huntindog
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2009
- Messages
- 2,574
An increase from an R value of 0.7 to 1.4 is insignificant particularly is something as leaky as an RV. It will not have any noticeable effect on the OPs propane usage which is their stated goal.
After our Micro Minnie was totaled we looked at many trailers before we settled on Grand Design. A number of these had what were advertised as "insulated" or "dual pane" windows and in every case they were nothing more than bonded glass sheets. I was aware that some high end Class A motorhomes had true dual pane windows with a gap but that they were not used in trailers as the harsher ride tended to break the seals and fog the windows. If GD is using them in their better trailers I'll give them credit. I still stand by belief they won't make any real difference in heating costs. However being a light sleeper anything that helps with noise abatement is welcome by me.
I have never had a problem with condensation on our single pane RV windows. We might get an occasional light fogging but not heavy sweating. The way I control it is when we are out in cold weather I seal the windows and weep holes to prevent the cold air from coming in. My technique is less sophisticated than the window sealing kit linked above and I might try those as it looks to be less work than taping around the movable window panes. Where I haven't been able to control condensation well is on the ceiling vents even when we use vent pillows.
The main problem area for us has been front bed trailers with the gap between the mattress and front cap. This gap ends up with condensation when we winter camp and ruined the mattress in our first trailer. As a result we pull the mattress away from the wall when we wake in the morning to give it a quick dry and let air get in. The 22MLE is the first trailer we have had with ducted heat. I made a mod to run a small duct from the heat vent under the bed to the pass-through with the hope that is will keep it warmer and reduce the chance for condensation between the mattress and front wall. The trailer is in for warranty work so I won't know how effective it will be until we get the trailer back in a week or so.
Our walls are said to be R7. An increase of R1in the wall would not be noticable. Double that to R14. would be. An increase of R1 in the windows is at least a 100% increase. My Momentum has a LOT of windows, as did my previous coach without DPs..The windows in the momentum ARE noticably warmer inside when it is cold out.
We are not fair weather campers. As my online name suggests, we hunt. This activity has specific season dates. It doesn't matter what the weather does, those dates cannot change. I love nasty weather, as I see the tailights of most everyone heading home..That is when the hunting is the best. I just returned from a December Elk hunt. It snowed 3 times. It was an awesome hunt