Insulation R factor

[Pops90gt]

We are considering upgrading from our 31SA to a Phaeton or Entegra. I am trying to find out what the R factor on the insulation is. I know what the Entegra is, but can't find anything on the Tiffin. Either on their web site or literature Thanks.

[garykk]

Can't give you numbers but from what I have read, the Entegra has better insulation and build quality.

[Steve Ownby]

Originally Posted by Pops90gt

We are considering upgrading from our 31SA to a Phaeton or Entegra. I am trying to find out what the R factor on the insulation is. I know what the Entegra is, but can't find anything on the Tiffin. Either on their web site or literature Thanks.

R values quoted concerning motorhomes is a product of the marketing department. The ones who quote a number seem to take all the products in an assembly and add them together. That will give you a completely meaningless figure.

The thicker the wall section the better. The care the builder takes in filling voids in the body shell during manufacture the better. Light colors particularly high on the coach as better than dark. Double pane windows are important.

Visit factories if you can & pay attention to these items.




Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

[newmarrv]

Originally Posted by Steve Ownby

The thicker the wall section the better. The care the builder takes in filling voids in the body shell during manufacture the better. Light colors particularly high on the coach as better than dark. Double pane windows are important.

Visit factories if you can & pay attention to these items.

Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

That's absolutely hogwash.."the thicker the wall section the better." It depends on the insulating material used...not the thickness. And, "the care the builder takes in filling voids in the body shell during manufacturer the better" is also hogwash. Air (voids) is one of the better insulators. The key is encapsulating/sealing the air space- not filling the air space or void. And, if you want to keep warm air in (as keeping heat in during the colder outside temps), darker exterior colors are better than lighter colors because it will absorb heat/light rather than be reflected.

The only thing you said that is true (makes sense), is that you do want double pane windows. That's because double pane windows encapsulates/seals air between the panes of glass and slows down the heat transfer rate..keeping you cooler when the A/C is running and warmer when the heater is running...not to mention allowing you to see through the window.

[Steve Ownby]

Originally Posted by newmarrv

That's absolutely hogwash.."the thicker the wall section the better." It depends on the insulating material used...not the thickness. And, "the care the builder takes in filling voids in the body shell during manufacturer the better" is also hogwash. Air (voids) is one of the better insulators. The key is encapsulating/sealing the air space- not filling the air space or void. And, if you want to keep warm air in (as keeping heat in during the colder outside temps), darker exterior colors are better than lighter colors because it will absorb heat/light rather than be reflected.



The only thing you said that is true (makes sense), is that you do want double pane windows. That's because double pane windows encapsulates/seals air between the panes of glass and slows down the heat transfer rate..keeping you cooler when the A/C is running and warmer when the heater is running...not to mention allowing you to see through the window.

Not hogwash at all. The wall section has to be properly used but you can always get better lnsulating properties in more thickness than less. Air voids that are not broken up with material that divides the space into very small compartments is a much lower insulation value. Convection currents occur that transfers heat from one surface to the other. Typically coaches are harder to cool than heat and the dark colors make cooling more difficult. The dark colors are also very hard on all the materials in the well & roof because of the extra heat buildup.

Your opinion and my opinion. Mine is no more "hogwash" than yours.


Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

[Selah]

My opinion. Both are excellent coaches. Any small difference in R value is going to be insignificant when considering the coach as a whole. Far more important is the floor plan and the amenities available.
If you are worried about being comfortable in cold weather I would suggest you opt for an all electric coach with AquaHot or equivelant, heated floors, and fireplace.