carpet.

I have a combo of the two in my 31 footer and it's never been a problem (cold nights hunting elk in Colorado in Dec and Jan...)

About the only thing to use is what duck911 suggested. My father owned a flooring company for 40 years. Personally I dislike carpet in a camper too much dirt to try and keep clean. I put linoleum in every one I own then put area rugs where I want warm bare feet. Just take them outside and shake out. If you are like me hunting involves mud and snow carpet never gets dried out. Linoleum you can run a mop over.

Any of the non felt backed sheet vinyl will do what you need. No need to glue it so it won't telegraph the seams in the floor. I put a couple staples on the edge where the slide out is just to keep it from moving when you close it

Any of the non felt backed sheet vinyl will do what you need. No need to glue it so it won't telegraph the seams in the floor. I put a couple staples on the edge where the slide out is just to keep it from moving when you close it

A very good grade of sheet vinyl, the sub flooring on a camper/RV is not what your house has. Carpets for warmth. Jayco has sheet vinyl and so far lasted quite well it's a 2011.

The basis for a wood ruler or level is that they are thermo-dimensionally stable .

It's the humidity that screwed everything up...

From what I've read, real linoleum won't expand and contract nearly as much as the common vinyl most stores carry.

Linoleum is made from wood fiber, resins, linseed oil, and other natural products. Vinyl is, of course made from petroleum.

You read correctly. Try to do it in one piece no seams the waste you are paying for will be greatly out weighed bu no curl back at seams. With good linoleum you need a different paste at seams and a seam sealer kit. Make your cuts at the slideouts an use a reducer contact cemented to wood an nail it ( the reducer) too.

The newer sheet vinyl is a different animal. Look at the cushion back style, they are extremely stable. Made with fiberglass and or PVC in most cases. Yes linoleum or marmoleum will work but will require a professional installation. In an rv that can get pricey fast. Anyone with a utility knife can cut in fiber floor or any of the other brands and again no need to underlay the floor just sand the seams and go. Quarter round the walls and its done.

The newer sheet vinyl is a different animal. Look at the cushion back style, they are extremely stable. Made with fiberglass and or PVC in most cases. Yes linoleum or marmoleum will work but will require a professional installation. In an rv that can get pricey fast. Anyone with a utility knife can cut in fiber floor or any of the other brands and again no need to underlay the floor just sand the seams and go. Quarter round the walls and its done.

The newer sheet vinyl is a different animal. Look at the cushion back style, they are extremely stable. Made with fiberglass and or PVC in most cases. Yes linoleum or marmoleum will work but will require a professional installation. In an rv that can get pricey fast. Anyone with a utility knife can cut in fiber floor or any of the other brands and again no need to underlay the floor just sand the seams and go. Quarter round the walls and its done.

carpet or sheet vinyl

I had to go to town this morning so I stopped at a flooring specialist to see what they had to say. The guy didn't really know so he called their headquarters and talked to their expert. He said that to start with, don't use a floating laminate. The flooring's good but the movement will break all the locking edges off after a while. He said it needs some adhesive, but not nearly as much as a glued down floor. Spread it and let it dry to where your hand doesn't stick. It will stick to the back of the floor panels and hold them in place. Also, they had a laminate made of different stuff that was very resistant to cold shrinkage. The problem was the price. I only need 120 sq ft and the materials cost with the adhesive was nearly $900. I can look at my wrinkled floor for a long time for that money.

Unfortunately good and inexpensive rarely go together in the same sentence.

Look at industrial carpet.

The pile is short and easy to clean.
And stickers ans such don't stick that well.