To insulate or not?

[mwallace61]

If you don't ever camp in the winter, nor in the high heat of the deep south, is there any compelling reason to insulate a teardrop? Seems it is so much simpler to build without insulation, and I can't see the real need for me to insulate. But perhaps there is something I'm missing....

On the sound proofing qualities of insulation. If you've ever been in bed with a screamer, you know what I mean. Scared the heck out of my wife first time she heard me.

Heheheheheheheheheheh....... that made some of my fine Eagle River Bourbon shoot right out my nose! And I hate to waste the taste....

[bobhenry]

Comes in handy in January around here









pictures stolen from scott T

[Mightydog]

bobhenry shows us pictures from the future! December 2, 2252!

We have insulation mainly because the plans called for it. In the future, I doubt we will insulate. It is handy when we have Rev. Bob and the Cume-By-Yah Choir in the camping spot next to us while we're trying to sleep. When you close the doors and turn on the fan, they can strumity strum and singity sing all night long and we can't hear them.

[Kelleyaynn]

Kelleyaynn

In our area of the country I don't think a fully insulated coach is necessary.

To not insulate the roof and around the front curve would be foolish.

It's so easy to do, you've got a space between the roof sheathing and the ceiling liner you might as well fill it with something useful...insulation.

The rear, you've got enough "Dead Air Spaces" insulating you that its not worth worrying about.

Len

Now this makes sense to me. Even though I plan to skin the top with aluminum, the extra insulation will help.

Thanks.

[bobhenry]

bobhenry shows us pictures from the future! December 2, 2252!

Please note the credit to Scott T for the stolen pictures !

He is the future psycic not me

[Conestoga]

Has anybody done a floor like this: plywood flat on the frame and one single sheet of foam board inside the tear? Would this simplify or complicate the build? I would think of it as a little extra padding under bed, too.

[synaps3]

Conestoga -

That would make sense for added insulation, but may detract from durability if there is any "floor" area other than mattress. If your whole floor in your teardrop is covered with mattress, I see no issue.

[bobhenry]

Has anybody done a floor like this: plywood flat on the frame and one single sheet of foam board inside the tear? Would this simplify or complicate the build? I would think of it as a little extra padding under bed, too.

I did a 3/4 floor on the frame and after sides were installed I added 2 layers of 3/4 foam (to hide wheel well bumps) then a layer of 7/16 osb over all to protect the foam. Worked so well I have done it on 2 builds.

[Conestoga]

bobhenry thanks, that's what i had in mind. Is two layers of 3/4" sufficiently better than one layer of 1" to make it worth the while?

Good idea to protect the foam on top too. I was thinking about rolling a layer of heavy vinyl (linoleum) on top.

[boardhead]

I'm glad I fully insulated mine. Here in the Pacific NW the temperature drops a lot at night during Spring and Fall seasons, and condensation will accumulate inside if not insulated. Consider the average adult exhales over a quart of water overnight. This accumulates on the walls and drips down into the mattress. It can get really soggy.

Regarding sound proofing, even though my tear is 100% insulated, when it rains it's LOUD. If I had it to do over again, I would have installed a sheet of luan over the top of the roof insulation and sheeted the aluminum over that, instead of just sheeting it with aluminum over the insulation.

[Conestoga]

Regarding sound proofing, even though my tear is 100% insulated, when it rains it's LOUD. If I had it to do over again, I would have installed a sheet of luan over the top of the roof insulation and sheeted the aluminum over that, instead of just sheeting it with aluminum over the insulation.

oh no, you sleep in a drum. in those conditions have you tried setting up one of those screen rooms/tarp/canopy over the tear?

[boardhead]

I use the tear when I go windsurfing in the Columbia River Gorge. After a day of windsurfing in 30MPH winds, nothing keeps me awake!

[txturbo]

I'm going to insulate mine. I'm just using 1/2" and 3/4" plywood for the floor and walls. But I'm going to spray Lizardskin insulating coating on it for sound deadening and insulation. I should have enough leftover from a car project to cover it.

[Noob]

Regarding sound proofing, even though my tear is 100% insulated, when it rains it's LOUD. If I had it to do over again, I would have installed a sheet of luan over the top of the roof insulation and sheeted the aluminum over that, instead of just sheeting it with aluminum over the insulation.

Just do what my neighbor does ... he throws an old matress on top of his car every time it hails.

I'm planing on using 2x2's for the roof spars, and filling it with the thikest foam I can fit in there... and atleast 1/2" on the walls, an the thickest they make 2" (?) under the floor. Mine will be parked over snow most of the time... and temps in the low teens is common.
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[boardhead]

That's how my roof is built - 2x2 spars with rigid foam insulation between the spars. Had I installed a sheet of luan over the spars/insulation and put the aluminum sheet on top of the luan, it would be quiet when it rains - for very little expense & work.

I live in the Pacific NW where it rains a lot. It sure is nice staying high & dry versus using tent.