Your thoughts please

[Russellvh]

I have a three year old 5th wheel. A soft spot (about 1 1/2 foot by 2 foot) has developed in the kitchen floor. The Dealer Service advisor said they will know more after inspection but in his experience this could cost around $12,000.00.

Best case if I get that fixed is it likely to show up again someplace else? I know the basic answer may by dependent on how well the Service locates the source and fixes it right.

I’m considering just getting what I can from the dealer and buy another unit. I do have a loan so that means out of pocket for difference in payoff.

Also, I am NOT handy at all for serious repairs like this. I do have full coverage insurance and have filed a claim but same question.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Rent a moisture meter and see how it measures up to other parts of the floor.

My question always is what defines a soft spot? That goes from minor, that's not something I noticed in my B&S to that is getting bad enough that I lost my balance the other day. Only you can determine that!

My thought is, if you trade in, the salesman will sell it without fixing it, claiming they all flex that way.

 

[Russellvh]

Rent a moisture meter and see how it measures up to other parts of the floor.

My question always is what defines a soft spot? That goes from minor, that's not something I noticed in my B&S to that is getting bad enough that I lost my balance the other day. Only you can determine that!

My thought is, if you trade in, the salesman will sell it without fixing it, claiming they all flex that way.

Thanks Kevin, I am pretty sure this is water damage. Not wet to the touch but slowly getting softer and growing. The location is between or kitchen island and the pantry. Don’t know, yet, where the water is coming from and no notice of leaking on ground underneath.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Oh and this is how I dealt with floor flexure.

I added 3/16 plywood glued to the 1/2 plywood already there disguised as floor covering. Slats were pin nailed in place, and there is no flexing even at the seems in original plywood.

Basically I made 3/4 single sheet of plywood for the floor. Can you do it? I don't know, but a fair handyman could.

If the idea of wood floor repells you you can have your favorite flooring installed at the same time rather than seal and varnish the way I did 4 years ago when I did the job.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Thanks Kevin, I am pretty sure this is water damage. Not wet to the touch but slowly getting softer and growing. The location is between or kitchen island and the pantry. Don’t know, yet, where the water is coming from and no notice of leaking on ground underneath.

Do you have a slide at that location?

 

[Russellvh]

Do you have a slide at that location?

Yes. The spot is between the island and pantry. The pantry is on the slide.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Yes. The spot is between the island and pantry. The pantry is on the slide.

That sounds like a good place to start!

 

[Jim]

I have a three year old 5th wheel. A soft spot (about 1 1/2 foot by 2 foot) has developed in the kitchen floor. The Dealer Service advisor said they will know more after inspection but in his experience this could cost around $12,000.00.

Before you throw in the towel, let's wait and see what's causing the problem. It takes time for water to destroy a floor, and I'm wondering where that intrusion is coming from and of equal importance, how long has the source been leaking. If it's been in a state of deterioration since you bought it, then maybe the company will stand behind the repairs?

 

[BGMAC]

I would try a third party Rv repair shop. Dealers are pretty high. My brother went through the same deal plus replacing the floor on the slide out. I believe it cost about $5k. They did a great job.
The estimate on mine was $4k. The pics below are mine.

 

[Chargerman]

I would first focus on the island if there’s a sink there. Have you spoken to your insurance company about the issue? If they’ll cover it then why not have it repaired?