Another Boring Video on Camper Insulation + Preparing for Camping Season 

Boring? None of your videos are ever boring. Stay well and safe travels.

Mr. Slim, I especially appreciate your great attention to protecting Mother Nature. Your stewardship of the land makes you a good role model. Thank you.

Initial warm-up won't be affected that much by insulation as it's the same volume of enclosed cold air you're heating in each case. Retaining heat is where insulation comes in, which ought to be significantly better than you're experiencing. This suggests to me you have one or more significant thermal bridges somewhere. Black and Decker do a cheap $40 thermal leak detector, which is a budget alternative to the $300-400 thermal cameras by Fluke, DeWalt etc. Figure out where you're losing the most heat and insulate the gaps. (I lived for 8 years in sub-zero temperatures in a live-in van I converted myself, and found this out the cold way!). Slim, you haven't made a boring video yet!! Keep 'em coming 👍😀

If you had cold wind blowing on your trailer in one test, but not the other is like measuring night and day! I'm still in a house, and I can tell in here on a cold windy day, well insulated and all, that I lose the heat quicker and the heater runs more. The 8 vents may have had an effect, measure the temp in those compartments to be sure, but I think the wind is what got you.

How about adding some foam board insulation under the solar panel but on top of the shell?

Love your videos 😊

My guess is you have more areas to heat up after you put the eight new vents in.

Time to start knitting a trailer cozy to cover the trailer in winter to keep it warmer :-)

Slim, your message is loud and clear. You are something special on youtube through all the clickbait and pointless videos. Keep up the good work!

"Another Boring Video" Your reverse psychology is working as you can't make me click on this video any faster as I enjoy every second of it.

Yes, about wind chill, I have watched more than one set of eyes glaze over as I tried to explain the difference between the effects of convection vs. radiation. Good luck, keep trying to achieve a solution!

OMG! none of your videos are boring! You entertain and keep it really! keep up the good work:)

Try to track down a thermal camera for your next heat up. It will make tracking heat loss simple and easy. Thanks for the video!

Time variable might have been affected by humidity as well.

Those "pockets of air" in corners might have acted as insulation. Air is really good isolator

You added the mass of the insulation which also has to warm up. Plus as others have stated the new vents now lead to other areas which also have to warm up. I would bet that once the trailer reaches a comfortable temp.. it should stay there a little longer than with less insulation.

What a beautiful place at start video.

Love your videos, but how can you be successful on YT without bikinis?

Used Some of those vents, 2” version, when I. Installed the ‘built-in’ heater in my Casita. Had some left over. Now I know what I’ll do with them!. Also, had a fiberglass sailboat years ago and the prior owner insulated the inside of the hull with the blue foam pads backpacker’s used as sleeping pads. Worked really well. Haven’t thought about it for my casita but having lived in the arctic/sub-arctic for 25 years, the thought of camping in snow is not high on my interests… Live in Arizona now, currently camped at Indian Bread Rocks as recommended in one of your videos.

Thanks for sharing! It appeared the sun was at a different angle also, sun might have made a big difference.

These kind of camp trailers are not designed for extreme cold/heat to begin with. Sure, they do have heaters and a few have been retrofitted with a/c, but there is zero efficiency in these designs in mind when they manufactured them...basically small trailers are designed for sleeping and light cooking but were designed for folks to be mostly outdoors...

RV tires usually have low mileage on them and show little wear. How old the tires are is of importance and have an expiration date. Should be checked just like the fire extinguisher.

Slim, I found closed cell foam worked better for me as insulation than the refectix in my fiberglass camper. I used to backpack a lot in different climates. Winter, I used it under sleeping bag. Now too old to backpack and sure there are other materials to be used. Also, insulation is the reason I use carpeted floors in my camper verses the more popular types. I enjoy your videos! Hope you get to go camping soon!

Regarding the heat time test, was the original test done with an empty trailer? If the new test had more stuff in the camper, perhaps the thermal mass of these collective items which also needed to heat up, thereby needing more heat/time to raise the temp.

Indeed, wind chill is why a spoonful of hot soup cools when we blow on it. If soup cools then certainly campers would also cool faster with wind blowing on it.

Really enjoy your videos! Keep up the good work! That view in the beginning and end, beautiful!

I just bought a trillium outback and while searching for inspiration to build out my own camper shell, came across your videos. I didn't expect to find someone who was doing exactly what I was doing but hey, small world!

Respect for the environment and consideration for others. Really not hard folks.

The videos are not boring, I am learning English and I enjoy watching them. You are a fun and lovely person who makes me love adventure, wildlife, and self-reliance. I am very grateful to you

Well, I've had my coffee...it's a beautiful day...and it's warming up - totally with you Slim!!!!! For cold nights in the van (I have no heater) I build a tent using wool blankets, the "tent" goes over and around my bed (also have a thick layer of wool under me) - this keeps my sleeping space much warmer than the rest of the van. Thanks again Slim and I wish you the best for 2021!

Try seeing how long it takes too cool from a warm temp inside this would show how much effect your insulation has helped 👍👍from the uk

Boring? NOT! Slim represents the wanderlust in all of us. I'd rather run into him at a campground than someone from Hollywood.

Might have taken a few minutes longer to heat up but being more insulated hopefully kept it warmer longer. Enjoy the upcoming camping session.

The vents added to the overall volume inside the trailer. More volume, more to heat?

Under my Scamp 13' I added 11/2" & 2" pink board. The 4 corners have 2'' and so does the back half. 11/2"where 2'' would hang below frame. Made a big difference in cold weather comfort. A pain to install but worth the effort. Love your videos, you have given me a lot of ideas that I have used to make my camper more livable. Thank You.

Maybe some skirting would help, especially in the windy situations.

Spring Snow No camping for a while Time to meditate Prepare for the extra mile Like a ship in dock Time for elbow and grease More efficient ways to travel Just to say the least Time is important Use it wisely and true It is Spring Snow Now brewed coffee will do

I would look at how much propane to keep the temperature constant over time.

Very interesting, our trailer has 2" in the floor and 1.5 " in the walls and the roof. We built our own trailer. I am interested in putting insulation in the windows to see what difference it will make regards

I enjoyed this video, and when I get another camper, (hopefully soon) I will make sure to have a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit.

My guess is that you’re losing more heat through the walls than you realize.

another thoughtful Video slim...i was just down at the van figuring what i will do next for pre camping work....

@slimpotatohead Maybe the new vents you installed hurt you more then helped. Maybe the air between the walls is used like an air buffer insulator kind of like how coolers are made now a days. ppl drill holes in the coolers / lids and fill it with foam thinking their insulating better, but the ice melts much quicker. Because the air in the lid and in between the walls are used as an insulating buffer.

As a former weatherman in the Air Force you are right there are so many variables when it comes to heat gain and loss! Most likely it is the wind you experienced the second time around and the fact your roof and sidewalls are paper thin! Still, a 1-degree improvement is pretty good considering the areas you did work on with minimalist material used. Thanks for the Slim Home Improvements on the Egg Shell!!

The surface area within the camper will be more now than in the first test. Surface areas which also are made of materials that have different thermal properties. Which would make heating and cooling of the air space to vary. If you reduced your metals inside and increased the cloth material, you will get different results under testing again.

So, did he REALLY get another cup of coffee?

Slim, you need to change the name of this video. Your videos are NEVER boring! 😀

One possibility is that the insulation is also a thermal mass which in turn needs to come up to temperature like any other material. Indeed this added mass is also why your home's contents helps it stay warmer since it too holds heat but it also can release it when the air around falls to trigger the conversion. During the summer this transition can be felt in a home etc. when what has been in a thermal soak during the day begins to radiate it back as the temp. outside falls enough to trigger that release. One way to improve heating/cooling is to circulate the air back thru the system if possible and it's why there's often a recirculating feature on a cars air conditioning looking like a U Turn symbol so it draws the fooled air back thru it instead of just from outside. Looking forward to seeing Slim back on the road more this year as well as how his new companion does in the heat of summer when the opposite problem is true..

more cubic area, your vents added to the cubic area inside the trailer, more space takes longer than less

LOL! At SP saying boring the hell out of people. We watch no matter what.

Place straw bales all around the bottom of the camper to keep wind from blowing under. That helps a whole lot.

It seems to me that the difference is that you basically added more space to be heated. That's going to make it take longer even though those spaces are small, they're still going to add to the total time needed to heat the trailer. And 5 minutes isn't bad!! And the ceiling carpet? I can't imagine it's all that good at heat or cold retention depending on the time of year of course. I wonder if it would be possible if you could put a layer of that foil bubble wrap stuff or two or something thinner/ better under that ceiling carpet and wall carpet. I think 🤔it would make a difference. I like watching your videos. because you're willing to experiment, make mistakes & learn from them. dear God that's a rare gift in this day and age!!

Thinsulate it works in our coats and it is thin

Reference insulation, wallrock insulation is only 6mm,thick Excellent for ceiling, but once in u will not remove, Excellent product and hardly any space lost. Take care hope it helps, Simon 😀

Was the relative humidity the same? If it was higher in test 2 it would slow the heat gain.

Possibility because your heating the cold spaces, under seats and storage areas, insulate the roof, cover your fan when not in use, heat will escapes in that area as well as window as you already know. Up grade to better windows if you can afford it

Never boring! Not Mr. Slim Potatohead!😁. You are a valuable treasure of knowledge! I have a question! Do you know what solar power generator that is affordable that can power a 200 watt little personal heater without shutting down the generator?!🤔. I was thinking about maybe a 300 watt solar generator and a 100 watt solar panel! 🤷🏻‍♀️....I’ve been searching for one and still am not sure! Thanks Mr. Slim! 💕Always, Carol

By opening up the cabinets you've increased the amount of space you have to heat.

Not boring at all, good re cap on the egg.Cant wait to see what you purchase next to camp in.

I have a permanent site now and I am starting to make my lists since I am two hrs from home. I agree with making lists! Take care and safe travels!

I am a self professed science geek. I love your videos. Thank you!

I think you are correct in your thinking Slim. Your roof may be the culprit because of the amount of space directly effected by wind chill.

Lol...you sound like your tired of sarcastic comments. All I can say to that is, AMEN! I wish there was a formula to weed those comments out, until then...let's go camping! Thank you for the video.

Awesome video. I have a small background in R&D. More data gives better results. I absolutely love your pre-camping advice especially about not trashing the environment. Rock on! LOL

If this is boring, I like boring video's!

boring?? Sir i wait for your video every week...

Maybe add some insulating fabric to the back of your curtains.

Good advice. Happy trails, good Sir.

You just need a big Tuque for the camper to keep that rising heat from escaping :)

Not watched it yet, but have been waiting all week. You've never made a boring video, they're all great to watch. My wife and I would like to see a weekly video even if it was only you telling us what you'd been up to and how you were keeping. Love the channel. Stay safe. 👍👍

Humidity , wind , Solar radiation , ground temperature , there are many reasons you could get very different results , if not in a absolute controlled environment .

Getting a aluminium cargo trailer and building that from scratch converting it to a camper would be a fun and interesting project. Then you could get the insulation you want everywhere and the rest of it to suit your climate and lifestyle. I sure would like to go down that route.

Interesting to me at least Slim...I'm working on insulating my trailer more as well... but for a different purpose. My trailer is already insulated very well including the inboard 31 gal fresh water tank but there are two areas I'd like to improve.... and I think I can. I have a fold-down outdoor sink/stove in one compartment and the outdoor shower in another outside compartment that I'm going to try and insulate and heat... which would enable 4 season camping while using my water systems and not having them freezing. If you're a bit confused in what I'm talking about and aiming for you can see in my videos @ BirdPhish on RU-vid. I'm also getting ready for camping...I'll be retired in just two more weeks now!!... and have all my time free to camp....woohoo! And as always thanks for sharing Slim!

You don't do boring, Slim.......Ron C

Never boring! I appreciate the time and energy that you put in- especially with these long term follow up. Journey mercies!

Thanks for these excellent data points. Very interesting. I've had good results blocking heat transfer through our skylights with the R-Tech EPS foam board (1/2 inch) but it is fairly rigid. Some people use it in van wall insulation. It's cheap!

Campsites... the only constant is change... and there are no absolutes. Absolutely.😆 Poor internet trolls. Many have no clue about things like convective and conductive heat exchange, yet they THINK they are BRILLIANT! So sad... they truly don’t know what they don’t know.🤪 Just remember, MOST of us like everything you’re doing. Keep it up, please.

A short lesson in thermodynamics if I may. We all know that heat moves from hot to cold. We use insulation to slow down that movement. Now, have you ever noticed on a cold and windy night, you feel "more cold" than on a calm night at the same temperature, like the heat is being sucked out of your home? The fact is, the wind is compressing air against the side of your building (or trailer). That compressed air is denser and is more conductive. Heat will, in fact, move to the outside colder air faster because of that increased conductivity.

Great video Slim, very much enjoyed the methodological approach. Been watching your wonderful vids for years but 1st time commenting! I have a hybrid camper/trailer trailer/caravan with a well insulated downstairs but a single skin pop up fibreglass roof and upstairs bed. The "upstairs" section gets v cold and suffers from terrible air circulation so gets a lot from condensation in our relatively very mild southern UK winters even when not being used! I've been doing some experiments of my own this past winter with bluetooth temp/humidity data loggers and am nearly ready to publish the results and think about how to improve matters. For inspiration I've been watching a lot of yachting videos as they suffer with exactly the same issues below the waterline in colder climates and a product called Armaflex AF, a closed cell foam, seems to be a favoured thin insulation option for the curved fibreglass structures in yachts. I wonder whether your slightly odd post insulation results were from not just increasing the air volume to be heated via the vents but also from the inherent temperature of the structure of the camper. For example, did you take any surface temperature measurements, were the climactic conditions in the few days preceding the experiment the same? Fibreglass is quite slow to heat and cool isn't it so there may have been less energy within the structure itself the 2nd time around? Anyway, great channel, enjoyed the video and your approach to life and looking forward to your continuing adventures. Best wishes

Oh Those mountains 🏔

Hello from Germany... love your videos, truly blessed.. Since your Camper is made out of Plastic, Glassfiber etc. (including plastic windows) it has already a good insulation on it´s own. If the Camper would be aluminium with glass windows.. then your insulationstest would make huge changes... Greetings, Stefan

I see one thing you need to "fill up" on!? Paper towels. ;)

Never boring Slim! We're so far past being bored watching Anything with all that's not going on at home-lol-& I do mean no offense, just what it is. You have good topics. I especially enjoyed hearing your report on camping for this year, I can get super unrealistic when I get hoping hard to be out again, so it's good you bring me gently back down to earth. I feel right into the feeling of the 'bubbles' :-) and the "let's party" made me laugh-even tho that is Very trying in a campground-as many would agree-sigh. TY so much for continuing making these. They are Very Enjoyable and your camera work is exceptional -it is just Gorgeous where you live.

Before I even watch the video any farther than 2 minutes in - yep, planning trips is all I've done for the last 2 weeks aside from doing taxes and a few chores around the house. Got may gaiagps all set up with waypoints, potential campsites, trails, hikes and places I don't want to miss. Looking forward to dusting off the trailer and head out there. Edit: Yes, please, people. You may be new at camping but the concept of cleaning up your own sh^%$#$#%^^ should very much remind you of your childhood when your mom gave you "the look". And if you don't know what "the look" is, just go to an Airbnb - please!

You’ve provide excellent explanations on heating your trailer. But, Reflectix foil alone is Not an insulation, unless you consider R2 has value. SilveRboard combines aluminium foil & styrofoam starting R5 (1”) or higher will help to attain your projected target. For any insulation to work well, must be applied to high percentage of outside wall area. The double sided foil laminate allows for some flexibility. Multiple layers can be glued together. Non-toxic. Unless you chew it...cheers

One of my favorite DIY guys! Such excellent info. And explained with detail! Happy Trails!

Camping at Whitney pocket and watching slim... Life is good!

Hi Slim I have been traveling the last 2 months, to places called coffins bay, Port Lincoln, Port hughes in south Australia. check them out when you have down time.Enjoy your last video as always and i have got my 2 brothers checking your sight as well :). . Take care slim always safe journeys and go where the road takes you. :)

Fiberglass sandwiched between the air bubble shielding and cut to windows sizes. Use Velcro or ?? . Just thinking. 🤷🏻‍♂️

My guess: In the 1st test, you've got sunlight coming in thru the windows. I think you were getting some solar heat coming in - which can be significant. In the latter test you've got reflectix on the windows that block the sunlight and limit any solar thermal benefit.

You are never boring!!! How can you say that about yourself??? Hugs to you, and even to your tiny camper. Ugh, snow melt, mud, overflowing rivers, washed out roads, puddles over your motor height, need for super 4x4 or better to get out of some places. Can't stand the new RVers who leave trash,and invade your space without asking. Never pick up their dog poop, and knock on your door ! That is a no-no in camping / RV etiquette. Why on earth don't the manufacturers try out their campers in all temperatures so they know the pluses and minuses?? Your little vents are a good idea. But if they work, they should have been installed by the manufacturers. They should require the owners and engineers to go out and live in them for a year instead of just sitting behind a computer imagining. Insulation above makes the most difference!! The lower walls and floors don't make much difference. And - yes - how long does it stay warm with the added insulation :)

Wind chill is probably one of the most misunderstood subjects to most people.... I understand your frustration.... Your pre-trip R.V. check is certainly is a great idea... Fire extinguisher readiness, plus smoke detector and carbon monoxide batteries (new ones) are essential. Thanks Slim :)

Loved the comment about the guy saying "close the windows for the windchill issue".. LOL

I don't mind listening when you need to vent. Hope you get the jab soon Slim

Hey there. I use a Mega Mat Duo 10 by Exped as a mattress in my hammock or trailer and love it! It’s self inflating with a pump to top it off, so firmness is adjustable and it’s super comfy. The best thing is that it’s 4 inches of memory foam and insulated, with an R value of 9.5. It actually radiates your body heat back to you! It’s a little speedy but the comfort is worth it. When I use it in my Hennessy Hammock I inflate it only halfway so it’s flexible and comfy. Honestly it’s the major reason my partner has enjoyed camping with me, cuz we don’t get cold. We’ve slept on Mt St Helen’s in the early spring, in a tent on the ground and it was still warm and cozy. S

Slim🙋‍♀️ I really like those airflow vents, I think it is a great idea - even for trailers sitting all winter not in use. I think those will be the first modification to our new trailer when we get it. We ordered a winterizing pkg on our custom build Taylor Coach. Extra insulation floor & ceiling and a tyvek wrap. I am hoping it will be good for keeping it cool in hot weather too. I watched a video of a guy using 2 layers of reflectix with coreplast? sandwiched between for r-factor increase..I figured those materials would be cheaper(plus the fun of making them😂) than ordering dual pane windows. I totally thought you would get better results but you Are in Alberta😛😁‼️

Maybe the longer heating time proves the insulation is working. The way insulation works is to slow temperature transfer. That means the insulation will hold temperatures longer to slow the transfer. So, without insulation the heat transfer is faster and filling the inside temp would be fast until treated air reaches the outer skin of the camper. Now consider the new insulation that will trap, in this instance, colder air until the heated air reaches the outer skin of the camper. This is where the real temperature difference is, not at the inside of the wall. The same should be true when temperature difference travels the opposite direction or at different speeds. The insulation must slow temperature transfer. So, a slower transfer should take longer to heat the inside to get cold air out of insulation. I think your timed experiment may not have gone far enough. Slower to increase temps should also take longer to lower temperatures. Isn't that really improving things? Maybe it was covered. I didn't read all comments.

Interesting topic you selected & great video. I hope you continue to investigate & find a solution to retaining more/longer duration of heat. And of course, keep us informed. One question, do you think a layer of Reflectix on the ceiling would help, being that heat rises. I'll keep watching for your analysis & solution. Luv your vids. Stay safe & warm....

Slim, after fitting all those new locker vents you are now warming up more cubic feet of internal space, so it will take longer. Conversely, it will take a bit longer to cool down the extra cubic feet. Anyway, I enjoyed the video as always. Regards. David in the U.K.

1 degree is actually alot! It takes alot of energy to heat up a room by 1 degree