Adding Extra Wall Insulation
04-10-2018
Author: in RV Repairs / Maintenance / Upgrades
I have mentioned many times, in other articles, that RVs can lack proper insulation. This may lead some people to add their own in cold climates. I have seen RVers add reflective bubble wrap sheets to windows, stuff some form of insulation in exposed openings or cracks, and even install full foam boards to various sections of the rig. This no doubt helps keep in heat and cuts down the propane bill, but there are a few concerns with this insulation method to note.
If a board of foam insulation is pressed against a wall, it will most likely not seal tight. There will be a small gap. The air in this gap won’t flow very much and just like inside of a closed cabinet, condensation will form.
Typically, a fix for this would be to direct a fan in that direction or wipe the wall down. However, with the insulation in the way, these methods won’t work. You may not even know that condensation is forming.
Spraying bug spray on the wall and insulation and allowing it to dry before putting it up will help for a while. The poison will eventually wear off. If you only plan to have the insulation up during the winter and store it later, bug spray would solve this problem.
It can be harder to attach insulation outside, but the application advantage is avoiding all of the above issues. The sides of the slide are usually the poorest insulated section of the rig apart from the windows. You can wedge foam board insulation against the side of slides by pressing them in between the rig and the outer edge of the slide.
If you feel the need to insulate the outside wall in certain locations, command strips or industrial velcro can work to attach insulation boards. If there is still space between the board and the wall, a piece of Reflectix insulation can be slid between the wall and the board.
I have found that the areas that could use extra insulation on my rig are few, aside from windows. Putting extra wall insulation on the outside instead of the inside can hold in some heat and prevent future problems.
Condensation
Every RVer’s nemesis in the winter time is condensation. To stay warm, we are required to shut ourselves in and seal our rig. Every breath we and our pets take inside that sealed, heated box adds moisture to the air. When this moisture condenses onto smooth, cold surfaces, it creates an ideal environment for mold. Skin flakes and pet hair that settle into nooks and crannies provide a bountiful food source for the mold to grow.If a board of foam insulation is pressed against a wall, it will most likely not seal tight. There will be a small gap. The air in this gap won’t flow very much and just like inside of a closed cabinet, condensation will form.
Typically, a fix for this would be to direct a fan in that direction or wipe the wall down. However, with the insulation in the way, these methods won’t work. You may not even know that condensation is forming.
Bugs
Insects typically like to hide places. Any crack or space inside and away from the elements makes an ideal hiding space for them. The gap left between the wall and the insulation inside has the potential to host all kinds of creepy crawlies. You probably wouldn't have trouble with this in the dead of winter, but when the temperatures start to rise or if you insulate the wall before it gets cold, you may find roommates.Related Read: RV Pest Control: DIY Pest Control
Spraying bug spray on the wall and insulation and allowing it to dry before putting it up will help for a while. The poison will eventually wear off. If you only plan to have the insulation up during the winter and store it later, bug spray would solve this problem.
Insulate the Outside
My favorite fix for all of this is to insulate from the outside. If you notice that certain walls are really cold in your RV, putting insulation on the inside may be the easiest thing to do. There is a floor and ceiling to help hold the insulation in place, of course.It can be harder to attach insulation outside, but the application advantage is avoiding all of the above issues. The sides of the slide are usually the poorest insulated section of the rig apart from the windows. You can wedge foam board insulation against the side of slides by pressing them in between the rig and the outer edge of the slide.
Related Read: Why Put Window Insulation On The Outside
If you feel the need to insulate the outside wall in certain locations, command strips or industrial velcro can work to attach insulation boards. If there is still space between the board and the wall, a piece of Reflectix insulation can be slid between the wall and the board.
I have found that the areas that could use extra insulation on my rig are few, aside from windows. Putting extra wall insulation on the outside instead of the inside can hold in some heat and prevent future problems.
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Author: Levi and Natalie Henley
