sgtcoffey
Las Vegas, NV
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Morning all this is a two part post
We will be going full time after I return from deployment in about a year or so.
We are looking at getting a heartland Bighorn BH 3855FL.
1. Anyone had any real problems with Heartland or Bighorn 5th wheels?
2. We have talked to a few folks about using hay bales and skirting to keep the cold our from under the RV as well as helping insulate. Any one use this method or is shter something better.
Thanks to all
Mike & Carol
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Here'n'There
Texas
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Hey Serge... thank you for your service and be safe wherever you are deployed to.
I don't own a Heartland / Bighorn etc, but do see A LOT of them on the roads and in the parks. I would guess that they MUST have a pretty good reputation for mid-range 5ers or there wouldn't be so many of them?
There are many on these boards more experienced with skirting than I so I will only offer a subjective opinion.. Hay bales... seems like an awfully "hillbilly" approach to the problem. PLEASE I meant no disrespect there. I guess it just depends on where you're at etc. Also those hay bales seem to represent a significant FIRE HAZARD don't ya think?
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sgtcoffey
Las Vegas, NV
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Here'N'There, T
Thanks for the good wishes. I was going to have skirting to hide the hay bales so it would not be seen so that would take the "Red Neck" or "Hill Billy" out of it
I do hope this is my last deployment I think that 5 is enough especialy when you have folks that have been in since 9/11 or before and they have not deployed yet.
Thanks
Mike & Carol
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RoadLife
New Mexico
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The hay bales would attact bugs and wildlife that would get into your rv. Besides being a fire hazard. I would not do it. The standard way is to put skirting around the unit. I take it you are planning to stay in one place rather than travel.
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sgtcoffey
Las Vegas, NV
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RoadLife
We are going to be in on place for a while. An RV dearler told us about using Hay Bales. Is there insulated skirting avalable?
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Alpenliter
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Sarge, what I have seen done on skirting, is to get some insulated foam board with some framing, then maybe a couple of electric light bulbs beneath for the really cold times. Some people cover over the foam board, others paint it. Good luck and welcome home!
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Chillyrodent
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I've lived through and in hillbillier solutions than hay bales, but the insect comment gave me pause.
What we did in our class A (principles still apply): foam board cut to fit all around, covered by redneck skirting (tarp). Oh don't worry, the tarp matched our motorhome. Vulnerable areas (water, pump, etc.) were protected by incandescent lightbulbs hung from trouble lights. We weighted the skirting down to keep wind from creeping in under.
Thanks, and best to you and your family.
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Finally Fulltiming
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The mice will absolutely LOVE the hay bales. Great nesting spots.
I had skirting on a trailer in a trailer park once. Everyone's cats thought it was just the greatest litter box ever!
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PapPappy
Wilmington, NC
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Hey Sarge, Thanks for your service to our country!
While I haven't done this on our MH, I have seen many TTs that have set up with the foam-board that was cut to fit. What one guy did, was to lift the TT up an extra inch, then fit the boards under the trailer, then lower the TT onto them, so that they bowed a bit. No need to worry about them coming lose. You might want to trench a bit too, so that they stay in place.
You may also want to check with those mfgrs, to see if they offer a "cold weather" package, that would have extra insulation and tank heaters. It will cost extra, but be worth it in the long run, if you are going to be year-round in colder areas.
Where do you plan to stay....Las Vegas doesn't really seem like the kind of place you would have to worry about this issue?
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cm
Dillon, CO USA
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If you decide to use foam panels the best choice is Extruded polystyrene.
Expanded polystyrene - bead board - is the foam with the pebble like structure and is usually white. It is not as strong and has a lower R-value.
The other type that you will find is polyisocyanurate. It has a foil face. While it has a higher R-value it is not as durable.
Extruded polystyrene gives the best balance of R-Value, R5 per inch, and durability. It is available in different sizes, 2' x 8' and 4' x 8', are common sizes. Common thicknesses are 1 inch up to 3 inch thicknesses. When exposed to moisture and sunlight it will not break down like some of the other types of foam. It is even used as boat dock flotation.
The usual style you find at building material/lumberyards is 25 psi(possibly 30 psi). This will work good but check on pricing at commercial insulation wholesalers because they will probably stock a high load 40 psi and 60 psi version which will be little more durable if the price is reasonable.
You can even get a choice of color with extruded polystyrene. Dow Chemical Company's Styrofoam brand is blue. Owens Corning uses pink as their marketing color in their Formular Brand.
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