Softer flooring?

I'm sure this question belongs somewhere, but not sure where...

I see a lot off builds and videos using hardwood or laminate or LVP floors. These are great but they're HARD on the knees.

Anybody got any alternatives?

I don’t walk on my knees……..
Luke Kneewalker;
Maybe try ur feet?
Ok ok. It’s a van dude. Do you like stand all day in one spot? Put a swivel on the passenger seat and give yourself the lazyboy treatment.
Get outside and move. The van is for sleeping, lounging and driving somewhere, otherwise you should be outside enjoying your life and the Earth.

Put in your hard floor surface. Then go to Harbor Freight and buy some of the interlocking floor puzzle mats , the type you put in front of a workbench to stand on. They are inexpensive and durable, made of a closed cell foam that does not absorb moisture. They are easy to take up and put back down if needed. Very easy to trim to size. Soft under foot or knees. Washable and non slip. Plus they have two other great benefits, they are great sound absorbers and very good insulation. If one gets damaged you can swap it out for a new one. If they need washing you can pick them up and do it outside. But inside it works better to vacuum than to sweep.

There are other companies that make puzzle mats in different colors with smoother surfaces. Including various wood grain looks. You can order those online.

INTJohn said:

View attachment 36461
I don’t walk on my knees……..
Luke Kneewalker;
Maybe try ur feet?
Ok ok. It’s a van dude. Do you like stand all day in one spot? Put a swivel on the passenger seat and give yourself the lazyboy treatment.
Get outside and move. The van is for sleeping, lounging and driving somewhere, otherwise you should be outside enjoying your life and the Earth.

Click to expand...

You are 100% right. However, I a minivan I'm gonna be up and down on my knees a lot to reach stuff of all kinds.

I thought of those puzzle-mat pieces, but I was hoping to maintain the ability to clean properly without disassembling the floor.

I used the puzzle mats to keep the cold away from my feet in an aging Class C, now retired.

Dust will find its way under the mats.

Now there are hitchhiking small pebbles that seem to be dumped wherever I park.

A "Life is Better at the Campsite" mat does nothing to keep the crud out.

Not using anything on the floor in the current Class C.

Wear knee pads.

Bluedogz said:

You are 100% right. However, I a minivan I'm gonna be up and down on my knees a lot to reach stuff of all kinds.

I thought of those puzzle-mat pieces, but I was hoping to maintain the ability to clean properly without disassembling the floor.

Click to expand...

My bad…….
I forget about SUVs & minivans and I definitely know better after spending years in a suburban or a pickup.
I’ve gotten sooo spoiled and high maintenance since moving into something I can actually stand up in.
Yeah; I had nice kushy padded carpet in the pickup bed but guess there’s knee pads too or maybe parking lot/street goalie knee pads?

Just get a mechanics pad (Harbor Freight) and keep it stored where you can easily reach it. I climb in the back of my Suburban all the time on my knees so the pad is bungeed to the spare tire. It is vinyl covered foam that folds in half, wipes off easily and can double as a sleeping mat or its real purpose.

bullfrog ! said:

Just get a mechanics pad (Harbor Freight) and keep it stored where you can easily reach it. I climb in the back of my Suburban all the time on my knees so the pad is bungeed to the spare tire. It is vinyl covered foam that folds in half, wipes off easily and can double as a sleeping mat or its real purpose.

Click to expand...

Go with the mats maki mentioned.

I bought those locking pads originally for my daughter's electronic drum kit to absorb the kick pads from thumping the downstairs neighbors.

I use them for working on the car. They are very comfortable, light, and easy to move. As far as cleaning goes it's fairly simple. They are very versatile, and I think 2 pieces would be plenty to cover the open floor space if you have a bed set up.

That leaves two extra pieces you can use for many other things. Outside shower pad, mechanics pad, extra padding for your bed, lock two together and lay down in the shade if grass isn't available, etc.

Comes with four main pieces and outside trim strips. Very durable. Highly recommended. And at $10, hard to beat.

https://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-anti-fatigue-foam-mat-set-94635.html

In my first rig which didn't have a high top roof, I moved around a lot on my knees. Of course I was a young guy right out of then and more limber. But moving around in a low top even then ......bent over at the waist got old quick.
So my floor was covered with nylon indoor outdoor carpet that had a dense foam backing. I thought it was nice.

My present rig has plywood and it's OK. Each of these two floors have their plusses and minuses. A plywood or laminate covered plywood floor is great around your cooking area so spills can be easily cleaned up. Carpet can dampen road noise when traveling. You can also use small sectional pieces of carpet so that some of it can be rolled up when using your cooking area. I used to carry plastic tarps (cheap blue ones) to use as a ground cover placed under the side doors with carpet laid on top of it when in camp. (this is where having an awning is a great resource to go with the carpeted area)

But there's some good ideas here to choose from. I try to go with the point of view that I'm camping....not homesteading. So get the maximum use out of each item you carry with you.