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02-03-2013, 01:08 PM
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#1
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Graduate Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Columbia, MO
Posts: 508
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RV insulation mods winter/summer DYI
Just finished doing these this morning. Total install time - maybe an hour. My personal handiness level - 1 to 2 on a 10 scale.
The wrap up front is Reflectix, an insulation I bought at a box hardware store. Cost $39 for largest size they have (48" by 20 or so feet long)
First I noticed my MH has permanent velcro circles around the cockpit. I then grabbed the old velcro tabs bought by mistake a few months prior.
Measure the interior "wrap". Note I was generous with my cut at 8 foot, giving myself an extra inch - give yourself an extra 4. I'd really prefer my wrap had "wings".
To create wrap: Put velcro tab on velcro perma-circle, peel off paper backing from adhesive. Place wrap and press onto velcro.
Next post - ceiling vent insulation.
__________________
--2009 Sunseeker 2860DS (Class C)
- one Hotwife, and two boys under 2(with one on the way!)
2013 - 53 days 2012 - 26 days
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02-03-2013, 01:18 PM
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#2
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Graduate Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Columbia, MO
Posts: 508
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The first pic is my attic fan cover. I'll have to google where I bought it from, but it was one of the few that attached with magnet strips. One strip has adhesive on one side - that side sticks to the vent frame. The adhesive on the other strip attaches to the insulation - so then the magnets seal it closed.
Note the strips I used were leftovers from my attic fan cover, so the top magnets are white to blend in better. The magnets I bought at the big box store were $3.49 per and I needed 4 rolls to provide two double sided magnets around the vent in the bedroom (all vents are same size).
My next project - get more velcro and hang a door size insulation from door in between screen door and outer door. Gotta run to the store first, and DW informs me that since the need is not immediate it will not get done today. And I'd also like to shop more for white painted magnet strips.
BTW - these are not cut down, I haven't decided to leave them oversize or cut down, but I left them oversize for now.
__________________
--2009 Sunseeker 2860DS (Class C)
- one Hotwife, and two boys under 2(with one on the way!)
2013 - 53 days 2012 - 26 days
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02-03-2013, 01:23 PM
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#3
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Graduate Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Columbia, MO
Posts: 508
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Here they are (hope they don't show up twice)
__________________
--2009 Sunseeker 2860DS (Class C)
- one Hotwife, and two boys under 2(with one on the way!)
2013 - 53 days 2012 - 26 days
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02-03-2013, 01:25 PM
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#4
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Graduate Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Columbia, MO
Posts: 508
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__________________
--2009 Sunseeker 2860DS (Class C)
- one Hotwife, and two boys under 2(with one on the way!)
2013 - 53 days 2012 - 26 days
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02-03-2013, 02:10 PM
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#5
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Camper Less Camping
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NW
Posts: 3,642
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Nice work...Thanks for sharing
__________________
2013 Sabre 32RCTS-6 (sold)
Family of 4 whose always on the GEAUX!
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02-03-2013, 02:31 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 13,707
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Nice job. That Reflectix stuff has many uses on a camper.
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02-04-2013, 12:54 PM
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#7
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Graduate Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Columbia, MO
Posts: 508
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I'll post temps when we go out in a few weeks - then we'll know how much of a noticeable difference there is.
__________________
--2009 Sunseeker 2860DS (Class C)
- one Hotwife, and two boys under 2(with one on the way!)
2013 - 53 days 2012 - 26 days
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02-08-2013, 08:54 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: West Michigan/Fort Myers
Posts: 3,927
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That's what I'm wanting to do. I don't want a huge project but I want to keep the hot out and the cool on. It looks like that would do that and not take up a lot of space when not using it. Let us know how it holds up.
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02-12-2013, 03:51 PM
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#9
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Graduate Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Columbia, MO
Posts: 508
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Will do! So far the temp is noticeably more stable (in the garage)...but we'll get it out this weekend for a run.
I do have to emphasize the weight of this Reflectix is almost nothing. I'm going to cut out the window panels in the next few days and hope to post pics of those. Right now I'm just going with temp mounting (sliding between window and shade) as I really want to see what the vent covers and the front curtain do on their own.
__________________
--2009 Sunseeker 2860DS (Class C)
- one Hotwife, and two boys under 2(with one on the way!)
2013 - 53 days 2012 - 26 days
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02-19-2013, 12:13 PM
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#10
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Graduate Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Columbia, MO
Posts: 508
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Update
Worked awesome!!!!!
We had mid 20 degree temps, and were able to easily, and I mean EASILY keep the mh at 70's.
We did make a couple added mods to the above - and I'll post pics soon. (why do I keep forgetting to take pics in the wild?)
Added:
- reflectix slipped under the curtains in the bedroom windows.
- pillow stuffed in bedroom vent
- reflectix stuffed in bathroom vent
- also added a second vornado (previous test was one vornado and one 'milkhouse' space heater)
The result was IMMEDIATELY noticed. DW commented "it doesn't feel drafty anymore".
As i said, the outside temp ranged from high teens to low 30s. I had to actually TURN DOWN the space heaters just so the furnace would periodically kick on to circulate the air underneath.
Temp reading - lowest was 71, highest was 78. Didn't sleep in long underwear. Didn't freeze my head off from cold air coming in the bedroom window.
Next - getting me a couple "pool noodles" to insulate the slides!
pics to come
__________________
--2009 Sunseeker 2860DS (Class C)
- one Hotwife, and two boys under 2(with one on the way!)
2013 - 53 days 2012 - 26 days
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03-06-2013, 06:32 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Annapolis Area
Posts: 252
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double reflective comparison
RoadTrip,
Very interesting post. I am going to emulate what you did in my MH. I live in Lothian a little south of you. Something for others to consider, that have not accomplished the work, is at this site;
Comparing Prodex to Reflectix, Tekfoil, Eco foil, Tempshield, etc
A 48in X 100ft of Reflectix costs $1.54 LF, a 48in X 175ft roll of Prodex costs $1.35LF. I believe the Prodex has a much higher R-factor which would be more efficient. I am still researching and comparing.
__________________
2013 Encounter 37TZ, Chalet Pkg, Escape Hybrid Toad,
Denis & Gail & Dixie the Blue Merle Sheltie
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03-07-2013, 08:19 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Annapolis Area
Posts: 252
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oops..north and west
Actually I should learn to read...Columbia MO not Columbia MD. We get your weather 24 hours later. Your solution should work very well in the sweltering summer since it reflects whatever hits it. Windshield is such a solar lens in the summer, reflecting the outside heat should make the AC unit, oh so more efficient!
__________________
2013 Encounter 37TZ, Chalet Pkg, Escape Hybrid Toad,
Denis & Gail & Dixie the Blue Merle Sheltie
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03-08-2013, 05:36 PM
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#13
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Graduate Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Columbia, MO
Posts: 508
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Thanks! And good link - that Prodex stuff looks cool! I really had my doubts about 4 season camping. I had just about given up and figured we'd either just have the furnace kick on every 10 minutes and still sleep in long johns and stocking caps.
We didn't even do every window - just the Master, all the vents and that front cab valence. It. Was. Dramatic.
Just those couple low-tech mods and boom - sleepin' nekkid in the camper in 20 degrees!
I'm positive it'll work in the summer with similar results. Best $50 I ever spent on our MH.
__________________
--2009 Sunseeker 2860DS (Class C)
- one Hotwife, and two boys under 2(with one on the way!)
2013 - 53 days 2012 - 26 days
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05-23-2013, 10:26 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Home is where I park it
Posts: 1,503
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Old thread I know, but I just put Reflectix in the windshield of my Berkshire.
Not only does it make a incredible difference in keeping cool, but a 4x8 foot piece fits exactly in the windshield with only a tiny amount of trimming in the lower corners.
I highly recommend it.
Boowho??
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10-11-2013, 02:13 PM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 78
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Just a note on this old thread. It's an awesome thread, kudos to the OP.
However, the Prodex website has pants on fire. Think about it: Why would massive quantities of insulation be placed in the walls and outside the walls of energy efficient homes, if you could get R-16 out of a thin sheet? Why are people building double-stud wall houses if you could stack up a few pieces of this stuff and get R-64?
These reflective barriers are good as air barriers (the reason they are so effective in windows), and incredible as radiant barriers in the summer. They are crappy insulators, though, and the companies who make these products need to quit lying.
If you came across this thread wanting to insulate, go read Green Building Advisor, and the Building Science articles. It will change how you see the envelope of your space.
I hate to bump an old thread, but it's showing on a lot of searches, including google page 1 searches.
I personally prefer Reflectix, and you can get it at Home Depot.
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10-15-2013, 09:53 AM
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#16
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Graduate Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Columbia, MO
Posts: 508
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thanks woozy - i love the reflectix too.
I looked up the greenbuildingadvisor.com, but can't find the articles you mentioned. Got a link?
__________________
--2009 Sunseeker 2860DS (Class C)
- one Hotwife, and two boys under 2(with one on the way!)
2013 - 53 days 2012 - 26 days
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