SQUEAKY FLOOR

[clive_5040082]

I have a 2007 Hymer 545 caravan which has developed a sqeaky floor around the door and kitchen area. From my investigation the floor is flexing and has caused the screws attaching the kitchen units to the floor to pull through.I have confirmed this by checking the gap between the kitchen units and the floor which slightly increases when someone walks in that area. Looking on the underside there is no supporting members for the floor between the fore and aft main Alko chassis members. Given the length across I am supprised at this as I would have thought in normal engineering practise you start with a solid base and build up from that.Has anyone else suffered from 'squeaky floors'? My caravan is shortly due for it's first service under warranty and I have highlighted this fault to Lowdhams of Nottingham the supplier prior to it's service in June. As an engineer my view is that it can only be rectified by fitting cross members to prevent flexing of the floor which is a design or manufacturers problem. Any comments would be appreciated.

 

[swpostie]

Hi Clive,

Despite the fact that your 'van is practically new, it sounds like delamination!

The strength of the floor is normally maintained by its construction - a layer of foam sandwiched between two layers of plywood producing a three-dimensional rigid floor.

When the foam starts to break down and separate from the top layer of plywood (the floor) it will cause flexing and squeaking.

I wouldn't have thought you'd have any trouble getting this repaired under warranty.

 

[catherine2]

Hi Clive

We had a squeaky floor in the same area as yours on our one year old caravan ie over the axle.

The problem was very easy to resolve - I just had to tighten the 2 nuts underneath the van that hold the floor to the chassis- where the axle is. Apparently they can become loose from time to time. But don't overtighten as you could force the nuts through the floor!

I hope this helps but good luck if it doesn't - I'm sure it is something quite simple.