R-Pod insulation question
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5883
Printed Date: 20 May 2024 at 8:27pm
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Topic: R-Pod insulation question
Posted By: lamarkeiko
Subject: R-Pod insulation question
Date Posted: 25 Feb 2015 at 12:47pm
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We've had our new RP-179 for 9 days, and it is still winterized and parked in our driveway. I have the power cord plugged in to keep the batteries up. We have been having good weather during the days, but the temp has been dropping down in the 20's at night. I put a thermometer inside the Pod to moniter temp and humidety. Yesterday morning it was 24 deg. outside and I went out to the trailer it was 28 deg inside. The afternoon before when I closed the Pod up for the night it was in the 60's inside. I was thinking the trailers inside temperature wouldn't drop that much. Especially to be freezing. Is that what I should expect? Only 4 degrees warmer inside than outside? This morning it was 28 deg outside, and 32 deg inside the Pod. ------------- Lamar |
Replies:
Posted By: Seanl
Date Posted: 25 Feb 2015 at 1:08pm
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I think the walls have 2 inches of rigid foam 2 inches of fibreglass in the ceiling. that gives you an R value of about 10 in the walls and 7.4 in the ceiling. Most houses have a wall Rvalue of at least R25 so yes without a source of heat inside I would expect that the inside and outside temps would be equal after a few hours. ------------- Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition 
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Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 25 Feb 2015 at 3:05pm
The walls are 1 5/16" the door is 1 1/2" thick.
 ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: lamarkeiko
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2015 at 11:05am
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I think I need a small electric heater to keep in the pod while it's stored during the cold season. I thought I read somewhere that a ceramic heater shouldn't be used. Could someone give me a recommendation on what to use? ------------- Lamar |
Posted By: Buxmont
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2015 at 11:30am
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I use a dehumidifier (1000 cubic ft) that uses heat to keep the air dry. You leave it on 24/7, it uses as much electricity as a light bulb, and I've noticed on really cold days (low 20's) it keeps the pod 20 degrees warmer inside. My pod is covered so not sure if that makes a difference. Whats nice about this product is it keeps the moisture down (no mold or mildew) and it gently heats the pod! http://www.amazon.com/Davis-Instruments-Air-Dryr-1000-Dryer/dp/B0014TMXVA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424967878&sr=8-1&keywords=Davis+Instruments+Air+Dryer ------------- 2015 178 Rpod 2003 Chevy Trailblazer |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2015 at 1:22pm
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Most here use small electric heaters at campsites when hookups are available. If by "ceramic" you mean one of several catalytic heaters on the market (Mr. Buddy, Olympic Wave) they aren't a problem but I wouldn't use propane at home when you can plug in.However, there is no reason the interior can't be left to get cold. If your area goes below freezing, winterize with pink antifreeze and forget about it all winter. If not, just forget about it. Our area goes down to 0 F at least once each winter (much more often this year!) and we never had a problem. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2015 at 4:37pm
Furpod has been down to -15 on the inside.. survived. We use a electric ceramic heater all the time. Ours is a little 1000watt Sunbeam: Seen here, not plugged in, sitting on the bench. ------------- |
Posted By: lamarkeiko
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2015 at 8:04pm
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Thanks for the replies back. I kept a small electric ceramic heater in my previous travel trailer. I just thought I had read recently that they were not recommended. ------------- Lamar |
Posted By: beechridge
Date Posted: 24 Apr 2015 at 9:41pm
| Since bringing my 171 back to New Hampshire, it's been getting down to 30 (or less) at night. I have an oil filled electric heater http://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-TRN0812T-Portable-Oil-Filled-Programmable/dp/B000G1CXZI/ref=sr_1_4?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1429925877&sr=1-4&keywords=delonghi+heater that I had bought to keep the water well closet heated in my home. On a low setting, it has been doing of great job of keeping the Pod comfortable while I get it ready to go. Very even heat, no fan to blow dust around, and it fits in the pass through under the bed. I've decided to bring it with me on my extended trip. |
Posted By: samiam2
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2015 at 4:19pm
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I have 2 of the same heaters as FURPOD....Propane is to $$$ to heat a trailer. My dog and I lived in our (The DOGS  ) Rpod 179 for the month of Nov. and 1/2 of Dec. in 2014. I live in Texas and went bird hunting in Illinois Nov-Dec. 2014. I was at 2 different state parks, my camp sites were on the water. I used a small ceramic heater, and two when it dropped down below 20deg. I never had any issues and the trailer stayed comfortable. I used the trailer heater once, during a really bad freezing rain/windy storm at -0 degs.I took the trailer out to a state park in Austin, Tx in Jan for 4 days. During the days I had windows cracked/open, and at night ceramic heater on low. A fellow camper (camp ground host) couldn't believe how comfortable the heater kept the trailer. The trailer is the right size for small heaters. |
Posted By: WillG
Date Posted: 06 Jul 2017 at 3:18pm
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Extra blankets work well.... we use the ceramic heater but I think the dehumidifier kills 2 birds with one stone after all this is just glorified camping. I was thinking insulating the floor or adding cork flooring would help a bit. I'd like to get insulated windows as well. Has anyone used insulated windows as a modification? ------------- R-Podder by process of elimination 2014 RP179 2011 GMC CrewCab Short Bed |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 06 Jul 2017 at 6:06pm
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Ceramic heater here as well. The only window I insulated was the rear window. Cold sleeping next to. One 1500 watt heater keeps it toasty. BTW - insulating rear window also keeps it cooler in summer. The shades insulate other windows. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 06 Jul 2017 at 9:14pm
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I use https://www.lowes.com/pd/Reflectix-50-sq-ft-Reflective-Roll-Insulation-24-in-W-x-25-ft-L/3011904 - Reflectix reflective roll insulation . It looks like foil-faced bubble wrap. I cut pieces to fit behind the shades (sleeping area and dinette) in our 179. It serves two purposes. One is to add insulation. The other is to darken the sleeping area. It seems to do a good job for both purposes. I have not used it for the kitchen window as I want light come in there so the regular curtains are adequate. The same with the window I installed in the door. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: spydie
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2017 at 8:23pm
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[QUOTE=marwayne]The walls are 1 5/16" the door is 1 1/2" thick.
[ /QUOTE]
I'm confused about the wall thickness. I've read the walls are 2" thick and I'm preparing to order a window for the bunk area of a 176, but I need to know if you have just measured the foam insulation or is 1 15/16" the total wall thickness? ------------- 2018 R-pod 176 2017 RAM 1500 5.7L Hemi 
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2017 at 8:33pm
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The foam in the walls is 1" thick. The 1-5/16" is the total thickness. I accidentally punctured my outer wall using a "short" moly bolt that was a little too long thinking the walls were the same thickness as the door. Please don't make my mistake.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: voisj
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2017 at 11:07pm
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Did the same with a drill bit, thought I was on a stud to put up a shelf and the drill bit went though the fiberglass to the outside.I had the bit set for 1 1/4" opps! Filled it with silicone. Lesson learned.
------------- http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9426&title=slopod-180-mods-johnsue - SLOPODMODS John&Sue,SLO,CA 2016 180 HRE, 2013 F150 Eco Boost 
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Posted By: spydie
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2017 at 11:26pm
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OK, thanks. It looks like the 2" wall thickness that others have posted is bogus. I really needed to know the thickness so I can get a window whose frame isn't too thick, thus requiring all sorts of work to cut it down. Now the search begins. We are talking about a newer model with fiberglass sides, right? I read on here that the older ones had aluminum sides, but that might not have been correct? ------------- 2018 R-pod 176 2017 RAM 1500 5.7L Hemi
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Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2017 at 12:16am
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The only aluminum is on the inside of the door in all pods ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |