Off to Alaska in March ARRIVED IN FAIRBANKS
SEE THE MOST RECENT UPDATE AT THE END OF THE THREAD
An update to my earlier posting:
After a Four day run from Tucson we are now in Bellingham. We arrived yesterday afternoon about 4pm (Sat 3/4)this morning it is snowing.
Not to worry it isnt sticking but snow isnt going to keep me from going anyway...it's just such a jarring change from the beautiful weather of Tucson.
In Tucson I insulated the underside of my trailer with the Pink Foamular by Owens-Corining and put coroplast over that. I could not completely cover the underside in one smooth installation for a couple of reasons; one is my frame rails (I Beams) are only 8 inches deep thus my water tank hangs below that by several inches when full and then there is the waste tank plumbing and I wanted to keep open access to my slide mechanism for lubrication and repair if necessary.
But I was able to get the insulation over the entire bottom except my water tank, and coroplast to cover it it just took a lot longer and much more work.
This wont have much effect on the interior temperature of the trailer but it will help keep the pipes warmer and insulate the heater ducts.
I also lined all the pipes that are accessible with pipe insulation tubes. It isnt a perfect solution but will help. In addition I insulated the big front storage compartment under the big bedroom and all the doors of all the other storage areas.
The insulation work I have done is mostly for the cold spring and fall nights we will see while in Fairbanks. Since we don't leave until the end of September I figured that the extra insulation was worth the trouble.
The Home Depot snafu. While in Tucson at the HD trying to decide on which insulation to use I had a terrible time getting any help. They had two types of the Pink insulation but were out of the thicker one. But crazily the thicker one was $7 LESS per 4x8 sheet than the thinner one. I finally got the manager to ask him when he might get the thicker one in...confusion reigned...not for a long time. So Why is the price lower for the thicker one I asked, this seems crazy? No idea...he said scratching his head. But he did tell me that he would "take care of me" on the price when I came back to get it and gave me his card. I needed to go measure to see exactly how much I would buy.
When I did go back later that day and got to the checkout I told the person there that they needed to Call Cory the manager and explained why...more confusion. Finally Cory was found...all I heard the woman say was..."All of them?" Then she rang up my stuff and told me Cory was GIVING me the insulation, which was $20 per sheet and I had seven sheets. I told her I certainly didnt; expect that and I was willing to pay the lower prices and told her I thought this was very generous.So my insulation project was made considerably cheaper by that great customer service. Sometimes a rare event in HD.
While here in Bellingham I will winterize the water system in the trailer just before we leave. I wont need it as we will stay in motels after Quesnel anyway. (depending on temps)
My truck is getting the oil changed and new fuel filters here in Bellingham and FCA is putting in a Block heater cord which was not included with the truck originally.
To say that I feel a bit crazy to leave the warmth and sunshine of Tucson for the cold and snow is an understatement...but I need to be in Fairbanks on March 15th so off I go.
An update to my earlier posting:
After a Four day run from Tucson we are now in Bellingham. We arrived yesterday afternoon about 4pm (Sat 3/4)this morning it is snowing.
Not to worry it isnt sticking but snow isnt going to keep me from going anyway...it's just such a jarring change from the beautiful weather of Tucson.
In Tucson I insulated the underside of my trailer with the Pink Foamular by Owens-Corining and put coroplast over that. I could not completely cover the underside in one smooth installation for a couple of reasons; one is my frame rails (I Beams) are only 8 inches deep thus my water tank hangs below that by several inches when full and then there is the waste tank plumbing and I wanted to keep open access to my slide mechanism for lubrication and repair if necessary.
But I was able to get the insulation over the entire bottom except my water tank, and coroplast to cover it it just took a lot longer and much more work.
This wont have much effect on the interior temperature of the trailer but it will help keep the pipes warmer and insulate the heater ducts.
I also lined all the pipes that are accessible with pipe insulation tubes. It isnt a perfect solution but will help. In addition I insulated the big front storage compartment under the big bedroom and all the doors of all the other storage areas.
The insulation work I have done is mostly for the cold spring and fall nights we will see while in Fairbanks. Since we don't leave until the end of September I figured that the extra insulation was worth the trouble.
The Home Depot snafu. While in Tucson at the HD trying to decide on which insulation to use I had a terrible time getting any help. They had two types of the Pink insulation but were out of the thicker one. But crazily the thicker one was $7 LESS per 4x8 sheet than the thinner one. I finally got the manager to ask him when he might get the thicker one in...confusion reigned...not for a long time. So Why is the price lower for the thicker one I asked, this seems crazy? No idea...he said scratching his head. But he did tell me that he would "take care of me" on the price when I came back to get it and gave me his card. I needed to go measure to see exactly how much I would buy.
When I did go back later that day and got to the checkout I told the person there that they needed to Call Cory the manager and explained why...more confusion. Finally Cory was found...all I heard the woman say was..."All of them?" Then she rang up my stuff and told me Cory was GIVING me the insulation, which was $20 per sheet and I had seven sheets. I told her I certainly didnt; expect that and I was willing to pay the lower prices and told her I thought this was very generous.So my insulation project was made considerably cheaper by that great customer service. Sometimes a rare event in HD.
While here in Bellingham I will winterize the water system in the trailer just before we leave. I wont need it as we will stay in motels after Quesnel anyway. (depending on temps)
My truck is getting the oil changed and new fuel filters here in Bellingham and FCA is putting in a Block heater cord which was not included with the truck originally.
To say that I feel a bit crazy to leave the warmth and sunshine of Tucson for the cold and snow is an understatement...but I need to be in Fairbanks on March 15th so off I go.
