One of the first steps of converting a campervan is creating a solid foundation. Continue reading to learn how to install a subfloor in a campervan. Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Prep the Surface
First, you will need to prepare the surface for the subfloor by giving it a good clean. Making sure all dust and debris is removed prior to building is important because you won’t be able to remove it once the subfloor is built. Give your floor a good sweep and mop down. If you bought a used van like us, you may have some scratches on your floor that will need to be treated to avoid them turning into rust in the future. I used Rust-Oleum spray paint to treat these areas. Once your floor is cleaned and prepped, you can move onto Step Two.
Step 2: Build Subfloor Framework
Supplies Needed
- 2×2 Furring Strips
- Liquid Nails
- Nail Gun
- Circular Saw
- Stainless Steel Screws
First, determine which areas of the van will have the most weight. This is usually the bedroom area, benches and hallway. In these areas you want to build additional supports within the subfloor framework. After you determine your van layout you will begin to take measurements for your framework. For this part, we decided to follow the ribs in the factory floor as a guide then added supports throughout. Check out below to get an idea of how we decided to place our 2×2’s.
Second, cut and lay out your 2×2’s and secure . We first laid out the 2×2’s vertically then horizontally. To see how we did so, click here. It’s important to make sure you evenly distribute the furring strips so your weight can be evenly supported.
Lastly, after your 2×2’s are cut and laid out, you will begin to glue them to the van floor with liquid nails. Depending on your van floor you may need to use shims to help keep your floor level. Once the framework is glued down you can further secure the floor using stainless steel screws. It’s important to use stainless steel screws to avoid creating rust. It’s even more important to review your van’s Body and Equipment Mounting Manual to know where are safe places to screw into your van’s floor.
Now that you have your framework secured, you can move onto the next step.
Step 3: Insulation
Supplies Needed
- Razor Blade
- Aluminum Tape
- RMAX Poly Foam Board
- Measuring Tape
This step is pretty straight forward and less time consuming than Step 2, yay!
First, measure the inside of the cavities and cut your poly foam board with a razor blade. The goal is to make sure the foam board fits snug into the cavity. See below.
Second, secure and seal the insulation by covering the cracks with aluminum insulation tape. We got this idea for the flooring from George V. on YouTube. He has many informational videos related to #vanlife that have been very helpful throughout our build.
If your van now looks like a spaceship….. then mission accomplished 🙂
Check out our post on How to Install Vinyl Flooring in a Campervan to learn more!