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adwriter73 · 02-25-2010, 04:51 PM

I've seen various posts on insulation. Curious to known what seems to be the best long-term solution. Obviously, the old water-absorbing pink stuff is not a good idea.

HowieE · 02-25-2010, 05:13 PM

The advantage to the pink stuff other than ease of installation is it is complete coverage. Any void, hole or edge gap, in an insulating medium is almost a complete lose of insulating value. The pink stuff has no voids.

This level of complete coverage is hard to accomplish with most other types except spray on insulation. The disadvantage of spray on is it will never dry if water is spilled on the floor and get through to the insulation. The disadvantage of using the pink stuff during a rebuild is you can't support it. In manufacturing it is draped over the frame and the floor laid down on it and it is this draping that supports it.

If you cut and fit block insulation you have to seal every seam or glue the complete perimeter of each block to keep air from migrating around the edges.

I don't know but if i were rebuilding and live in Texas I not sure if I would bother to attempt to insulate the floor. The air cell of a well sealed belly pan would almost be enough and not pose any of the problem wet insulation might bring over time.

**Stefrobrts** · 02-25-2010, 05:24 PM

I think the insulation under my floor contributed to it rotting out. I didn't put any insulation under there when I replaced the wood.

Boondocker · 02-25-2010, 05:57 PM

My Trade Wind has spray foam under it that I think may have been applied by the factory. That stuff is bulletproof.

**Kevin245** · 02-25-2010, 06:24 PM

Many of us opt not to use under floor insulation because of it's water retention characteristics.

Kevin

68 TWind · 02-25-2010, 06:38 PM

My 68 Trade Wind has spray foam under the belly pan as did Rodney's. At first I thought it was done by a PO, but upon further inspection I think it is original as there is no evidence anywhere that the bellypan has ever been removed from the trailer.

callie · 02-25-2010, 07:07 PM

HOWDY!! Anyone ever tried radiant heating underneath their new flooring? Seems that it might keep your little tootsies mighty happy.....Adios from TEXAS! C&S!!

Becky B. · 02-25-2010, 08:21 PM

I am in the midst of redoing the underbelly of my trailer. I'm using Prodex insulation. There are numerous posts about this type of insulation. The good part is that it's easy to work with & doesn't absorb water. If you search under the word "Prodex", you'll come up with a lot of information about it. Here are a couple of pix of the process that I'm doing:

LI Pets · 02-25-2010, 08:31 PM

I put Prodex on TOP of the floor then pergo.

All the old pink underneath is gone

Beaker63 · 02-25-2010, 08:42 PM

I didn't put any insulation in the floor of our trailer either. Fiberglass just gets wet and provides homes for critters. I did consider spray glueing a foil covered bubble wrap but then ,why? In our cold part of the country our homes, (while we have basements) don't have insulation under the floor.
Tim

Jim & Susan · 02-25-2010, 08:43 PM

None. The '73's leak like a sieve in the belly pan by design. I corrected for this and put no insulation back in there in case it leaks again.

Jim

adwriter73 · 02-25-2010, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LI Pets

I put Prodex on TOP of the floor then pergo.

All the old pink underneath is gone

This seems like the best idea yet. Never thought about it on top of the subfloor.

LI Pets · 02-25-2010, 11:09 PM

This cold winter was the longest test we had, spending almost 3 months with many nites in the 20's and 30's, bare feet were fine.

SilverHoot · 02-26-2010, 06:46 AM

I'm going with 2" rigid foam spaced from the floor bottom with 1" rigid foam.

WILDRTEXAS · 02-27-2010, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverHoot

I'm going with 2" rigid foam spaced from the floor bottom with 1" rigid foam.

Please explain

toastie · 02-28-2010, 05:27 AM

None, insulation is nothing but a magnet for water contributing to floor rotting. Will be adding stainless steel air vent's to belly pan for proper air ventilation.

toastie

SilverHoot · 02-28-2010, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WILDRTEXAS

Please explain

1 " foam spacers similar to what Becky did in post #8, except I will be glueing 2" foam to the spacer instead of Prodex.

trout-fly · 03-03-2010, 09:48 AM

I didn`t use any insulation under the floor,i had so many mouse runs through the floor and walls,i figured i wasn`t going to give them a second chance,,,i ran the belly pans on my 65 caravel to the two main frames and left the center section open...i used 5/8 t&g fir and sealed the whole underside,,,i want to use cork flooring to finnish off the interior of the floor..does any body know if i should seal the top of the floor before i install the cork,,and what should i seal it with? I used a oil based paint for the bottom,,i`m also going to spray shutz the wheel wells and any where else the water might come in

ventport · 03-03-2010, 10:56 AM

What is the purpose of spacing the foam away from the floor?

SilverHoot · 03-03-2010, 11:04 AM

The foam spacers serve two purposes. Create an air space which improves insulation and also allows for ability of any moisture that might get in, to get out.