Rolland's Story - Part Two

Multi-layered, like clothing, the secret behind a camper floor! It must absorb shocks, noises, vibrations and be waterproof. The only original coating was a rubber mat like a pants saver mat to prevent water and slush from seeping into the metal. Everything but elegant :O We still kept it after the Total Demolition operation for additional protection in the event that Rolland was used to move. He has in fact been on the road from Montreal to Sept-Îles filled to bursting point! The only flaw we find in him then is to be a hell of a drinker... a real one. It's a huge brute equipped with a V8 capable of moving more than 4,000 pounds of cargo without sweating too much.

On the first initial protective layer of primer and paint, we integrate a foam sheet which serves both as thermal insulation and as an anti-noise base between the metal and the plywood boards (no idea how to write it, but it's cute like that:) These boards also serve as insulation but especially have a levelling role for the last layer, the vinyl boards. It's not easy to cut all these layers so Claude has the good idea to use the original rubber mat as a template.

In the meantime, we have begun the process of adding more space to Rolland to accommodate an additional bedroom for children and storage during travel. The idea of the basement was quickly dismissed for security and budget reasons. We then opted for a 2nd floor. These fibreglass high tops are not cheap at all... wow! Half of the truck's purchase value would go for its giant fibreglass backpack. Windows are also installed for more light and air circulation. What a nice surprise when I realize that I can finally stand and walk in Rolland. Not that I will be able to jog, but I won't have to crawl to get to the fridge :)

We decide to keep half of the structure of the existing roof to ensure the solidity of the second floor bed. As an added bonus, additional noise insulation. You know, children :)

Before laying what would turn out to be a real mess (the vinyl flooring), we decide to insulate the walls. All visible holes are filled with pink cotton candy and bubble wrap (foil-like) is glued to all vertical walls that is not a window. In the end, it gives a futuristic look and the child in me just wanted to spend the afternoon blowing up all these little bubbles... okay, some of them, no one will notice hahaha

Next comes the Lauan plywood panel layer (I've been looking for the spelling of that word), a very flexible kind of prefinished material that follows the natural and uneven curves of the truck's interior. Basically, it's like the back of furniture/cabinets that always comes off when you move. The walls are now closed. At first we wanted to put more insulation to allow us to stretch the seasons since our summers are quite short, but when you look just a little higher and see the windows all around the passenger Econoline you realize that the insulation will have its limits. To our surprise, what will help a lot is the addition of opaque and thick curtains that will magically insulate on colder days. Thank you mom :)

Back to the flooring. Before the final vinyl layer, a mini foam subfloor sheet. What a mistake hahahaha! However, the expensive wood-look vinyl flooring does not want to "clip" together. We had to disassemble and/or reassemble rebel sections. In the end, the result is satisfying but will need to be redone eventually. The vinyl boards tend to unclip from time to time and we have to give the classic kicks on the ground to put it back in place. Let's hope there's not too much liquid spilled.

To be continued: The seats/bed, the table and the interior finishing....