A 12 ft. FEATHERLITE conversion

[Prem]

Thanks Hank!

I really like the design (19 ft. Legend model), but I'd have to have one without all the weight (3,500 lbs. dry).

Just got back from a friend's wedding and campout on the Oregon Coast near Coos Bay. Took the Featherlite. At 1,700 pounds loaded I got down to 55 MPH on some hills on I-5. Averaged 14 MPG. Kept dry when it rained. Interior condensation made an interior leak on the ceiling. I should have spray foamed the walls and ceiling instead of using block foam. No condensation with sprayed-on foam insulation.

Prem

[Prem]

I stripped the old, white, elastomeric roof coating off the Featherlite using the high-pressure, hot water and soap wand at the local RV car wash the other day. (It took $23 in quarters. I touched the tip to the roof on an oblique angle to blister the stuff.) I used ACE brand elastomeric last time (5 years ago). It turned brittle. My friend gave me half a 5-gallon can of Black Jack elastomeric from Lowe's. He put it on when it was 95 degrees in the sun and swore it was cool to the touch after 5 coats. This will likely reduce or eliminate ceiling condensation in the cold weather if one used block foam instead of spray-on foam insulation. We will see.

[hankaye]

Prem, Howdy;

I just keep my overhead vents cracked (I fulltime in a 5th. wheel),
during the Winter and haven't had much of a problem with condensation.
That includes my Winters in Utah and here in Southern N.M.

hank

[Prem]

Hank,

Same here when I had conventional RVs with plastic outer skin.

My aluminum cargo trailer is a different critter. Condensation flows down the walls and ceilings being absorbed by the wood paneling and causing streaks of mold to form on the aluminum, block foam and wood paneling. I'm going to pull it all down, little by little next summer, and glue lightweight headliner cloth to the inside of the skin and then put the block foam and wood paneling back.

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Prem

I would be very interested to see some pictures of your mold issue if you could post some ?

Thanks Jerry

[Prem]

Not taking the paneling off again until next summer Jerry.

[hankaye]

Prem, Howdy;

I used the same method with my old '95 metal and wood Travel Trailer in the same Utah winter
zone. However in it the insulation was batting (pink), type and they used small sections supported
by 2X2's that were sort of staggered along the length of the walls. Just a thought...

hank

[Prem]

http://www.greatlakescargoclub.com/cargo/Paul%20S.htm

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Prem


Did you at least spray some water and bleach on your mold or are you immune to the effects.

[lrrowe]

If this response and question sound stupid, I apologize in advance.

For condensation, for the walls, if one were to apply insulation, then the plywood sheets, then a plastic vapor barrier and then a wall covering such as indoor/outdoor carpet (similar to what I think I have seen in other posts), would that not work to keep the moisture away from the insides of the walls?

For the ceiling, well that is another matter for me to think about.

Bob

[Prem]

Jerry: Yeah, I know. Chlorine works. I even use 10% bleach in water in a garden sprayer for the outside of the trailer. (Those black spots that develop are bacteria colonies.)

Bob: Easier to keep all humidity off the inside skin by just coating it.

If it didn't weigh so much and off-gas, I'd be inclined to use elastomeric roof coating on the inside skin and wall studs too.

Plan A for next summer (in the dry heat) is to put light, synthetic headliner carpet on the walls and ceiling and coat the stud sides with Tuff Stuff foam in a can.

[Prem]

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/this-could-be-big-abc-news/high-tech-trailer-dreams-155748256.html

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Very nice I would take one.

No way in hell it would sell for $75,000 as the story claims.

The American Domani trailer - not as nice goes for $65,000- $85,000
This thing made in Europe would sell for at least $130,000 Or more

Prem

If - When you start to notice strange health problems , get the hell out of your trailer.
Until then you could also use a dehumidifier & stay in dry climates , mold does not grow well under 35%

Jerry

[Prem]

Jerry,

I know all about it. I avoid mold. I have an ozonator to kill it at the flip of a switch. Works great.

Humidity here in southern Oregon is really low much of the year. It's the humidity from exhaling that is the problem in a small environment. Fortunately, I'm a fair-weather camper and live in a house most of the time.

[cjkrause]

looks great and love the way it turned out