Floor Covering Question

[justin25taylor]

The carpet in my Eagle is showing it's age. It is old, dirty, and worn.

I would like to do at least the front half of the bus in something other than carpet for ease of maintenance. I sure would like something like Pergo or other easy to work with material. I really hate to use a linoleum type product.
I have also seen a cultured marble looking product as well as ceramic tile in the new Prevo's. Chances are I won't be able to swing the cost of that unless you guys have an inexpensive idea.

Here is where I need your help:
The conversion company made the floor in sections that could be pulled up to access the factory floor panels that you sometimes need to get to. The sections of floor are made of wood, covered by padding and carpet. The "sections" are held down by Velcro.
Although I have only had to use this feature once, I hate to loose it.

Do I remove the carpet and put my floor covering on the existing boards?
I am no carpenter by any means. I'm afraid I may need outside help installing whatever I end up using.

I would appreciate input on both the kind of floor covering to use and how to keep the floor "removable" if possible and necessary.

As always, thank you all.

Best,
Justin

[DMoedave]

take a look at how they make some boat floorboards. If you make some templates you could make the hatches removable for access.

[papatony]

 What ever you put down use a quality product. I used a cheaper Armstrong bad choice:  It lasted a couple of years needs replacing now. Check on craigslist can find great deals.

[wal1809]

What are the removable panels allowing ou access to?  Mine is covered with a hardwood flooring and there is no access to get under it.  I don't know what is under there that I can't access from the bays.

[robertglines1]

Don't know Eagles at all! What is accessable that you can't get thru from bottom except maybe a rear engine/trans access hatch in most bedrooms?

[justin25taylor]

I'm sure others know better than me, but you can get to the top of the engine in the rear.
You can get to fuel tank sender.
you can access the "tunnel" going down the middle.

I hate to loose the ability to get under there if I need it. If I dont, then I can do something more traditional.
Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Justin

[happycamperbrat]

Our buses are designed different, but I want the ability to open up the floor from inside the bus as well. I like the idea of a false bottom with lift type hatches.

[justin25taylor]

Good Idea.
I am pretty sure I could get to what I needed to in the tunnel from the top of the bays. I just like having the option available. I have replaced my fuel gauge sender and air governor from the to in the past and it was sure nice.

A local busnut took me to Lowes and showed me this new stuff called Reflex. It is a rubber interlocking material. Before you think "garage floor" it comes in nice colors. I have been looking for something:
1. durable
2. Easy to clean.
3. Not too expensive,
4. Long wearing
5. Unique
6. Easy to remove and install. I could even change one "piece" if I ever needed to.

This stuff looks to fit the bill. I am thinking of using it in the front of the bus and maybe down the bunk area hall. I will use carpet in the bedroom. If I use it in the bunk area I could use a carpet runner to keep feet warm for middle of the night bathroom trips.

Here is a link:  http://www.reflexmouldingsusa.com

Any thoughts?

Thank You All!

Justin
Thanks for the help so far

[Lin]

Looks like it must be durable and a relatively easy install.  If you decide that you want something different, you could just remove it and use it somewhere else.  I don't like the visible tabs, so I might think in terms of single color though.  What does it cost per square foot?

[justin25taylor]

Yes,
I am all about single color. There are to colors I am thinking about. One is kind of light grey, the other is light brown.
I think the price is about $4.00 a Sq Ft. Kind of pricey but a bus is such a small area.
One of the major reason to use this is it comes up if you need to get under it. The "jigsaw puzzle" lines do not show if you use a solid color.

Justin

[garrick]

You can get a ceramic type tile at the box stores (Lowe's) that inter locks, But the inter locks are invisible, Then they tell you to just grout and done. Just lays on the floor. To make it removeable we caulk it with colored silicone caulk. If you need access just cut silicon pry up tile do your work put back tile.

[justin25taylor]

Have not seen that. I will look at it before I make a choice.
Thank you.

Justin

[Singing Land Cruiser]

Hello Justin, we used ceramic tile and grout in Mrs. Jones and it will be the 1st thing we out. The grout cracked and chipped then dropped a pot on the floor and broke a tile in the middle of the kitchen floor. We will prob go with a good hard wood flooring.
Here is a link to our blog; http://singinglandcruiser.blogspot.com/2009/03/tile-floor-michael.html
All the Best, M&C

[justin25taylor]

Thanks for the advice. I like the look of tile but I really am leaning toward the more durable Reflex product.
I know it looks cheesy on the website but in person it looked fine.
I am all about low maintenance. As you know there is always something to do with the bus.

Thanks for the blog bookmark. I lost it somehow. I will save it again.

[DMoedave]

Hey Justin, i just installed some of that on the steps to the entrance. Time will tell and i dont have pics yet on the pc. the main run in the aisle is wood flooring, no access hatches needed. Its been in for 10 years and looks great wearing well.  The rear bedroom is carpet over ply with hatches over the dropbox and fuel tank p/u lines. Just remember there is heavy, same path traffic on buses and not always super clean feets going in and out. Dont forget the lady factor. Get a couple of opinions on how it looks.  good luck and let us know how it works out.