TRAILER CEILING INSULATION
04-16-2012, 08:51 AM
#1
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TRAILER CEILING INSULATION
Here is my tutorial for installing insulation in an enclosed cargo trailer.
I installed a Coleman Polar Cub 9200 BTU rooftop air conditioner last year in my trailer, I was hoping for a cool place to relax during some of the hot days at the air field, but during the Jet World Masters event in Dayton the weather was 95 degrees almost everyday for two weeks and the air conditioner did not cool the trailer. I think it was cooler outside than in the trailer. I touched the ceiling of my trailer and it was so hot during the day I could not leave my hand on the bare metal for more than a second.
I decided that I needed to insulate the ceiling of the trailer. I looked around at the events and not many people have rooftop air conditioners and I could not find anyone who insulated their own trailer ceilings. I talked to several people about what type of insulation should I use and what would be the best/ easiest/cheapest way to insulate the ceiling. We came up with Styrofoam board, bubble wrap and spray foam insulation. I called United Cargo, I am following their recommendation.
1 Remove the lights, air conditioner and other things from the ceiling.
2 Prime and paint the 1/8†luan sheeting and 1x3 boards.
3 Cut 1x3 boards to length and mount to the black steel ribs with #10 1-7/16†self tapping screws. These will be used to screw the luan plywood to.
4 Cut 3 ½†thick by 24†wide insulation to length to cover ceiling and about 6†down to the walls.
5 Spray one ceiling bay at a time with 3M #08088 General Trim Adhesive.
6 Press each precut block of insulation in there respective bay.
7 Cut luan to size, I started in the back with full pieces 32†wide with the seam down the center of the trailer and the front seam landing in the center of a 1 x 3 board.
8 After the plywood was installed, I removed two sections at a time and painted them with a final coat of high gloss paint, reinstalled them and then repeated the process with the other set of plywood.
9 I have a little cleanup work to finish, but I am happy with the look of the ceiling. Hopefully this will allow the air conditioner to cool the trailer to a milder temperature.
I installed a Coleman Polar Cub 9200 BTU rooftop air conditioner last year in my trailer, I was hoping for a cool place to relax during some of the hot days at the air field, but during the Jet World Masters event in Dayton the weather was 95 degrees almost everyday for two weeks and the air conditioner did not cool the trailer. I think it was cooler outside than in the trailer. I touched the ceiling of my trailer and it was so hot during the day I could not leave my hand on the bare metal for more than a second.
I decided that I needed to insulate the ceiling of the trailer. I looked around at the events and not many people have rooftop air conditioners and I could not find anyone who insulated their own trailer ceilings. I talked to several people about what type of insulation should I use and what would be the best/ easiest/cheapest way to insulate the ceiling. We came up with Styrofoam board, bubble wrap and spray foam insulation. I called United Cargo, I am following their recommendation.
1 Remove the lights, air conditioner and other things from the ceiling.
2 Prime and paint the 1/8†luan sheeting and 1x3 boards.
3 Cut 1x3 boards to length and mount to the black steel ribs with #10 1-7/16†self tapping screws. These will be used to screw the luan plywood to.
4 Cut 3 ½†thick by 24†wide insulation to length to cover ceiling and about 6†down to the walls.
5 Spray one ceiling bay at a time with 3M #08088 General Trim Adhesive.
6 Press each precut block of insulation in there respective bay.
7 Cut luan to size, I started in the back with full pieces 32†wide with the seam down the center of the trailer and the front seam landing in the center of a 1 x 3 board.
8 After the plywood was installed, I removed two sections at a time and painted them with a final coat of high gloss paint, reinstalled them and then repeated the process with the other set of plywood.
9 I have a little cleanup work to finish, but I am happy with the look of the ceiling. Hopefully this will allow the air conditioner to cool the trailer to a milder temperature.
04-16-2012, 11:06 AM
#4
RE: TRAILER CEILING INSULATION
John,
9200 is kinda small... You wouldn't think so by square footage but it is... I would start looking for a 12,500 ir 15,000... It fits in the same hole and will give you more what you need. If you get one of those in a newer Hi-Efficiency unit, you can run it off a 20 amp service as long as your cord is not too long... I would suggest to set up the trailer for 30 amp service and you will be good to go.
Dan M.
9200 is kinda small... You wouldn't think so by square footage but it is... I would start looking for a 12,500 ir 15,000... It fits in the same hole and will give you more what you need. If you get one of those in a newer Hi-Efficiency unit, you can run it off a 20 amp service as long as your cord is not too long... I would suggest to set up the trailer for 30 amp service and you will be good to go.
Dan M.
04-16-2012, 11:11 AM
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RE: TRAILER CEILING INSULATION
I insulated mine (8X10) with reflextex A bubble wrap with foil . Two layers, cost about $50 and just stapled it to 1/2 x 3 wood strips screwed down the center. Installed a 5000 btu A/C unit in front wall. Kept the trailer at 70 degrees when it was 96 outside. Sleeps good too. I run the A/C unit with a Coleman 2000 watt generator. Will run all night on about 2 gallons gas. Very pleased with results and fairly cheap too.
Shepp
Shepp
04-16-2012, 12:43 PM
#6
RE: TRAILER CEILING INSULATION
Another thing that will help a LOT is to get some white or silver roofing paint from an RV store.
That black roof will be very hot anytime the sun is on it.
If you look at RVs they all have a white or silver roof for just this reason.
Those gray walls will also bring in a lot of solar gain, you may want to insulate them also.
My white RV with a White roof 8x26 and lots of windows to let more sun in, has no problem staying cool inside with a 12,000 btu AC, even when it was 106 outside.
That black roof will be very hot anytime the sun is on it.
If you look at RVs they all have a white or silver roof for just this reason.
Those gray walls will also bring in a lot of solar gain, you may want to insulate them also.
My white RV with a White roof 8x26 and lots of windows to let more sun in, has no problem staying cool inside with a 12,000 btu AC, even when it was 106 outside.
04-16-2012, 06:04 PM
#7
RE: TRAILER CEILING INSULATION
HI, all posts are good, but if you have lots of money, and want the very best insulation, it"s called Rubatex, 1'', which is pricey, and mostly used on chillers. I happened to get a roll from work and insluated my trailer with it, very easy to install, especally with the spray glue.
http://www.lcinsulations.com/rubatex...and%20roll.pdf
Rcpete
http://www.lcinsulations.com/rubatex...and%20roll.pdf
Rcpete
