Foam Insulation? 69 Caravel

Maximo · 03-02-2008, 06:59 PM

Today I dropped the last third of my bellypan as there was a large rot hole in the trunk area. Also I could see rust.This is what I found. The frame will have to be replaced for several feet and several outriggers replaced along with cross members

There was foam insulation under the Caravel stuck to the plywood floor. Was this done by the factory? When it gets wet it stays wet! which causes rot. I had a '50's FeatherCraft Clipper where this was done as flotation and it held water and caused the aluminum to corrode. I scraped it off the back end of the trailer. I think the rest of it should go. This would require the dropping of the entire bellypan. Has any one out there had this type of insulation and did you remove it? I was expecting fiberglass. I will see if I can figure out how to post photos of the foam and frame rot.
The Restoration Begins!
Kevin

overlander63 · 03-02-2008, 08:15 PM

Stick on foam insulation is not stock. OEM is the fiberglass batten type insulation that rolls out, there may b a part that has an adhesive on the edges to hold it in place.

fotochop · 03-02-2008, 08:23 PM

my '69 Safari also had all spray foam insulation, which you can see in posts #19 and #22:

'69 Safari bath floor repair

I'm not so sure it wasn't stock. Most of the trailer had not been modified. Perhaps in the '60's AS did this. it's pretty effective as an insulator and seals up any air leaks quite well, but it's a beeyotch to get off as it sticks like glue. I'll be updating the above thread soon (things are startin to look much better ;-) and plan to go with foam board insulation as many here have done.

you can find lots of good threads for floor replacements etc. w/search. best,

TWaugh · 03-02-2008, 08:42 PM

Kevin,

I had the same experience with my 69 Tradewind. I'm sure spray on foam insulation was something the factory experimented with in 69. I scraped off all of the foam and cleaned the frame and repainted it. I will relace it with a layer of foil insulation and a layer of fiberglass insulation. I too had the frame rot and outrigger deterioration in the rear area. I wish I had found "Out of Doors Mart" earlier, they have outriggers at a decent price. Good Luck and be sure to protect those square corner windows in the front.

T. Waugh