Lack of Insulation between Pass-Thru and Bedroom - 315RLTS

**howson** · 04-10-2019, 07:09 PM

While working on a different project (inverter install) I was very surprised to find the wall between the front storage area and the bedroom has no insulation. None. There's even gaps in the woodwork that allow the free exchange of air between the spaces. There's no insulation in the ceiling (closet floor), either.

I'm thinking of adding garage door insulation panels in this area before I seal it up behind the new electrical items I'm installing.

Thoughts?

Pictures should tell the story.

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**Da Breeze** · 04-10-2019, 07:27 PM

Hi Howard,
I think solid block foil-faced styrofoam or polyisocyranute panels would (nicely and neatly) insulate that wall area.
Most insulation properties are in the first few R values anyway. Anything above R 7 is a point of diminishing returns.
HD has 2" foil-faced white foam board thats very reasonable for your needs here.

Michael

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**gbkims** · 04-10-2019, 07:30 PM

This seems to be by design. Mine has no insulation between the basement and living space in the wall near the stairs or the bathroom and bedroom floor above the basement and passthru.
Appears only the outside shell of the RV gets some insulation.

**Drolaw** · 04-10-2019, 08:20 PM

This explains a lot. I noticed that a lot of cold air would come through the closet and in the summer a lot of hot air would come through. I have been thinking about adding insulation and exploring where it should go but it looks like you already did the hard work -

.

I'll be interested in what you decide to use for insulation.

**goducks14** · 04-10-2019, 10:14 PM

I think thats common across the industry unless you get some super special cold climate unit. It doesn't take much poking around in any RV to feel drafts of cold air when pulling things apart. One thing I look for is how the area at the top of the storage areas are finished off. Some have huge gaps and some look tight. Even without insulation behind the wall, a tight fight and finish would help to deter a lot of cold air.

**Country Campers** · 04-11-2019, 05:16 AM

A question might be , If this gets well insulated and the pass thru becomes cooler/warmer and the living space is the opposite will this cause condensation on one side or the other of the foam insulation?

Brian

**howson** · 04-11-2019, 05:19 AM

Originally Posted by Country Campers

A question might be , If this gets well insulated and the pass thru becomes cooler/warmer and the living space is the opposite will this cause condensation on one side or the other of the foam insulation?

Brian

I know there's vapor barriers and the like but haven't given this much thought. I'll proceed with caution!

**Cate&Rob** · 04-11-2019, 07:20 AM

Originally Posted by howson

I know there's vapor barriers and the like but haven't given this much thought. I'll proceed with caution!

Hi Howard,

GDRV does not use their "foil" insulation like a true vapour barrier. They use it as "reflective insulation".

A true vapour barrier is placed on the warm side of the insulation and completely sealed so that moisture in the warmer air does not reach a colder surface where it can condense. The layer of foil laid loosely inside the coroplast on the outside of the fibreglass batt insulation (if there is any) does not accomplish a vapour barrier.

In my Reflection 5th wheel there is absolutely no insulation between the pass through storage area and the living space. In fact . . . air flow between these two areas is specifically provided for, since this is the air return path to the furnace. There is foil along the inside of the coroplast under the tanks, but not aft of the water tank. There is fibreglass batt insulation in the spaces between the aluminum frames for the floors. There is no batt insulation above the foil on the coroplast (as there is in Solitudes . . . I think). This is probably a good thing, because no matter how careful or lucky you are, the inside of the coroplast gets wet.

Rob

**howson** · 04-11-2019, 08:16 AM

Originally Posted by Cate&Rob

...

You probably know this, but for those that don't take a look at post #1 and the first picture. Along the front edge as you look into the pass-thru there is a drip tray that has an electrical cord access port. This drip tray is nothing but a thin piece of plastic. There's a tray on both ends of the pass-thru. They provide almost no barrier to the heat (or cold) from the outside.

If I put foam garage door insulation panels on that bedroom wall and pass-thru ceiling, do you think I'll do more harm than good? The objective is to slow down the transfer of heat and cold between the pass-thru and the bedroom and closet.

Here's specifically the product I am referencing: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Insulfoam-C...ation/50244957

**Cate&Rob** · 04-11-2019, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by howson

. . .

Hi Howard,

I don't see any problem with insulating that wall . . . this has to help somewhat. I would first concentrate on caulking all the gaps . . . I expect that this is the main source of cold air. Does your pass-through storage have a ducted heat source from the furnace? I doubt that you would ever be camping in really cold weather, but as mentioned earlier, keeping the living area warmer means letting the storage area get colder.

Rob