Hardfloor / Top Replacement for Cub

[novacastrianlad]

Hi All - i have just purchased a 1994 Cub Supamatic.  Overall it is in good condition for its age, however the hardfloor/top is a little tired.  Has anyone had any experience in replacing the hardfloor/ top?   Ideally I would like to do it with aluminium but cannot find anywhere that manufactures a single sheet to fit (2.5m x 2m).  I have thought about a fibreglass composite panel, however not sure how durable this would be with the fold down metal flooring frame support that sits on top.

Cub can provide an aluminium replacement floor/top for about $1500, but think I could potentially do it cheaper myself.

Any recommendations or experience appreciated.  Thanks.

[Dingo0163]

Welcome to the forum. If you can give us a clue what area you are in I'm sure some swaggers will be able to give you some ideas. And some of them might even make sense. 

[Buster3931]

hi novacastrianlad

What area are you in? I've done the glass option . A bloke in Bayswater,Vic made the sheet to suit . Brilliant job and very reasonable too. much cheaper than what you have been quoted from Cub . look up JT fiberglass in Bayswater and speak to Jason. really good bloke.

Buster

[novacastrianlad]

thanks for replies.  i am based in Brisbane so something local to me would be good.  However i am happy to pay for courier if i have to go interstate for the right job.

Buster - was yours a solid fibreglass panel or thin fibreglass coating over another material?  i am wanting to lighten the top in the process (while maintaining strength).

cheers

[JPH]

Styromax make roof / floor panels for Aussie a swag campers, Firefox has also made a couple of vans out of their panels as well.  The panels are 30 mm thick, have a look here http://www.styromax.com.au/products/styrorv/  or send them a pm, they're on the forum.

Cheers

[idlegossip]

I also have been looking into it for my spacematic. My current floor is a very thin fibreglass outer,  I followed up on buster3931 suggestion and for a 6 mm floor of 3 mt x 2 mt it was about $800. The only thing that worries me about going for a glass top again is rocks getting caught between the floor and the support frame and thus puncturing it again if it is to thin.

Re the aluminum option the largest sheet I could find was 3 mt x 1.5mt for $200. Problem is you can't weld them together without buckling them. The Cub floor is only 1.6mm thick, and at that thickness I wonder how cold it gets.

The thing you have to keep in mind is the overall weight of the floor. I haven't done anything yet with mine but hope to in the near future.

Styromax was another option that I enquired about but getting it shipped to Melbourne safely was an issue for me

[novacastrianlad]

thanks for your input idlegossip.  Are you saying the new Cub aluminium checkerplate hardfloors are only 1.6mm ? do they have any other backing/support or simply a single sheet of aluminium ? that would be a little chilly !!

the Styrofoam looks promising and based on some of their older pricing listed on this forum, would be affordable.  Weight looks pretty impressive as well.   i am also keen to look at options to replace the gal metal support frame with an updated/lighter aluminium version.  at present the metal support rack appears to put significant pressure on the back edge of the top when it opens.  not sure if a fibreglass/foam panel would handle this very well.

[idlegossip]

Yes, the checkplate floor panel is only 1.6mm thick. It uses the support frame on the top to support the weight and because it is a single piece there is less chance of buckling.

The earlier cub models seem to have a composite fibreglass/foam/ply constructed floor but I haven't pulled mine apart yet to find out for sure.

[novacastrianlad]

thanks idlegossip.   I phones up StyroMax this morning and they were quite helpful.  As mentioned by JPH, they provide floors/tops OEM to Aussie Swag and Rhinomax.   Cost is $900 for 2.5m x 2.m panel with 2mm fibreglass on each side.   I am going to be taking my tent off for a couple of small patches this weekend, and likely to take the metal support frame and floor/top off next weekend.  I can then disect it to see how it is constructed and fits together, and will then go shopping.  Will likely go for the StyroMax product however I want to first see how the metal support frame is mounted etc.  Will post further as I progress.   Out of curiosity, what is the support frame made from on your Spacematic ?  Is it gal steel or aluminium?

[idlegossip]

Support frame is gal steel and tec screwed into the sides of the floor if that make sense.

Yeah the styromax is a great option but for me getting it to Melbourne without damage is the big issue. Unless I can find someone down here that can supply it.

At least with that you will have some insulation on the floor against the cold.

[chevman74]

thanks idlegossip.   I phones up StyroMax this morning and they were quite helpful.  As mentioned by JPH, they provide floors/tops OEM to Aussie Swag and Rhinomax.   Cost is $900 for 2.5m x 2.m panel with 2mm fibreglass on each side.   I am going to be taking my tent off for a couple of small patches this weekend, and likely to take the metal support frame and floor/top off next weekend.  I can then disect it to see how it is constructed and fits together, and will then go shopping.  Will likely go for the StyroMax product however I want to first see how the metal support frame is mounted etc.  Will post further as I progress.   Out of curiosity, what is the support frame made from on your Spacematic ?  Is it gal steel or aluminium?

In regards to using bonded styro panel for a floor/top for your camper noacastrianlad,  the company l work for uses the same blue foam as StyroMax bonded between layers of Aluminum.  The foam is called 'styro' but don't confuse it with your run of the mill fruit box variety,  at 25mm thick It's amazing just how strong the foam is when bonded and pressed between cover sheets,  there are two things I would consider if you want to use this type of product.
The edge of the sheet needs to be completely sealed against moisture.  If moisture gets in the bond between the foam and sheet there is a chance of de-lamination not to mention the added weight that could be trapped as a result.
The mounting points of your support frame may need to be altered to spread the pressure across the panel when it is being used as a floor.  May be worth talking to the manufacture/supplier as to their thoughts,  or research how the previously mentioned camper trailer companies using this material in relation to support frames.

[novacastrianlad]

Hi chevman - what company is it you work for ? Aluminium veneer sounds great - would be interested in overall weight per square metre?  I noticed the RhinoMax campers appear to have an aluminium grid support bonded to the top of the styromax panels.  That appeals to me as there is no single mount point and assuming it would provide a good broad support across the entire panel when walking on it.  I would assume they use sikaflex or similar to bond but I am researching further to find out.  If you can send me some contact/company details so I can explore the aluminium covering option that would be great thanks.

[JPH]

Support frame is gal steel and tec screwed into the sides of the floor if that make sense.

Yeah the styromax is a great option but for me getting it to Melbourne without damage is the big issue. Unless I can find someone down here that can supply it.

At least with that you will have some insulation on the floor against the cold.

Try Panelmasta out at Hallam, they make the same style of product by the looks.

[chevman74]

Hi chevman - what company is it you work for ? Aluminium veneer sounds great - would be interested in overall weight per square metre?  I noticed the RhinoMax campers appear to have an aluminium grid support bonded to the top of the styromax panels.  That appeals to me as there is no single mount point and assuming it would provide a good broad support across the entire panel when walking on it.  I would assume they use sikaflex or similar to bond but I am researching further to find out.  If you can send me some contact/company details so I can explore the aluminium covering option that would be great thanks.

Having the support bonded to the frame may also help ease the pressure on the hinged end of the floor as you lay it over assuming the support you use is tied into the hinge component of your trailer.
Sent you a PM bout the rest, didn't want to send your thread too far off topic.

[Spartan]

My Dad redid his cub with the stuff that pantec trucks are made from, I can't remember the exact name of it.

I'm pretty sure at was 2 thin layers of fiberglass with a honeycomb type thing sandwiched in between.

It worked really well.

[idlegossip]

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