Hay bales to keep warm?

[jspande]

A potential danger could be propane levels building up to explosive concentrations under the RV if there's a leak. At least one should make sure the open area under the propane tanks is outside the perimeter of the bales, not within it.

[TXiceman]

The nice warm hay can attract little mousey type critters. I would get some of the 1/2" thick foil backed foam board and cut and fit that.

Ken

[The Incorrigible Dirigible]

Many thanks for all of the feedback (and for teaching me that "hay" and "straw" are two different things!).

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman I would get some of the 1/2" thick foil backed foam board and cut and fit that. Ken

I noticed one other rig that has foam board cut to fit, as well as a couple with clear plastic sheeting used as skirting all the way around the lower section. I have two concerns with both of these setups--first, they look unsightly, or at least less aesthetically pleasing than the straw bales. Second, it can get very windy, and it seems like a good blow will tear styrofoam or plastic sheeting right off, and hang it in the trees like Charlie Brown's kite. Any thoughts?

[The Incorrigible Dirigible]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspande A potential danger could be propane levels building up to explosive concentrations under the RV if there's a leak. At least one should make sure the open area under the propane tanks is outside the perimeter of the bales, not within it.

That's a good point. Will be sure to leave a small gap.

[AFChap]

Hay bales have great insulation value. As mentioned, there have been some experimental building done with hay bales but they do take measures to reduce or virtually eliminate the risk of fire. The hay bales are "sealed" inside non-flammable walls, and I believe treated with something too. In the 50's hay bales were very popular in trailer parks to "insulate" the bottom of trailer houses. They were/are still relatively cheap, they insulate well, and they pretty much stay where you put them. The risk is that they are highly flammable, and many trailers burned from careless smoking or what started as small minor grass fires. Without the hay bales surrounding the trailers, they would have had no damage at all. I would imagine their dropping out of use in trailer parks has something to do with insurance companies and local fire codes. At the least, you would want to check out local ordinances and the possible insurance implications if your rig was damaged due to fire while you had hay around/under it. I'm a farm kid, know that hay is cheap and that it will insulate well, and there is no way in the world I would stay in an RV with hay around it ...I wouldn't even want to be parked next to one! I would go with styrofoam panels or something along that line myself.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Mice in the bales are no big deal. Mice that leave the bales for the warmth of the trailer are another story. By the way, you are likely to have that problem regardless as the weather turns cold and the mice look for a warm place for the winter. Bottom line is that you need to seal up the bottom as best you can and pay special attention to places where pipes and power cords enter the interior. Mice can squeeze through a tiny crack.

[MtManLee]

We were in Lowes and saw some stuff that looks like aluminum foil with bubble wrap between two sheets of aluminum foil. Its a new type of insulation. We bought four rolls to go around our motor home and used the storage doors to help hold it and put rocks on the bottom to hold it from winds. These rolls came in different widths most in 25 ft lengths. I bought the 2'x25' rolls. Notice a difference the first night when our furnace did not run all night.

[Ray,IN]

Hay or Straw square bales are an excellent insulation. In cold temperatures mold and mildew are no more of a problem than leaves piled up around your site. Fire danger, once the bales get wet(and they will draw moisture from the ground) they do not ignite well. Since others at your location are using them it appears to be acceptable.
DO place bales to leave the underneath portion of your propane tank exposed. DO NOT exhaust furnace fumes under the RV! RV furnaces are only 60-65% efficient, one is tempted to utilize this "wasted" exhaust heat, at possibly the expense of their families lives.

[RedneckExpress]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MtManLee We were in Lowes and saw some stuff that looks like aluminum foil with bubble wrap between two sheets of aluminum foil. Its a new type of insulation. We bought four rolls to go around our motor home and used the storage doors to help hold it and put rocks on the bottom to hold it from winds. These rolls came in different widths most in 25 ft lengths. I bought the 2'x25' rolls. Notice a difference the first night when our furnace did not run all night.

The product is called Reflectix, its very useful. If ya want to see how well it reflects, put your hand on a piece of it and wait, you'll feel your own body heat reflecting back at your after a while.

[Madame Boomer]

We had friends who transferred from Texas to Wyoming just in time for the hard winter up there. They lived in their rv through the winter and for many months afterward while their home was being built.

They used haybales to insulate the outside of the rv and as I recall, they stacked them underneath and almost to the top of the rv to shield against the wind leaving ample space to ventilation.

I remember the weekly email reports from them: they were definitely cozy, a bit cloustraphobic, but never heard anything about critters. Personally, I don't see how any critter can survive a winter in Wyoming!

I know it's done regularly in colder climates, but I would definitely check out all the potential hazards before doing it.

Sandy

[Folis Jones]

The only problem with ducting the exhaust under the coach is the danger of carbon monoxide. I don't think anyone can be sure there are not some leaks, large or small, under any MH.

That idea sounds dangerous....

Cheers,

Folis
Suffolk, VA