Best way to attach insulation to the floor

[chorizon]

Just finished asphalting my floor. I was planning on insulating it before attaching it to the frame. What's the best way to attach styrofoam insulation? I thought about fender washers/screws, but don't how many would secure the insulation properly.

[mikeschn]

If you can push it into the pockets while it's wet, and let it dry to the asphalt...

but of course, it may be too late for that.

I would try cutting the insulation to be a snug fit, and then press it in, with about 4 or 5 drywall screws and fender washers per piece.

You might also want to check if they make something like duct tape for roofs, and put a piece along each edge (in addition to the screws)

Then again, does anyone one else have any good ideas?

Mike...

[Miriam C.]

What he said.... The "evil smelling black goo" is really sticky and will stick to anything.

[chorizon]

I wasn't sure how much the wind would buffet the styrofoam, but I assume its not too bad. I wonder if aluminum tape would stick to the asphalt. I discovered it a few years ago when repairing an AC duct, its neat stuff.

[chorizon]

What he said.... The "evil smelling black goo" is really sticky and will stick to anything.

I'll remember that next time. D'oh!
My wife walked into the garage this morning, wrinkled her nose and said ,"What's that smell", and walked back inside. This was followed five minutes later with a ,"the trailer's not going to smell like that on the inside, is it!"

[mikeschn]

No... You can tell your wife, once it's dry, it won't smell like that on the inside...
Mike...

"the trailer's not going to smell like that on the inside, is it!"

[exminnesotaboy]

I used construction adhesive along with fender washers & screws. In looking back, I definitely didn't need the adhesive and won't be using it on my next build. I will, however, probably put a screw & fenderwasher every 12" or so.

The condition of the foamboard is a good as when I originally put it in two years ago.

I had to remount some parts underneath the tear recently and the foamboard was a complete pain to remove due to the adhesive.

[MrBuzz]

The sticky asphalt goo did not work for me. The insulation started coming off within the first month. After that I couldn't see the sense in re-insulating the floor. At anything above 30 degrees the TD is plenty warm...the mattress seems to be plenty of insulation between me and the floor.

[cablerunners]

I was going to use liquid nails....

But I like the screws and washers idea much better...

-phil

[Wolffarmer]

Personally I found it to be a waste of time and money and I will not do it again. Except under where I plan to put a cooler, planning on insulating the cooler compartment. A standy might be different where a person will occasionaly be standing on the floor in bare/stocking feet.

Just my opinion.

[Nobody]

For most of us who've tried it with & without insulation, insulation wins every time! Mine is probably 'overkill' but I cut the insulation board so it'd fit very tightly then applied a couple of beads of liquid nails (or equivalent) to the evil black sticky stuff on the underside of the floor & put the insulation in place; then decided I needed a little redundancy so I cut some lengths of 3/4"x3/4" boards & used my 18ga stapler/nailer to fasten them to the floor joists as 'keepers'. Nearly 2yrs & several thousand miles later the insulation is still in place with no deterioration or movement. Insulating the floor is a small, inexpensive step that'll pay dividends, & even if you don't think so, it don't cost much, weighs next to nothing, & is something you won't regret doing Mine looked like this before 'flipping' & mounting on the trailer frame -

[razorback]

I tacked some extruded metal to the frame. The stuff that 4 wheeler ramps are usually made of. It is a little expensive but the insulation is not going anywhere.
Larry

[Dee Bee]

Don't create a water trap...

[jplock]

I didn't put any insulation in the floor the matress is plenty. I have thought if extra isulation was needed I could put the styrofoam sheet under the mattress. I did notice last weekend camping in a thunderstorm while in the sack when I was sleeping on my side with my ear to the pillow the thunder was louder than sleeping on my back. The noise sure comes up through the floor.
jplock


PS we stayed dry no leaks!

[cablerunners]

Hi All,

Hoping not to stray from the orginal question...

I would like to say that I did not insulate the floor of my TD.
We have a nice foam mattress and I've noticed that it is moist on the underside after each camping trip. I think it's from condensation (warm mattress against a cold floor). I plan to insulate my floor now...

Something to ponder...

-phil