Insulation

[S&L]

In our research into buying a trailer, we've "heard" that -- perhaps -- Airstreams are not as well-insulated (against extremes of heat or cold) as one might want. Does anyone have any reliable information on this, or just anedotal experience you'd share ?
Thanks for your help.

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by S&L

In our research into buying a trailer, we've "heard" that -- perhaps -- Airstreams are not as well-insulated (against extremes of heat or cold) as one might want. Does anyone have any reliable information on this, or just anedotal experience you'd share ?
Thanks for your help.

On the vintage Airstreams (at least the age of mine) the insulation is about 2" thick which only gives you an R-value of about 5-6, not a whole lot. Plus factor in the fact that the ribs on an Airstream aid in the thermal transfer. Most of the SOB's I have looked at on the current market have anywhere from R-7 to R15 in the walls, the roofs are that or better. They are also of a white material that reflects infared heat better than shiney aluminum In the summer I try to park in the shade and deploy all awnings to keep the heat build up to a minimum. In this part of the country excessive heat is more of an issue than extreme cold.

Aaron

[dwightdi]

Are you looking to keep the thing warm in the winter or cooler in the summer? Older Airstreams do not have white roofs. The Aluminum does absorb more sunlight and heat it up. The airconditioner supplied from the factory can keep up with it if you are plugged into power. Later model Airstreams have white roofs. Later model Airstreams also have a thin foam tape between the aluminum ribs and the outer skin. This helps some in both summer and winter. SOB's sometimes are made with a wood skeleton and insulate better but are weaker and do not last as long as all metal construction. If you are not connected to power and are in either very hot or very cold conditions Airstreams have this particular disadvantage by comparison to SOB but that should not be your only consideration as Airstreams have many other advantages over SOB's in other areas.