R-value September 14, 2020, 04:21:49 pm Does anyone have the numbers for the R-values (of the insulation) used in a new LD? After completing a search on the website, I was unable to find any information. Thank you.
Re: R-value Reply #1 – September 14, 2020, 05:16:04 pm It's not much. My guess would be that it's in the 5-10 range for the foam board insulation used and much lower for the overall wall assembly. The big windows don't help and there is substantial thermal bridging due to the wood frame.Rich 1 Likes
Re: R-value Reply #2 – September 14, 2020, 05:25:18 pm I believe that the R-value may be very slightly improved with the block styrofoam insulation (2008 and newer, I think) rather than with the skimpy handfuls of fiberglass insulation in earlier models, but the large windows are a big source of heat gain and loss.
Re: R-value Reply #3 – September 14, 2020, 09:40:58 pm No RV is as well insulated as today's new homes. the walls are only a couple inches thick.The penalty is worse in an LD due to the extra-large windows. The foam insulation is only highly effective if it stays in contact with the interior wall, when loose, the foam can pull away, providing a pathway for hot of cold air to be exposed to the interior walls. I have seen this in several refrigerator compartments, causing significant thermal leaks into the interior and around the refrigerator's body, a bad thing in the summer.The dual-pane windows do a decent of reducing outside noise but are not much better than the old, safety glass windows when it comes to heat or cold. the aluminum frames transfer heat and cold effectively. Covering the entire window with Reflectix insulation is the best solution for very hot or cold conditions.Hot conditions are when the minimal insulation really stands out, we have had some seriously hot weather lately, 121 defrees, a new local record. Trying to keep the LD from melting, the A/C was run 24 continuously, for a few days, sealed up with all the aids. At best it managed a 25-30 degree drop. For these reasons, we limited our travels to hot areas. The A/C kicked out twice during brownouts, it been an interesting summer in CaliforniaIdeally, when the weather is changing seasons, you should be heading north or south, to a better climate.That's why your LD has wheels.Larry
Re: R-value Reply #4 – September 15, 2020, 10:42:09 am Enclosed is a screen shot of the temp - inside an outside - when we were camping at Big Bend National Park in October. The A/C when running all day. We did all the 'tricks' to stay cool - this is what we got. I have to share that there were no a lot of folks in the camp ground areas.glen
Re: R-value Reply #5 – September 15, 2020, 04:19:48 pm You could ask Lazy Daze about this - they minimum have the type of insulation including thickness used and you can check the manufacturer site.Doing a quick check standard R values for rigid insulation gives roughly 5-8 R-Value depending if they do 1 or 2 inches thick.You can increase R-Value of windows by adding Reflectix but that gives only about 1.1 R-Value per layer. However, if you reduce direct sunlight coming in the windows, it will reduce heating up everything inside and give additional help.On a recent trip I saw someone who put reflectix on the outside of their RV (a larger class B). I am not sure if that helped much and they must have put it on after they parked in their camping spot, but if it covered the window framing (typical metal), it likely would help more than putting it on the inside (when the window framing is already heated up and radiating inside), but I likely would not make that choice. They might have been doing it for privacy.... as the temps were between 60-80 over the day.Jane