Our first major DIY repair - Help

[csseeker]

As we were traveling for 5 weeks in our 2016 Axis I noticed the floor getting soft at the front corner of the couch. I know th/ere was a leak with the previous owner under the passenger window, but it was repaired and no longer leaking. Forward to today as we decided to repair the soft floor ourselves. We pulled the couch out (one of the 4 large screws was totally stripped in the soft wood), drained the fresh water tank (our tank in the 25.2 Axis is under the couch), removed the 4 connections and sensor wires, and pulled the tank out. As we begin pulling up the vinyl flooring I notice the particle board is getting wetter as I head back toward the rear, near the water intake, outside shower, water pump, etc.

1. I find both water hoses to the outside shower totally kinked in half. Buying new ones tomorrow.

2. I find a clear glass/plastic filter on the water line that has markings as though its been leaking for years. And its loose.

I think I found the leak. Hopefully it was that filter. It was not tight at all and there was water dripping out of it. I will be replacing about 16sf of flooring with 1/2" plywood. I'm not going to use particle board like the OEM did. All the floor under the tank/couch will be replaced. I'll caulk the flooring at the wall so leaking water will have a tendency to sit on the floor and I'll see it and make needed repairs, instead of flowing under the vinyl at the wall.

Now the big question -

As I pull the rotted floor up, how is the floor attached to the coach? How do I attach the new floor board?

Thanks for the help. I've learned a ton from this forum and tackled this job because of it. And I didn't want to spend 3k for the dealer to do it.

[csseeker]

Here's a pic of the filter

[JamieGeek]

That looks like the strainer that goes just before the pump.

Ours was loose as well but I caught it long before there was an issue (saw water leaking at the pump).

Not sure how the floorboards are held to the frame as I've never dug into it that deeply.

[csseeker]

I'll be replacing both flex hoses to the outside shower. They are 3 years to kinked!!!

[csseeker]

No wonder the outside shower didn't work. This is the cold water side. The hot water side looks the same. I'm replacing both, they've been like that for 3 years apparently and won't straighten out.

[mash557]

If your floor is built like my Challenger, it is screwed to the steel subframe with rather long bolts/screws. I know as I had one back out and messed up the vinyl in one spot.

[gentilebrian]

For the floor I would use plywood rated for Marine use. Maybe twice the price but will last longer (not pressure treated). For further protection you can use fiberglass resin and coat the wood to seal it. Probably overkill with the resin but better plywood I think is money well spent.