Modification ideas for boondocking

Bluebeard wrote:
Westend- sounds like you went to some extremes. Apparently my Arctic Fox is pretty well insulated..... that being said, apparently fiberglass insulation is good down to about 35F, and foam is better for temps below. What did you use for your insulation? I'd love to get some foam in the floors in the "basement" but I am not sure I am up for THAT project this late in the fall season.

Are you aware, Low E is used to keep HEAT OUT is of less benefit to warm a space (as it mainly blocks heat from entering). That was my mistake building my house, I didn't know that fact and all my S facing glass is Low E. Where I live, summer warming isn't an issue (if you design your roof line correctly) and winter warming is huge. My bad. I guess in a travel trailer, the Low E would be the best benefit for that glass- a house not so much if it is designed correctly.

I'll check your pics out, as it seems as you and I are on the same page.

Extreme yes, but outfitted for extreme weather (ND oil patch in Winter).

I spent two weeks insulating. The insulation is as follows: From the aluminum siding and roof skin inward--a 1" piece of fiberglass batt (for accommodating wires), a 1" extruded foam board cut to fit cavities (roof got 2"), across the studs and ceiling rafters 4 mil vapor barrier, inboard of the vapor barrier, a 1/4" fan fold foam thermal break, the wood paneling.
The floor had a sheet of 3/4" Celotex fiber board between the aluminum belly skin and the floor joists. I filled the cavities with 1 1/2" extruded foam board. The living space now has laminate flooring with attached back across a sheet of rubber underlayment.

The problem with travel trailers is that you have limited dimensions. These mfg's that tout R-39 in the ceiling and R-19 in the walls are misleading the public. They derive these figures from the use of Reflectix foil insulation that lists R-30 something. That is only true in a 3 1/2" cavity that is perfectly sealed. Perfectly sealed is never going to happen.

The windows I used just happened to have the Low-E treatment. I was looking for a thermal paned slider and that was what was on hand. I believe, in MN, it is code now. Regardless, they are miles better than the glass jalousies I had.

The result from the insulation and windows is that this is the quietest space I have been in. It is also easy to heat and cool. In the summer, if I let in the cool night air, the inside won't reach ambient until late in the afternoon.