Questions about lightweight rigid flooring

[Connie]

We are looking at replacing the plywood used in the load area of our truck with something like airplane flooring. We need something that is strong enough to crawl around on to use on our side boxes and ontop of our slide out drawers.

Does anyone know where one can procure the stuff that they use for airplane flooring? We met a French guy a few years ago who used it in his truck and it was really lightweight.

I have also heard that it is difficult to attach things to because of the construction. We would need to attach hinges to some parts and to fasten down other parts.

We would also consider other materials.

Any ideas?

 

[kcowyo]

Hey Connie -

Another option would be to use something similar to what Chuck used for flooring on his rack. Very sturdy and lightweight but I don't know about the ease of attaching hinges and things.



"....eeeew gross!, not wow! sleazy!" - Still one of my faves from Connie. :beer:

 

[Connie]

Originally posted by kcowyo

Another option would be to use something similar to what Chuck used for flooring on his rack.

Yeah we are looking at that for the roof rack, I'm actually ordering a piece today to take a look at it, but I need something on the inside that has no holes in it so that it will keep the dust out of the cooking stuff and the clothing box. (although it is a Defender, so keeping the dust out would more or less be a miracle)

 

[Scott Brady]

another idea would be Nida Core

Another option is Kousa Board (sp?), which Mario from AT can get. It is extremely strong.

Given your all-coil suspension and lack of swaybars, I would recommend the lightest material possible.

 

[Mike S]

We are looking at replacing the plywood used in the load area of our truck with something like airplane flooring. We need something that is strong enough to crawl around on to use on our side boxes and ontop of our slide out drawers.

We would also consider other materials.

Any ideas?

Baltek - used in racing yacht construction, it is end grain balsa sandwiched between fiberglass fiber, and coated with resin. Extremely light and strong.

M

 

[spencyg]

I have a few 4x8 sheets of aluminum aircraft honeycomb with 24ga aluminum skins. I picked them up at a garage sale a number of years ago and have just been sitting on it, waiting for the right use. Its incredibly light and rigid. I don't think it would sustain any sort of accelerated impact however. I didn't post this in the hopes of finding a buyer, but rather to relay that what you're looking for is available somewhere....try a garage sale I've used Baltek on a number of projects, and when combined with vacuum bagged e-glass or carbon, its probably the strongest and lightest floor you could build. You could also look at foam cored composite panels....

Spence

 

[Connie]

Originally posted by spencyg
didn't post this in the hopes of finding a buyer, but rather to relay that what you're looking for is available somewhere....try a garage sale

Wow, have I ever been going to the wrong garage sales!

 

[Ursidae69]

There is a strange little place near where I work called the Black Hole. Last time I stopped in their looking for scrap, I saw that they had several sheets of 1/8th inch aluminum, 4x8ft. I can go and see if they still have them if you want. No idea where they got them, they collect all sorts of stuff there.

 

[Connie]

Chuck,

Yes! Awsome, if you happen to be in there sometime, I'd love to know how much$. I don't know if it is what I want for this application, but now my mind is whirring off in a dozen other directions. Plus thanks for the info on The Black Hole. I get out that way a few times a year and I love military surplus!

 

[GaryMc]

There is a strange little place near where I work called the Black Hole.

Wow, that place calls for a road trip! An amazing array of stuff that I love but have no room for...