So what did you do to your Truck Camper today?
I saw these threads in some of the other Open Roads RV Forums, but didn't see one for TCs. I'll start... I installed Interior LED puck lights and a 12v power outlet.
Forum Discussion
I went outside last night while it was about zero out and 55 inside and used my IR thermometer to measure temps at a bunch of different places to get an idea regarding insulation needs. It was interesting for sure. One interesting find was that for both the walls and the ceiling showed about a 12 degree difference between the locations where the aluminum frame members run. You can see it on the outside when things are very very cold and frost has formed....the frame members show up clear as day. Same thing on the inside where you see a bit of dust along all the frame members from condensation. But it was interesting to see a solid 12 degree difference! Makes me wonder if instead of putting a whole layer of paneling or something there'd be something you could tape/mount JUST to where the frame members are.... It would look bad of course. Made me think a little about putting pen to paper and calculating how much energy is transferred through the aluminum as compared to the open walls. Not sure how easily it could be done but it should be possible. It's possible to be losing more heat through the frame members than the rest of the walls.
The other not surprising spot where a lot of heat was escaping was around the lower part of the service bay where the dump valves are....the walls of that is sheet metal and plastic depending on where, and both are letting out a lot of heat. I was surprised to find that the city water inlet right at the wall was 37 degrees....but of course I have two furnace ducts pointing right in there on all the lines. I just need to insulate that box a lot better and make a cover for the external water connections there.
Silverbullet - congrats on getting the camper - I am sure you can find somewhere to go. :) We are going this weekend to the upper Arkansas Valley....it's supposed to be 9 for a low so we are planning on a nice big bonfire Saturday night. My solar panel connection on the roof did something similar and got a bit mangled by branches or something. Lance replaced the plug for me when I was there and if I remember right, used a right-angle connector so the wires didn't stick up so high in the air to catch on stuff. Yours is at least protected under the panels, but access is a pain.
The other not surprising spot where a lot of heat was escaping was around the lower part of the service bay where the dump valves are....the walls of that is sheet metal and plastic depending on where, and both are letting out a lot of heat. I was surprised to find that the city water inlet right at the wall was 37 degrees....but of course I have two furnace ducts pointing right in there on all the lines. I just need to insulate that box a lot better and make a cover for the external water connections there.
Silverbullet - congrats on getting the camper - I am sure you can find somewhere to go. :) We are going this weekend to the upper Arkansas Valley....it's supposed to be 9 for a low so we are planning on a nice big bonfire Saturday night. My solar panel connection on the roof did something similar and got a bit mangled by branches or something. Lance replaced the plug for me when I was there and if I remember right, used a right-angle connector so the wires didn't stick up so high in the air to catch on stuff. Yours is at least protected under the panels, but access is a pain.
