How to Replace Carpet in an RV

Several motor homes parked in a row.
What You'll Need
Measuring tape
Respirator
Gloves
Protective eye wear
Knee pads
Staple remover
Trash bin or dumpster
Utility knife
Scraper
Adhesive remover
Tack strips
New carpet
Knee kick or carpet stretcher
Carpet glue
What You'll Need
Measuring tape
Respirator
Gloves
Protective eye wear
Knee pads
Staple remover
Trash bin or dumpster
Utility knife
Scraper
Adhesive remover
Tack strips
New carpet
Knee kick or carpet stretcher
Carpet glue

Replacing the carpet in your RV can help update its style and decor as well as the comfort. Carpeting can get beat up during your travels, as you probably have tracked in mud, muck, and grime at one point or another, and there are only so many times that you can clean it before it just starts to disintegrate. At some point, all you can do is replace the carpet.

Step 1 - Measure for the New Carpet

Take specific measurements of your RV's floor space. Make sure to be exact, taking measurements around each of the cabinets and other built-in areas as needed. Also account for 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 by putting on a respirator, a pair of gloves, and protective eyewear. This will save you from inhaling harmful chemicals and mold or mildew if any is present. A good pair of knee pads can also come in handy.

Start at one corner and begin to pull up the carpet. If it does not come free, take a straight-edged knife and run it along the ends to lift. Next, pull the pad up as well. In some cases, it may not all come up easily, so you will need to get a small putty knife or scraper to get rid of the remnants.

Glue may also be a problem. You want to have a smooth floor and surface when you are finished, so take a little adhesive remover and apply it to the RV's floor to get rid of it. Once the adhesive has been completely taken care of, clean the floor with a mild detergent and water. Mop up excess liquid and allow the surface to dry.

Step 3 - Purchase New Carpet

Use your measurements to get your total square footage of floor space. Then, go to any store where you can purchase a large roll of carpeting and buy however much you need. To keep your costs low, look for a wholesaler in your area. You might also be able to find a large remnant for cheap since your RV won't need much carpet to fill the space.

Step 4 - Lay the New Carpet

Add a layer of tack strip to the edges of the floor, as this will help make it easier to install the carpet. Then, roll the carpet over the strip and tap into place. At the corners of the carpet, stretch in place using a knee kick or an automated stretching machine. Finally, trim the carpet with a utility knife.

Step 5 - 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 closes when it is in motion. You want to make sure you lay the carpet in such a way that it will not be disturbed by the constant motion of the slide-out.

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