Here is what we used to skirt our RV: - five sheets of 1.5-inch foam board: www.homedepot.com/p/Owens-Corning-FOAMULAR-150-1-1-2-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-R-7-5-Scored-Squared-Edge-Rigid-Foam-Board-Insulation-Sheathing-88WD/202085958 - two rolls of Nashua Extreme Weather Foil Tape (affiliate link): amzn.to/36vBUXv More details in the blog post: www.adventurousway.com/blog/rv-skirting?
If you see this comment. Get foam boards. I figured I’d spend a lot of money since we’re in Montana and it gets -20f here. We went with EZ snap skirt. It was like 2000+$… excited at first. It was a pain to install and it did not meet expectations. Works okay for now but if I could get my money back and do it again, I’d much rather go with foam boards. Just cover them with some fabric or something if you care about the look lol. Listen to this guy. I saw this video AFTER our mistake. Good luck amigos!
Just a little tip for storing stuff under the rv. Get a piece of plywood and put a small lip around the edges and a handle on one end so you can slide it in and out. It makes putting stuff in it and pulling it out much easier.
Put a 25 watt light blub or two in there as a heat source and you'll be amazed. You can put them on timers but it'll generate just enough heat to keep mold and mildew out and as a heat buffer for the floor.
We used our sensors to keep an eye on the temperature and humidity under the RV in case we needed to put a bulb underneath, but it wasn't needed in our case.
I just lived in my camper for three years and I would suggest that you do two things.... 1) Block the camper on it's frame. a) use your jacks to lift it up and then set it down on the blocks! It will stop the shaking! 2) Cover the outside of the foam with plastic! CHEERS!
@@terrificbabe60 I should have been more clear on that. Shower board would work the best. It repels water and will make your skirting last much longer without adding much weight!
aarongoodwin4845, I've had mine skirted with foamboard for 8 years. I painted it with regular house paint to match my trailer and it has worked well. Haven't needed any repairs due to deep snow or rain.
We lived in a 10'x50' trailer for 5 yrs. I read that u should put down plastic because having your home over dirt is like having it over a pool....moisture.
Yes, if you're planning to keep the skirting around the trailer long term then that would probably make sense. In our case the skirting was only in place for a few months during the winter when the relative humidity is low and the ground is frozen. When we took the skirting off, there was no signs of water pooling up or moisture damage anywhere. That said, if we did this again I'd probably leave a few gaps for ventilation.
So mold growing due to moisture will only be an issue if its longer than a few months that the skirting is on? I am needing to skirt my camper for 3 months, and leave vented areas I now understand, but do have mold issues inside already around bedroom windows. I usually put window film on the interior windows, and this is the first year I'm going to try it on the exterior windows as well for more insulation. Thoughts or suggestions on this and better mold prevention? I just got a small dehumidifier. How long are they supposed to be running? Full time? Thanks kindly@@AdventurousWay
How is that foam skirting holding up the weather up there? My wife and I just bought a travel trailer and we are going to put it in as a seasonal trailer and want to do our best to protect the chassis from moisture and snow while it’s sitting in the off season. I figured now would be a good time to ask after all that snow we have had in the northeast over the month so far. Thanks for the video!
Full time up in mn here, oh boy does it get cold 🥶 (average is about 25° day/10°at night ... this is our 2nd winter ... I have a 2008 keystone montana 3400rl with almost all the bells and whistles (4 season ) heated belly, some tips ... space heaters! ... in bedroom and another in living room/kichen ... cover your windows (camper windows really are not Insulated the best ) ...cover your windows with film or blankets or something ... propane? - get ready to spend money because you will go thur alot of it ... you will become great friends with those people... I highly recommend getting a external tank (even a 100lb ) if you go to one spot to get propane great 👍 but have a backup plan in case they run out... before winter starts where another place is at .. because it takes almost 2 hrs stright (30k btus furnace) to warm back up to temp ... by the time its warm again you can run thur almost a whole 30 lb tank just because of that ... again really recommend a external tank they come out to you ... they call you couple of weeks out or put on Schedule (cheaper by the gal) ... heated blankets are a must-(don't go out to Walmart and buy one ) -do your research and buy a good quality one ... stay warm
Stay tuned for our upcoming video about all of our winter RV preparations, and if you haven't seen it already, you might be interested in checking out our blog post: www.adventurousway.com/blog/winter-rv-preparation
I've lived full-time in my 5th wheel trailer for 8 years. I used the foam board and silver cold-weather HVAC tape to secure it to my trailer. Still holding. I live in the mountains in Colorado where it gets pretty cold in winter. I also have room size rugs over my carpet and non-carpeted areas which keeps my floors warm. Thus, I don't go through a lot of propane as most. During super cold times, I will use a couple of space heaters. I keep my inside at a consistent 70 degrees during the winter. Just a suggestion. I would suggest buying a heated mattress pad for your bed over a heated blanket. Much warmer and you don't get into a cold bed at night. I got mine at Wal-Mart 8 years ago and still working well.
Heads up you have the concrete blocks laying on their sides. Set them the way they would be in a wall and put a 2 by on top if the feei of the RV are to small.
Hi, I enjoyed your DIY skirting project. It looks clean and sturdy. I'm thinking of doing something similar, so watching your project was helpful. Good luck.
Excellent jerb I must say... I really like what you've done ✅... I might suggest supporting the bottom of the foam at ground level on the inside somehow, either block or staked... pressure from snow ❄️ buildup will be pushing them under the trailer before too long... also this is just my OCD talking but I would have to paint them dark to match the trailer better... Helpful Tip: HomeDepot sells "Oops" paint 🎨 that's a paint that was mixed to a custom color but for some reason the customer didn't purchase it, so the store will remix to another color, usually something ugly or completely different than that customer wanted and then discount it to just a couple bucks... they can also darken them down to dark brown or black for you... cheap way to get a dark color... who knew "Oops Paint deal"
I really did consider painting them as a dark color would look a lot better than the pink. That said, our focus is on function rather than form, and the unpainted foam board will do the job. Our foam board is wedged in so tight (I had to kick it pretty hard to get it in place) that I really doubt we'll have an issue with them moving due to snow or wind, but we can always add some stakes if necessary.
We don't have a video of removing the skirting, but it worked really well through the winter and removal was quick and easy. We were even able to reuse the foam insulation board on our solar kiln: ua-cam.com/video/apmHry6sRmw/v-deo.html
Bit of a wardrobe change from the initial skirting to post heated hose in the vid. he he. Enjoy the winter, y’all! Looking forward to video of you both enjoying snowboarding and skiing.
Haha, absolutely! The reality is that we did both projects (hoses & skirting) at the same time, but figured it would make more sense to split it into two videos.
Do you have a follow-up video? Curious what the coldest it got underneath and I'm so impressed you and your wife got along so well through all that. I don't know if my wife and I would have both been alive after doing all that together.
Nice job! Seems like any residue on the front would come off pretty easily with some solvent and would be way easier than crawling around underneath the camper.
Thanks Paul! In retrospect, the tape didn't really leave any visible residue - it actually came off really nicely. That said, personally I'd probably still put it on the back to help protect it from the elements a little more, and our trailer has high enough clearance that reaching underneath isn't too bad. I've seen plenty of RVs with the tape on the outside though, so I'm sure that'd work too.
This is awesome! Just bought my supplies to skirt my RV trailer ready for the cold coming in the NW. Out of everything I looked at online you really rocked this video, Fingers crossed, project day tomorrow. Thanks
Good luck! Let us know how it goes. Ours worked great. The only thing I’d change (if anything) is to leave a little ventilation open somewhere. We didn’t have any issues without it but it’s probably a good idea to prevent moisture building up.
Like the new music you guys have been using for the past several videos. The selections were not bad before but either you got a new vendor or found some hidden gems starting some time in September/October. Good luck with the cold! Seems like you are thoroughly prepared.
Thanks for noticing! I'm still using the UA-cam's free music library and have found some gems, but I'm getting very close to exhausting it and will need to sign up for a music service soon.
Remember ~ The water hookup is by far the most likely to freeze up! Make sure you have no leaks there and insulate it well! Spend the money on the heated hose! It will pay for itself in the end! PS ~ cover your windows on the inside, but leave one uncovered! If you use propane for heat it will cause moisture buildup! Make sure to clean the drains at the bottom of your windows or they will mold!
A propane rv furnace is vented. All the moisture and fumes go out the exhaust. If you have moisture inside if from low temps not propane. Do two things. 1 raise the inside temp. 2. Get some fans to circulate the air. If you can afford it, get a good dehumidifier.
@@jethro9341 And how about the stovetop and the oven and refrigerator and hot water and.... I've been living in one for the last four years! In it now boondocking!
@@aarongoodwin4845 While cooking does make its own moisture that should be mitigated, most people wont be using the stovetop for long enough to worry about the moisture. And for sure using it for heating is a horrible idea. The fridge and water heater are vented like the furnace.
@@jethro9341 OKAY Folks! Pay no attention to what I said! If you live in your RV... You'll have no issues with moisture! You, your animals, kids spouse, etc won't need to take extra steps to insure you don't get moisture! PS - Clean the drains in your window seals. Dust and moisture will collect there, and that is where you're most likely to get mold. If you have cupboards that are low to the ground, open them. Or don't!🤷
Good job. For anyone else considering this may I make a couple of suggestions? Purchase some cheap tent stakes to hole both sides of the bottom. Also pick up some scrap cardboard to use as a template to get the cuts right. If you are a person that will do this every year I suggest mounting some permanent brackets under the trailer to mount the top part of the styrofoam.
Great suggestions! The lower trim on our trailer curves back underneath, so when we wedged the foam board under there, the trim presses down on it for a really snug fit. We cut the pieces so that we had to knock them into place and even without the tape, they're really secure. However, a lot of RVs wouldn't necessarily have a trim piece like ours, in which case some tent pegs would work really well! Likewise, our trim acted as exactly the kind of bracket you're referring to.
We were just over the border from Vermont last week and yeah, that temperature dropped with a few snowflakes. We considered skirting even for the short term so really pleased to how you did yours because your concerns on tape residue is our concern too.
Having used the tape, I don't *think* it will leave any residue, but we're still happy with the way we did it by taping from the back. Not just because it's hidden from view, but because we were able to get such a tight fit and good seal. If you're looking for something that you can quickly add and remove (e.g. if you're moving spots), foam board may not be your best bet. It worked well for us since we're going to be in one spot all winter, but you may be better served with something like vinyl that will be more forgiving of changes in height of the trailer.
@@AdventurousWay Yes, thanks for that tip. I was thinking of some kind of plastic sheeting or vinyl would be good for quick skirting. But it would still need taping on somehow. We got through a lot of propane especially when the wind was blowing. Skirting would have helped with that, I'm sure.
Apparently old billboard vinyl is a good option if you want to go down the route of plastic sheeting. I don't have personal experience with it, but I came across it during our research. I have seen people use tent pegs to secure the vinyl to the ground - assuming you're parked on a soft surface!
Thank you - glad you enjoyed the video! Funnily enough, we were just saying earlier how I think we were colder this time last year in New Mexico after a snowstorm rolled through Albuquerque at Thanksgiving!
@@AdventurousWay Great job. I’m getting ready to do the same later today and tomorrow for my motor home. Did you use water as usual without any problems since this area was insulated?
We are in an RV in Fort Kent Maine thus far we have had an 8 inch snow event + a -3° Farenheit night plus a two foot snow event we are off grid with propane only
Wow, nice work - hope you're staying warm and dry! Do you have a large propane tank that gets refilled by a local company, or are you refilling your RV's tanks yourselves? Refilling propane tanks is one of my least favorite winter activities.
What an amazing job you did!! I picture the skirting painted black. It would attract the heat of the sun and cosmetically wise, it would match the trailer. Don’t listen to me though, I’m OCD and obsess over stupid stuff like that. It looks amazing and I’m sure will make a huge difference!
Haha, I did consider painting the foam board, but it would have been a real pain to do. Plus, I'm expecting once we get some snow we'll push that up against the foam board and that'll cover most of it!
Great video...very helpful. Thank you for sharing this info, it seems the perfect solution since I don't plan to move my rig for a couple of years. May I ask question if you have the time to respond sometime...Can you prime/paint over the exterior of this board insulation? I'm was thinking of painting it black to "disappear" under the trailer. (The RV park manager is more likely to approve that over the pink color).
Loved you guys getting out your skis and boards for the first time. Matt, you have to spend a day at Mad River Glen after a big dump. It’s my favorite place in the world to ski. Unfortunately, Diana will have to stay behind or head to Killington.
So, went and did the same to mine after watching this video, but I used a much thinner material, probably only half inch. It much cheaper and works pretty good so far, but our winters are definitely not as severe as what you talked about.
I suspect you'll actually be totally fine. Our neighbors in the RV park used a thin flexible vinyl sheet material (kinda like they make big tents out of) and it seemed to work great. I suspect just keeping the wind out and creating a static body of air is the biggest benefit.
Excellent vid. How about adding the foam board or layer of reflectix on top of underneath your trailer floor and inside of those outer box storage units, and under a mattress to stop the cold. Reflectix on closet or cabinet outer walls. Reflectix in Windows and a piece to cover the fans when not in use. Foam to cover all outside and inside pipes inside freezing cabinets. Can reflectix cover the screen door, and also the front door, inside? Enjoy and keep studying all those DIYS!
You did a great job with the foam board. I’m curious as to why the manufacturer made it in such an odd pink color? Hope you get some skiing ⛷ and snowboarding 🏂 in soon. (The ski resorts have already opened here in the Pacific NW with early heavy snowfall in the Cascades and Olympics). Will be interesting to see how the ORV fares in the cold Vermont winter. As always, thanks for sharing your research and upgrades.
Thanks! I have no idea why it's pink, but it's not really designed to be visible in normal use (it's not specifically designed for RV skirting by any means) so my guess would be it's just a branding thing. We drove past Killington Ski Resort the other day and they definitely need more snow. I think they had some yesterday and more is forecast in the next week. Pico isn't planning to open until 19th December! Can't wait to get out there!
@@AdventurousWay I suspect it's a Owens Corning product. They have had an association with the Pink panther for decades. That's why all their insulation products are pink...
That is an excellent video! Thank you for sharing. How has been so far in the deep winter? I noticed that your truck is F150 Off road. I have the same truck. How has your truck served you?
I happened to notice your office chairs in one of the interior shots. Are they as comfortable as they look? My wife & I want to replace the dining room chairs with something more functional like that. I’d love to hear your recommendations. Thanks!
Yup, the chairs are comfortable. Though note that for a chair to be truly ergonomic, it needs to fit your body. So you might still want to go into a store and sit in a few. Luckily these chairs have enough adjustments that they fit both me and Matt. We bought ours from Staples and they are called Voxx Raynor Mesh Back Fabric Task Chairs. Also, we are so glad we went with the mesh back because that really helped in the summer heat. Here is our blog post about our remodel and chairs: www.adventurousway.com/blog/rv-remodel-ergonomic-workspace
I also have an outdoors RV camper and I’m thinking about adding a 1/2” or. 1” layer of foam board but tape it directly to the bottom of the camper, so that I won’t have to ever remove it. Seems like it would also help to keep heat out during the hot summer months. What are your thoughts on this idea? Thanks in advance
We already have encolsed underbelly on our RV so we havnen't though about adding anything more to the bottom. It seems though it would be hard to hold an 1'' layer of foam with just tape.
I saw the knife you used a 11:02 to cut the foam bod. Isn't that one of the most useful knives ! We got one about 10 years ago and use it to cut foam board, rubber form for new cushions, our out door carpet ad yes even food. The problem is we haven't seen one in years.
Haha, yeah, everything is so much more now! It held up really well! The only change I’d make is to allow a gap / hole for ventilation somewhere underneath. We didn’t have any issues with condensation under there but some ventilation wouldn’t be a bad idea. Doesn’t need to be much.
@@AdventurousWay Thank you for the response. We purchased land which came with an OLD 1995 park model. It's not moving anywhere and we are hoping to salvage 5 more years out of it. Stayed a few times in the winter and floors were so cold. The bump out area had wet / rotten wood so I am replacing all that and decided skirting might be a good option. Did you remove the skirt in the summer? If it works well I might just leave it up permanently and paint the front. Good call on venting. Couple 1-2 in holes enough?
We had to move our RV in early March so we removed it then and didn’t put it back on. It really does make a big difference though! For over winter that would be plenty of ventilation but you might want a little more in summer - I’m not sure I’m afraid!
We cut a hole in the foam board, then cut another piece slightly larger than the hole and then taped it on at the top so the tape acted as a hinge. That way we could just lift the flap, pull the valve, and close it again.
It's a good point, and honestly I hadn't even thought about mold growth under there. It's not something that I read about as a concern when I was researching skirting. We have a temperature & humidity sensor under the RV so we can keep a close eye on that. My hope would be that it's cold enough to not be too big a concern, but we'll take a look. Using the access panels we cut in near the valves, we should be able to see / smell if there's anything amiss.
You should have talked Outdoors RV into wrapping your tanks with insulation instead of just having them sitting in radiant barrier (aluminum-foiled) compartments, since radiant loss isn't the worst threat down there. That's one of the differences between them and Arctic Fox, though, so maybe they wouldn't / couldn't do it for intra-company reasons anyway. As long as you have lots of energy (electric and LP) available to feed it and don't stop using the furnace for some more efficient source, though, you should be okay. The skirting should definitely help with the worst of the convective losses to wind.
More insulation would always be useful, but we only have what our trailer came with - as you say, the tanks are wrapped with Reflectix. We have the temperature sensors there so we'll be keeping a close eye on it, and can make sure the tank valves don't freeze. So far, the lowest outside temperature we've seen is 19°F - at that time, it was 39°F under the RV and about 44°F by the tank valves. That was without running the furnace. I'm looking forward to getting some data to see exactly how things perform in different conditions.
After that first year, hoping you might have some more advice. I'm concerned about moisture down there, as I live west (wet) coast Canada. What was moisture like down there, and any tips you used? The hose section is kind of breaking my brain, potential because I'm in a 5th wheel and it's more spread out. But any new tips around that area?
That's the one thing as I watched this that concerned me. Would have been simple to lay a piece of plastic underneath (moisture barrier) and it also needs venting. Sealing it up tight is not good and especially so with no moisture barrier.
Ours was bone dry underneath when we removed the skirting after winter, but I agree, in future we would add some venting to play it safe. I really don’t think plastic on the ground would help much though to be honest.
Having 30 years in construction I can assure you throwing a piece of plastic down (vapor barrier) will definitely make a difference just like the vents previously mentioned but each to there own I always say.@@AdventurousWay
Do you mean literally lay a tarp or specific plastic called moisture barrier on the ground under the camper?Then if I use foam board for skirting, how is this system best vented to avoid moisture and mold issues? Some rv owners are using the flexible reflectix foam for skirting while others use the foam board. Thoughts on one vs the other? It seems the reflectix is easier but not as sturdy. I have armadillo sometimes crawling underneath and I don't know if they would more destroy the foam board bulldozing their way where they want to go, or better to leave the flexible skirting so they can get in and out without destroying everything in their path...This is my first time tackling such a big project but I can't take another winter of freezing to near death! My camper already has issues growing mold around the bedroom windows and between the mattress and wall and I'm hoping putting window film insulation on the inside and outside will help with that. What else can I do to prevent mold growth? Thanks so much for your advice.@@mikebodi6413
Hi , Cement block are not very strong the way you put them, the webbing will not hold the weight and will crack , you have to put the weight on the edge of them and with a board or something flat to cover the hole..
Yeah, I know it's not in its strongest orientation, but given the strength of concrete and the relatively low amount of weight we're actually putting on them, I'm hoping we'll be OK?
No video update I'm afraid, but I can tell you that it worked out really well. Having spent some time earlier this year with no skirting on in similar conditions, the skirting definitely made a big difference. If I did it again, the main change I'd make would be to ensure there's some ventilation under the RV - we didn't have any problems with moisture building up under there, but it'd probably be a good idea to get a little more ventilation to make doubly sure.
We're going to be here several months. We've never had an issue with our slide needing support - it's always felt rock solid. The foam board is also so tightly pressed in under the slide as well that it's also offering some support I suspect.
It was wedged in tightly enough that it stayed nice and tight all winter. The only area where we had a little issue was at the back of the RV when I accidentally knocked it while shoveling snow. Otherwise it all held up great! If yours isn't so tight fitting then you may want to use something to support it - perhaps some bricks behind it for example.
Did you have any issues with the Nashua tape peeling from the RV? I'm having peeling issues and it doesn't seem to be sticking well for me. I'm using the same extreme weather tape as you did.
None at all. It went on easily, stayed stuck and peeled off in spring without leaving any residue. Make sure the surface is dry. It wouldn’t stick at all for us if the surface was wet.
XPS foam board is really easy to cut. A utility knife or box cutter can make a cut which you can then snap for a clean break, or a bread knife works well if you want more intricate cuts.
hello! greetings from Taos, NM. I am looking to skirt my 27' camper this winter. I am trying to decide how much foam board to purchase. how big is your camper? It looks about the size of mine but was not sure. thanks so much!
Our trailer is 25ft long from the hitch to the rear bumper, and the "box" is about 21ft long. A big factor to consider is the height of your RV - ours sits pretty tall so requires a lot of insulation board between the skirt and the ground, but something like an Airstream sits much lower and would require less.
I hadn't really thought too much about it to be honest. Our tires have never really lost pressure over time, so I don't foresee that being a major problem. I guess we'll find out if it happens!
@@AdventurousWay You will lose pressure just due to the temperature drop but I doubt it would be more than a few pounds. That should not cause any difference in height. Excellent set-up. Looking forward to how it works for the winter.
@@AdventurousWay, driving on your tires will build up the pressure. Sitting in cold weather they will start to deflate to the point air will be needed to get you rolling down the road. Something to think about.
I see what you mean. Technically the tires don’t deflate in cold weather, rather the temperature drops but the volume remains largely constant, hence the decrease in pressure - this is the relationship described by the Ideal Gas Law (sorry, I’m a physicist - can’t help myself!). Of course, the volume doesn’t stay perfectly steady, but the reduction is so slight and the tire walls (especially on ST tires) are rigid enough that’s there’s a negligible change in overall wheel height. Once the weather warms up, the pressure will again increase. Obviously this assumes the tire doesn’t leak any air. From monitoring our tires, I’ve found the latent air loss to be incredibly low - in fact, in 2 years on the road I’ve never had to top up our tires other than to adjust for seasonal temperature changes. But, if there is a problem we have an air compressor and can always cut a hole in the skirting if we need to.
How about ground freezing and expanding, pushing upwards on the boards ? I want to do this on my park model but that's the only issue that worries me. Thank you
Condensation can absolutely be an issue in RVs in cold weather, but this winter we've taken several steps to help prevent it. Look out for out upcoming video about it, or read more on our blog: www.adventurousway.com/blog/winter-rv-preparation#dehumidifying
Nothing specific, but there were various gaps in and around the foam insulation board so it wasn't completely air tight by any means. We didn't see any signs of excess humidity or mold underneath after we removed the skirting. That said, if we were to take this approach again, I'd probably make a couple of explicit holes for ventilation.
We haven't done anything specific for the skirting, but if we see any signs of rodent activity, or hear anything then we'll take action. I did go around the trailer with some spray foam recently and filled any tiny gaps I could find in the underbelly, so it should be pretty well sealed. I did consider putting a camera under the RV and that's still an option if we get suspicious.
For rodents, I use an electronic outdoor pest controller that handles everything from an ant to an antelope because of the frequency scan. I tested it in an apartment and was the only one in my thirty-year-old building without a single pest. I found a two-pack on Walmart.com by a company named Aspetek for $40 for 2. They are silent, but some people can pick up the buzzing sound (not me). They operate on electricity or battery and are waterproof. I put one at either end, underneath the RV. Each one scans 1000 square feet so it's more than adequate. I chose to set mine on a 5 gallon bucket. They come with a set of longer wires so you have a lot of freedom where to put them. This way I address mice or any other rodents before they ever get into the trailer. I chose to put an extra plug-in type for inside at either end of the trailer in case any try to sneak in on pants legs or backpacks or a package, etc. When I tested it in the old apartment, if a fly flew in, it would turn around and fly back out. It sounds like a loud banging pot in the ear of a pest. It doesn't hurt them; it just makes them want to run away. Not recommended for households with small pets like gerbils, but okay for cats and dogs, they say.
I really like that idea! It would be easy to plug one of those in under our RV using the extension cord we're already using to power the heated hoses. Thanks for the tip!
For rodents, I heard that setting up lighting underneath at night keeps them away as they do their work in the dark. If you run a bunch of led strips underneath your rig that light it up, that might help. Also, setting up motion detectors to turn on a more intense light and/or sending a notification to you would be interesting as well.
Our travel trailer already has a sealed underbelly with insulation, but skirting provides an additional (and significant) benefit. Think of it as the difference between standing outside on a cold day, vs standing just inside a simple shelter like a tent - just by stopping the wind and keeping a body of relatively still air around you, it has a big impact on how warm you feel.
Worked out great! The only thing I’d change if we did it again is to leave a little gap for ventilation. We didn’t have any issues with moisture or mold under there, but some ventilation would still be a good idea.
Nope, none at all actually. I was quite surprised how cleanly it removed! Maybe we got lucky and it was just the material on our trailer though, so you might want to test it first if you're concerned.
I don’t doubt this is a great seal. But RV use is about being mobile! No way you would pull up to a winter camping spot or ski resort and do all this work in 20 degree weather!
I totally agree. We had the luxury of being able to land in our winter camping spot in mid-November in the middle of a heatwave. Our plan originally had been to move about more in winter with the RV, but we changed our plans due to COVID and a few other reason - if we'd gone down that route, we'd have definitely done something different for skirting.
I know 😫 we're about the skirt out RV again this year and need to buy more foam board (we've been able to use the previous winter's foam board on building projects after removing it from the RV each year) and the prices are eye-watering!
@@AdventurousWay yeah, I decided I can live with our cut to fit reflectix skirting I made last year for one more year... Honestly we didnt have any underneath freezing issues last year and we were parked at a very exposed/super windy location with temps as low as -20F one week... The camper is just in a more permanent place now(also much less wind) so I was gonna frame up a more permanent solution lol... Maybe next year!
Most important bit is closing all air gaps to create dead air space, that much dead air(especially under a larger 5th wheel) takes a long time to cool down! Plus we put a milk house heater underneath set as low as it can be just in case, it really didn't turn on all that often
Might be able to get away with cardboard covered in duct tape or reflective tape. Now I have something useful to use all of those amazon boxes I just throw away lol
foil tape strength has of a grape skin hard wind will cause the tape shear away if one panel open it might take few more thru the day. Creatures love warm places. You made grand mouse or a raccoon igloo and provided all nesting material..if nest seek in thru membrane lining never said it was critter proof..?
Too many shiny how to vids on this. Appreciate the work but it would be more useful to see how these panels hold up to rain, snow, ice, wind, animals, shifting etc. Cheers!
Thanks for the comment! We don’t have a follow up video but I can tell you they held up really well. Stayed above freezing all winter (in Vermont) and no collapses. One area (at the back where the panels are tallest and least supported) started to lean a little after I threw too much snow against it a couple of times. No issues with animals or wind. Made the trailer rock solid inside. We stored stuff underneath over winter and everything was fine afterwards. The tank dump handle flaps worked too. The only change I’d make next time is to add a little ventilation to avoid moisture build up and allow fresh air to circulate. We didn’t have any issues with that (no signs of mold, rust, etc) but would be a prudent preventative measure I suspect. Hope that helps!
@@AdventurousWay thank you! yeah we are concerned about moisture and plan to lay plastic down before skirting, also getting a chicken warmer to stick beneath for temp maintenance, their low power and no flame, just put on a timer and keep that belly decent, maybe save on propane use?
We were nervous about any heat source underneath. My advice would be to put a wireless temperature sensor (like a weather station) underneath and monitor it. You may be pleasantly surprised how warm it stays under there, and if it does get too cold then you can add a heater. Or maybe put the heater underneath to start, but only turn it in manually if you find you need it. We actually used our small electric portable space heater quite a lot and only turned on our propane furnace (which includes ducting to underneath) when it got really cold. Of course YMMV. On a related note, I would highly recommend the heated hoses (we have a video on those). They’ve been exceptional and we had no issues all winter long (unlike several neighbors with other hoses). In fact, they’re still connected right now and working great! Dealing with a frozen poopsicle is pretty far down my bucket list.
With all that foam board, I think it’s pretty well parked for winter 🤣 let me know if you have questions about how we live in “that thing”, especially in the winter months.
Here is what we used to skirt our RV:
- five sheets of 1.5-inch foam board: www.homedepot.com/p/Owens-Corning-FOAMULAR-150-1-1-2-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-R-7-5-Scored-Squared-Edge-Rigid-Foam-Board-Insulation-Sheathing-88WD/202085958
- two rolls of Nashua Extreme Weather Foil Tape (affiliate link): amzn.to/36vBUXv
More details in the blog post: www.adventurousway.com/blog/rv-skirting?
If you see this comment. Get foam boards. I figured I’d spend a lot of money since we’re in Montana and it gets -20f here. We went with EZ snap skirt. It was like 2000+$… excited at first. It was a pain to install and it did not meet expectations. Works okay for now but if I could get my money back and do it again, I’d much rather go with foam boards. Just cover them with some fabric or something if you care about the look lol. Listen to this guy. I saw this video AFTER our mistake. Good luck amigos!
Just a little tip for storing stuff under the rv. Get a piece of plywood and put a small lip around the edges and a handle on one end so you can slide it in and out. It makes putting stuff in it and pulling it out much easier.
Put a 25 watt light blub or two in there as a heat source and you'll be amazed. You can put them on timers but it'll generate just enough heat to keep mold and mildew out and as a heat buffer for the floor.
We used our sensors to keep an eye on the temperature and humidity under the RV in case we needed to put a bulb underneath, but it wasn't needed in our case.
@@AdventurousWayWow! Even in Vermont it never got below freezing you were able to use your water systems? What was the coldest it got?
This is hands down the best DIY skirting video on here. Thanks so much for the wonderful content.
Thanks Mike, glad you found it useful! We also have a blog post with even more detail: www.adventurousway.com/blog/rv-skirting
Thank you for the video. I am new to the RV world and I’ll be in MN until 1/15/22 as a travel nurse. I will be prepping for the cold this week.
How did things go?
I just lived in my camper for three years and I would suggest that you do two things....
1) Block the camper on it's frame.
a) use your jacks to lift it up and then set it down on the blocks! It will stop the shaking!
2) Cover the outside of the foam with plastic! CHEERS!
Why plastic??
@@terrificbabe60 I should have been more clear on that. Shower board would work the best. It repels water and will make your skirting last much longer without adding much weight!
aarongoodwin4845, I've had mine skirted with foamboard for 8 years. I painted it with regular house paint to match my trailer and it has worked well. Haven't needed any repairs due to deep snow or rain.
@@pamplant3610 Glad that worked! Mine definitely worked as well and was very strong!
I see so many warnings about skirting causing moisture and mold problems in the camper. How is this avoided? Thanks@@pamplant3610
We lived in a 10'x50' trailer for 5 yrs. I read that u should put down plastic because having your home over dirt is like having it over a pool....moisture.
Yes, if you're planning to keep the skirting around the trailer long term then that would probably make sense. In our case the skirting was only in place for a few months during the winter when the relative humidity is low and the ground is frozen. When we took the skirting off, there was no signs of water pooling up or moisture damage anywhere. That said, if we did this again I'd probably leave a few gaps for ventilation.
So mold growing due to moisture will only be an issue if its longer than a few months that the skirting is on? I am needing to skirt my camper for 3 months, and leave vented areas I now understand, but do have mold issues inside already around bedroom windows. I usually put window film on the interior windows, and this is the first year I'm going to try it on the exterior windows as well for more insulation. Thoughts or suggestions on this and better mold prevention? I just got a small dehumidifier. How long are they supposed to be running? Full time? Thanks kindly@@AdventurousWay
How is that foam skirting holding up the weather up there? My wife and I just bought a travel trailer and we are going to put it in as a seasonal trailer and want to do our best to protect the chassis from moisture and snow while it’s sitting in the off season. I figured now would be a good time to ask after all that snow we have had in the northeast over the month so far. Thanks for the video!
Full time up in mn here, oh boy does it get cold 🥶 (average is about 25° day/10°at night ... this is our 2nd winter ... I have a 2008 keystone montana 3400rl with almost all the bells and whistles (4 season ) heated belly, some tips ... space heaters! ... in bedroom and another in living room/kichen ... cover your windows (camper windows really are not Insulated the best ) ...cover your windows with film or blankets or something ... propane? - get ready to spend money because you will go thur alot of it ... you will become great friends with those people... I highly recommend getting a external tank (even a 100lb ) if you go to one spot to get propane great 👍 but have a backup plan in case they run out... before winter starts where another place is at .. because it takes almost 2 hrs stright (30k btus furnace) to warm back up to temp ... by the time its warm again you can run thur almost a whole 30 lb tank just because of that ... again really recommend a external tank they come out to you ... they call you couple of weeks out or put on Schedule (cheaper by the gal) ... heated blankets are a must-(don't go out to Walmart and buy one ) -do your research and buy a good quality one ... stay warm
Stay tuned for our upcoming video about all of our winter RV preparations, and if you haven't seen it already, you might be interested in checking out our blog post: www.adventurousway.com/blog/winter-rv-preparation
I've lived full-time in my 5th wheel trailer for 8 years. I used the foam board and silver cold-weather HVAC tape to secure it to my trailer. Still holding. I live in the mountains in Colorado where it gets pretty cold in winter. I also have room size rugs over my carpet and non-carpeted areas which keeps my floors warm. Thus, I don't go through a lot of propane as most. During super cold times, I will use a couple of space heaters. I keep my inside at a consistent 70 degrees during the winter. Just a suggestion. I would suggest buying a heated mattress pad for your bed over a heated blanket. Much warmer and you don't get into a cold bed at night. I got mine at Wal-Mart 8 years ago and still working well.
Here it is mid-November and snow is melting for me. We got 18 inches during a 4 day storm a couple weeks ago.
Heads up you have the concrete blocks laying on their sides. Set them the way they would be in a wall and put a 2 by on top if the feei of the RV are to small.
Hi, I enjoyed your DIY skirting project. It looks clean and sturdy. I'm thinking of doing something similar, so watching your project was helpful. Good luck.
Excellent jerb I must say... I really like what you've done ✅... I might suggest supporting the bottom of the foam at ground level on the inside somehow, either block or staked... pressure from snow ❄️ buildup will be pushing them under the trailer before too long... also this is just my OCD talking but I would have to paint them dark to match the trailer better... Helpful Tip: HomeDepot sells "Oops" paint 🎨 that's a paint that was mixed to a custom color but for some reason the customer didn't purchase it, so the store will remix to another color, usually something ugly or completely different than that customer wanted and then discount it to just a couple bucks... they can also darken them down to dark brown or black for you... cheap way to get a dark color... who knew "Oops Paint deal"
I really did consider painting them as a dark color would look a lot better than the pink. That said, our focus is on function rather than form, and the unpainted foam board will do the job. Our foam board is wedged in so tight (I had to kick it pretty hard to get it in place) that I really doubt we'll have an issue with them moving due to snow or wind, but we can always add some stakes if necessary.
Thanjs for the video We! We will be skirting our RV the same way. We will be in the White Mountains of NH this winter so skirting is essential!
Best of luck with your winter RVing! It may not be the prettiest, but it worked really well and made a big difference inside the RV.
Im really looking forward to the spring video with you taking this down.
thanks for the content
We don't have a video of removing the skirting, but it worked really well through the winter and removal was quick and easy. We were even able to reuse the foam insulation board on our solar kiln: ua-cam.com/video/apmHry6sRmw/v-deo.html
Bit of a wardrobe change from the initial skirting to post heated hose in the vid. he he.
Enjoy the winter, y’all! Looking forward to video of you both enjoying snowboarding and skiing.
Haha, absolutely! The reality is that we did both projects (hoses & skirting) at the same time, but figured it would make more sense to split it into two videos.
Definitely get yourself a powder board. They are so much fun. I even prefer pow boards for groomers as well.
Do you have a follow-up video? Curious what the coldest it got underneath and I'm so impressed you and your wife got along so well through all that. I don't know if my wife and I would have both been alive after doing all that together.
Nice job! Seems like any residue on the front would come off pretty easily with some solvent and would be way easier than crawling around underneath the camper.
Thanks Paul! In retrospect, the tape didn't really leave any visible residue - it actually came off really nicely. That said, personally I'd probably still put it on the back to help protect it from the elements a little more, and our trailer has high enough clearance that reaching underneath isn't too bad. I've seen plenty of RVs with the tape on the outside though, so I'm sure that'd work too.
There is a tool you can get for the tin tape. It gives it complete support. Love the skirting.
This is awesome! Just bought my supplies to skirt my RV trailer ready for the cold coming in the NW.
Out of everything I looked at online you really rocked this video,
Fingers crossed, project day tomorrow. Thanks
Good luck! Let us know how it goes. Ours worked great. The only thing I’d change (if anything) is to leave a little ventilation open somewhere. We didn’t have any issues without it but it’s probably a good idea to prevent moisture building up.
I used to live in Burlington and Rutland Vermont I've never felt cold like that before! Even Wisconsin was nothing compared to a Vermont winter
Brutal
Like the new music you guys have been using for the past several videos. The selections were not bad before but either you got a new vendor or found some hidden gems starting some time in September/October.
Good luck with the cold! Seems like you are thoroughly prepared.
Thanks for noticing! I'm still using the UA-cam's free music library and have found some gems, but I'm getting very close to exhausting it and will need to sign up for a music service soon.
Remember ~ The water hookup is by far the most likely to freeze up! Make sure you have no leaks there and insulate it well! Spend the money on the heated hose! It will pay for itself in the end!
PS ~ cover your windows on the inside, but leave one uncovered! If you use propane for heat it will cause moisture buildup! Make sure to clean the drains at the bottom of your windows or they will mold!
A propane rv furnace is vented. All the moisture and fumes go out the exhaust. If you have moisture inside if from low temps not propane. Do two things. 1 raise the inside temp. 2. Get some fans to circulate the air. If you can afford it, get a good dehumidifier.
@@jethro9341 And how about the stovetop and the oven and refrigerator and hot water and.... I've been living in one for the last four years! In it now boondocking!
@@aarongoodwin4845 While cooking does make its own moisture that should be mitigated, most people wont be using the stovetop for long enough to worry about the moisture. And for sure using it for heating is a horrible idea.
The fridge and water heater are vented like the furnace.
@@jethro9341 OKAY Folks! Pay no attention to what I said! If you live in your RV... You'll have no issues with moisture! You, your animals, kids spouse, etc won't need to take extra steps to insure you don't get moisture! PS - Clean the drains in your window seals. Dust and moisture will collect there, and that is where you're most likely to get mold. If you have cupboards that are low to the ground, open them. Or don't!🤷
@@aarongoodwin4845 melodramatic much?
What about adding foam board to the bottom floor of the slide?
SMART, good to know if I want to rv in the winter. Thanks Don
Thanks for watching Don!
Good job. For anyone else considering this may I make a couple of suggestions? Purchase some cheap tent stakes to hole both sides of the bottom. Also pick up some scrap cardboard to use as a template to get the cuts right. If you are a person that will do this every year I suggest mounting some permanent brackets under the trailer to mount the top part of the styrofoam.
Great suggestions! The lower trim on our trailer curves back underneath, so when we wedged the foam board under there, the trim presses down on it for a really snug fit. We cut the pieces so that we had to knock them into place and even without the tape, they're really secure. However, a lot of RVs wouldn't necessarily have a trim piece like ours, in which case some tent pegs would work really well! Likewise, our trim acted as exactly the kind of bracket you're referring to.
We were just over the border from Vermont last week and yeah, that temperature dropped with a few snowflakes. We considered skirting even for the short term so really pleased to how you did yours because your concerns on tape residue is our concern too.
Having used the tape, I don't *think* it will leave any residue, but we're still happy with the way we did it by taping from the back. Not just because it's hidden from view, but because we were able to get such a tight fit and good seal.
If you're looking for something that you can quickly add and remove (e.g. if you're moving spots), foam board may not be your best bet. It worked well for us since we're going to be in one spot all winter, but you may be better served with something like vinyl that will be more forgiving of changes in height of the trailer.
@@AdventurousWay Yes, thanks for that tip. I was thinking of some kind of plastic sheeting or vinyl would be good for quick skirting. But it would still need taping on somehow. We got through a lot of propane especially when the wind was blowing. Skirting would have helped with that, I'm sure.
Apparently old billboard vinyl is a good option if you want to go down the route of plastic sheeting. I don't have personal experience with it, but I came across it during our research. I have seen people use tent pegs to secure the vinyl to the ground - assuming you're parked on a soft surface!
@@AdventurousWay Thanks for those tips. I'll definitely look into them. :)
Thanks for the vid! I’ve just looking at custom built snap on skirting and decided your method is definitely the way to go.
You are welcome!
Loved the video. Great information, especially for keeping things from bursting in the cold North. Thank you. From Texas
Thank you - glad you enjoyed the video! Funnily enough, we were just saying earlier how I think we were colder this time last year in New Mexico after a snowstorm rolled through Albuquerque at Thanksgiving!
@@AdventurousWay Great job. I’m getting ready to do the same later today and tomorrow for my motor home. Did you use water as usual without any problems since this area was insulated?
U 2 are a good team
Excellent video. Spot on the mark and too the point!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Excellent preparations!
Thanks for watching!
Thank you for your videos!...information has been very helpful, and it fun to watch your travels.
I'm soon to go back to full time RV ing myself..
I'm glad it has been helpful! Have fun with getting back to Rving!
We are in an RV in Fort Kent Maine thus far we have had an 8 inch snow event + a -3° Farenheit night plus a two foot snow event we are off grid with propane only
Wow, nice work - hope you're staying warm and dry! Do you have a large propane tank that gets refilled by a local company, or are you refilling your RV's tanks yourselves? Refilling propane tanks is one of my least favorite winter activities.
Great job!
Good job! Hope it works as your expect. We keep looking forward to your next video 👍🏻
Thank you! Fingers crossed everything works as is, but if not, we can always make updates :-)
We get -27 and -36 in Canada I live in Ef fully loaded Terry quantum four season six years
What an amazing job you did!! I picture the skirting painted black. It would attract the heat of the sun and cosmetically wise, it would match the trailer. Don’t listen to me though, I’m OCD and obsess over stupid stuff like that. It looks amazing and I’m sure will make a huge difference!
Haha, I did consider painting the foam board, but it would have been a real pain to do. Plus, I'm expecting once we get some snow we'll push that up against the foam board and that'll cover most of it!
@@AdventurousWay That’s true. But it would look so good!!🤣😂
@@AdventurousWay
Be careful painting it! Some paints (especially spray cans) will melt the foam. It's the lacquer in the paint.
Great video...very helpful. Thank you for sharing this info, it seems the perfect solution since I don't plan to move my rig for a couple of years. May I ask question if you have the time to respond sometime...Can you prime/paint over the exterior of this board insulation? I'm was thinking of painting it black to "disappear" under the trailer. (The RV park manager is more likely to approve that over the pink color).
I think you can, but we’ve never tried. I’d have a look online for some guides for painting XPS foam board.
Good stuff guys. But I’ll just keep making sure I travel with the sun!! Haha
That's a great choice as well :)
That's why they have wheels.
Stay safe and warm. Curious to hear how it all works after the snow this weekend.
We only got a few inches of snow and by now it's mostly melted. So far, so good!
Loved you guys getting out your skis and boards for the first time. Matt, you have to spend a day at Mad River Glen after a big dump. It’s my favorite place in the world to ski. Unfortunately, Diana will have to stay behind or head to Killington.
That's funny, Mad River Glen is the one of only 3 resorts in United States that don't allow snowboarders!
So, went and did the same to mine after watching this video, but I used a much thinner material, probably only half inch. It much cheaper and works pretty good so far, but our winters are definitely not as severe as what you talked about.
I suspect you'll actually be totally fine. Our neighbors in the RV park used a thin flexible vinyl sheet material (kinda like they make big tents out of) and it seemed to work great. I suspect just keeping the wind out and creating a static body of air is the biggest benefit.
@@AdventurousWay yes I think you are right! Thanks again for the video and idea though!
Excellent vid. How about adding the foam board or layer of reflectix on top of underneath your trailer floor and inside of those outer box storage units, and under a mattress to stop the cold. Reflectix on closet or cabinet outer walls. Reflectix in Windows and a piece to cover the fans when not in use. Foam to cover all outside and inside pipes inside freezing cabinets. Can reflectix cover the screen door, and also the front door, inside? Enjoy and keep studying all those DIYS!
We did actually add foam in the outer storage bays a long time ago https: //ua-cam.com/video/Mh7BAfa79Wc/v-deo.html. Reflectix in windows also helps.
I've seen people have problems using reflectix taped against things causing mold. How is this avoided?
You did a great job with the foam board. I’m curious as to why the manufacturer made it in such an odd pink color? Hope you get some skiing ⛷ and snowboarding 🏂 in soon. (The ski resorts have already opened here in the Pacific NW with early heavy snowfall in the Cascades and Olympics). Will be interesting to see how the ORV fares in the cold Vermont winter. As always, thanks for sharing your research and upgrades.
Thanks! I have no idea why it's pink, but it's not really designed to be visible in normal use (it's not specifically designed for RV skirting by any means) so my guess would be it's just a branding thing.
We drove past Killington Ski Resort the other day and they definitely need more snow. I think they had some yesterday and more is forecast in the next week. Pico isn't planning to open until 19th December! Can't wait to get out there!
@@AdventurousWay
I suspect it's a Owens Corning product. They have had an association with the Pink panther for decades. That's why all their insulation products are pink...
did you use the same weather tape on the water hook up?
That is an excellent video! Thank you for sharing. How has been so far in the deep winter? I noticed that your truck is F150 Off road. I have the same truck. How has your truck served you?
I happened to notice your office chairs in one of the interior shots. Are they as comfortable as they look? My wife & I want to replace the dining room chairs with something more functional like that. I’d love to hear your recommendations.
Thanks!
Yup, the chairs are comfortable. Though note that for a chair to be truly ergonomic, it needs to fit your body. So you might still want to go into a store and sit in a few. Luckily these chairs have enough adjustments that they fit both me and Matt. We bought ours from Staples and they are called Voxx Raynor Mesh Back Fabric Task Chairs. Also, we are so glad we went with the mesh back because that really helped in the summer heat. Here is our blog post about our remodel and chairs: www.adventurousway.com/blog/rv-remodel-ergonomic-workspace
I also have an outdoors RV camper and I’m thinking about adding a 1/2” or. 1” layer of foam board but tape it directly to the bottom of the camper, so that I won’t have to ever remove it. Seems like it would also help to keep heat out during the hot summer months. What are your thoughts on this idea? Thanks in advance
We already have encolsed underbelly on our RV so we havnen't though about adding anything more to the bottom. It seems though it would be hard to hold an 1'' layer of foam with just tape.
I saw the knife you used a 11:02 to cut the foam bod. Isn't that one of the most useful knives ! We got one about 10 years ago and use it to cut foam board, rubber form for new cushions, our out door carpet ad yes even food. The problem is we haven't seen one in years.
Yes, I love that knife! A friend bought it for me a few years ago and it's my go-to! You can buy them on Amazon in a variety of colors and styles.
What kind of knife is it. Would you put a link to one, from, say, Amazon? Thankks@@AdventurousWay
$25!!!! OMG its $90 here in Alberta Canada now!!
Wow! Prices have gone up for sure, but we’re still only paying $47 here in VT. $90 is insane!
$20 a board?? welcome to 2022 lol, almost twice that now. Great vid though, gonna do this in the fall for our camper. How did it hold up?
Haha, yeah, everything is so much more now! It held up really well! The only change I’d make is to allow a gap / hole for ventilation somewhere underneath. We didn’t have any issues with condensation under there but some ventilation wouldn’t be a bad idea. Doesn’t need to be much.
@@AdventurousWay Thank you for the response. We purchased land which came with an OLD 1995 park model. It's not moving anywhere and we are hoping to salvage 5 more years out of it. Stayed a few times in the winter and floors were so cold. The bump out area had wet / rotten wood so I am replacing all that and decided skirting might be a good option. Did you remove the skirt in the summer? If it works well I might just leave it up permanently and paint the front. Good call on venting. Couple 1-2 in holes enough?
We had to move our RV in early March so we removed it then and didn’t put it back on. It really does make a big difference though! For over winter that would be plenty of ventilation but you might want a little more in summer - I’m not sure I’m afraid!
What did you guys do around your grey and black tank valves so you still have access to them?
We cut a hole in the foam board, then cut another piece slightly larger than the hole and then taped it on at the top so the tape acted as a hinge. That way we could just lift the flap, pull the valve, and close it again.
Have left some gaps for air? I’m thinking that it can be to air tight and it is possible for mold growing.
It's a good point, and honestly I hadn't even thought about mold growth under there. It's not something that I read about as a concern when I was researching skirting.
We have a temperature & humidity sensor under the RV so we can keep a close eye on that. My hope would be that it's cold enough to not be too big a concern, but we'll take a look. Using the access panels we cut in near the valves, we should be able to see / smell if there's anything amiss.
You should have talked Outdoors RV into wrapping your tanks with insulation instead of just having them sitting in radiant barrier (aluminum-foiled) compartments, since radiant loss isn't the worst threat down there. That's one of the differences between them and Arctic Fox, though, so maybe they wouldn't / couldn't do it for intra-company reasons anyway. As long as you have lots of energy (electric and LP) available to feed it and don't stop using the furnace for some more efficient source, though, you should be okay. The skirting should definitely help with the worst of the convective losses to wind.
More insulation would always be useful, but we only have what our trailer came with - as you say, the tanks are wrapped with Reflectix. We have the temperature sensors there so we'll be keeping a close eye on it, and can make sure the tank valves don't freeze. So far, the lowest outside temperature we've seen is 19°F - at that time, it was 39°F under the RV and about 44°F by the tank valves. That was without running the furnace. I'm looking forward to getting some data to see exactly how things perform in different conditions.
After that first year, hoping you might have some more advice. I'm concerned about moisture down there, as I live west (wet) coast Canada. What was moisture like down there, and any tips you used?
The hose section is kind of breaking my brain, potential because I'm in a 5th wheel and it's more spread out. But any new tips around that area?
That's the one thing as I watched this that concerned me. Would have been simple to lay a piece of plastic underneath (moisture barrier) and it also needs venting. Sealing it up tight is not good and especially so with no moisture barrier.
Ours was bone dry underneath when we removed the skirting after winter, but I agree, in future we would add some venting to play it safe. I really don’t think plastic on the ground would help much though to be honest.
Having 30 years in construction I can assure you throwing a piece of plastic down (vapor barrier) will definitely make a difference just like the vents previously mentioned but each to there own I always say.@@AdventurousWay
Do you mean literally lay a tarp or specific plastic called moisture barrier on the ground under the camper?Then if I use foam board for skirting, how is this system best vented to avoid moisture and mold issues? Some rv owners are using the flexible reflectix foam for skirting while others use the foam board. Thoughts on one vs the other? It seems the reflectix is easier but not as sturdy. I have armadillo sometimes crawling underneath and I don't know if they would more destroy the foam board bulldozing their way where they want to go, or better to leave the flexible skirting so they can get in and out without destroying everything in their path...This is my first time tackling such a big project but I can't take another winter of freezing to near death! My camper already has issues growing mold around the bedroom windows and between the mattress and wall and I'm hoping putting window film insulation on the inside and outside will help with that. What else can I do to prevent mold growth? Thanks so much for your advice.@@mikebodi6413
Hi , Cement block are not very strong the way you put them, the webbing will not hold the weight and will crack , you have to put the weight on the edge of them and with a board or something flat to cover the hole..
Yeah, I know it's not in its strongest orientation, but given the strength of concrete and the relatively low amount of weight we're actually putting on them, I'm hoping we'll be OK?
Great idea!!
Thanks for watching!
Follow up video? How well did it work?
Hi is there a review video on how the foam did for the winter time especially below zero?
No video update I'm afraid, but I can tell you that it worked out really well. Having spent some time earlier this year with no skirting on in similar conditions, the skirting definitely made a big difference. If I did it again, the main change I'd make would be to ensure there's some ventilation under the RV - we didn't have any problems with moisture building up under there, but it'd probably be a good idea to get a little more ventilation to make doubly sure.
Good job y’all just wondering not sure how long you have been there or going to be there but have considered jacks under your slide out ? For support
We're going to be here several months. We've never had an issue with our slide needing support - it's always felt rock solid. The foam board is also so tightly pressed in under the slide as well that it's also offering some support I suspect.
Do you think that'll hold up to 70 mile per hour winds?
How are you going to keep it from falling in like snow weight and gusts of wind?
It was wedged in tightly enough that it stayed nice and tight all winter. The only area where we had a little issue was at the back of the RV when I accidentally knocked it while shoveling snow. Otherwise it all held up great!
If yours isn't so tight fitting then you may want to use something to support it - perhaps some bricks behind it for example.
Did you have any issues with the Nashua tape peeling from the RV? I'm having peeling issues and it doesn't seem to be sticking well for me. I'm using the same extreme weather tape as you did.
None at all. It went on easily, stayed stuck and peeled off in spring without leaving any residue. Make sure the surface is dry. It wouldn’t stick at all for us if the surface was wet.
what did you use to cut those foam boards easily?
XPS foam board is really easy to cut. A utility knife or box cutter can make a cut which you can then snap for a clean break, or a bread knife works well if you want more intricate cuts.
Do you need a space heater under there? Or it’s fine as is?
We were fine without a space heater or any heating under there.
hello! greetings from Taos, NM. I am looking to skirt my 27' camper this winter. I am trying to decide how much foam board to purchase. how big is your camper? It looks about the size of mine but was not sure. thanks so much!
Our trailer is 25ft long from the hitch to the rear bumper, and the "box" is about 21ft long. A big factor to consider is the height of your RV - ours sits pretty tall so requires a lot of insulation board between the skirt and the ground, but something like an Airstream sits much lower and would require less.
Do you know if they have the board in white. Thanks Much for your time.
Not that I'm aware of, but you may be able to find something similar locally.
@@AdventurousWay ty
How was the tape residue when you removed it?
No issues at all on our trailer but I recommend testing it first on yours to make sure.
How do you get to items that is stored under the trailer? Without taking off the foam panels? Donna from Michigan
We didn't - we only put things under there that we knew we wouldn't use all winter.
What if your tires lose inflation? How will that effect your insulation that you installed?
I hadn't really thought too much about it to be honest. Our tires have never really lost pressure over time, so I don't foresee that being a major problem. I guess we'll find out if it happens!
@@AdventurousWay
You will lose pressure just due to the temperature drop but I doubt it would be more than a few pounds. That should not cause any difference in height.
Excellent set-up. Looking forward to how it works for the winter.
I was just curious, I know cold weather has a way of doing that to tires.
@@AdventurousWay, driving on your tires will build up the pressure. Sitting in cold weather they will start to deflate to the point air will be needed to get you rolling down the road. Something to think about.
I see what you mean. Technically the tires don’t deflate in cold weather, rather the temperature drops but the volume remains largely constant, hence the decrease in pressure - this is the relationship described by the Ideal Gas Law (sorry, I’m a physicist - can’t help myself!).
Of course, the volume doesn’t stay perfectly steady, but the reduction is so slight and the tire walls (especially on ST tires) are rigid enough that’s there’s a negligible change in overall wheel height. Once the weather warms up, the pressure will again increase.
Obviously this assumes the tire doesn’t leak any air. From monitoring our tires, I’ve found the latent air loss to be incredibly low - in fact, in 2 years on the road I’ve never had to top up our tires other than to adjust for seasonal temperature changes.
But, if there is a problem we have an air compressor and can always cut a hole in the skirting if we need to.
How did your underneath tape job work out? Any residue from the tape?
The tape peeled off fine and didn't leave any residue on either the frame or the trim pieces.
How about ground freezing and expanding, pushing upwards on the boards ? I want to do this on my park model but that's the only issue that worries me. Thank you
We didn't encounter that issue.
Do you have any issues with condensation on the interior walls when staying in cold weather?
Condensation can absolutely be an issue in RVs in cold weather, but this winter we've taken several steps to help prevent it. Look out for out upcoming video about it, or read more on our blog: www.adventurousway.com/blog/winter-rv-preparation#dehumidifying
Did you make provisions for ventilation?
Nothing specific, but there were various gaps in and around the foam insulation board so it wasn't completely air tight by any means. We didn't see any signs of excess humidity or mold underneath after we removed the skirting. That said, if we were to take this approach again, I'd probably make a couple of explicit holes for ventilation.
im at 2:58 on the video. will the tape caust any paint issues once removed??
We didn't have any issues with the tape damaging the paint on our RV, but if you're concerned you should test it out on a less visible area first.
What kind of tape is that
It's Nashua Extreme Weather Foil Tape (affiliate link): amzn.to/36vBUXv
What about rodents? They will flock to the nice warm protected space under your trailer. Any preventative measures for rodents?
We haven't done anything specific for the skirting, but if we see any signs of rodent activity, or hear anything then we'll take action. I did go around the trailer with some spray foam recently and filled any tiny gaps I could find in the underbelly, so it should be pretty well sealed. I did consider putting a camera under the RV and that's still an option if we get suspicious.
For rodents, I use an electronic outdoor pest controller that handles everything from an ant to an antelope because of the frequency scan. I tested it in an apartment and was the only one in my thirty-year-old building without a single pest.
I found a two-pack on Walmart.com by a company named Aspetek for $40 for 2. They are silent, but some people can pick up the buzzing sound (not me).
They operate on electricity or battery and are waterproof.
I put one at either end, underneath the RV. Each one scans 1000 square feet so it's more than adequate. I chose to set mine on a 5 gallon bucket. They come with a set of longer wires so you have a lot of freedom where to put them.
This way I address mice or any other rodents before they ever get into the trailer.
I chose to put an extra plug-in type for inside at either end of the trailer in case any try to sneak in on pants legs or backpacks or a package, etc.
When I tested it in the old apartment, if a fly flew in, it would turn around and fly back out. It sounds like a loud banging pot in the ear of a pest. It doesn't hurt them; it just makes them want to run away. Not recommended for households with small pets like gerbils, but okay for cats and dogs, they say.
I really like that idea! It would be easy to plug one of those in under our RV using the extension cord we're already using to power the heated hoses. Thanks for the tip!
For rodents, I heard that setting up lighting underneath at night keeps them away as they do their work in the dark. If you run a bunch of led strips underneath your rig that light it up, that might help. Also, setting up motion detectors to turn on a more intense light and/or sending a notification to you would be interesting as well.
I'm thinking this is the perfect excuse to connect some Christmas lights to our home automation system ;-)
What about insulating the floor like a box..?
Our travel trailer already has a sealed underbelly with insulation, but skirting provides an additional (and significant) benefit. Think of it as the difference between standing outside on a cold day, vs standing just inside a simple shelter like a tent - just by stopping the wind and keeping a body of relatively still air around you, it has a big impact on how warm you feel.
Can you paint the pink foam insulation?
We didn't try, but I suspect there are paints out there that would stick to it - it's not the prettiest material, that's for sure...
How did it work?
Worked out great! The only thing I’d change if we did it again is to leave a little gap for ventilation. We didn’t have any issues with moisture or mold under there, but some ventilation would still be a good idea.
Littleton HD. ❤
@ 6:17 .. your not going to be grilling during winter - what?
Nope, didn't have any plans to grill outside in winter in Vermont!
Very good idea but Very flammable? Just be careful.
Did you have any issues with the tape leaving a sticky film after you removed it?
Nope, none at all actually. I was quite surprised how cleanly it removed! Maybe we got lucky and it was just the material on our trailer though, so you might want to test it first if you're concerned.
I don’t doubt this is a great seal. But RV use is about being mobile! No way you would pull up to a winter camping spot or ski resort and do all this work in 20 degree weather!
I totally agree. We had the luxury of being able to land in our winter camping spot in mid-November in the middle of a heatwave. Our plan originally had been to move about more in winter with the RV, but we changed our plans due to COVID and a few other reason - if we'd gone down that route, we'd have definitely done something different for skirting.
same foam board only 3 years later is almost $50 a sheet at Home Depot lol
I know 😫 we're about the skirt out RV again this year and need to buy more foam board (we've been able to use the previous winter's foam board on building projects after removing it from the RV each year) and the prices are eye-watering!
@@AdventurousWay yeah, I decided I can live with our cut to fit reflectix skirting I made last year for one more year... Honestly we didnt have any underneath freezing issues last year and we were parked at a very exposed/super windy location with temps as low as -20F one week... The camper is just in a more permanent place now(also much less wind) so I was gonna frame up a more permanent solution lol... Maybe next year!
Most important bit is closing all air gaps to create dead air space, that much dead air(especially under a larger 5th wheel) takes a long time to cool down! Plus we put a milk house heater underneath set as low as it can be just in case, it really didn't turn on all that often
Might be able to get away with cardboard covered in duct tape or reflective tape. Now I have something useful to use all of those amazon boxes I just throw away lol
Ha ha, best comment! Wow are you serious? Would cardboard work?
Good idea but don't use that tape.
Why not?
foil tape strength has of a grape skin hard wind will cause the tape shear away if one panel open it might take few more thru the day. Creatures love warm places. You made grand mouse or a raccoon igloo and provided all nesting material..if nest seek in thru membrane lining never said it was critter proof..?
It worked fine for us all winter long and didn’t leave any residue when we removed it 🤷♂️
Be cool if that shit wasn't as expensive as a months groceries
Too many shiny how to vids on this. Appreciate the work but it would be more useful to see how these panels hold up to rain, snow, ice, wind, animals, shifting etc. Cheers!
Thanks for the comment! We don’t have a follow up video but I can tell you they held up really well. Stayed above freezing all winter (in Vermont) and no collapses. One area (at the back where the panels are tallest and least supported) started to lean a little after I threw too much snow against it a couple of times. No issues with animals or wind. Made the trailer rock solid inside. We stored stuff underneath over winter and everything was fine afterwards. The tank dump handle flaps worked too. The only change I’d make next time is to add a little ventilation to avoid moisture build up and allow fresh air to circulate. We didn’t have any issues with that (no signs of mold, rust, etc) but would be a prudent preventative measure I suspect. Hope that helps!
@@AdventurousWay thank you! yeah we are concerned about moisture and plan to lay plastic down before skirting, also getting a chicken warmer to stick beneath for temp maintenance, their low power and no flame, just put on a timer and keep that belly decent, maybe save on propane use?
We were nervous about any heat source underneath. My advice would be to put a wireless temperature sensor (like a weather station) underneath and monitor it. You may be pleasantly surprised how warm it stays under there, and if it does get too cold then you can add a heater. Or maybe put the heater underneath to start, but only turn it in manually if you find you need it.
We actually used our small electric portable space heater quite a lot and only turned on our propane furnace (which includes ducting to underneath) when it got really cold. Of course YMMV.
On a related note, I would highly recommend the heated hoses (we have a video on those). They’ve been exceptional and we had no issues all winter long (unlike several neighbors with other hoses). In fact, they’re still connected right now and working great! Dealing with a frozen poopsicle is pretty far down my bucket list.
What a mess!
Not really - it’s pretty easy to cut.
and will break easy from any impact 2 days to complete LMFAO did not even take me a day to cut steel for a 16x80 mobile home
Should have used 2 inch foil backed insulation with the aluminum tape. Pink insulation is ugly, tape doesnt stick good. Complete waste of money.
That would probably work fine for you too. We had no issues with the tape sticking to the insulation boards though and it worked really well for us.
Or better yet, park the stupid thing for the winter , I don’t know how people live in those things especially in the winter months
With all that foam board, I think it’s pretty well parked for winter 🤣 let me know if you have questions about how we live in “that thing”, especially in the winter months.
@@AdventurousWay I wouldn’t do it , your braver than me . Cold weather is hard on rv refrigerators
Cold weather is hard on a most of the RV. Fortunately we have a video with some good tips in.