Insulation?

[thinktankair]

I had to pull some of my belly pan on my 1961 Bambi and saw there is no insulation between the floor and pan. I have seen the discussion here with advice that ranges from no insulation to some space age material that I can't install because I don't have that much access. Should I put in insulation, and if yes, what type? It is about a 2' X 3' area. Thanks!

[Belegedhel]

I would suggest going to your local Home Depot of Lowes, and buying a couple of the styrofoam insulation boards, cutting several pieces that are the appropriate length and width, and then screwing them to the underside of your subfloor with a deck screw and washer. If you don't have room to get a drill driver in the area, then you might just try using spray adhesive and gluing them in place. Make a layer about 2" thick, and at least you will have as much insulation there as you do in your walls.

Do you NEED insulation in the floor? Well that is a heated philosophical question--lots of threads on the forums about it. There is no doubt that you lose more heat out of your windows than you will your floor. Does it hurt to have insulation? Maybe if it is the fiberglass type, and it is going to fall down unto the bellypan, soak up water, and then promote the rusting of your frame.

Good luck!

[thinktankair]

Thanks!

[RM66caravel]

Or you can get the foam board and cut it to size and then just put it in the belly pan which would allow for an air space and that way if the foam does get wet it will dry not rotting the floor! Just a thought!
Cliff

[RM66caravel]

Oh yes if you try the free floating method and see foam board coming out of your airstream as you are riding down the road then you have far grater issues then no insulation.
Cliff

[aquinob]

I've been putting in a double layer of the pink closed cell foam board that you can get at the big box stores. It's used for insulating foundations from the surrounding soil and is rated at R4 for 3/4". I am using it doubled up at 1.5" for R8. Since it is made for contact with dirt, it's doubtful that its going to break down underneath a trailer. I used 2" decking screws with fender washers to hold it up to the bottom of the floor. I taped sections together for the double thickness with standard duct tape. Fairly easy process.


Cost wise, you're probably looking at 15 a sheet, I think I used about 8 to 10 sheets on the whole job.

Here are a couple of pix of my rig:

[thinktankair]

Wow. That looks great and is ver clever!

[batman]

Think,
I did the same thing as Bob but used 2" of the foam. I glued and screwed it and it works great.

-Dennis