Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Got a wild hair tonight and started putting in spars...true 1 inch x 1 inch spars with 1 inch pink Foamular (12 inch centers)... the insulation so far is really tight, but I have to press pretty hard to bend it around around the curve...

Do most people scarf the insulation? Or will the strap clamps (when I get some) pull it tight enough I won't have to scarf? Oh yeah...geez...a fella is in Alaska and only using 1 inch insulation...go figure...

Dave, dont worry about the insulation. If it makes you feel better, we are in fairbanks and arent putting any in ours!

Dave,

I didn't scarf the pink foam, although it sounds like a good idea. I did use Smacna tape to join the pieces and to seal it in to complete the moisture barrier. I might have over done it...

In the radius I used a straight edge and a razor. I scored it half the thickness every 2". It made it easy to lay in.

Scarfed mine every 2 inches on the bad curves. Used the table saw with a thin kerf blade. Careful cause it will shoot out if you don't hold it just right and melt if you send it through too slow.

I didn't scarf mine. I used a thinner product, then layered it. I found that holding the edges down with brads really helped me form the pink stuff to the roof shape.



Dee Bee

I didn't scarf mine. I used a thinner product, then layered it. I found that holding the edges down with brads really helped me form the pink stuff to the roof shape.



By the way I am glad I insulated ceiling and walls. I have never had any condensation problems, insulation is the cure of damp inside walls.

Dee Bee

I had to kerf the insulation on the curved sections because it was 1-1/2 inches thick and wouldn't bend. The picture shows a test piece, the actual had half as many kerfs in it.

I did two layers@ 3/4" each.
I kerfed the backs..


Spring clamps and scrap wood hold the first layer..


To hold the second layer, use scraps of 1/4" ply, screwed to the roof spars..


In the bottom pic, of the Stripper, in progress, I used a foil faced Styrofoam
product..very flexible. I use only pink or blue foam now.

That seems to be doing the trick...a few scarf cuts and temporary scrap pieces screwed into the spars. Much easier to work with. I've been wondering if that 1 inch foam would bend without scarfing.