In short
A proper camper floor has rigid base over insulation, true flatness, and moisture-resistant finish. We build and install it before furniture and embedded plumbing.
Before you start
- Confirm total height lost to floor plus finish.
- Decide on hatches for tanks or pipes.
- Pick finish: technical vinyl, light timber, etc.
- Check sliding doors still run freely.
Structural base
Marine plywood over insulation is screwed or anchored without wet bridges. We level with a long straightedge—waves make doors bind and cabinets skew. Alexis cuts wheel arch shapes and sometimes leaves a tech channel under the aisle. Weight here counts toward payload—we do not use household board. Anti-vibration fasteners and perimeter seal cut rattles in bends.
Hatches and technical routes
Before final finish we reserve hatches for battery, fuses, or drains when layout demands. Embedded plumbing goes now when shower or sink sit on a raised floor. We coordinate with water and electrical guides to avoid double cutting. Clients wanting 'pretty only' floors without hatches often pay for rework later.
Living finish
Vehicle-grade vinyl or light laminate by aesthetics and cleaning. Threshold joints are sealed. Light colours visually widen L1H1 vans. We show physical samples in workshop. We do not fit heavy solid parquet or fragile tile—they fail on vibration and body flex.
Sequence with furniture
Finished floor before kitchen and base cabinets so they sit solid. Belcampers order: insulate, floor, systems, panelling, furniture. Reverse it and skirting traps dirt and moisture. Floor quote includes cutting and trim labour, not just material per square metre.
Common mistakes
- Pretty finish on an unlevelled base.
- Skipping hatches and breaking new floor later.
- Untreated timber near the entry in wet weather.
When to bring it to the workshop
Need a stable floor for your layout? We fit it at Belcampers before furniture and systems.
FAQ
How much height is lost?
Depends on insulation and finish. We calculate at initial measure.
Can I keep the original load floor?
Sometimes as lower base, but rust and level must be checked.
Sources & references
- Marine plywood data sheet — workshop suppliers
- Manual de Reformas de Vehículos (MITMA)