How to insulate questions

Converting Cargo Trailers into TTTs

How to insulate questions

Postby David_L6 » Sun Sep 29, 2013 9:54 am

What's the best way to insulate a cargo trailer? I don't want to have any problems with condensation, mold, mildew, etc....
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Re: How to insulate questions

Postby MtnDon » Sun Sep 29, 2013 11:28 am

Do you own the trailer already?
Our 6x12 deep vee nose cargo trailer camper conversion... viewtopic.php?f=42&t=58336

We have a small off grid cabin we built ourselves in the NM mountains; small PV solar system; 624 watts PV, Outback CC & inverter/charger ... http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=2335.0
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Re: How to insulate questions

Postby bc toys » Sun Sep 29, 2013 12:00 pm

most of us use the blue board of the big box store and some us spray exspanding foam where it does not fit real tight me I just use blue board cause in Nv we dont have a lot of moister.
best to insolate ever where you might see gaps
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Re: How to insulate questions

Postby David_L6 » Sun Sep 29, 2013 12:10 pm

MtnDon wrote:Do you own the trailer already?


Yes. Why?
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Re: How to insulate questions

Postby David_L6 » Sun Sep 29, 2013 12:12 pm

bc toys wrote:most of us use the blue board of the big box store and some us spray exspanding foam where it does not fit real tight me I just use blue board cause in Nv we dont have a lot of moister.
best to insolate ever where you might see gaps


I know that's the way most people insulate a trailer. After reading about Prem's mold problem I got to thinking that I probably should do something different than just shove in some foam insulation....
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Re: How to insulate questions

Postby MtnDon » Sun Sep 29, 2013 12:28 pm

David_L6 wrote:
Yes. Why?


Because if you did not have a trailer yet I'd suggest starting with a Cargo-Mate trailer like OverTheTopCargo Trailer did. Wood framing for avoiding the steel thermal conductivity issue and plywood on the outside, then the aluminum skin. That goes a long ways to remove the condensation on metal problem.

With an already owned trailer, spray on foam all over between the metal studs would be great but expensive.

So I think it comes down to rigid sheets cut to fit and sealed with canned foam, as was mentioned.

Moisture laden air must be kept away from the metal to avoid condensation.
Our 6x12 deep vee nose cargo trailer camper conversion... viewtopic.php?f=42&t=58336

We have a small off grid cabin we built ourselves in the NM mountains; small PV solar system; 624 watts PV, Outback CC & inverter/charger ... http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=2335.0
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Re: How to insulate questions

Postby David_L6 » Sun Sep 29, 2013 5:05 pm

MtnDon wrote:
David_L6 wrote:
Yes. Why?


Because if you did not have a trailer yet I'd suggest starting with a Cargo-Mate trailer like OverTheTopCargo Trailer did. Wood framing for avoiding the steel thermal conductivity issue and plywood on the outside, then the aluminum skin. That goes a long ways to remove the condensation on metal problem.

With an already owned trailer, spray on foam all over between the metal studs would be great but expensive.

So I think it comes down to rigid sheets cut to fit and sealed with canned foam, as was mentioned.

Moisture laden air must be kept away from the metal to avoid condensation.


I have a regular ole enclosed cargo trailer - steel frame, aluminum on the outside, something similar to plywood (luan?) on the inside. I live in Louisiana - humidity is going to be a major problem. I want to do anything I can to lessen moisture problems while I'm insulating this trailer (I can't afford another trailer).
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Re: How to insulate questions

Postby hikediveexploregirl » Tue Oct 01, 2013 5:22 am

What brand spray foam do people use if they are spraying the whole thing? I am about to start a 6x12 conversion and living in Georgia I anticipate humidity and moisture to be an issue. I would prefer to do it right the first time...
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Re: How to insulate questions

Postby hikediveexploregirl » Tue Oct 01, 2013 5:55 am

Well, correction, I see the comments on disadvantages of spraying the whole thing. So I am assuming everyone used Great Stuff for cracks? Did people use the insulating foam with a moisture barrier?
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Re: How to insulate questions

Postby MtnDon » Tue Oct 01, 2013 8:51 am

hikediveexploregirl wrote: Did people use the insulating foam with a moisture barrier?



Placing the moisture barrier where?? On the interior side of the wall? Do not do that..That creates a double moisture barrier, the foam sealed to the skin is one too. That makes a trapped space between foam and MB you do not want.

People in GA should never use a MB on the interior of anything including their house.
Our 6x12 deep vee nose cargo trailer camper conversion... viewtopic.php?f=42&t=58336

We have a small off grid cabin we built ourselves in the NM mountains; small PV solar system; 624 watts PV, Outback CC & inverter/charger ... http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=2335.0
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Re: How to insulate questions

Postby hikediveexploregirl » Tue Oct 01, 2013 9:13 am

So which insulating board is considered best for insulation while reducing moisture induced mold growth? I have used the moisture barrier insulation for a crawl space...and in a custom built in saltwater aquarium I did however the logistics were quite different from this application.
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Re: How to insulate questions

Postby Trackstriper » Tue Oct 01, 2013 9:44 am

David_L6 wrote:
I know that's the way most people insulate a trailer. After reading about Prem's mold problem.......


I missed this discussion somewhere along the line, anyone have a link to Prem's issues?
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Re: How to insulate questions

Postby OverTheTopCargoTrailer » Tue Oct 01, 2013 9:49 am

Here you go read all about Prem



http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=25377
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Re: How to insulate questions

Postby hikediveexploregirl » Tue Oct 01, 2013 10:22 am

I was reading that this morning and trying to hold my spinning head. Lord knows I don't want moisture issue!!
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Re: How to insulate questions

Postby Trackstriper » Tue Oct 01, 2013 1:12 pm

OverTheTopCargoTrailer wrote:Here you go read all about Prem



http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=25377


Thank you. I don't want to sound lazy, I have generally kept up with Prem's stuff over the years....there's 50 pages, can you be a little more specific regarding where he has been dealing with mold issue?
Last edited by Trackstriper on Tue Oct 01, 2013 1:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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