Insulated 5th wheel
I'm new to posting so go easy on me. I am looking at buying a 3 or 4 year old 5th wheel. We will be taking it south, hope to stay above freezing temps, BUT I would like to find a unit that has under...
Forum Discussion
Dayle1 wrote:
Most units today have "sealed" underbellies. And the majority of quoted R values are really misleading because manufacturers frequently quote "best case calculated R value". But great insulation (or claimed insulation) is of no value if heat can flow around that insulation via other areas of the RV. To begin with, 25% of the floor area is outside the main frame rails where there is no underbelly, therefore only floor insulation. Second, the sides of the steel frame rails are not insulated and there are many holes thru the frame rails for slide outs, etc. so there is plenty of air flow thru the underbelly. Finally RVs are very drafty, there are slide out seals, more window and door seals per sq. ft. compared to a house, etc.
Again, best case numbers mean nothing. Kind of like sticking your foot in a fast flowing creek, how much water do you stop? Give me an average R value for the RV and an air infiltration number and that would be something useful. Anything else is just advertising gimmicks.
The radiant barrier wrap they put on them is what gives it the higher rating. On my Sanibel it looks like aluminum foil.
