Preparing My Trailer for Winter Camping Part 1 : Adding Insulation Underneath
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- Опубликовано: 29 авг 2024
- I've long thought that the floor in most camper trailers were poorly insulated, so finally I decided to add foam underneath. This is the first part of my new winter preparations for camping, so please stay tuned!
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Slim, there is something about your videos that’s very soothing and calms me down whenever I’m little anxious. Sometimes I even go watch your old videos.
Thank you for making these videos for us.
Probably the grandparent "like feeling"
He talks to us like we're right there. As if we're friends.
@@denisefarmer366 : That is so true.
I agree.
You’d think the manufacturer would do this as standard practice or offer it as an upgrade. Nice work Slim!
In addition to road-debris damage, another reason to seal access to the foam with some kind of plastic, etc., is that insects like to tunnel in it and nest if they get a chance, or haul tiny pieces of it away to wherever their nest is, particularly termites and ants depending on where you happen to be staying if it is for a long enough time for them to discover it. This can happen with foam-insulated RV's that sit for a long time if insects can find a way into the wall or ceiling cavities, as well as in homes with basement / foundation applications. Various commercial solutions have been tried with borates, etc., but with limited success. I think Dow stopped making their anti-insect blue board.
Don't know a damn thing about foam or trailers, but this sounds right. I feel educated. Thank you sir.
I live full-time in a 5th wheel trailer. I highly recommend you using the silver cold weather HVAC tape versus any other type of tape. Not only does it hold extremely well, but stays on a long time. I skirted my trailer with the foam insulation and used the HVAC tape to hold it in place around my trailer 8 years ago and it's still holding well. Just a suggestion.
Slim, a home builder here, there is a building sealant tape maybe 4” wide, 20 or 50 ft roll about $30. Used to seal all exterior siding OSB foam penatrations. It does not let go, like a rubber compound. I highly recommend covering all seams and screw heads with it to keep moisture out. Your screws are going to attract moisture through condensation and “vapor “ movement” which could travel up the screws into the plywood by wicking action (heat inside attracts cold screws). Easy peasy & totally sealed. My wife and I enjoy your videos keep it up good job! Hulbert, Oklahoma
These fixer-upper’s are some of my favorites, Slim.
I've always said. If you want it done right do it yourself.Slim never ceases to amaze me.
That material is called coreplas and is available at sign materials places. I would put aluminum straps over the panels to hold them up also possibly instead of the screws.
Coroplast is a brand name for one manufacturer of corrugated plastic sheets also known under the trade names of Cartonplast, Polyflute, plast, FlutePlast, IntePro, Proplex, Correx, Twinplast, Corriflute or Corflute.
I love this improvement. Warm feet are hard to beat. 😊
I like how you insulated the bottom of your Camper. You always come up with solutions for everything. I am definitely looking forward to part two. Thanks for taking us along Slim!
He always does
truthfully, I did not really notice too much improvement. The floor is always cold as the heat goes out the top and sides so fast in the Aliner..lol
your videos act as a mental therapy for me. you are appreciated more than you probably realize, thank you
I'm looking forward to your foam temperature indoor video and future heating experiments! Thanks Slim!
Insulation and ventilation are the 2 keys👍
Will be interesting to see how it all holds up over time.
Was looking forward to a trailer upgrade/camping prep video. Interesting application. I hope it helps a lot.
When they recommend an amount of glue for a project, you're going to need 1/3 to 1/2 more. I add 50% and return the unused tubes and it's not often that I have any full tubes left over.
As Jason says "Good evening Slim." From sunny Yuma, AZ area.
Good Evening Steve in Sunny Yuma!
i give you suggestion..... make mega insulation jacket for whole van and cover it ....this jacket like cover shoud have only open shed cut at some window exhaust
Where would I store it when not in use?
Over the years in construction, I inherited many sheets of foam board & FRP board. FRP is a fiberglass product, sometimes called dairy board. Both products can be bought at Lowes or Home Depot. I laminate the two products to make insulated wall & ceiling panels. The stuff makes good walls for teardrop trailers.
I was thinking FRP also when watching the video
Good evening from Godley Texas, your videos are always entertaining, but most importantly informative. Thanks for the insulation lesson. Stay safe and happy travels 😎
Good evening, Slim.
"Other drivers don't like that for some reason" lol.
You make it look easy
I like how you try to do things economically.
I think I will be using the foam puzzle piece tiles that folks use for their kids play rooms inside my Aliner on the floor. Easy to cut to size and install. Good luck with your external foam!
I did that in one of my early videos. If I find it I'll post a link. Problem was condensation that gets trapped under those. SP
I recently added the form tiles in my camper. Huge difference in softness and warmth. Not glued down so I can clean under.
I found some of those interlocking foam tiles that look like marble. my van looks "ritchie rich". lol. works ok for insulation with a layer of real wool under it.
@@SlimPotatohead I did that after I saw you post it. Still have those same spongy tiles and they are great. I scrub them after each trip while detailing the Aliner. Great tips. I want to make that pellet stove.
@@SlimPotatohead hello slim,,
I need to insulate most of my 1998 wilderness lite.
I am going to use foam board & reflectix bubble foil...all over the walls, under bed 🛏️
And inside all cabinets, out side cubby holes as well, battery boxes too....thinking of insulating the inside ceiling and the floor,, everything needs insulation foresure.
That way I can have smaller heating bill.
Slim I have spent alot of time on my garage cement floor under a car I am restoring and I had the neck discomfort you probably experienced under your trailer. I solved the problem by filling an empty plastic 2 liter soda bottle with water and screwing the lid back on tight. Placed under your neck, it supports well and is able to be easily rolled under a vehicle.
I love it when someone suggests a solution that is practical, easy to make, uses common materials, recycles, and is FREE. Thank You! SP
i put SM underneath my trailer years ago with nothing protecting it. since its between the frame rails i've had zero problems with rocks and or gravel beating it up.
SM... Spider Monkey? Poor little guy!
Thanks for sharing.
Great episode! I'm surprised the manufacturer didn't do this. I'm looking forward to your report on it.
Great idea! You did a great job. Hope you notice a big difference.
I used the same foam board on the bottom of my 7x16 CTC screwed and glued it as well. I did not put any thing on it to protect it and in 4 years and thousands of miles even off roading, no or limited damage to the foam. I have never had a problem with insects or mice o anything.
Can't wait to see the new heating solution and how well the insulation does.
May I add another suggestion to make the floor warm? Carpet squares! We did that in our RV and what a game changer. If I spill something on them, they can be picked up and washed outside (or cleaned there). They are cheap and come in many colors and designs. Plus super light so doesn't add a lot of weight. And for those who have dogs or who are seniors, it helps to protect them from slippery floors. Best thing we have done for our rv!
Sorry, but the floor was already carpeted. It helped a little, but not much. SP
Do cork tiles
The leaf brings character to the plastic covering.
.... - "for just a small extra cost"...
Autumn special
I love that weather change at the end.
Love the way you explain your videos. It's such a joy to watch them Had so much popcorn 😂😂
Great video, Slim! Not gonna lie, the comments about the weather back here in Calgary cut deep 😂. Can’t wait to see a report on the foam and also more cabin videos.
I don't know slim... I would have glued the rock guard to the foam as well as screwing it in place! And used enough of the pl to trowel it on! That's just me! Then I would use Great Stuff to fill in the gaps. Goodonyas!
I hope you stay warm and I hope the foam will withstand your travels :)
-30 in Calgary Slim. Looking forward to the heat retention test.
I really miss your A-Liner....that was fun to watch you mess and fix stuff in it....
Nice! something else that can help is to have a "skirt" all around to insulate even better when you're parked.
A good relatively inexpensive foam shield could be galvanized sheet metal, screw through the metal.
Thanks Slim for another great year of you bringing us along for your adventures. I hope you have a merry Christmas!
Source corrugated plastic from places that sell water jet supplies. Soft materials require sheets of corrugated so they don’t scratch on the slats so suppliers should have plenty of
Thanks for sharing. Keep warm.
3:38 hahaha don’t know why but this cracked me up 🤣 styrofoam does have that nails on chalkboard feel
The blue foam is good for r5 per inch so 2in=r10 . Should make for a warmer floor. Tom
Like my Canadian friend Red Green would say: "If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy!"😁👍
Slim your the best. We never get tired of you or your videos. When you start wrapping it up. We get bummed because we could watch much longer.
Can't wait to see part 2 Slim!!!
I used the pink variety on an aluminum door to an old mobile home(1958 Royce). On cold winter days frost would be on to the inside of the door but after I applied the insulation I could place my hand on the door and not feel any coldness.
I used 3M spray adhesive.
I have found out that Sicaflex 221 is rather good in outdoor sealing and fastening. And actually, spray foam is also good in sealing the small cavities of the insulation and seems to hold in place like a bad habit.
I have always believed that there needs to be a minimum of an inch of insulation in walls, roof and floor, though preferably two inches in the floor, especially for colder regions!
Doors too should be insulated and insulated window covers used.
Interior comfort and quality of life will be hugely improved and the savings in heating fuel will be noticeable!
It will also work to keep heat out in sunnier regions!
It would be ridiculously simple and cost effective to incorporate insulation from the desigh stage onwards, but most manufacturers of small trailer campers do the barest minimum possible.
Foam insulation panels manufactured to fit the internal structure of the campers would make best use of the limited space and would literally transform the quality of living in cold regions or in winter.
Your quality of living will be transformed with underfloor insulation, its a great addition.
Just think how easy it'd be at the factory to fit foam panels which were each moulded to fit exactly the space they were glued to!
Even being able to buy a set after having got a trailer, they'd still be easy and quick to fix into place and would probably be a best selling upgrade accessory.
Stay warm!!!
The silver tape used in A/C ductwork would seal the edge’s and cover holes! It’s very durable. Would cover and seal the screws and washers.
Missed your Post and so Glad you're back! X
I'm back? Where was I ?!?
I have installed Blue Foam for many years as a siding base. Here are a few tips which will be prudent. If you are going to use this method it must be totally sealed, almost hermetically. Vacuum pass over the surface while you drive will suck the moisture. The washers need to have silicone to seal them, and the tip of the screw same. Where you have gaps, the tape is not enough, you need to spray insulating foam. Any gaps along the edges need to also be sealed.
palight foamed pvc is a good thing that you could put to protect the 2 inch foam. It would handle the rocks better. It is much stiffer than that. Possibly an upgrade for the future.
Love your humor....polydent grip 😆😆
i would use FRP 4x8 sheet which is actually Fiber Reinforced Plastic and a good silicone sealant
You always seem so relaxed on your projects, no throwing tools lol! Appreciate the entertainment!
It will be interesting to learn how that covering holds up. The only thing I could think of was a sheet of aluminum but seriously would have been a lot more money and work. So I hope it lasts. Your experiments always make good sense and you keep your investments so low that it's always a value even if only for a short time.
Gorilla tape or any duct tape will deteriorate quickly Slim. I would suggest a can of low expansion foam. you can use it to fill AND as a form of caulking for the edges. Foam will last as long as the styrofoam.
Nice job, Slim! That plastic board should hold up well as long as it doesn’t bottom out on a rock or such like. I have a sheet from a sign that I slide between the radiator and the front grille of my old suv to help keep the Nova Scotia winter away from everything and help the car warm up quicker. I have been using the same piece for this job for 5 years and it’s still perfectly fine. The snow and ice build up and the smattering of salt and road grit that hits it has had no effect on it at all. During the warmer seasons I keep it in the trunk to lay or kneel on if I have to look at the underside and that hasn’t bothered it, either. I use silicone, rather than caulking on screw heads etc as it seals better but more importantly, you can peel it off easier and cleaner if you need to remove the screw at any point. If you find the Gorilla tape starts to lift at any point, try putting Tuck Tape on first then Gorilla over top. I find that GT can curl up after a while and it can be fussy with oil content plastics in how well/long it sticks. TT sticks really well to any plastic or metal I have ever tried it on but isn’t so thick and durable, so the GT over top takes care of that and it sticks to the TT just fine. 👍🏻
getting ready in spring to do that to my aliner ,thanks for the ideas
I just used some PL300 with similar foam on my garage door. It's holding well so far, and yeah I did use 2 tubes per 4x8 sheet.
30mi. north of Prescott, Az here, know about those big temp swings. If it's clear, 55-60 day , mid to low teens at night.
Awesome!
Wow! Congrats on your subscribers. You make quality videos.
An additional layer of insulation is to use fatigue mats. We used them for the kids to play in the garage in wintertime . Now that adults and out of the house we continue to use them to to walk out to the pantry shelf or the washer and dryer.
Just a heads up there are companies that have spray on foam used to insulate buses underneath and is very durable does not need added protection. 👍👍🚐⭐⭐⭐⭐👍👍
Lots of snow here in Minnesota, especially the Duluth area , lake effect from Superior. The temperature isn't bad though, 30's.
Easy on the wallet & looks really nice! Looking forward to part 2. Have a good week.
You have your ammo can stove to keep you warm. :) Plus cooking.
Insulation is a good idea.
Is their no end to your talents ! I love that little trailer.
We put carpeting with rubber backing on walls in my camper . They were 12 x12 squares and really made a difference. We put a new floor in camper too , also reflective on windows. But ,we bought a dehumidifier and run it. My camper is a 25 footer and it gets really warm.
You should use spray foam all the around and any openings, to keep critters out.
Critters are more than welcome to fly down the interstate under my trailer! SP
Foam is everywhere. It's free. Can be chunky. Use it for a variety of removable furniture. Bed bases, blah blah. No weight.
Cozy Trailer ☆☆☆☆☆
Great Job Slim Now You need a beer
I did the bottom of my cargo trailer conversion with pink board, glue, plastic roofing plates( much like you I had them laying around) and stainless steel screws. It seems to be working fine. I didn't use any protective board, because I figured it will last in my lifetime.
We really like the Dickinson P9000 for heat, it works fantastic.
@Wes Shipman we bought ours from a marine supplier and the fan is just a small computer fan. We also have one in our Scout truck camper.
But that's just my opinion. Can't put a price on safety.
I've been using camp fuel as a solvent/cleaner for years. You can't beat it, cheap, dissolves most anything, dries quickly, and doesn't leave residue.
Thats a good idea I've got scamp that would work good on
Very good 👍
Oh Slim, you are so brave to break the seal of your fiberglass shell. I'd have spent $800 (USD) on an aluminum sheet and screwed that to the aluminum framing.
Didn't break any seal. The Outback floor has 3 layers, fiberglass, wood and more fiberglass. Only went through to the wood layer. What would be more brave (or risky) would be to put holes in the aluminum frame. More risk of stress cracks. What would an $800 aluminum sheet add but cost?SP
Very cool!
Optional ..Rock guard spray paints /truck bed liner spray material. Spray then install screw in place.
Relaxing to watch 😊
Thank you Slim, I always love your renovations, whether it is to your trailer or you cabin!
Thanks for sharing. Hard place to work on. Us north western folks have got the snow just waiting on the cold. Happy Holiday.
The foam on the bottom, I did the same thing for my Aliner, and used formica to protect it. But I took it off this summer and it had held a unacceptable amount of water against the floor. And since the Aliner floor is wood, I got rid of it and laid down rugs and brought slippers for this winter.
Hi Rick! Yes, I would not have tried this on my A-frame, but with fiberglass it's worth a try. Thanks! SP
FYI you can use flex seal or plasti dip spray to seal over the screws and washers
spray foam would good way to fill voids just be careful of expansion rate you get.
I totally missed Elsa Rae and Barron's video on this. Totally makes sense, my Casita floor is always freezing cold. Sometimes I have to go outside to get warm, lol 🌞
First I think you needed some Jack stands, then you could have rolled around on a creeper.
Second, while a tight fit might seem ideal; a looser fit could have easily been secured and completely sealed up with aerosol cans of expanding foam insulation .
Then, I think some steel srapping , front to rear in 3 or four places would have proved superior to all your hard work.
Also, the caulking should have been sealed under the bolts and washers IMHO.
I hope all your hard work pays off as you envisioned.
Good luck !
Love watching!
Good install...... Some ramps to pull up on would have been nice....... thanks for the video
Evening Slim from rainy Ohio. Was thinking long aluminum straps screwed into the aluminum frame to hold everything up. Other thing I was thinking was that composition plastic. Lowes and Home Depot have it in the states. Tuff stuff. Much more ridged and durable. Just a thought!
I was trying to avoid putting holes in the aluminum frame and compromise its strength. Did consider cables in a few spots, but will do a test on the road first. Thanks! SP
@@SlimPotatohead I was trying not to put holes in the floor. Worried about making stress cracks, but I guess the same would be true for the aluminum frame. Good thinking on your part!