1L243
Astoria, Oregon
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Joined: 02/26/2006
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I was wondering if anyone has used Rigid Foam Insulation to insulate the underbelly of your TT? I have read that it's waterproof and can be cut and mounted easily with special fasteners?
2011 Work and Play 30WR. Added 2nd AC, four deep cycle batteries.
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camperpaul
Wherever I park my travel trailer
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Joined: 05/10/2006
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I hqave used the pink foam insulation and it did make a small difference.
Putting a skirt around the bottom made a lot of difference.
Paul
Extra Class Ham Radio operator - K9ERG (since 1956)
Retired Electronics Engineer and Antenna Designer
Was a campground host at IBSP (2006-2010) - now retired.
Single - Full-timer
2005 Four Winds 29Q
1982 6.2L Diesel Suburban 1500
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garry owen
riverton wy
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Joined: 07/08/2011
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skipnchar wrote:Use Coroplast as nearly all manufacturers do and place the insulation inside the coroplast belly liner. Just the insulation will not hold up well when exposed to sand, gravel and high speed winds from the highway.
Good luck / Skip
its good to know the name of this stuff.
have been looking for this to seal the bottom of our T H.
have been looking for source and find many for signs ect but not for rolls or something that would be suitable for belly liner
would appreciate a source or name to google that would get me closer to the belly liner material.
thanks, gary
2010 HD Silverado club cab Dura Max FS3000 Weekend Warrior
X2 550 Sportsman 500 Sportsman
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cm
Dillon, CO USA
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Joined: 08/01/2002
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There are several types of rigid foam insulation so it is best to research the different types.
Expanded polystyrene, bead board, is what most RV manufacturers use in walls, ceilings, etc. It has the lowest R-Value, R-4 per inch. While the material itself doesn't absorb moisture the bead like structure can "hold" some moisture. The beads can flake off when handled or used over time. This is the white pellets that some people complain about coming out of their air conditioning ducts. It is less expensive.
Polyisocanurate, polyiso, has the highest R-Value, R-6.5 per inch. It comes with a foil facing. But it also is more fragile, meaning it is not as strong and can be not as durable. It is the most expensive.
Extruded polystyrene is possibly the best choice. R-5 per inch and is more durable so it is easier to handle. It is available in thicknesses of 1/2 inch, 1 inch, 2 inches, and more. The standard version that you will find at the common building material dealers is 25 psi. High load versions are available, 40 and 60 psi, but you will have to get them from a commercial insulation distributor.
And as far as a pink color all that means is that the manufacturer is Owens Corning. Pink is their marketing color. I have seen extruded polystyrene in pink, blue (Dow Chemical Co.), green, black and even white. The pink color is the Owens Corning Formular brand. Dow Chemical uses the blue color. It is their Styrofoam Brand. And this is the only real Styrofoam. Styrofoam is a brand not a generic term.
You can layer extruded polystyrene. So it you want to use 2 inches you could install two one inch sheets if installing the one inch sheet is easier. You can glue it together, or to the floor, provided you use a glue that is designed for polystyrene materials. Due to the vibration found in a RV and the fact that it will be installed flat, some mechanical fastener or support would be a good idea.
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ExRocketScientist
Laurel, MD
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Joined: 11/11/2010
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I used extruded polystyrene when I enclosed the fresh water and black water tanks and heated them. I covered the stuff in fiberglass cloth using polyester resin. I sealed any gaps with great stuff. I also built a subfloor heated/insulated compartment with the same materials for the batteries (AGM laying on their sides).
The best way to cut the stuff is with a table saw or circular saw with a really sharp carbide blade.
ERS
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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Use Coroplast as nearly all manufacturers do and place the insulation inside the coroplast belly liner. Just the insulation will not hold up well when exposed to sand, gravel and high speed winds from the highway.
Good luck / Skip
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR -
2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles)
2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
US Govt survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population
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Wills250psd
walnutcove NC
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Joined: 08/13/2011
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garry owen wrote:skipnchar wrote:Use Coroplast as nearly all manufacturers do and place the insulation inside the coroplast belly liner. Just the insulation will not hold up well when exposed to sand, gravel and high speed winds from the highway.
Good luck / Skip
its good to know the name of this stuff.
have been looking for this to seal the bottom of our T H.
have been looking for source and find many for signs ect but not for rolls or something that would be suitable for belly liner
would appreciate a source or name to google that would get me closer to the belly liner material.
thanks, gary x2 I would like to know where to get it that wont break the bank? thanks will
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BillyW
North ID
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Joined: 10/08/2003
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I used rigid styrofoam on my holding tanks, filled the gaps with expanding foam (great stuff), then ran coroplast between the frame rails to protect my handiwork.
I was able to buy the coroplast locally for about $12/sheet I think. It's been some years now.
'97 F150 4X4
'04 Pioneer 18T6
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ExRocketScientist
Laurel, MD
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Joined: 11/11/2010
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Wills250psd wrote:garry owen wrote:skipnchar wrote:Use Coroplast as nearly all manufacturers do and place the insulation inside the coroplast belly liner. Just the insulation will not hold up well when exposed to sand, gravel and high speed winds from the highway.
Good luck / Skip
its good to know the name of this stuff.
have been looking for this to seal the bottom of our T H.
have been looking for source and find many for signs ect but not for rolls or something that would be suitable for belly liner
would appreciate a source or name to google that would get me closer to the belly liner material.
thanks, gary x2 I would like to know where to get it that wont break the bank? thanks will
Go to a sign shop. They usually have stacks of the stuff. It wouldn't be the first time someone came in a bought a piece off of them for something other than a sign.
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LarryJM
NoVa
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Joined: 11/09/2007
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1L243 wrote:I was wondering if anyone has used Rigid Foam Insulation to insulate the underbelly of your TT? I have read that it's waterproof and can be cut and mounted easily with special fasteners?
When I sectionalized my coroplast underbelly I put in some of the Dow Corning Formular 250 1" insulation in about 72% of the underbelly area as shown in the following picture:
I simply slid it on top of the underbelly and the supports I made and here is a pic of one section:
Not sure how much difference it made, but it was a cheap addition and I figured every little bit of extra insulation in that area could only help.
Larry
2001 standard box 7.3L E-350 PSD Van with 4.10 rear and 2007 Holiday Rambler Aluma-Lite 8306S Been RV'ing since 1974.
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