To insulate or not

[donkro]

I'm planning my first teardrop and have read much on this forum. It seems that many people insulate. Are there many out there who have not insulated? I'm trying to keep the cost down and construction simple and my wife and I are basically 3 season campers. However, I don't want to build the thing and then regret not insulating. Can I hear some pro's and con's on insulation?

[Miriam C.]

It is more expensive to insulate than not. I am trying to keep the heat out as much as the cold so I did. Besides early spring (if I get it done) when my daughter and I sneak off to fish we want a place to warm up and get dry. It invaribly drizzles rain on us.

[PaulC]

If you're going to go out in the snow with minus temps--insulate. If not, don't.
Cheers
Paul

[bledsoe3]

I think the cost of insulation is minimal and at least you won't regret not doing it later.

[len19070]

When I build a 4' wide trailer the only side insulation I use is a foam backed rug, glued to the plywood side walls.



Any trailer that is wider I go with a conventional "stick built" insulated wall.

Its so easy while building to insulate the roof and floor, that its not worth not doing it.

The problem with the descision on weather to insulate or not is after its done (or not done) you will never think of it again. Lots of people never insulate, and are perfectly happy. If you were comfortable sleeping..that's great, if not it was some other reason. i.e. It was just to hot, I left the window open to much, wrong sleeping bag, he/she sweats.

Next weekend 2/9/07 I'm going camping in Central PA. with my trailer. As I look at my thermometer now it says 6 degrees. In the summer I camp on the beach in Southern Delaware with no electric. These are extremes, and not everyone camps like this. But for the few times you do insulation is nice.

My opinion

Happy Trails

Len

[Classic Finn]

Our tear is insulated with 50mm foam front to back, and thin insulation under hardwood flooring.. that be it on this one ... for the Scandinavian
climate... the next one will be insulated all the way around...

Classic Finn from Reindeerland

[Ira]

I think the cost of insulation is minimal and at least you won't regret not doing it later.

My thoughts on it exactly. How much are a couple of pieces of rigid foan insulation gonna cost you?

There are also condensation issues which insulation helps with.

[neal b]

hi donkro i did insulate mine with the 4x8 sheet foam board i might have $18.00 in it i think it is well worth that it also helps with sound you wount here the campers next to you as much!!! look at the lumber yard they might have some that are damaged you can get at a cheaper price you will be cutting them to fit any way insulate


neal

[Joseph]

My thoughts on it exactly. How much are a couple of pieces of rigid foan insulation gonna cost you?
There are also condensation issues which insulation helps with.

Yeah, what he said! Also, the sandwich technique I used resulted in a much lighter weight than had I used solid plywood. True, that 3mm marine ply I used cost a lot, but in retrospect it was money well spent.

Joseph

[Ira]

My thoughts on it exactly. How much are a couple of pieces of rigid foan insulation gonna cost you?
There are also condensation issues which insulation helps with.

Yeah, what he said! Also, the sandwich technique I used resulted in a much lighter weight than had I used solid plywood. True, that 3mm marine ply I used cost a lot, but in retrospect it was money well spent.

Joseph

Sigh.

If we could only agree on POLITICS like this.

[halfdome, Danny]

Insulation makes your tear more private from others if you get my drift . It's fairly inexpensive and worth the effort for a more comfortable tear no mater what the season is. Danny

[Nitetimes]

My thoughts on it exactly. How much are a couple of pieces of rigid foan insulation gonna cost you?
There are also condensation issues which insulation helps with.

Yeah, what he said! Also, the sandwich technique I used resulted in a much lighter weight than had I used solid plywood. True, that 3mm marine ply I used cost a lot, but in retrospect it was money well spent.

Joseph

Sigh.

If we could only agree on POLITICS like this.

But then you'd have to change your whole way of thinking and how would the rest of us have any fun!!

[Dale M.]

Insulation will provide a warmer trailer in winter, and a cooler trailer in summer heat... WIN-WIN...

Only looser is pocket book....... But comfort overides every time!

Dale

[TRAIL-OF-TEARS]

Most of the Teardrops from the early days were only 1/2 ply no insulation anywhere. I only insulated the roof between the spars and I just used 3/4" birch for the walls. We did have some condensation when we camped in Colorado in 32+- deg temps at night but a quick wipe with a paper towel and it was dry. And as for keeping it cool in the summer if you are going to mount an A/C in there it will freeze you out. The main reason I did not insulate was that it was much easier construction, there is no framing and less cutting. Also Camp-Inn only uses 3/4" walls and they are in Wisconsin. good luck I hope you do not loose too much sleep about this.

[mikeschn]

Last month, while camping in the Escape hatch in Virginia in 30 degree temps, we found the walls too cold to lean against. So we propped a pillow inbetween us and the walls.

I will probably put a little insulation in my next teardrop, in places where it matters. The ceiling. The wall where we sit against it. But that's about it.

Like trail-o-tears said, don't loose too much sleep over this ...

Mike...