Front Cap Insulation

GL1800Rider · 09-29-2014, 03:52 PM

On our 2015 832IKBS the heat radiating thru the front cap in the afternoon seems excessive.

Just wondering if anybody else is experiencing this.

I first noticed it when we were camping in North Carolina in July with the TT facing N.W. At home it is in a carport and gets the afternoon Florida Sun facing west. I am going to get a thermometer gun and monitor the difference but standing near the front cap it feels about ten degrees higher than the rest of the coach. I am beginning to wonder if Forest River forgot to put insulation in the cap. Our 15 year old Terry was sitting in the same spot and was never that hot.

We have a minor dent just to the right of the front window on the cap which was brought up during the PDI. I have not heard from the dealer as of yet but if they end up replacing the cap I want to make sure it has insulation in it.

Ford Idaho · 09-29-2014, 03:58 PM

I will bet that the Terry had thicker walls with more insulation.

schrederman · 09-29-2014, 04:05 PM

What color is the cap? The reason I ask is that I can't put my hand on my son's black pickup without leaving some skin burned into the paint in the summer. If it's a dark color, it's going to get much hotter. The 15-year-old Terry was probably white. If this one is white, too, then I'd be looking at the insulation. If it's dark brown or some other dark color, you may be able to cure some of it with extra insulation, but I'm not sure how much...

I'm considering upgrading to one with a molded front cap. They seem to all be some dark color... While they look nice, I wonder if the manufacturers are thinking about that heat build up...

offroad · 09-29-2014, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GL1800Rider

On our 2015 832IKBS the heat radiating thru the front cap in the afternoon seems excessive.

We have a minor dent just to the right of the front window on the cap which was brought up during the PDI.

I haven't noticed any heat issue with our 8329ss (Platinum), but we've been seeing daytime highs in the mid 80's. I'll try to remember to feel the wall this weekend in the afternoon.

We have a small dent as well, its near the upper RH corner of the window.
I'll try to get a picture to post to see if it's similar to yours.

GL1800Rider · 09-29-2014, 05:28 PM

Schrederman, ours has the Diamond package with the dark brown cap. I bet that is where the difference is. I wanted to go with the Platimum pkg with the white gel coat but my DW had one more vote than me. When we bought our car we looked at the grey and the light green and the green was much cooler to touch. I am just glad we have two ac units.

I do have a picture of the dent in the cap but will have to transfer it from my phone and post it later. It is very minor but noticeable.

B and B · 09-29-2014, 05:35 PM

We have same trailer and when parked in a field first trip out was pretty hot overall, arrived late afternoon. I didn't notice the bedroom much hotter. We have one AC but a 15 k. We were facing due southwest so the afternoon was hot. After having the RV cooled down day 2 was much better and did not get as hot.

SparkeyBob · 09-30-2014, 03:37 AM

I have a Micro Lite 21FBRS. I worked on nuclear powerhouses, oil refineries and industrial plants everywhere, some in 100 degree areas. My 21FBRS has been Ok but could be better, that said, my unit is aluminum sheeting with an Alpha roof. I will reinsulate any part of the unit if a opportunity comes along. I will use heavy spray foam, the best there is.

Witch Doctor · 09-30-2014, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GL1800Rider

On our 2015 832IKBS the heat radiating thru the front cap in the afternoon seems excessive.

Just wondering if anybody else is experiencing this.

I first noticed it when we were camping in North Carolina in July with the TT facing N.W. At home it is in a carport and gets the afternoon Florida Sun facing west. I am going to get a thermometer gun and monitor the difference but standing near the front cap it feels about ten degrees higher than the rest of the coach. I am beginning to wonder if Forest River forgot to put insulation in the cap. Our 15 year old Terry was sitting in the same spot and was never that hot.

We have a minor dent just to the right of the front window on the cap which was brought up during the PDI. I have not heard from the dealer as of yet but if they end up replacing the cap I want to make sure it has insulation in it.

FR never use to put insulation behind the caps. They were just placed on a wood frame, you wall was the only thing insulated. Now they have started to put foam sheets in between the cap and framing. Not sure if they have now started to do that during production yet. I would hope so being all the dark color caps starting to collapse or dent. There where some pictures of the cap removed and the insulation being put in the framing. I forgot what the thread was called. The pictured showed before when they took it off and after they insulated it the correct way, before they replaced the cap. The folks who had the bad luck with there wildcats pin box failures had to remove there caps for the repair they might be able to answer your question if there is anything behind it when removed. Just a guess but I would say no. Their thinking is that your 2" wall would be enough. Just my opinion.

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