Wow! I'm learning a lot.
So, I'm pretty much in over my head. But, I will continue. Way more water damage than I could have imagined. I'm replacing supports and have had to lift the rear end because it sagged due to the rotte...
Forum Discussion
About the vapor barriers: In an RV there lies some controversy about the location and effectiveness of vapor barriers. One school of thought is that it traps vapor within the walls so should be avoided. Another school is that it should be used to keep moisture from wicking into the wooden frame and cavities. I went to the latter school. If you've ever remodeled older houses or tried to paint the exterior of an old house, the importance of vapor barriers becomes evident.
For my Starcraft, I installed a complete vapor barrier, edges taped and as little penetrations as possible. I even installed a 1/4" fan-fold foam board across the studs. All of it adds up to a trailer that is comfortable and very quiet inside. For the floors, I skipped the vapor barrier because I have a clad under-belly of aluminum and I installed laminate flooring with an underlayment. The underlayment acts as a vapor barrier. It is made from recycled tires, I was told.
The bottom line with a trailer made with aluminum siding is add insulation, seal with a vapor barrier, and make everything as sealed and tight as possible. You will be rewarded down the road with the comfort.
For my Starcraft, I installed a complete vapor barrier, edges taped and as little penetrations as possible. I even installed a 1/4" fan-fold foam board across the studs. All of it adds up to a trailer that is comfortable and very quiet inside. For the floors, I skipped the vapor barrier because I have a clad under-belly of aluminum and I installed laminate flooring with an underlayment. The underlayment acts as a vapor barrier. It is made from recycled tires, I was told.
The bottom line with a trailer made with aluminum siding is add insulation, seal with a vapor barrier, and make everything as sealed and tight as possible. You will be rewarded down the road with the comfort.
