Insulating the floor...

[mikeschn]

Insulating the floor...

Hey guys, here's a good question for you. If you were considering insulating the floor of your teardrop, and you want to use extruded polystyrene in between the 1x3 studs underneath, and leave the insulation exposed to the elements... would you

1) undercoat the floor and then glue in the polystyrene
2) glue in the polystyrene and then undercoat any exposed surfaces
3) some other process

Mike...

[twc3]

Hello Mike,

2) glue in the polystyrene and then undercoat any exposed surfaces.

I felt that the polystyrene will not come off as easy that way. If you undercoat the floor and then glue in the polystyrene you might take the chance that the glue won't adhere very well and in time the stuff will fall by force of gravity. I also feel that the asphalt emulsion/undercoating helps protect the polystyrene from the elements.

Tom

[JamesW]

Mike,
I used the Asphalt Emulsion on the wood then attached the insulation with glue and screws. I then coated the insulation with some of the emulsion.

[Arne]

Will the insulation 'melt' from the volatiles in the emulsion? I mean has that been a problem, like some foam needing exopy instead of polyester resins?

[JamesW]

For the floor I used the solid foam insulation. The kind with the metal foil.

[Clancy Courtney]

Mike, I used an adhesive for foam insulation and screws through fender washers.
Good luck,
Clancy

[Jiminsav]

Mike, if'n i were you, and if'n it were my trailer, i'd undercoat, put the insulation in, and then physically restrain it in joists, because..glue fails, and BTW, i have seen that the extruded pink stuff does break down in sunlight, so it doesn't appear very stable when exposed.

[mikeschn]

Jim in Savanna,

So your thinking getting some aluminum bar stock, maybe 1/16 or 1/8 inch thick, and drive some screws thru it, thru the pink insulation and into the underside of the floor, and forget about the glue?

Mike...

P.S. Do you have any new photos of your newest teardrop construction?

[Jiminsav]

Mike, why not some brass screws and big washers every foot or so?
and no, i've been slack in the pic dept., but never fear, haven't gotten too far ahead
I'll get some later after the camera charges and post um here for ya..later.

[Frank]

Might 24gage Alu sheets screwed to the underside? Would need to put some building felt between the steel framing and alu to stop electrolicis (miss spelled).

[Jiminsav]

ok..here's the latests foto's

[BufordT]

Jim,

That thang be looking good. You got to let us know how the axle system works out when it's done.

Bufordt

[Eagle]

I know this is late getting in on this thread , but what about 1/8 inch ply as an underpan with the roofing coating on this? Is the roll on truck bed liner too heavy to use, too expensive, or both? Have not checked that out.

Thanks,

Eagle

[mikeschn]

The truck bed liner is too expensive. Just get roof coating from Lowes or Home Depot.

Yes, you could use thin plywood as an undercover. Do you really think you need it? I don't think it's necessary. I'm going to let the pink insulation face the road. It'll be coated with roof coating though!

Mike...

[Eric Adams]

The truck bed liner is too expensive. Just get roof coating from Lowes or Home Depot.

Yes, you could use thin plywood as an undercover. Do you really think you need it? I don't think it's necessary. I'm going to let the pink insulation face the road. It'll be coated with roof coating though!

Mike...

Just my $0.02 I plan on doing the sandwich thing. THe bottom piece of wood could be real thin if you are worried about weight.