Hi, Dave,
This RV is just right for the two of use. When going into the bathroom from the bedroom, the floor squeaks by the shower and the linen closet and is annoying, especially when going into it in the middle of the night. Do you know of a way to get rid of it? This has been going on since we bought it used in 2020. Thank you. I really enjoy your articles. —Chuck, 2019 Grand Design Reflection 303RLS
Hi, Chuck,
According to what I found on the PleasureLand RV Center website, your Grand Design is a 5th wheel and the bathroom is in the raised portion of the frame. Since there has been so much discussion on frame flex issues lately, the first thing I would do is have the frame checked for any weld cracks, especially in the cross member.
Dustin Simpson has had several posts on this issue. If there is a crack, stepping on the floor will cause it to flex and the flooring will make a noise.
Another possibility why bathroom floor squeaks
It could also be that the flooring has gotten weak due to a lack of structural frame in the floor in that area. You should be able to identify the area and look underneath in the storage compartment. Have someone step on the floor and see if you can determine movement in the floor on the ceiling of the underneath compartment.
This would be the area you would have someone step on. If you cannot see a movement or flex in the floor/ceiling, listen for the noise. You might need a mechanic’s stethoscope to help isolate it. If you find the movement, you can have someone weld a cross member or maybe support it with a 2×4.
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My trailer’s kitchen floor and living room floor squeak, but there’s no water damage. What should I look for? Thank you. —Tammy, 2016 Keystone Denali TT
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The floor in our 2017 Keystone TT is styrofoam sandwiched between two thin plywood layers. There are some substantial holes in the floor under the shower and toilet and waste tanks. The bathroom floor since new flexes more than anywhere else and I suspect the styrofoam is slowly breaking down. I found that the squeaks are from the fixtures rubbing on the vinyl as it flexes. Periodically, I blow baby powder under the fixture edges as a lubricant and the squeak is muted if not eliminated. Sweep and wipe gently with a just damp paper towel, don’t vacuum, the excess until the powder has time to work further under the edge.
Thank you, Dave, for the suggestion. We have a few squeaky spots in the floor at home. Thankfully none in the floor of the RV. Have a great day and safe travels!
Grand Design…therein lies the real problem.
Dave…I remember the first Journey DL 39QD motorhome we bought new in 2002. I was amazed the first time I pulled up a floor heat vent to clean and found two layers of real 3/4″ plywood under the tile. They sure don’t build them like they used to. No squeaks or flex in that floor! 🙂
I have a squeaky floor in the bathroom too. As well as the hallway, the bedroom, the steps, the living room… I chalk it up to traveling the meticulously maintained roadways of America. When our 5th wheel was new it didn’t have hardly any squeaks in the flooring. But traveling over highway systems that I often refer to as “off road high adventure parks”, the floors have gotten more noisy.
If you can see where the floor flexes and squeaks a wood shim or wedge between the flooring and framing might stop it.