Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I am thinking about using the Reflectix insulation for the walls and roof. It's a foil lined bubble wrap that is used for insulating hot water heaters, reflects 97% of radiant energy and is thin - 5/16". I think it would make for a thinner section if you are using a sandwich-type wall.

It's a take off of what back packers call a space blanket/survival blanket..It is an excellent insulation.Ive found it in rolls at a few army navy stores through the years.used it in a few ice shanties ive built also.Also used draped over a few rv's in hot 100+ temps.It keeps you cool in heat & warm in cold.The only problems we ever had w/it...It collect's moisture.When used in a small inclosed area just the moisture from your breath will collect on it..Unvented propane heat also has the same effect.Maybe if it was used in a wall..Sandwich style it wouldn't have the same effect.? I will use the space blanket material for my POD..however i will still use it draped over the outside or used as a canopy material.So in the summer as a canopy,& in winter draped directly over the POD..Thats the way we found best.It can be used in an inclosed area w/good ventilation...The more fresh air it get's the problem does go away...It might be the best insulation there is weight,size,price..Would be most effective in the roof area..I was going to post about the space blanket material,Lots of teardroper's pic's show them camping with full coverage canopy's..Use of this material would be the best canopy there is,it's strong,waterproof,& completly refects heat..

Vino, I know how the space blanket would collect moisture by itself, so, my thinking is if it's in a sealed wooden wall the moisture would be kept to a minimum. No worse than using a foam core.

Even under carpeted wall..Just not as a wall material on the outside or inside on the roof..Thays what i will probably do on the POD. Under carpet..I know of no better insulation..Put one under your matress it realley helps.We used them in our mountain & desert survial..It seems to me,cost effective,easy application..glue or furring strips mount,much better than no insulation at all..I can sit all day at 100 temps under a space blanket tarp..(drinking a cold one)...Maybe we'll be the 1st to try it...Im going to use it for sure..A year from now i'll let everyone know how it works out..I use them to cover coolers w/also.Anything you need to keep hot or cold..Take care..

This material is not realley an insulation..It's a REFLECTIVE BARRIOR..in other words..it mearly reflects the heat back at the source...& a good job it does at that..maybe some of the more tech foks can explain it better...THANKS..

Any bubble wrap type insulation wouldndn't add any structural strength..

I used foil backed 1 1/2" foam because of the reflective property of the foil, Don't know if it made a difference, but the teardrop is nice cool when I climb in

Must be copyed to your address bar...pdf file...Ive learned a little more myself..& that to me is what it's all about!

http://www.home-digest.com/pdf/sp2003energy.pdf

I have been very impressed with foil back 3/4 inch insul and white exterior epoxy paint.... very cool, way into the afternoon on a sunny day..

Yeah, Woody, I forgot about that stuff. I think I've seen it called Cellotex or something like that. When I posted this question, I really wasn't looking for a better structural product than the hard foam board but a thinner material to use to keep the wall thickness down. I've always thought that a shinny, foil surface would reflect heat and therefore be a better insulator.... wouldn't need all the bulk of a thicker foam or weight of using thicker ply on the walls for the same result. R-value is getting nit picky for a tear IMO, I'm more concearned with price and weight.

Warpony,
I used it because of the Heat reflective property it has and I had it. The aluminum is on both sides and it does make a difference with the heat in Florida. That is why I used it. Anything to stay cool down here and it wasn't that much heavier than the other stuff