How do you install marine carpet into your trailer?

[baz1]

Hi All,

I was just wondering if anyone could explain how to best install marine carpet into your camper trailer box itself?

We should be getting our camper trailer this week, we want to put marine carpet on the inside of the trailer itself where you store all your camping gear and so on, I would have thought it would be fairly strait forward, after all its basically a rectangular box. I am thinking you have to measure out the dimensions of the inside of the trailer, cut the carpet to size, but what glue do you use, and does anyone have any tips so we can try and have a really professional looking job at the end of it?

Cheers.

[Trackaprado]

I just used double sided tape about 50mm wide at the front and back.  Works a treat

[baz1]

You don't use glue?

[D4D]

Try some Bostick spray on glue from Bunnings, holds it enough to keep it stuck but not enough that you can't rip the carpet up later.

[Jason B]

Hi Baz

The way I do it is as follows mate.

Use bear grip contact adhesive. Use the can not the spray on stuff. The can is messier however bonds a lot better in my opinion. Cut your carpet slightly larger than the area you want to cover, but not too much bigger or you will have too much wastage and it will be a bit hard to handle.

Apply the contact adhesive to both surfaces (you may need to do this in sections, that is apply it to one edge and in about a foot or so, then stick it down and work your way along till finished) give it time to go tacky and then stick it down. Push it down evenly and rub you're hands all over it working out to the edges so there is no air pockets. Use a plastic scraper or similar to push the carpet firmly into the edges of the box.

Now for the professional look and perfect fit get a number of single sided razor blades. Use the blades to cut the carpet. Push the blade firmly into the corner of the box where the sides join the floor and run the blade along keeping it firmly pressed into the corner, this will give you a perfect straight line, just be careful not to cut your paint too much underneath.

For the ends either use a straight edge and the razor blade or close the tailgate if you have access from the top and run the razor along the edge of the gait.

Clean up with turps. Bear grip also comes in water based glue that works fine also. However I prefer the original.

I,have used this method on about 10 different work boats and a number of my trailers. Can handle accidental fuel spills etc, and can still be ripped up latter if necessary. I have tried many quicker methods however this has been the most successful for me.


Regards

Jas

[edz]

I was thinking along the lines of 50mm velcro strips glued down on the trailer bed and the other side of the velcro glued or sown to the carpet so as it can be removed and cleaned, as we do a lot of beach work and try as you might sand still builds up in the trailer.

[muttang]

What Jason B said..

[shrek4]

I used this and it was easy to apply and I can guarantee the carpet was not going anywhere.

Bought it from Bunnings. I brushed it on with a paint brush.

[wholehog]

contact glue.....simple as...why would u use double sided tape

[gibbo301]

If you glue it down like Jason said you don't have to remove it when you get home just sweep or vacuum it 

[baz1]

Thank you everyone it's much appreciated, Jason, lets just say for sake of argument the floor of the trailer (inside the box) measures 500cm by 1000cm, would you cut the piece of carpet so it's say 501cm by 1001cm? I just see you say the carpet should be cut slightly larger than the area you need to cover, I'm just tryingt o figure out how much larger.

[baz1]

And would you use one piece of carpet which would go down the wall, across the base of the trailer, and then back up the wall on the other side of the trailer? Or would you cut the pieces for the base and sides separately?

[HEM19X]

baz,

Jason's method is great and I would suggest you use it as a guide, if you have never used contact/carpet before, stick to that.

Runnig the carpet down one side is trickier [as gravity wants to take over] however if you want to try it, I would glue down the bottom first, then up the sides...taking special note to have a length of wood etc to make sure the carpet sticks right into the corners.

You will probably find that the carpet is sold in 300mm lengths - 900mm, 1200mm etc but may well be 1000mm wide, check what you need carefully - I know our Trackabout didn't have straight sides so extra was needed to fit.

The only other thing to remember is that contact stinks, so a well ventilated area is needed.

[Jason B]

Baz

You can do it in one piece down the walls as well if you have good access from the top and the roll of carpet is long enough (depends on how wide the Roll is also). Alternatively you can do the sides separately, starting at the top edge and working down towards the bottom corner of the trailer and the other piece of carpet (floor that you had done), trim with razor as before.

Preferably if you are doing it in one piece start at on one of the sides apply the contact adhesive all over that side and the opposing piece of carpet that would cover that area and then allow the glue to go tacky. Starting at the top edge work your way down to he corner with the floor and add some more glue to about half of the floor area and the same on the carpet, ensuring the glue is right in he corner also. Then  push the carpet into the corner, spend plenty of time here, run a big flat head screw driver or steel ruler or similar along the 90 degree bend into he corner to ensure you get a neat sharp edge. Go over the edge a few times working the carpet into he corner and ensure the glue has gone off.

Wait an hour or so then check it and make sure you are still happy before you continue and finish the rest of the floor. Now work from the bottom of the other side to the top edge of the trailer. Trim with the razor and have a beer.

If doing it in 3 pieces I would cut the pieces a couple of inches too big in all directions. If you are doing it in one piece I would leave 3 or 4 inches in all directions so that you have plenty to work with.

Hope this makes sense mate.

 

Jas

EDIT: I just read hems post and some good advice there. You can also do the floor first as Hem suggested, just make sure you position the carpet in the right position at the bottom when you start. I just find starting at the top edge (assuming its reasonably square) you can be sure and check your overhang there and then be confident it will fit fine.
 

[Jason B]

Baz

Also the heavy striped (grey with black stripes or blue with black stripes or similar)is great for floors as its really heavy duty and I usually use this. I have then used the softer and easier to use lighter carpet for the sides in the same grey, blue etc. The lighter stuff is more than up to the job for the sides and cheaper. The ribbed stuff is awesome on the floor but stiff and a little harder to manipulate into the corners, especially if doing it in one piece.

Regards

Jas 

[Chippy76]

Thank you everyone it's much appreciated, Jason, lets just say for sake of argument the floor of the trailer (inside the box) measures 500cm by 1000cm, would you cut the piece of carpet so it's say 501cm by 1001cm? I just see you say the carpet should be cut slightly larger than the area you need to cover, I'm just tryingt o figure out how much larger.

500cm = 5 m
1000cm = 10 m

5mx10m ...... thats one big arse trailer! lol

Cheers Chippy

[Bird]

Mine just sits on the deck in the trailer.. no glue no nothing
then when I get home I can slide it out to clean it.

[theflyingbadger]

mine's press-studded in a couple of places. that holds it nicely in place

[Jeepers Creepers]

When i did out the back of the work van with astro turf, i just went with the brushed on contact cement.
Its not going anywhere and i;m putting mowers, line trimmers, chainsaws and blowers in and out every day.

In the front to replace the mats, i just fitted the astro turf like you would carpet. Its nice under foot too.

[MDS69]

How do you go if the floor is chequer plate. I would have thought you would get rips or tears from things catching or issues with less contact area.

[Jason B]

How do you go if the floor is chequer plate. I would have thought you would get rips or tears from things catching or issues with less contact area.

I have not had any issues when using the heavy duty marine carpet (the stripy stuff). It has proven thick and durable enough to use on checker plate in my experience.

Regards


Jas

[Redcherokee]

Mine just sits there, with a bit of that grippy mat stuff under it near the door so it isn't tempted to move when packing.

Mighty glad it was easy to remove after the last trip.  I thought I had packed those ciders well, but some were left in a cardboard box and didn't survive a rough track.  Needed to pull it out and give everything a good clean ..............  Would have been a nightmare if it was glued down.

[kiva]

Ultimate's use a press stud system which makes it easy to take the carpet out and hose down / shake out. I clean the carpet with a Gerni and it comes up like new.

[baz1]

Thanks guys, what's a 'press stud system?'

[Chippy76]

Like this .....

Cheers Chippy