Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I've begun to "upholster" the walls with red felt, with shiny nickel upholstery tacks. The walls were stained and poly sealed before, then I spray glued some batting to the wall, then stretched and trimmed the red felt over that, nailing the edges with 1/2" upholstery tacks every 3 or 4". I've trimmed the doors out with aluminum C-channel (1/2").

Should I be concerned about the felt in regards to moisture?

My initial thought is that it might collect water, but would wick easily.

I just don't want to do something and kick myself later. Pics to come...

The sound properties of felt sounds good. We'll be waiting to hear your feedback of how felt weathers the elements!

Mike...

...JUST WATCHOUT FOR MOTHS
madjack

Hey Fornesto..........you live in Calif, there's all sorts of info in the media nowadays about mold in homes, tons of lawsuits. I'm a certified Ca. home inspector and i've seen it.... I think that you could come up with another material that wouldn't provide a home for nasties like that. It's just my opinion, but you might want to rethink this. I really don't want to discourage you or your ideas, Just make sure that you dry things out really well, after every use, or you could have a tear drop petri dish. there are plug in driers that are used on boats that remove extra moisture during storage periods. Doug Hodder

It will be garaged and I'll be sure to let it air out as much as possible. after any outings I've got a large dehumidifier (a necessity in Monterey) that should also help to get out the "post-camping-stinky-stuffy-rv-funk". That and a coffee can of baking soda should keep her nice and dry.

I don't know how felt will do, but I've seen glues seep through fabric, leaving a water-stained look. We just spent $5k repairing the wall covering in one of the rooms in the building I work in. The fabric "wall paper" they had used to dampen sound leached the glue to the surface.

I lightly sprayed the wall and applied the batting. The actual felt is held on with nickel upholstery tacks and looks pretty sharp. If I hate it, I'm out $15 worth of red felt and should come down pretty easy. For now, it stays.

I've got a related question, or point, as it may be.

When we lived aboard our sailboat, the bunk consisted of 4" of mattress foam. It was marvelously comfortable. The only problem was that as the water temperature cooled (50-60F range) the bottom of the mattress was wet each morning with condensation. Under the foam was 1/2" ply that formed the top of the storage compartment below one side of which was the hull skin, in contact with the water. So it was always cool. It seems that the old bod would put out enough moisture that some would condense on the cool surface. The only way to deal with it was to prop up the mattress all day to allow it to dry out.

It seems that the inside of a tear is much like the boat...fairly enclosed space with (frequently) a cool surface for the mattress support. Has anyone noticed condensation like that?

Ralph

I've got a related question, or point, as it may be.

When we lived aboard our sailboat, the bunk consisted of 4" of mattress foam. It was marvelously comfortable. The only problem was that as the water temperature cooled (50-60F range) the bottom of the mattress was wet each morning with condensation. Under the foam was 1/2" ply that formed the top of the storage compartment below one side of which was the hull skin, in contact with the water. So it was always cool. It seems that the old bod would put out enough moisture that some would condense on the cool surface. The only way to deal with it was to prop up the mattress all day to allow it to dry out.

It seems that the inside of a tear is much like the boat...fairly enclosed space with (frequently) a cool surface for the mattress support. Has anyone noticed condensation like that?

Ralph

Terbeau

I still recall the cussing-out I got for "ruining" the hardwood floor in Mom's sewing room. We pulled the 4" foam pads out of the van, and slept on the floor during a weekend visit. We left a big square water mark under the mattress. Foam will wick the moisture out of your body under most any conditions

One one trip I set up the tear about 15' from my fire pit. While enjoying the fire the wind shifted and smoke went all through the tear. Two weeks later it still smelled like dead smoke inside so had to wash everything, air the mattress and wash the walls. If the walls were carpet or felt it would probably still smell smoky.

Denny