How to Replace Carpet in an RV

Replacing the carpet in your RV can help to update the style and the decor within your RV. This is a great way to create a new design motif. Carpeting gets the most beat up during your travels. You probably have tracked in mud, muck and grime at one point or another. There are only so many times that you can clear your RV carpet before it just starts to disintegrate. The best thing to do is to replace the carpet.

Step 1 - Measure for the New Carpet

Take specific measurements of your RV. Measure completely around each of the cabinets and the other built in areas. Take measurements of your RV slide-out, if present.

Step 2 - Peel, Scrape and Remove Old Surface

Before you begin to pull up the old carpeting, make sure you are protecting your eyes, ears and nose. Put on a respirator, a pair of gloves and protective eye wear. This will save you from inhaling harmful chemicals and mold or mildew.

Start at one corner and begin to pull up the carpet in the RV. If the carpet does not come free, take a straight edged knife and run it along the edge of the carpet to lift it up.

Next, pull the pad up as well. Some of the padding may remain on the surface of the RV floor. If this is the case, then you will need to get a small putty knife or scraper and scrap the remnants of the padding off of the floor.

Glue may also be a problem. You want to have a smooth floor and surface when you are finished. Take a little adhesive remover and apply it to the RV's floor. Once the adhesive has been completely removed, then clean the floor with a mild detergent and water. Mop up completely and allow it to dry.

Step 3 - Lay the New Carpet

Add a layer of tack strip to the edges of the floor. Tack strip will help make it easier to install the carpet in your RV. Roll the carpet over the tack strip and tap into place. At the corners of the carpet, stretch in place using a knee kick or an automated stretching machine. Trim the carpet with a utility knife.

Step 4 - Add Carpet to Your Slide-Out

The carpet is installed a little differently when it comes to the slide-out on your RV. The slide-out is a mechanized room. It opens up when the RV is stationary and it closes when the RV is in motion. You want to make sure you lay the carpet in such a way where it will not be disturbed by the constant in and out motion of your slide-out.

First, park your RV. Open the slide-out slightly so that the floor is slightly raised higher than the main floor. Remove the old carpet and the carpet padding. Install a line of tack strip and lay the new carpet padding and capet. Tap the carpet over the tack strip and stretch with a carpet stretcher. At the edge of the slide out, run a bit of glue to hold the carpet in place.