Insulation question

[rhltechie]

Hi All,

A quick question on insulation. I have noticed a lot of people using the R-tech on their TD tops and curves. Would this insulation also be sufficient for the floor in an exposed manner?

thanks!

[alffink]

Hi Mandy,

You'll probably end up with as many different oppinions as corresponds to the number of those that respond, but I did it this way..... and it seems to be working fine.

I used the ridgid sheet insulation, not the white styrofoam (made with the little pellets) Cut to fit tightly with-in the floor framing (press fit), painted the underside of the floor with the asphalt sealer, messy but does a great job, thus far, pressed the insulation in place, asphalt again around the edges for a good seal, went ahead and put a coat over the foam for a uniform look, who's going to crawl under and see???? but I did it anyway.

tear has been on the road for about a thousand miles total, about 50 - 75 on dirt, sand and gravel looks as good as the day I did it. Don't seem to get much being thrown up under the trailer, now to be clear I have not been in any real wet weather here in So. Cal, but I don't think I have any reason to worry about it.

Just the way I did it, and it is warm, I am an astronomer as my signature suggests, and the desert can get real cold at night, now I don't need to hear back from those in the Northern climates, I'm just saying that the insulated floor really does seem to make a difference, when it's well below freezing and the wind is blowing at 2:00AM

[Esteban]

Mandy,

There are many good ways to do it. Here's how I'm going about it.

My floor has 3/8" plywood on top. An inside ladder like frame built with 3/4" thick wood boards and filled with 3/4" aluminum skinned foam insulation. The bottom is covered with Orange Box waterproof luan about 3/16" thick. The bottom is waterproofed with Raka.com epoxy (so I could practice using it in an out of sight place) then black Henry's asphalt emulsion. The epoxy is probably redundant. (It was fun to do to build my confidence using a new to me product).

Years ago I almost got hypothermia camping inside an uninsulated van in near freezing weather. So I'm insulating everything in my TD. Floor, walls, roof, bulkhead, and galley. Maybe (probably) I'm overdoing it re. the minimum necessary insulation. But it won't hurt and it's lightweight construction. I expect to sleep warm and cozy. Cooler when it's hot outside. Maybe a little quieter too.

BTW I'm fiberglassing the walls, roof and hatch. Then will paint them.

[Boodro]

Mandy I believe the cost & effort to insulate the floor is a loss. The mattress is more than enough insulation ! Since I see you are in S.C. why worry about it. Just waterproof the bottom & be done with it, The money & time spent on insulating the floor can go to other areas of the TD . Just as a side line ,,,, I used those 3/4 inch x24"x24"rubber floor mats that lock together like a jigsaw puzzle.Then put my mattress on top. Works for me but thats just the way I did it. Good luck!

[rhltechie]

Thanks for the replies. I had really not thought about not doing the insulated floor. The only time it would worry me is when we go to the mountains in the winter. Down here in the south..it rarely gets cold enough to worry about being TOO cold. I had not thought of the fact that the foam mattress would be "insulation". I still have some thinkin' to do, but you have definitely given me something to think about boodro!!

[bobhenry]

I always do things "backards". I decided to insulate after the fact so I cut 2 layers of 3/4 blue foam and placed on my floor inside the body of the tear and layered 7/16 osb over it as a sub floor. I never missed the 2" of height and my insulation is not exposed to the elements. At -15 wind chill and zero outside at our Januarry campout here in Indiana I was real thankfull for the insulation that I installed.

[toypusher]

Thanks for the replies. I had really not thought about not doing the insulated floor. The only time it would worry me is when we go to the mountains in the winter. Down here in the south..it rarely gets cold enough to worry about being TOO cold. I had not thought of the fact that the foam mattress would be "insulation". I still have some thinkin' to do, but you have definitely given me something to think about boodro!!

Although the foam mattress will give you insulation, not insulating the floor can then cause condensation under your foam mattress and that can cause some problems. Just some 3/4" rigid insulation fastened up underneath with screws and fender washers will take that worry away. You might remember that insulation will help keep the heat out as well as keeping the heat in (or cold out depending on how you look at it)!

[rhltechie]

Just some 3/4" rigid insulation

When you say this do you the R-tech i was talking about?

I had not thought of condensation either! hmmm....back to the drawing board....or boards..lol

[toypusher]

Just some 3/4" rigid insulation

When you say this do you the R-tech i was talking about?

I had not thought of condensation either! hmmm....back to the drawing board....or boards..lol

Yes, the R-tech would work fine, I belive. It is quick and easy to install and can easily be replaced if it gets damaged. Mine has been on since May of 95 and had no problems with damage so far.