Bracing floor in 2008 189 FBR

[PaintyLiz]

Hi all!

Since we are now living full-time again in the 2008 189 FBR, I have noticed that the floor in front of the bed sags a bit when you walk on it. Looking underneath there's really no reason that I can't put a brace under there.



I'm thinking a 2x4 on joist holder brackets screwed perpendicular to the frame. Any other suggestions?

Liz

[Eagle]

That might work but I would weld a length of angle iron or "u" channel in place all the way across from side to side.

[profdant139]

You could also bolt the angle iron to the flanges of the frame. That would mean drilling holes in the flange (which does weaken it slightly).

Or you could get everyone in the family to lose a lot of weight!

[LJAZ]

I would go with the angle iron or similar metal beam. A 2x4 will likely sag over time.

[PaintyLiz]

Thanks for the ideas! However, since I'm a carpenter's daugher, and I'm not a welder, I'm going to try the 2x4 first. I plan to go perpendicular between the existing horizontal joists (?) so it's only a span of about 2.5 feet. Actually, first I'm going to get under there and screw through the floor up into the cabinets & bed frame if possible. That might be enough .... 2x4's support buildings, they should be fine in this short span (i'll use treated wood)

(to make you really crazy, I'll mention that I'm thinking a 2x3 would be enough LOL)

Liz

[PaintyLiz]

Originally Posted by profdant139

You could also bolt the angle iron to the flanges of the frame. That would mean drilling holes in the flange (which does weaken it slightly).

Or you could get everyone in the family to lose a lot of weight!

The cross-members don't have a flange. I was originally planning to just cut something and rest it on the flanges, until I saw there were none. I am not planning to go from side to side, rather, front-to-back from one cross-member to the next. I just want to prevent the delamination of the thin plywood floor, or at least stop the progression



Yeah, losing weight is a good suggestion but I think we'd have to be anorexic LOL

Liz

[NorthPuffin]

Liz, a 2x4 will span 6' in normal floor loading (the rule of thumb for 2x lumber is 1-1/2 x the nominal height of the lumber). Use pressure treated.

You can drill into the webs, webs, darn it, to mount your buckets (joist hangers) without weakening the structure.

I recommend putting two "joists" under there to spread the load a little. That way, you can always cut out out the plywood later to replace it if needbe.

[APD]

We were lucky I guess. The floor felt great when we bought ours. Then I was under ours a little after we purchased it and noticed two added angle iron cross members. They were heavier gauge and had fresher paint so they were easy to spot. The previous owner had done a lot of little things like that. (Bless his heart)

Alan