Heat and cold

[candrews768]

We are thinking 2018 or newer....Have heard some comments on the AS being very hot or cold due to the wall material. Any comments on this would help

[rowiebowie]

Welcome to the forum!


I have an Airstream class b, not a trailer. But I've read on here that aluminum outer skin, aluminum ribs, and aluminum inner skin provide no thermal break and the outside temperature tends to transfer where there ribs join the skins.

There was even recent wishful discussion that Airstream should build with lighter/stronger carbon fiber ribs. Followed immediately by the admission that it won't happen.

[skyguyscott]

If you use the search function here in the forum, the magnifying glass in the upper right hand corner of the site, and search for insulation, you will find a number of very long deep and involved threads Re: all things you seek; and in fact probably a lot more than you seek.

I should also clarify that in modern airstream travel trailers, they do install a very thin thermal break consisting of double-sided foam tape or butyl tape between the outer skin and the ribs. Reports are that this has a substantial effect Compared to having no thermal break at all, but it is not nearly sufficient to make the airstream a four season trailer.

Or to clarify further, without this thin thermal break, older airstreams in direct sunlight in the summer turn into ovens, and in the winter turn into meat lockers. With this thermal break installed the airstreams become merely uncomfortably hot or cold, Unless you counteract this with brute force air conditioning or heat