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Post by Teachndad on Jan 21, 2019 15:45:10 GMT -8
Hi Friends,
I have to move my Rod and Reel. I have lost my parking spot on an asphalt driveway. The trailer has been sitting at a house for nearly 2 years and that house is now going on the rental market.
The only place I have is a dirt section of the yard next door. I really don't want to put a 60 year old stick and tin trailer back over dirt.
I was thinking that I could paint 4 sheets of 3/4" plywood top and bottom with Black Beauty fence post paint. Then park the trailer on top of them as they are laying side by side.That would give me an area of 16' x 8'.
This is meant to be temporary, possibly 6 months to a year until I save up enough money to pay for a concrete pad to park the trailer on.
Thoughts, comments or ideas?
Thanks,
Rod
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Post by bigbill on Jan 21, 2019 16:37:58 GMT -8
You might consider putting a layer of poly under the plywood. Also you need enough slope on plywood so water doesn't puddle on it. Then it should be as good as pavement.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jan 21, 2019 18:17:26 GMT -8
Lowe's had $25 a pallet river stones. I spread them and I was done.
My neighbor used these. His trailerport looks great.
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Post by Teachndad on Jan 21, 2019 20:34:24 GMT -8
Hey guys,
Thanks for responding. I like both ideas.
For the sake of discussion would using weed barrier be any better or worse re than plastic under the plywood?
I had known about rubber used in horse stalls, and possibly using it as a surface below the trailer, but it's really heavy to move around. I like the rubber "tile" idea, but with summers hovering north of 100 degrees I would think the rubber tiles would smell strongly. The location for the trailer is in the sun all day. What's your experience with heat and smell with the tiles, NC?
Thanks,
Rod
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jan 22, 2019 6:13:04 GMT -8
My experience is limited with having rubber tile in the sun because my backyard is in full shade. A friend put down plastic followed by stone pavers followed by sand. I thought the stones would be shifting all over the place but they're not. I take a photo for you but I'm in Honduras for a month.
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Post by Teachndad on Jan 22, 2019 14:36:32 GMT -8
Hi Friends,
What about astro turf? Not sure if the weave would hold water and moisture, though.
Rod
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kirkadie
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Post by kirkadie on Jan 22, 2019 20:25:54 GMT -8
Big cheap harbor freight tarp covered in a layer of crushed used roadbed available at most stone and gravel yards? No worries of grass or weeds growing up under trailer if that's what you worry about.
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Post by Teachndad on Jan 22, 2019 21:14:01 GMT -8
Thanks Kirk, You made me realize I forgot the main reason I had put up this thread. I want to mitigate the moisture under the trailer and do it cheaply and also as a temporary solution. I was hoping to cover the dirt with something to reduce the collection of moisture underneath the trailer. Here is what ole Woody looked like and sat for years before I picked him up.  I didn't want to repeat that again. I hope that helps. Rod |
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Post by danrhodes on Jan 22, 2019 21:50:08 GMT -8
I'm with Kirkadie. Costco sells two 16x20 tarps for $22. I just replaced my first one on the carport after 2 years in the California sun. Just toss one down, weight the corners and you're good. If you want it to be pretty, you can add some gravel or road base. Id probably just skip it though... I'm way more concerned with water getting in from the top than the bottom.
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Post by bigbill on Jan 23, 2019 10:01:13 GMT -8
The only problem with a tarp and gravel is if you have low spot a puddle occurs under the gravel and you still get the moisture build up under the trailer. Concrete or asphalt is best if it is sloped enough to drain then anything else is better than nothing. You could also park tires on boards then fasten a tarp or plastic under bottom of trailer like a diaper. If you do that make a few small drain holes in the low spots to prevent any water from building up there.
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Ten
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Post by Ten on Jan 25, 2019 23:07:37 GMT -8
If this is only for 6 months or so, not 36 years, you may be way overthinking it. Atmospheric conditions are likely to be a way bigger worry in that time than ground moisture. Park it on planks to keep the tires from ground contact and keep the underside open for plenty of airflow, and concentrate on the TOP cover to keep water off the vital seams at the top.
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debranch
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Post by debranch on Jan 26, 2019 18:16:06 GMT -8
in the landscaping world its all about water moving off site. the same would apply for your problem. As long as you have drainage and the land under the camper is gently sloped than you wont have a problem with water standing. I would not put plastic under it, plastic will not let the rain travel into the groundwater supply, away from the camper. The same needs to be done when you poor your slab, it needs a little slope to allow water to move away from the camper.
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chriss
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Post by chriss on Jan 27, 2019 10:51:36 GMT -8
I've stored mine on well-drained bare dirt/gravel for years and never had any problems, but I live in a low humid environment.
You could use a tarp, or get a pond liner from a landscape place or nursery. I don't know what they are made of, but they don't rot in the sun.
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kudzu
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Post by kudzu on Jan 27, 2019 11:40:47 GMT -8
I have been watching this and while I am sure there is nothing wrong with a ground cover under one. But if there is air flow underneath, nothing to hinder the air, why would the air under the camper be any wetter than the air over a ground cover?
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debranch
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Post by debranch on Jan 27, 2019 13:33:29 GMT -8
I have been watching this and while I am sure there is nothing wrong with a ground cover under one. But if there is air flow underneath, nothing to hinder the air, why would the air under the camper be any wetter than the air over a ground cover? there is nothing wrong with a ground cover under one just not Plastic/something that will not allow the water to drain. when choosing a ground cover choose something that will allow water to pass through it. there are several factors with water seating on the ground (trapped from absorbing into the ground) for a prolonged amount of time in the south we have high humidity, mix that with heat, shade under the camper, wood, + time = mold. in a dry climate this may not be a big issue but water standing anywhere is never a good thing it stagnates and breeds insects in the summer, freezes in the winter, and if it does not drain away then it can be tracked in the camper when you go in. I wouldn't want that if I could prevent it by letting it drain off site. I work with drainage/storm water pipes for one of my contract jobs, and if you have ever lived on a piece of property that did not drain properly and there was water standing then you know the problems that come with standing water. |
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