Spray foam option for new Escape

[cpaharley2008]

The 12v heat pads can only be used with electrical hookups due to their large draw of 12v from the batteries. If you have hookups, you can use and auxiliary 120v heater also, no pads needed.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by dlakeman

Just jump in and give it a try. Great way to learn!

Great Can Do attitude.

Ron

[Eggscape]

I noticed this Durospan sheet insulation at our local Home Depot that I think I will install. It is a grey/black colour.

[dlakeman]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

The 12v heat pads can only be used with electrical hookups due to their large draw of 12v from the batteries. If you have hookups, you can use and auxiliary 120v heater also, no pads needed.

Let's go with the 120V heater.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by Eggscape

I noticed this Durospan sheet insulation at our local Home Depot that I think I will install. It is a grey/black colour.

I could be wrong and it's been quite awhile since I researched foam insulation board. Is that the kind with the silver material on one side? I remember thinking one type was pretty good then reading up on it and finding that despite the R value it was of little use in that type of application. I think that it was one of the isocyanates.

Ron

[Eggscape]

It has been a few months since I saw it but I don’t think it did. Just that plastic covering on both sides.

[Eggscape]

Just remembered I took a few pictures on my phone of the actual product.

[Bobbito]

Another Escapee who found the foam effective in both cold and hot weather. It may also contribute to it being quieter. We find the floor at least as warm as our Nash trailer was. Also, when we had ETI install a lift kit a year after purchase (just became an option), they cut away the foam very quickly and reapplied foam at the end just as quickly. I had thought the foam would cause them major time to remove and replace. It added 20-30 minutes to their job.

Bob K

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Bobbito

Also, when we had ETI install a lift kit a year after purchase (just became an option), they cut away the foam very quickly and reapplied foam at the end just as quickly. I had thought the foam would cause them major time to remove and replace. It added 20-30 minutes to their job.

But Escape no longer does aftermarket work supposedly. Would you have felt ok with some random RV shop cutting away at the foam or doing it yourself? Then you need to get the correct foam to repair the area and then paint it. This might be a consideration for some that live close and would have planned to take it back to Escape for work.

[Bobbito]

Point taken. I can’t see an RV repair shop doing it as quickly. However, having seen them quickly cut it away and replace it, I might do it myself if I knew the location of a problem.

[wjwoods01@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

I don't have it, but, I would think the spray foam would also help prevent repeated movement of parts that could otherwise become detached over time.

I was thinking exactly the same thing and am surprised not to see anyone with the foam comment on that. Sorry if I missed it.

[ATHiker]

We have the foam and it would be a difficult decision if we were ordering a new camper. One other consideration is that there have been a couple of cases where road debris has damaged the gray tank and repairs have been required. The insulation would provide some protection.

[kavm]

Here is the rest of the story…

We did get the foam spray. Not regretting that at all. Given where we live, it made too much sense and we are not handy enough for the DIY alternatives. We did request Escape to get some pre-spray underbody pictures but that was accepted. Now we are a situation (improper installation of See Level II) where some of the electrical connections with the freshwater thank need to be revisited. The repair shop is having a real hard time trying to even find the wires…

I am not close enough to the camper (it is at the RV repair shop), but it is taking the RV shop a very long time to follow the directions from Escape because everything is covered with foam.

[IanC]

Thanks so much for the update. We're doing our build sheet right now and I was on the fence of foam/no foam. Linda told me the foam adds 100 lbs to a 17B, so with the concerns about weight and access for repairs, we've decided against it. Good luck with your repairs.

[kavm]

Welcome, and all the best with your build! If we were living in San Diego, we would not have opted for the spray foam either.

[IanC]

We actually get snow in our local mountains (1 hour away) so had considered the insulation for winter camping, plus travel to cold destinations. But you're right, probably not worth getting foam in Southern California.