What is Advantage of Belly Pans?

[TankerIP]

For a couple of years Airstream built some units without a Belly Pan. Mine is one. The sub-floor is coated with a vinyl or fiberglass material to seal it from the bottom. I was talking to the Airstream folks who mentioned some people have had it installed (at a cost of $3500 or so). My question is why?

I guess I lose some insulating value, but this hasn't been a problem here in Texas and in the South. We have camped easily in below freezing. However, we don't expect to be camping in winter in the North. I have the advantage of being able to inspect and analyze my frame and all the components underneath. I wonder if belly pans stop water intrusions better than the vinyl/fiberglass coating on the subfloor?

Should we just leave well enough alone?

Opinions welcome.

[Mexray]

I surprised you got your rig into Texas...I've read where you must have belly pans installed as alternate Armadillo habitats....

I'm actually surprised AS built any that way...It seems they've always shown/mentioned the enclosed underbelly pans in their advertising as a protective and aerodynamic features...

I believe most, if not all AS's with belly pans have heat ducts/hoses from the furnace directed into the areas of the belly pans near the water/holding tanks to help prevent freezing...they must have really insulated your tanks...???

[RichardT]

please post pictures of you under belly

richardt

[TankerIP]

You asked about pictures. Here they are. As I took the pictures I asked "What is there to cover?" It seems like the 3 tanks cover a large percentage of the bottom. Picture #1 is from the front, showing the water tank and then the holding tanks aft. Picture #2 is from the rear showing the black and grey water tanks. #3 gives you a view at the axles, and #4 is the small area between the two holding tanks.