Today I removed the bedroom carpet. Mr. BARTH did not believe in gravity as he felt it wise to staple carpet out in the middle of the floor. I found no glue was used or tack strips. 3/16" x 1/2" coated staples with no sign of rust on any of same. The carpet had been installed B 4 the back cabinets had been installed. I was able to pull out the lower drawers and just in side of the cabinet walls cut the carpet. This will allow room for me to tuck the new under same for a clean look. I did not hurry so it took approx. 2 hours to remove from the bedroom. I did find alittle engine dust on the bottom side of the mattress. We are installing a new mattress, and I wonder if anyone feels it would be wrong to lay down a plastic, or better yet a rubber sheet over the trap door? This would lay first on top of the felt type material that covers the door now. Any thoughts are most welcome my friends. Dale

I think this will be a bad idea.

My Barth has a wood floor, which I suppose they all do.

A plastic or rubber barrier could become a trap for moisture, not letting it evaporate.

This moisture would become a source of wood rot, mold and mildew.

Leave it out.

I agree it could be a problem that's why I was asking. Thanks for your input for sure. I will try a thin rubber gasket where the trap door meets the frame work, and keep an eye on same. Dale

Your local hardware store should carry a variety of inexpensive, self-adhesive foam weatherstripping, in varying widths and thicknesses, down to 1/8" or 3/16". If you have any clearance at all under your trap door, the thin material compresses down to almost nothing.

If you try this, be sure to go for the "closed cell" variety, which is usually gray in color. The closed cell material doesn't absorb water like a sponge.

There are other varieties of rubber/plastic weatherstripping as well, which might also work. Check 'em out.

I doubt that moisture would be a problem with all the engine heat back there.