So far we have covered what trailer we are going to use and also that we will use a simple electrical setup for our teardrop build. Next up we have to figure out how we are going to build and attach the floor to the trailer. Let’s get started with the 3 easy steps to installing the floor on a teardrop trailer.
Installing the Floor on a Teardrop Trailer
Installing the floor is an important step in building our teardrop trailer. We have to think pretty far ahead before we build the floor since we have to layout where all the walls will be and where the electric will be run.
Are we going to insulate and how are we going to attach the floor to the frame, also what’s our undercoating going to be?
So many questions that need to be answered before we start slapping plywood down. As far as I can tell the floor is possibly close to being the most important part of building a teardrop trailer.
Step 1, Sealing the Floor on a Teardrop
I believe I am going to build the bottom layer of plywood with a frame of 1×1’s first.
I’ll rip 2×4’s in half for 1 1/2 x 1 1/4’s but around the outside walls I’ll keep it a whole 2×4 laid flat in case I need a nailer later on.
It will also give me some meat to bolt the wood down to the trailer frame. I’m going to build the floor and the floor joists off the actual metal trailer frame.
That way I can roll out rubber paint or some kind of sealant on the plywood without having to crawl underneath and do everything while its attached already to the frame. Henry’s roof tar is what some use to seal the floor but it takes forever to dry.
(Edit): After doing some research my bottom layer is going to be 1/4 inch ply not 5/8. It’s not structural and it will cut down on weight.
Step 2, Bolting the Floor to the Frame
Once the floor is sealed and it’s dry I’ll set it on the frame and bolt it down. I’ve thought about rolling out some rubber roofing or the pan for a tile shower and putting that in between the plywood and the metal. But I think I’ll just use PL Premium and glue it down.
Other than that, bolting the frame down should be pretty easy. Drill the holes and countersink the bolt heads. Easy peasy. Silicone the crap out of the bolts on the underside where the washer meets the frame.
Step 3, Electric and Insulation
The conduit is going to be in the floor for the electric for the interior of the trailer. I’m thinking I’m going to put all the electric inside the trailer as opposed to on the tongue of the trailer in a waterproof box.
Once the electric is run the insulation can be packed in and a sheet of luan will go on top and screwed down. That’s it. I think it will go on without a hitch, fingers crossed.
Waterproof the Floor of a Teardrop
This is the most important thing. If there is one little area that gets missed by the sealant there’s a huge possibility that you will eventually have water damage.
Once you have water damage the floor will be one of the toughest areas to fix and or replace. You would really have to take the whole build apart to get to the floor from the topside.
It would be near impossible to go in from the bottom and go around the metal frame and replace the rot. That is a nightmare situation.
Just make sure EVERYTHING is sealed from the beginning. Save yourself a ton of headaches in the long run.
Let me know how you installed your floor.
What would you do different?