Insulation

[Ruthe]

I'm wondering how important insulation is. We've camped in cold places in our airstream -- where it got so cold at night that ice formed out of water on the picnic table -- and it was never a problem. When we have enough blankets we don't mind the cool air. Also campground noise was pretty shut out when we closed the windows. With Fiberglass, is that going to be much different? I'm finally starting to understand the differences between fiberglass and other trailers and it seems like fiberglass is thinner?

I've looked at the insulation underneath the trailer and read some posts about it -- it seems that with the underneath insulation it could be difficult to access certain parts of the trailer.

[Vermilye]

I can't really say since I didn't own the trailer without it, and because the wall covering is glued to the fiberglass, I doubt too many owners have had it added afterwards.

I do believe that it helps prevent condensation during cold weather camping, and I'm pretty sure the ceiling insulation keeps the trailer cooler under the summer sun. I'm always amazed stepping into the trailer after driving on a hot day how cool the interior is.

[Ruthe]

Jon, do you have the insulation underneath as well?

[Brian B-P]

Almost all moulded fiberglass trailers have some sort of wall insulation; I believe that all Escapes have the foam-backed headliner material for insulation and wall finish. An Escape has a single fiberglass shell; in comparison, I believe that an Airstream has an external aluminum shell, plus interior panels, separated by the aluminum body ribs, with the space normally filled by glass fibre insulation batts. I don't have a concern with external noise, but I certainly wouldn't want any less insulation.

Where the moulded fiberglass trailers vary the most in insulation is in the floor: most have nothing but the moulded shell and reinforcing wood (plywood or oriented strand board - Escape has the OSB). Sprayed-on foam insulation under the floor is an Escape option. I think underfloor insulation makes more difference to comfort and to freezing of plumbing than it does to total heat loss, and I think it's a good idea, although I am not a fan of the idea of covering components in foam. My Boler (similar to an Escape in general) has no underfloor insulation, and I have considered adding polystyrene foam panels.

[barry]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

Where the moulded fiberglass trailers vary the most in insulation is in the floor: most have nothing but the moulded shell and reinforcing wood (plywood or oriented strand board - Escape has the OSB).

Escape uses plywood not OSB.

Barry

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by Ruthe

Jon, do you have the insulation underneath as well?

No, just the basic extra insulation & double pane windows.

[cpaharley2008]

The double pane windows is the key here, sound and cold is easily transmitted thru single paned windows. When you close the door on an Escape, there is silence inside as the noise remains outside. The headliner extends all the way down to the benches and bed frames thus supplanting the fiberglass wall and reflectix insulation. With the foam floor, you have a nice cocoon. As far as access, I have yet to need to access my tanks in any of my previous trailers.

[Ruthe]

Somewhere on this forum I think I read that the double paned windows don't open -- or is that only on the bedroom windows in the 5.0?

Also, what is the "headliner"

Ruthe

[cpaharley2008]

All the double pane windows open except for the front and rear on the Escape, with the front being single paned protected by the awning. Also, the door window is double paned.

[Jim Bennett]

There are plenty of opening windows in the 19. If needed, you just open the 4 corners, and get plenty of airflow. Add in a ceiling fan, and lots of air flow happens. In our 19, the front window is operating, one of the last few Reace had that do, but to be honest, we have never found need to open it.

[barry]

Originally Posted by Ruthe

Somewhere on this forum I think I read that the double paned windows don't open -- or is that only on the bedroom windows in the 5.0?

Ruthe

If you go double pane on the bedroom windows on the 5.0 then they don't open. But, the large roof vent opens and creates a great draught when the Maxxfan is running.

Barry

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

Where the moulded fiberglass trailers vary the most in insulation is in the floor: most have nothing but the moulded shell and reinforcing wood (plywood or oriented strand board - Escape has the OSB).

Originally Posted by barry

Escape uses plywood not OSB.

Indeed, although I was remembering OSB in an Escape during construction, that was just the dinette seat bases, not the floor, which is plywood. Sorry for the confusion; thanks to Barry for the correction.

[cpaharley2008]

No more OSB anywhere in the Escape, all 100% plywood where wood is used.

[PGDriver]

Under my mattress is OSB and the same with under my dinette cushions too.

[cpaharley2008]

Maybe Escape changed in a certain model year, mine is 2012, I can not tell your year from your avatar.

[Brian B-P]

Sorry to start the OSB sidetrack! It really is not relevant to insulation.

I saw those OSB dinette seat bases in the factory in early 2012; perhaps it was just before a change to plywood, or perhaps the material varies by model.

[dave macrae]

We picked up ours in aug of 2012 and I seem to remember being told that it was fairly recent that they switched to just plywood.

[cpaharley2008]

Mine was made in JUne 2012, with plywood.

[Ruthe]

Getting back to insulation -- I'm thinking there is a case for the insulation package, but how about the underneath insulation -- when it goes down to the 40s outside, does the floor get cold without it?

[dave macrae]

I have had several trailers and only our escape has had the floor insulated and it seems much warmer. We had a very cold rainy weekend last fall that over night temps were below freezing and furnace didn't run anywhere near as much as it has in previous trailers in similar temperatures.