Winter skirting... do I really need it?

[HomeGrown]

As I'm getting ready for our first winter in our heavily modified 32' Gulfstream (FEMA trailer), I'm wondering if I really need side skirting. I'm certainly willing to install it if there's a compelling reason to do so. So here's the facts on the trailer:

Located in Kentucky where winters are cold, but not terrible.
All my supply plumbing is located inside, above the floor, with the exception of the toilet drain which is under the trailer. Good slope to it, so I'm not overly concerned about it freezing. The floor is poorly insulated so it's cold. I don't know if skirting would actually help keep the floor warmer or not.Also, being a FEMA trailer, it does not have any holding tanks to freeze.

The trailer is fully electric (converted to 50 amp) and I'm heating with 2 1500 watt space heaters. I still have the propane furnace, but it's not hooked up at present.

Thanks for your input on this!

[MilCop4523]

electrical pipe heater line wrapped and spray foam insulation will help but its the wind that will cause you more issues. In eastern Canada where we get -40 degree with a wind chill on top of that its best to skirt trailers.

[bhill]

It is best to skirt the trailer. You want to stop air flow under the floor. Yes this will help keep your floor warmer. If your pipes are above the floor and the floor is cold- you may freeze the lines.

This is the company I used for my skirting- They will ship the skirting directly to you.

Custom RV Trailer Skirting Made Tough AND Rugged! Call,Text Or Email US!


The owner Curt Miller is a real pleasure to work with.

[bhill]

Originally Posted by MilCop4523

electrical pipe heater line wrapped and spray foam insulation will help but its the wind that will cause you more issues. In eastern Canada where we get -40 degree with a wind chill on top of that its best to skirt trailers.

Burr that is cold- I do not believe "wind chill" has any affect in inanimate objects such as water pipes, RV siding, cars etc...

I agree you need to cut down on the airflow under the trailer-however one should not be concerned on the actual " wind chill" .

[MilCop4523]

Originally Posted by bhill

Burr that is cold- I do not believe "wind chill" has any affect in inanimate objects such as water pipes, RV siding, cars etc...

no wind chillis are only felt by living flesh soon to be frozen dead flesh... which is what happens when your pipes freeze and you have to crawl onto the frozen ground in the middle of the night to thaw them out.
I've had to help the lady next door a couple winters ago and had to crawl into a sleeping bag to work on her burst pipes.

[bhill]

Originally Posted by MilCop4523

no wind chillis are only felt by living flesh soon to be frozen dead flesh... which is what happens when your pipes freeze and you have to crawl onto the frozen ground in the middle of the night to thaw them out.
I've had to help the lady next door a couple winters ago and had to crawl into a sleeping bag to work on her burst pipes.

WOW-- thanks for the info-- How did you thaw the pipes?? heat gun, electric heater or ??

[MilCop4523]

depends... heat gun if your careful but sometimes a heater underneath will work. The heater tape you can purchase as most hardware stores will work if you remember to turn on the power supply before it gets real cold. Skirting and insulation helps a lot before its too cold to work under the trailer.

[piscesman]

Just an extra comment on using heat tape on your supply hose...I use lengths of 1" foam pipe insulation w/ duct tape over the seam...be sure to insulate your metal connections, too. It is amazing to me that I can have warm water in the hose and still have ice form at the connections! Here in Colorado we are fortunate since daytime temps are usually warm enough to defrost our hoses, but nighttime temps are dropping to the high 'teens. I would use skirting..although "wind chill" technically applies to exposed flesh, wind can increase the rate of heat loss. Good luck!

[youroo]

Originally Posted by MilCop4523

no wind chillis are only felt by living flesh soon to be frozen dead flesh... which is what happens when your pipes freeze and you have to crawl onto the frozen ground in the middle of the night to thaw them out.
I've had to help the lady next door a couple winters ago and had to crawl into a sleeping bag to work on her burst pipes.

If my wife knew I was in a sleeping bag with the lady next door,Cold would be the last thing I would worry about! Youroo!!

[HomeGrown]

LOL!!

I don't actually have any pipes under my trailer to thaw out.... but good thought on it helping to keep the floor warmer.

Thanks for the link bhill, I've looked there before, and they've got a really nice product. Unfortunately I've already put more $$ into my trailer than I should, so I'm going to have to go with a cheaper solution. I don't really expect to be in this trailer long enough to merit the price.