Trailer Flooring Help

[OctaneMotorsports]

Hey Everyone,
Looks like I will be picking up a brand new Pace 6x12 trailer sometime this week for kart racing. The floor is plywood and I am looking at putting in a black and white checkered flooring. My question is, should I use some sort of sealant on the plywood before I put the tiles on? I was thinking that moisture could seep through the cracks and rot the wood underneath the tiles, so I'd like to seal the floor and probably the walls too while it's brand new.

Also, any advice on laying the tiles? My friend did this in his trailer and he sprayed each tile with 3M spray adheisive and tiled the center first for a clean uniform install. Any other advice? Thanks.

 

[sjsfire]

I would seal the floor with a laquer. It dries fast and will seal the floor well. I had a old carpenter tell me one time that if you use the peel and stick tiles the bare wood will actually **** the adhesive from the tile and they will loosen over time. You could also do the walls but why not paint them a nice color? I would also look under the trailer, is the wood floor exposed? I'd worry about that as much as the inside. You might consider having that under coated Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[OctaneMotorsports]

Thanks for the reply.

There seems to be a lot of wood sealing products out there. Anyone ever used "Thompson's Water Seal"?

I am starting to think that I will do just the floor with the checkerboard tiles. I will probably end up painting the walls black.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Forget Thompsons, they are riding on their name, use Bahr (sp) Home Desperate brand equal instead!

 

[Tim240Z]

What kinda karts (class)?
I am about to get into it again too. My 6 year old want to start (took him to a school and he was amazing!), so a 'Kiddi-Kart' for him and a TaG 125 for me.....
Tim

 

[sjsfire]

I really think you need to seal it not use a product like Thompsons or Behr. I think those would be oily and not let the tile properly stick down.

 

[OctaneMotorsports]

I run a CRG 125cc TAG.

 

[kartracer55]

I run a CRG 125cc TAG.

$$$$$


Im the slow guy here! kt100

If your Kid wants to start racing see if he can skip the comer and just runa Jr kt100 set up (WB55, 3 hole can, restricotr plate) These are usually quicker than thier "equal" comers

Jim

 

[BoostAddiction]

My trailer has a diamond tread plate floor and I like it a lot. It has three benefits: it is very strong, won't stain, and reflects light well. If you ever have to work on stuff in the trailer at night, you'll appreciate the reflective floor.

A better floor than that is the extruded aluminum - but that was too pricey for me.

-Will

 

[Tim240Z]

Jim,
At his age, the Comer is the only available class for him. Once he reaches 8, then he can move up.
At the school (his first time in a kart), he was lapping with the Adults and was not scared or intimidated at all, even when he spun a couple of time (at least he was trying hard to go faster).
Tim

 

[OctaneMotorsports]

Thanks again for all the advice.

Jim, I think you'd be surprised.

The kart I run just came out last summer here in Ontario. It is called the F1-K, and it's manufactured by CRG. The idea is similar to the Birel Easykart, but better. See, while the Easykart uses cheap cast parts the F1-K uses the exact same parts as the CRG chassis, but stamped with the F1-K logo. Everything is stamped to keep everything equal. If I bend a spindle, I have to replace it with an F1-K spindle although it is identical to a CRG spindle. The engine is a sealed 125cc Maxter, also stamped to keep anyone from cheating. The nice thing is you really don't need any tuning parts. You can't change the hubs, axles, rims or anything. How you set it up is up to you, but you can't put in stiffer/softer axles and different length hubs. There are 3 versions of the F1-K. The 60cc cadet, the 125cc Junior (14,000 RPM) and the 125cc Senior (16,000 RPM). To go from junior to senior you simply buy a senior rev limiter and you're off. No changing cylinder and cylinder head like in Rotax. Here's the shocker...the 60cc cadet goes for $3,000 US, and the 125cc junior and senior go for $4,000 US. All the replacement parts are discounted too if you race F1-K, keeping everything inexpensive. The chassis is suited to hard tires which makes it even more affordable. It's a pretty good program, not to mention a very fast chassis and engine. They're reliable too!

 

[Tim240Z]

Aren't those 125s liquid cooled?

 

[kartracer55]

Nope thats air cooled... no radiator on the left side, although most Tag engines are

Im running an 06 Margay Limo 1.25 its a brava 1.4 but instead of 30/32 its 32/32 (eliminating the 4th rail) and Its 2 inches longer past the fron spidnles for leg room. 2800 for that plus 1400 for a worked Kt100 minus the clutch and mount and all that other fun stuff. So yeah, thats a pretty sweet deal youve got, especially for a CRG.

Birel karts ae over rated. They just machine cast parts to make them look high quality.

I noticed your running Vegas... Is this an option? If they are, Ditch them! I only run Vegas for Vega Points series races, but I hate them. They handle really well when they are new but they dont hold up at all. Also, ona standard 4.50 front rim, even at like 9lbs, the tire bubbles up, so there is minimal contact patch compared to other tires.

Have you ever run MG's? MG Yellow is considered Spec here and I believe its softer than all the other "Spec" tires and they are pretty consistent! Worth a shot.


Ill get some pics of this years setup up. Running Midpack ***** because its where you make the most "friends" lol Although I took all top 5's this weekend on last years motor because my new one wasnt ready in time... Damn!

Jim

 

[OctaneMotorsports]

The Vega's were supposed to be the spec tire, so all karts came in the box with them.

Looks like we will be on MG or Dunlop, though...so people are just burning up the Vega's as practice tires.

BTW, the F1-K's come in a crate pre-assembled. Engine on with all the fuel line and everything. It even comes with the chain at the proper tension and the alignment done. Just bolt on the bodywork, tires/rims, mount the seat and go! Pretty schweet.

 

[kartracer55]

Yeah that is pretty sweet!

Dunlops typically have a stiffer sidewall than most other tires,s o there is minimal tire roll when cornering... just somethign to consider if you havea choice.

 

[OctaneMotorsports]

Never a choice here. Always stamped spec bought at the event.