Thrifty Alternatives ..Building Foam Campers

[GPW]

It was just a thought with the idea that you could use most Anything to cover a trailer... I’m starting to think a dozen or more layers of common newspaper would make a strong an outer skin as needed, easy to repair too ... you could always intersperse some strips of fiberglass drywall tape (cheap) between the layers for even more strength... if wanted ... TB2 waterproofs all that , paint seals it !!! Lots of things that you “could" use , with a little imagination and several gallons of TB2...

[Shar]

Hi everyone! Just wanted to tell you that I started a proper build journal, in the Build Journal section, so I wouldn't unduly clutter up the Big Thrifty with the details. It's called, "Hybrid Foamie in Southern Alberta". Hope you all had a happy Easter!

[GPW]

Well then , to me (JMHO) a separate build thread elsewhere is just more to attend to ... and honestly , I Never read the "build threads" anyway ... because it’s all been discussed here first

Easter... Yes , we did , and we hope you did too ...

[Shar]

Hm, well, at least I am now called "Teardrop Builder" instead of just "Teardrop Inspector". Don't worry, I will be sure to come back here with my questions/tantrums.

[GPW]

Congratulations on your recent promotion Shar !!! ...

[Shar]

Thanks GPW! And here's my random question of the day. Has anyone used this stuff in their trailer builds? We got a bunch of it for free from my husband's work. It's basically bubble wrap with a thick silver coating, and was used to keep vegetables cool.

[Mary C]

WOW!!! That stuff is really great for making coolers and I'd make a couple of cooler cozies out of it with at least three layers. as far as building mmmmmmmmmmmm I don't think I have seen anyone using it.

Mary C.

[GPW]

Might be Good for keeping vegetables cool ... small storage bags ...

[Shar]

I will (barring a natural disaster) be using it as insulation in the floor of my trailer. Between the 2x3 "joists". I am just giving cooler heads (no pun intended) a chance to warn me away from it if it's a bad idea.

[GPW]

Don’t think anybody’s tried that yet, so we really can’t say ... bad or good ... so that becomes another “test” of materials ... We sure do a lot of testing huh ???

[Hardryder56]

I don't see why you can't use the bubble wrap under the floor. I would think about layering in to fill the whole space, that way you have both the encapsulated airspace inside the wrap but also the air trapped between the different layer. Keeping it all together as you build might be an issue, maybe a dot or two of hot glue to keep it in place?
Tom

[Shar]

Thanks, Tom! So far I have layers of it, filling the spaces between the "joists". I would like to attach it somehow- I was thinking of sealing the edges with great stuff, which would act as an adhesive and prevent air movement as well. Of course I'll skin it with something too. I'll try this tomorrow after work.

[Jack B.]

On the silver bubble wrap for insulation idea; If anything can go wrong it will. So it might be wise to do a little fire/burn test on a couple small pieces to see what happens if it should be subjected to such an event. Some plastics give off really bad juju when even just heated, some of our foams included. My guess is it will just melt, but as the GeeP is always pointing out, we do like to be the test bunny dummies of the world. Never hurts as much to know ahead of time.

Jack

[mezmo]

That may need an inch or so of airspace to work as it is
more of a "reflective" kind of insulation, more effective
for radiant heat. From what I've seen/read about it, it shouldn't
necessarily be considered a substitute for the other kinds of
insulation - fiber or foam, etc..

But since it was free and you have so much, it might give some
benefit in multi layers from the 'air' trapped in the bubbles. But,
as mentioned, flammability may be a concern too.

[Shar]

Well, I could certainly take a small piece outside and set it on fire, just to know what would happen. I suppose regular foam isn't very flammable, given that it's used in houses?
*later* The silver stuff has passed the flame test. There were two types of it, one that seemed more heavy-duty than the other. The thinner stuff just melted when exposed to a flame; it didn't ignite. The other one was much more fire resistant; it didn't even melt in the small flame I used. Maybe a bigger flame would effect it, but I'm satisfied.