Posted 2006-07-01 10:56 AM (#43865) Subject: Why no Insulation in roof of horse area?
Member
Posts: 12
Location: SE Indiana
I am looking into buying our second LQ trailer soon. I have really looked around at all major brands and see that the majority of them DON'T insulate the roof of the horse area. Usually only the walls are insulated. Our Silver Star LQ was WONDERFULLY COOL in the summertime and other people we camp with (having Sundowners, Exiss, Sooner, Featherlite) trailers were sooo incredibly hot in them you could hardly stand it! So why doesn't the top mfgs insulate the roof?
Posted 2006-07-01 11:42 AM (#43868 - in reply to #43865) Subject: RE: Why no Insulation in roof of horse area?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 534 Location: Zionsville, Indiana
An insulated roof costs more. Worth every penny, but in the price wars, people don't realize what they are getting for their dollar, or rather what they aren't getting.
Posted 2006-07-02 9:26 AM (#43883 - in reply to #43865) Subject: RE: Why no Insulation in roof of horse area?
Member
Posts: 19
Location: Paris, Ohio
I was showing our new Silver Star (insulated roof standard equipment) to a non-horse friend just yesterday and he was shocked how cool the horse area after being in the 85 degree sun all day with no windows open. I think the insulation makes a HUGE difference, even when you're not moving.
Posted 2006-07-02 7:33 PM (#43898 - in reply to #43881) Subject: RE: Why no Insulation in roof of horse area?
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by threeman on 2006-07-01 8:47 PM
The insulated roof does no good unless you are stopped. Air flow is the key to cooler horse area.
We were stopped/near_Stopped for about 6 hours on wednesday.
The great I-90 closing between Albany and Syracuse )-:
4 horses, a good time to open up the back half doors AND both side ramp half doors, also a good thing to have some SPACE in there (26ft x 8 ft x 7 1/2ft)
Posted 2006-07-02 9:10 PM (#43900 - in reply to #43865) Subject: RE: Why no Insulation in roof of horse area?
Regular
Posts: 90 Location: louisiana
Maybe Im just a wussy but my previous trailer had an insulated roof and my new trailer does not. Here in Louisiana when it is 90-95 outside it is hot in the horse compartment either way unless you are under AC or if there is a breeze blowing.
Posted 2006-07-03 12:46 PM (#43940 - in reply to #43865) Subject: RE: Why no Insulation in roof of horse area?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 736 Location: Western WA
If one wanted to insulate the horse area, would you have it sprayed on, or somehow attach sheets of foam board insulation? Is the insulation then covered with something else?
Posted 2006-07-03 7:42 PM (#43953 - in reply to #43940) Subject: RE: Why no Insulation in roof of horse area?
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by headhunter on 2006-07-03 12:46 PM
If one wanted to insulate the horse area, would you have it sprayed on, or somehow attach sheets of foam board insulation? Is the insulation then covered with something else?
My guess wuld be semi-rigid foam boards, maybe the ones with foil covering IF they could be bent enough to follow the curvature of the roof.
You'd have to be GOOD to get a decent layer of glass or expoxy paint on it.
Even if it is foil covered I think I'd want something a bit tougher as a protective skin.
OUTSIDE is another possibility, that is something I wouldn't mind trying to lay glass mat and resin on.
Posted 2006-07-03 8:07 PM (#43954 - in reply to #43953) Subject: RE: Why no Insulation in roof of horse area?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 379 Location: Columbia, TN
Mine came insulated but I have insulated one and used the Dow blue board and they have an adhesive for it and then covered it with the white baked on enamel alum. like on the outside of the trailer. Doesn't take much adhesive just enugh to hold it up till you get the skin over it.
Posted 2006-07-03 8:14 PM (#43955 - in reply to #43865) Subject: RE: Why no Insulation in roof of horse area?
Regular
Posts: 70 Location: Spanaway,Wa
Our sooner has had 1/4 in. styrofoam insulation added to the roof. Granted a couple of panels have fallen down but overall it makes a huge difference in the temp. up by the horses heads even while driving. we just commented the other day about how hot the uninsulated roof panel was while the styrofoam was barely warm. I tried spray adhesive to reattatch the foam to the ceiling but it ate the foam. I think I'll try liquid nails, it seems to work on everything.
Posted 2006-07-03 8:22 PM (#43958 - in reply to #43865) Subject: RE: roof insulation
Elite Veteran
Posts: 736 Location: Western WA
I have seen trailers with the inside of the horse area sprayed with insulation. It seems like this would be more permanent, and less of a hassle than having a foam panel fall into the horse area. Anyone else have a foam sprayed roof, and know what type of material it was or where to get it done?
Posted 2006-07-05 9:51 AM (#44046 - in reply to #43958) Subject: RE: roof insulation
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by headhunter on 2006-07-03 8:22 PM
I have seen trailers with the inside of the horse area sprayed with insulation. It seems like this would be more permanent, and less of a hassle than having a foam panel fall into the horse area. Anyone else have a foam sprayed roof, and know what type of material it was or where to get it done?
There used to be an outfit around here called "Home foamers" - something like that. Basically they injected foam into wall cavities with a gun that mixed a 2 part isocyanurate (spelling ?) as it injected it. I think there were some problems with out gassing, but the context of a tightly sealed house is different to a well ventilated trailer.
TOH has also featured spray-in foam and I know it is used in the packing/shipping biz. Google fer it (-:
Posted 2006-07-05 11:08 AM (#44053 - in reply to #43958) Subject: RE: roof insulation
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by headhunter on 2006-07-03 8:22 PM
I have seen trailers with the inside of the horse area sprayed with insulation. It seems like this would be more permanent, and less of a hassle than having a foam panel fall into the horse area. Anyone else have a foam sprayed roof, and know what type of material it was or where to get it done?
I googled "home foam" and came up with these folk; http://highrstandard.com/Heatlok.html
They're local to New England, which works for me, but probably not for you.
I phoned and got an estimate of ~$500 for a 40ft by 8ft trailer roof sprayed 1 inch thick. Material, taping off walls, etc included. Double that for 2 inches thick. My horse area is actually about 26 ft, so that might get it down to ~$300 if I skip the tack/dr area.
Posted 2006-07-05 1:52 PM (#44076 - in reply to #43865) Subject: RE: Why no Insulation in roof of horse area?
Location: Tuttle, OK
Be careful about spraying glue on aluminum. I have seen it eat holes into aluminum sheet.
One relatively easy and inexpensive way to insulate a non-insulated roof at your house is to use Styrofoam sheeting. Cut it so it fits tight between the roof bows (cross members) and push it into place. Then sheet over the insulation, attaching the sheets to the roof bows using pop rivets – you can use screws, but double/triple check the length so you don't go through the roof skin. While aluminum sheeting is preferred, you can use plywood or paneling.
Posted 2006-07-05 3:43 PM (#44081 - in reply to #44076) Subject: RE: Why no Insulation in roof of horse area?
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by Mr. Trailer on 2006-07-05 1:52 PM
Be careful about spraying glue on aluminum. I have seen it eat holes into aluminum sheet.
One relatively easy and inexpensive way to insulate a non-insulated roof at your house is to use Styrofoam sheeting. Cut it so it fits tight between the roof bows (cross members) and push it into place. Then sheet over the insulation, attaching the sheets to the roof bows using pop rivets – you can use screws, but double/triple check the length so you don't go through the roof skin. While aluminum sheeting is preferred, you can use plywood or paneling.
I think white aluminum is about $100 per sheet - some odd size, about 105 by 49 as I remember it. So $600 or $700 just for sheeting over my 26 by 8ft horse area, plus the $300 or so for the foam. It might still be worth it.
Posted 2006-07-05 4:00 PM (#44082 - in reply to #43865) Subject: RE: Why no Insulation in roof of horse area?
Regular
Posts: 87 Location: Lavaca, Alabama
Well, after insulating my dressing area, I've decided to insulate the roof of the horse area too. I only have a two horse 6'6" wide trailer, and I figure I can get it accomplished for about $150. I used 3/4 inch RMax foam board in the dressing room and it made a world of difference - it's only $10 per 4' by 8' sheet and can be very flexible when scored. Mill finish aluminum is available for about $31-$33 per 4' by 8' sheet. I would only need three of each. I would just use paneling, but I'm concerned that it might mold or mildew from the steam from the horses and being stored outside. Do-it-yourself is almost always cheaper than ordering add-ons from the factory.
Posted 2006-07-05 4:52 PM (#44084 - in reply to #44081) Subject: RE: Why no Insulation in roof of horse area?
Location: Tuttle, OK
Originally written by Reg on 2006-07-05 4:43 PM
I think white aluminum is about $100 per sheet - some odd size, about 105 by 49 as I remember it. So $600 or $700 just for sheeting over my 26 by 8ft horse area, plus the $300 or so for the foam. It might still be worth it.
48" (or 49") by 8' sheets are available as well if you're interested.
Posted 2006-07-05 5:03 PM (#44085 - in reply to #43865) Subject: RE: Why no Insulation in roof of horse area?
Regular
Posts: 98 Location: Baldwin City, KS 66006
I saw a trailer at a dealership (used Sundowner) that I'm going to do mine the same way....Put the foam board between the cross members and then they used aluminum strips in what looked like maybe 1 or 2 inch wide by 8ft lengths and riveted them lengthways from front to back to the crossmembers.....spacing them evenly from side to side with about 4 of them. I remember my dad had purchased one of these aluminum strips to use as trimwork on the side of an old trailer of ours. The sides are finished off smooth.
Why no Insulation in roof of horse area?
