Why should you not put hay on the bottom to insulate?

Mirandazzi · 11-11-2011, 09:59 AM

Hey guys! I have a quick question...

I was told by the manufacturer to NOT put hay or straw around the bottom of the trailer. Does anyone know the reasoning behind this? We are trying to save money and plywood and foam baord is going to be really expensive....but when I asked about putting hay underneath around the sides to insulate the manufacterer said absolutely not...

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

**JohnRR** · 11-11-2011, 10:02 AM

FIRE!

Glenn and Kathy · 11-11-2011, 10:07 AM

And vermin

**JohnRR** · 11-11-2011, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glenn and Kathy

And vermin

I like that even better

Mirandazzi · 11-11-2011, 10:24 AM

I din't think it would get that hot under there in the dead of winter?

LibbyLA · 11-11-2011, 10:48 AM

It's not that it would get hot, it's that if there's any sort of spark, you're toast. Having dealt with hay and straw back in the day when I spent a lot of time working with farm animals, I wouldn't even think about putting it under an RV/FW/TT. Vermin, fire hazard, dust, mold, mildew, messy to remove. If it gets wet, that just makes matters worse.

liz

dons2346 · 11-11-2011, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LibbyLA

It's not that it would get hot, it's that if there's any sort of spark, you're toast. Having dealt with hay and straw back in the day when I spent a lot of time working with farm animals, I wouldn't even think about putting it under an RV/FW/TT. Vermin, fire hazard, dust, mold, mildew, messy to remove. If it gets wet, that just makes matters worse.

liz

That just about covers it

wa8yxm · 11-11-2011, 06:37 PM

More vermin than fire.. I grew up on a farm and mice like to nest in bales of Hay or Straw, it's easy for them to tunnel into and as you know insulates well. Making a very nice nest for them.

TXiceman · 11-11-2011, 07:09 PM

Yep, mice and rats look for a nice warm place to spend the winter and Hay is a great place.

Ken

Ray,IN · 11-11-2011, 07:24 PM

I've read of some doing so without ramifications. But for reasons previously assigned do not consider it an option.
Keep in mind the furnace exhaust and water heater exhaust can emit sparks as they do not have a spark arrester. Where would a spark come from you ask? Rust flakes are inside the burner tube, it would only take one red-hot flake blown out to ignite dry hay.

Wizard · 11-12-2011, 06:48 AM

I've never seen one but often wondered why someone does not make a skirt that would attach around the bottom similar to the ones you see around the front of a 5er. Maybe someone does ???

jzick · 11-12-2011, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wizard

I've never seen one but often wondered why someone does not make a skirt that would attach around the bottom similar to the ones you see around the front of a 5er. Maybe someone does ???

Someone does. Try a google search for "insulated rv skirting". One that comes up is Custom RV Trailer Skirting Made Tough AND Rugged! Call,Text Or Email US!.

Conquest102 · 11-12-2011, 07:51 AM

I went to wally and bought and bought 25 x 12 tarp and cut it into strips. Used parachute cord to hold up the top and scrap wood and bricks on the bottom. Duct tape to seal the joints and around the step. It keeps most of the cold wind off the bottom not real good R value NO fire hazard though.