Posted 2012-02-02 10:00 AM (#140512) Subject: How best to insulate a roof?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 681 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
I am thinking about trading in my dearly-loved Hart for a lite gooseneck so that I will have a safe and dry place to sleep when camping. I have decided that I am just getting too old to sleep on the ground, even on an air mattress on the ground. I am on a limited budget.. am trying to stay in the low teens or less. i want aluminum because of the high rustability (is that a word?) of our area. Most trailers are, of course, an aluminum roof, and I really like the fiberglass roof on my Hart.. It is significantly cooler in the trailer in our blazing hot summers. If I ever find another trailer that I like and can afford, how could I insulate an aluminum roof to get the same result? I have been watching for 2H Harts, but there have been few and not with the features that I want.. Plus they are a bit heavier. I would appreciate any and all comments
Posted 2012-02-02 10:43 AM (#140515 - in reply to #140512) Subject: RE: How best to insulate a roof?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Bare aluminum has the same reflectivity as black. The resulting skin temps can be double or more, than that of the ambient temps. The easiest way to cool the skin temps of an aluminum roof, is to coat it with a light coloured product. Paint or elastomeric products work well.
The application of these products, will result in a decreased inside temp of aprox 25%. Adding the foil faced rigid insulation will further lower the temperatures. Both of these modifications are well within the realm of a DIYer, and can be effected with only the cost of materials.
Posted 2012-02-03 1:31 AM (#140529 - in reply to #140512) Subject: RE: How best to insulate a roof?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 610 Location: Northern CA
Ridingarocky,
The Classic trailers are all aluminum with a fiberglass top. Find a used one since they went out of business. Nice trailers.(I have one- a 2-horse slant load Gooseneck with a 3' shortwall) Also Royal T makes the same, all aluminum with a fiberglass top.
Posted 2012-02-03 7:24 AM (#140530 - in reply to #140512) Subject: RE: How best to insulate a roof?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 681 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
Thanks.. I'm looking daily.. Found a really nice Cimarron in TX but it is a 3H and while it has almost everything I want ( but no LQ) I am worried about my ability to pull it.. Plus it is longer than what I need or am used to.. But it looks awesome!
How best to insulate a roof?
