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Step cover slide area - cold air draft and insulation methods.

January 10, 2017, 09:02:38 am

It hasn't been above freezing here in Maryland since January 4th, so it's been a great week to learn about how the coach lives in cold weather.  I thought the windshield would be our biggest location of heat loss, but I am pleasantly surprised by how well the modified windshield cover isolates the cold air pocket (I have been using the space between the windshield and the cover as an auxiliary 6-pack fridge).

By the 2nd or 3rd night, we were definitely feeling some cold air flow, so we turned the kitchen roof air vent on full blast for ten minutes to exaggerate the drafts.  We found the cold air intrusion was stemming from three primary locations, all in the front of the coach:
1) The step slide cover (both from the crack next to the door, and each of the three slide edges.
2) What I think are the floor vents for the dash air/heater - a 1" space most of the way around the base of the front dash.
3) Door Handle.

The door handle is easy enough to address.  It is still installed tightly - the draft was originating from the interior handle mechanism itself, not the seams.  So at night I just stuff a rag in there and close the glass handle cover.  But I have a few questions about the slide cover and floor vents:

1) Is the step area simply poorly insulated? I read up on a bunch of old posts where various people replacing rotted empty steps, and most of the pictures seemed to suggest that it was only wood, fiberglass, and metal underneath, without much in between...

2) Placing a folded blanket over the entry step at night, large enough to cover all 4 edges, seems stop the cold air intrusion better than addressing the stair area itself.  Does anyone else have a better, or more permanent, solution for step well insulation?

3)  Is there anything important underneath the dash that I would be restricting important heat flow to by stuffing a towel or two across the floor air vents?  Even if there is, I would think it should be fine... I think plenty of air will still make it back there via underneath the driver's side of the dash.

Thanks,
James

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Re: Step cover slide area - cold air draft and insulation methods.

Reply #1 – January 10, 2017, 09:31:23 am

Fast, cheap fix? Go to Harbor Freight and buy one or two moving blankets. Place them over the step cover area.

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Re: Step cover slide area - cold air draft and insulation methods.

Reply #2 – January 10, 2017, 11:10:57 am

That whole area is not insulated at all.  Try closing the step cover and then put your blanket over it to see what that will do.

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Re: Step cover slide area - cold air draft and insulation methods.

Reply #3 – January 10, 2017, 11:46:08 am

The slide cylinder rod behind the step slide (look under it when pulled out some manually) has a rubber boot to close the big hole that the rod passes thru. It breaks down and may be torn and then air passes thru it from under (open) chassis. I have to fix ours there as well and come up with some idea to seal it off yet allow operation of slide cylinder. I will aslso be looking at doing something about lack of insulation across the whole front lower cap as I am sure air is blowing all over the place from that area.
JohnH

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Re: Step cover slide area - cold air draft and insulation methods.

Reply #4 – January 11, 2017, 11:19:44 am

This is a timely post.  While I was replacing the worn and sagging generator compartment insulation, I noticed that the same 1" material used in the generator compartment was used to insulate the whole underside of the step compartment, along with screws and washers.  That material under the steps is also badly deteriorated, which is understandable, given the fact that it is completely subjected to the elements and has likely been there for about 15 years.

This is what I ordered from Soundcoat for the generator compartment, (4) 24"x 54" sheets, " 1" Soundmat PBM blackmatte film with MDK PSA (total thickness is 1.1", 1lb/square foot)."  This has adhesive on one side and a thin rubber coating on the outside.  Cost was about $325, including tax and shipping from Irvine, CA and there was a minimum charge for this custom order, somewhere around $200- $250.  I think I have one full and one partial sheet left.

I plan to use the left over material for the step compartment, and hopefully it will insulate better, and will look much better.

Do you know if you have any type of insulation under your steps?

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Reply #5 – January 11, 2017, 01:13:27 pm

have not previously investigated the underside of step box but do know the side on wheel side has the foam insulation. Mine is good but think that is because every year when it is all dry I spray underbody rubber paint all over it and wiring etc. It is still solid piece. I will not get to do anything about the rest of area till we gat home and I can see from the Piit and then fix it. The slide cylinder "boot" I talked about I will fix when we get to friends place in Mexico and I plan to use a CV Boot for front wheel drive cars to replace original one. I am sure this draft problem can be easily solved but have to get under it to figure out. Will post etc at that time, probably April.
JohnH

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Re: Step cover slide area - cold air draft and insulation methods.

Reply #6 – January 11, 2017, 04:13:55 pm

I'm going to investigate using either Lizard Skin or Al's Liner Heat and Noise Reducer under my step well.

Spray-On Insulation - Automotive Insulation Coatings | LizardSkin

About Al's Liner Heat and Noise Reducer

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Re: Step cover slide area - cold air draft and insulation methods.

Reply #7 – January 11, 2017, 09:39:40 pm

I'm feeling a draft while driving from time to time coming from under the dash.  Checked the Generator fan compartment under the DS seat and nothing obvious there.  Any suggestions where to look?

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Reply #8 – January 11, 2017, 10:24:00 pm

I personally think there are lots of places that the air from outside can get in but untill I get it over the Pit I can only speculate. My plan is to try and close off the total underside of front cap and insulate above it, but as I said it will have to wait till April when home.
JohnH

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