sunnywater
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1959 Shasta Airflyte (Connie)
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Post by sunnywater on Jul 5, 2021 5:02:10 GMT -8
We had a break on fixing our trailer due to some family health issues. So glad to be back and picking up steam.
We are doing a frame up restore of a 1959 Shasta Airflyte. The original had 4.5 in carriage bolts through the plywood and celotex. We are doing two layers of exterior grade plywood. Tightbond III on the seams. Black Beauty Fence paint underneath (road side) and Kilz on the top (interior). We will be using VCT tiles on the entire floor.
We were going to use elevator bolts for a smooth finish under the tiles but have been unable to find 4.5 in elevator bolts. There also seems to be a big difference in tensile strength between carriage bolts and elevator bolts.
Since it looks like we may have to go with carriage bolts, do people recommend countersinking or just pulling tight until the top of the bolt is flush with the plywood? What do you recommend as a filler to make the floor smooth under the VCT?
Thank you for all suggestions Gwen
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WhitneyK
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'67 Shasta Compact
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Post by WhitneyK on Jul 5, 2021 5:52:44 GMT -8
I did both, partial countersink then draw them down tight / flush. Just realized I didn't take pictures of that when I went to look for them. hmmm, slippin' I guess.
Just a thought, didn't say it was a good one...
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sunnywater
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1959 Shasta Airflyte (Connie)
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Post by sunnywater on Jul 5, 2021 6:29:49 GMT -8
Hi Whit What did you do to fill in floor around the bolt so the floor was prepped for the tiles? Gwen
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Post by vikx on Jul 5, 2021 9:43:48 GMT -8
I sometimes lightly countersink and also snug them down tight. That pulls the head out of the way. You can use floor leveler in the field to prep for flooring. Many of the bolts don't need too much, as they will be in cabinets, under the bed, etc.
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sunnywater
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1959 Shasta Airflyte (Connie)
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Post by sunnywater on Jul 5, 2021 11:30:11 GMT -8
I sometimes lightly countersink and also snug them down tight. That pulls the head out of the way. You can use floor leveler in the field to prep for flooring. Many of the bolts don't need too much, as they will be in cabinets, under the bed, etc. That sounds good. This may be an obvious question, but do you use a leveler like the Henry Pro Product below, or something else like epoxy as a leveler? Do you caulk or glue the plywood seams? Thanks again! Gwen
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Post by vikx on Jul 5, 2021 17:55:43 GMT -8
I do my floors a little differently than you have. I place 1/2 + plywood on the frame front to back and clamp it in place. Then I place 3/16" subfloor across that. Construction glue will help the two to stick and I staple the subfloor to the plywood. When all is in place, I bolt thru to the frame. I haven't had to use any caulking at the seams, as they are pretty tight.
Any floor leveler will work but try to find a smaller package. It will take very little to hide the carriage bolt heads. I'm guessing there might be 12 in all that you have to hide...
Hope this helps. The main thing is to get the floor level where it will show.
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sunnywater
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1959 Shasta Airflyte (Connie)
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Post by sunnywater on Jul 7, 2021 11:09:45 GMT -8
I do my floors a little differently than you have. I place 1/2 + plywood on the frame front to back and clamp it in place. Then I place 3/16" subfloor across that. Construction glue will help the two to stick and I staple the subfloor to the plywood. When all is in place, I bolt thru to the frame. I haven't had to use any caulking at the seams, as they are pretty tight. Any floor leveler will work but try to find a smaller package. It will take very little to hide the carriage bolt heads. I'm guessing there might be 12 in all that you have to hide... Hope this helps. The main thing is to get the floor level where it will show. Thank you! That is really helpful, excited to get the floor down. Gwen
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WhitneyK
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Post by WhitneyK on Jul 10, 2021 4:52:17 GMT -8
Hi Whit What did you do to fill in floor around the bolt so the floor was prepped for the tiles? Gwen Sad to say, haven't got there yet. More than likely will do what vikx has already described. I know campers are not built like homes, but with the floor, that is basically how we did home floor covering. Since mine is frame up and my floor ply was / is 1/2", I'll probably "cross seam" lay the tri-ply underlayment before installing floor covering. I'm having to build everything from scratch anyway... As always; just my opinion, didn't say it was a good one...
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