Posted 2007-01-19 8:12 PM (#54123) Subject: Am I doing this right?
Veteran
Posts: 254 Location: Dickinson, TX
Well, I've had the insulation in my horse trailer for a few weeks now but have been too busy to give the trailer much attention lately.
Got into it tonight and noticed that it was quite cold inside. Temps outside were about 40 degrees. Had been running heat strip from the ceiling unit for awhile but it was still somewhat chilly to my skinny frame (read: no body fat--chill easily.)
Is this normal for just one layer of foamboard insulation? Can I expect better insulating properties and warmth once I put up the furring strips, another layer of foamboard insulation, and the walls?
Update on vapor barrier: I'm thinking of foregoing any sort of vapor barrier, as 2 layers of insulation should do a fair job of keeping any cold air that seeps into the trailer at bay (there aren't many ways cold air can come in.) I don't want to make things so tight behind the walls that moisture collects between the plastic and the first layer of insulation.
Anyway... just expected the trailer to stay warm better after a layer of insulation.
Posted 2007-01-19 8:37 PM (#54126 - in reply to #54123) Subject: RE: Am I doing this right?
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
I haven't used my heat strip yet, but I've been told (and read on here) that they don't work well. Another layer of insulation may help some, but that may be the best it can do.
Posted 2007-01-19 8:46 PM (#54128 - in reply to #54123) Subject: RE: Am I doing this right?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 402 Location: Lockport, Illinois
Do you have the whole trailer insulated, or just the walls and the ceiling? The floor, bulkhead, and gooseneck floor should also be insulated, as they are exposed to cold. As heat rises and cold stays at the floor level, the heat strip basically keeps the heat near the roof, and if the floor is not insulated, your feet are basically in the same temperature as the outside air.
Posted 2007-01-19 9:06 PM (#54130 - in reply to #54123) Subject: RE: Am I doing this right?
Veteran
Posts: 148 Location: columbia tn
hello this may help if all else fells our old trailer was a steel 5'shortwall we added the insulation and real wood panel on walls added extra carpet on floors goose neck floor had carpet also anyway we would just put a little ceramic heat in there when the temps go cold and run the heat strip also.. i think the little heater did more than the heat strip did...good luck