Insulation

[rlwhit]

I would like to replace the thin silver insulation in the belly. If anyone has done this what did you replace it with? Ours got damaged being taken off to do other things.

[dsprik]

This may be the best way to answer this (Trailer Life Forum discussion):

Reflectix Thread - Trailer Life

[CRUZIN 2]

rlwhit (Dick)

Yes Dick I have added insulation to the whole belly, ours had none so I put three and a half inch with no backing. We have camped several times with temps down to 5 degrees for three nights, no problem.

This is a great Forum, give it time and someone on this MOC Forum will help. Larry & LaVonne

[Illini Trekker]

I have also added insulation to belly, I used 2" with the silver aluminum foil backing. While under there you might as will add heat tape and foam pipe wrap to the pipes. I dropped all the black enclosure from under the frame to get as much room has possible. Make sure you tighten all the pipe fittings also!! Plus cut insulation long enough to lay up on both sides of the frame, steel is a poor insulator. Spray adhesive will help hold this in place. Check out the 3" vent hose off the heater to see that it is pointing toward the holding tanks and not blocked. It's a job but will last the life of the camper and you only have to do it once! Need more tip about pipe wrap just ask. See-Ya

[tmarshall]

Illini trakker:

I am going to drop my underbelly panels and insulate my water lines. I was thinking of putting foam tube insulation around the pipes with a bit of foil insulation tape around the tubes. I am hesitant to put heat tape around the pipes because I'm affraid I will introduce a fire hazard. Do yu think the insulation I am thinking of adding will keep the heat from the pipes and actually make them freeze up with no chance of thawing or will it prevent them from freezing at all? I was also thinking about adding additional insulation on top of the astrofoil insulation and insulating the frame. Good idea on the spray adhesive to make the insulation stick. (What kind of insulation on the frame? pink fiberglass or blue foam board?) Thanks for your comments.

[steves]

I've been adding 3 1/2 encapsulated insulation to the whole under belly. I'm about 1/2 completed.

[Illini Trekker]

Hi Tim, Sorry for the delay in your question been traveling. I myself have used heat tape for many years and have never seen a fire hazard. If the heat tape gets so old they crack they fail to work but have not had a problem with a fire hazard. Yes if your pipe were to freeze the wrap would delay the pipes from thawing out, that's where the heat tape will help.

I went with pink fiberglass, I used All Service faced duct wrap 1 1/2". This is 4' wide and is in a roll which is easy to work with and glued to the frame well. It has fibers in it that makes to durable. If you go much thicker the belly screws are hard to reinstall and makes the black belly pucker. I was able to work this under the tanks as well that really helps add insulation value.

[tmarshall]

Illini trekker:

when you heat tape the lines, where do you plug in the heat tape in the underbelly? Do you have an on/off switch that you have access to above the belly?

Tim Marshall
2004 3670RL Montana
2002 F-350 powerstroke diesel

[Illini Trekker]

Hi Tim, a heat tape has a built in thermostat, that need to be exposited to the cold (you probable already knew that). I started one at the fresh water inlet and ran it to the low point drains, the plug in doubles back and I brought it out the fresh water tank drain hole in the belly. Then the next heat tape starts at the low point drains and it stops in the basement. I'll run two short drop cords to each tape and plug them into the outside receptacle.
Pic on the left needs stool pipe wraped still. The right those line come out of the belly go to shower


Recieved this E-Mail today from Uponor makers of TuffPex
Dennis,

The use of heat tape is allowed with Uponor Wirsbo Pex products
provided the product has automatic thermostatic control capability and the
temperature does not exceed the maximum rating listed on the tubing. Heat
tape should be wrapped around the tubing and secured with zip or cable
ties, not tape; then insulated with closed cell pipe insulation.

Thank you,

Scott Hellendrung
Technical Services
Uponor


The hunt makes the find that much sweeter!
Dennis and Debbie
05 Montana 2955RL Spruce Decor
2005 GMC 2500HD D/A CC SB Dark Metallic Blue
18k Reese Signature Slide Underbed Mount
Access Lorado Cover
Prodigy
Weston Nerf
Ride-Rite

[Ozz]

Dennis, Make sure that you can use your heat tape on plastic, and rubitex, I have always been told not to, just Copper and Iron piping. Just double check.
Ozz

'07 3400RL 2nd RTU
2 Golf Cart batteries 1500 watt inverter
Honda 2000 Generator, 2nd one and twinning kit coming
Maytag's with 220 Dryer
Stationary domed Sat. dish
LCD 12 Volt Amp gauge
LCD Tank Monitor
3 added 120 volt outlets
On Board Air; 12 Volt Viair 450C compressor
2006 Ford PSD 4x4 Off Road Lariat
Hadley Air Horns
Truck inverter with 110 volts for laptop
Color Backup Camera
Awning lock

[Illini Trekker]

Ozz looked at that before I started tubing reads 80PSI at 200*. A heat tape will never get near that warm.


The hunt makes the find that much sweeter!
Dennis and Debbie
05 Montana 2955RL Spruce Decor
2005 GMC 2500HD D/A CC SB Dark Metallic Blue
18k Reese Signature Slide Underbed Mount
Access Lorado Cover
Prodigy
Weston Nerf
Ride-Rite

[Ozz]

Cool Beans. it is good to check, so many things can sneak up on a guy and ruin his day.
Ozz

'07 3400RL 2nd RTU
2 Golf Cart batteries 1500 watt inverter
Honda 2000 Generator, 2nd one and twinning kit coming
Maytag's with 220 Dryer
Stationary domed Sat. dish
LCD 12 Volt Amp gauge
LCD Tank Monitor
3 added 120 volt outlets
On Board Air; 12 Volt Viair 450C compressor
2006 Ford PSD 4x4 Off Road Lariat
Hadley Air Horns
Truck inverter with 110 volts for laptop
Color Backup Camera
Awning lock