Might be a Stupid Question about Insulation...

[Highway Yacht]

This might be a stupid question but I am going to ask it anyway. I'm converting a 40 ft RTS transit bus and trying to do it as modest as I can especially with the economy in the shape that it is in. I am about 20 years away from retirement so full timing is out of the question. I only plan on using the bus for maybe 3 weekly vacations scattered throughout the year and a few weekend trips here and there around the mild Carolinas. I can't see sinking tons of money into something right now that I won't use that often. I'm now getting to the point of adding the insulation and I've got access to a lot of free Industrial foam carpet padding that is in very good shape. It looks to be about 1/2 inch thick. I can get enough to cover the walls, floor, and ceiling with several layers building it up to 1 to 2 inches thick if needed but I'd like to stay in the 1 1/2 inch range due to space and height. My question is: Has anyone ever insulated with foam carpet padding??? and does anyone know if there would be enough of an R-value to make it worth my while? I know it wouldn't it be the best product to use for insulation but taking into consideration the bus won't get used that much either, can anyone offer some advice if there would be an advantage to using this padding and a guess of how much it will help if any at all???

[Old4103]

Here's a link to approximate R-values for carpet and different types of padding.

You might want to look at the weight involved with the padding as well as the R-value.

http://www.radiantpanelassociation.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=143

Dallas

[Blacksheep]

Jlink not sure if the carpet padding will do you what you want although it will quiet it a bit from outside noises. Also I have been involved in the flooring (carpet) industry for the last 38 years so keep in mind that around here and maybe in your own home town that old throw out carpet padding and the new stuff too, is recyclable! If you have enough of it and it sounds like you have plenty, why not look into a source around you that recycles it and see what they will pay you for it. You may be surprised that what you get for it, you may be able to buy the good stuff that will do you a much better job.

Just a thought!

Ace

[RTS/Daytona]

I won't do it - That stuff can soak up water just like "well just like a sponge" that what it is.

Bus will sweat when the outside and inside temps are different - YOU DO NOT WANT ANYTHING THAT WILL ABSORB WATER

including Figerglass bats (unless they enclosed in plastic bags


Your RTS Monoque "dimples" are 3/4" deep - just cut the different shapes out Home depots / Lowes 3/4" insulation - use contact cement (solvent based - not water based) on the pieces and the ceilling and then you have an excellent base for the next 3/4 foam that will bring you level to the section RIBS - add 1 or 2 more layer if you wish

do the same on the sides - works great (same 3/4 dimples - same 3/4 to the rib face)

MY RTS holds temp a long long time - It's like driving a THERMOS BOTTLE


Pete RTS/daytona

I have pic's of my insulation phase if you need them - email me

[Chopper Scott]

I'm doing my enclosed trailer that I pull behind the bus to haul my trike and bikes with and making it into living quarters  with fold down beds, a/c, power supply and such. I'm treating it as much as possible as a rv conversion. The trailer frame was 1" so I used 1" polystyrene (pink stuff!), firred it with 1x4's and added another layer of 3/4 inch polystyrene. Then a plastic vapor barrier (plastic drop cloth) and paneled it. I also painted the top with a solar reflective paint. It was pretty cheap as far as materials go. If I remember right it added up to an R-10 with the insulation alone. The polystyrene cuts easily and is light and easy to work with. If that carpet padding gets damp it will mildew and mold and then you have some odor issues as well as ruining whatever you use for your inside finish. Free isn't always cheap!  Later

[TomC]

This is one area where I believe you should not scrimp.  I also have a transit and what I did was to strip the interior to the metal, wire brushed the interior, welded a couple of cracks over the doors, then primed it with Rustoleum primer. Then screwed 1x2 fir strips lengthwise at 12" intervals.  Had 2.25" of sprayed in foam added and ground even with the 1x2"s.  This allowed both something to mount to and to mount my wall coverings.  It works well-I can keep the bus cooled with two roof airs in 107 degree weather while driving.  Don't be cheap about the insulation-it affects everything else.  Be el cheapo else where.  Good Luck, TomC

[JohnEd]

Jlink,

Ace has some really good pics of how he fit the foam sheets into his bus. Maybe he will email them to you.  You will need some canned foam spray and a lot of silver METAL furnace/duct tape.  Look at Gumpydog's site also.  Lots of advice and examples out there from really great Knuts that care enuf.

In this case "going cheap" would be installing 1 1/2 inch of foam properly instead of going with 2 1/2.

Enjoy,

John

[gumpy]

I tend to agree with everyone else here, and especially with Pete RTS. I think that stuff will eventually saturate with moisture and rust your bus from the inside out. Go with a closed cell insulation, preferrable one with a foil backing. Cut it slightly oversized and force it in between the ribs where you can, and use contact cement to hold it in place where necessary. You won't be sorry you spent the time an money to insulate it correctly. Who know, you might find yourself using this bus well into your retirement years.

Do it right the first time, and enjoy it for a lifetime.


craig