What is the best Front Cockpit Ceiling insulation to use ?

dutch marc

New member
Apr 8, 2017
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Hi Guys, What is the best / correct insulation to use in the front of my GMC. I am painting the plastic ceiling on my '73. The old insulation has been
mostly turned to dust.

Todday I picked up some R13 @ HD ( https://www.homedepot.com/p/Owens-Corning-R-13-Kraft-Faced-Insulation-Roll-15-in-x-32-ft-RF10/202585857 )

Then I wondered is the stuff that ha been used in my generator & LPG compartment is better to use. I think i will be easier to use, not sure wich one
is best

( https://www.homedepot.com/p/Reflectix-16-in-x-100-ft-Double-Reflective-Insulation-with-Staple-Tab-ST16100/202851859 )

Any input is greatly appreciated !

Grtx Dutch Marc
--
1973 26' Canyon Land (Mello Yello) (TZE063v101302)
Los Angeles, CA ('98 NL 2 USA)
 
The problem with fiberglass like that is that it needs about 3.5 inches of
space to have the R13 value. If you compress it to 1 inch, you will have
about R4.
Beating foam for insulation effectiveness is hard.

> Hi Guys, What is the best / correct insulation to use in the front of my
> GMC. I am painting the plastic ceiling on my '73. The old insulation has
> been
> mostly turned to dust.
>
> Todday I picked up some R13 @ HD ( https://www.homedepot.com/p/
> Owens-Corning-R-13-Kraft-Faced-Insulation-Roll-15-in-x-
> 32-ft-RF10/202585857 )
>
> Then I wondered is the stuff that ha been used in my generator & LPG
> compartment is better to use. I think i will be easier to use, not sure
> wich one
> is best
>
> ( https://www.homedepot.com/p/Reflectix-16-in-x-100-ft-
> Double-Reflective-Insulation-with-Staple-Tab-ST16100/202851859 )
>
> Any input is greatly appreciated !
>
> Grtx Dutch Marc
> --
> 1973 26' Canyon Land (Mello Yello) (TZE063v101302)
> Los Angeles, CA ('98 NL 2 USA)
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--

*John Phillips*
 
DO NOT use Reflectix in the generator compartment. Overhead maybe but it is highly flammable. If you doubt me, simply take a 1" x 4" piece of it and
put a match to it. It makes a good campfire starter. I caught hell for lighting a small strip of it indoors during a seminar one time.

If you want to use that type of insulation, I suggest you use Microfoil from Northern Ohio Foam Products. It will burn only if a flame from some
other source is held against it and it will not sustain a fire on it's own.

We had a group buy from them about 10 years ago and split it among a bunch of GMC coach owners in Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan. They will send you
free samples and will sell direct and ship product to you using UPS. I toured their plant in Wauseon, Ohio a few years back

Get a piece of reflectix and hold a match to it. Then stand back.


--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
Second vote for Microfoil. Easy to work with. With minimum order, you can share with several GMC's. I did front cap, and headliner, front to back, and
had enough material left over to do it again.
Will not sustain a fire without a flame from another source.
Tom, MS II
--
1975 GMC Avion
KA4CSG
 
> I would never use fiberglass in a gmc. Need to find something that does not hold water.
>
> I would have suggested reflexctix, but now Ken is going to make me go do his burn test on the stuff I lined my fridge with.

--
1973 26' Canyon Land (Mello Yello) (TZE063v101302)
Los Angeles, CA ('98 NL 2 USA)
 
Thanks, Contacted http://www.nofp.com/ and asked where I can find this in LA localy. Since I am full time ib the GMC now, not much rooms for extra's
and I only beed about 6x4"

Grtx Dutch Marc
--
1973 26' Canyon Land (Mello Yello) (TZE063v101302)
Los Angeles, CA ('98 NL 2 USA)
 
> I would never use fiberglass in a gmc. Need to find something that does not hold water.
>
> I would have suggested reflexctix, but now Ken is going to make me go do his burn test on the stuff I lined my fridge with.

Sorry.... But if you ever have fought a fire (and won) in a GMC, You would be very cautious about what you use inside of one. Almost anything will
burn. It is just how fiercely it burn and how hard it is to put out. I had a major gasoline fire in the engine area years ago and the hatch was
covered with Microfoil. It did burn but from the gasoline below and it did not help spread the fire. I am still driving that coach today. I heard
but have never seen in writing that Reflectix was banned for use in new RV's being built.

--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
Seems like there are way too many GMC fires.

> > I would never use fiberglass in a gmc. Need to find something that
> does not hold water.
> >
> > I would have suggested reflexctix, but now Ken is going to make me go do
> his burn test on the stuff I lined my fridge with.
>
>
> Sorry.... But if you ever have fought a fire (and won) in a GMC, You
> would be very cautious about what you use inside of one. Almost anything
> will
> burn. It is just how fiercely it burn and how hard it is to put out. I
> had a major gasoline fire in the engine area years ago and the hatch was
> covered with Microfoil. It did burn but from the gasoline below and it
> did not help spread the fire. I am still driving that coach today. I
> heard
> but have never seen in writing that Reflectix was banned for use in new
> RV's being built.
>
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
> 76 Palm Beach
> Hebron, Indiana
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--

*John Phillips*
 
One GMC fire is too many. They are no more prone to burn than any other
brand, but, they are 40 years old, and shake, rattle, and roll down the
road. They were intended to be maintained constantly, not ignored.
Gasoline, transmission fluid, propane, batteries? What could possibly go
wrong? Hot exhaust systems, mice and squirrel nests, the list goes on.
Simple tests with electrical testers, soap bubbles, your nose, go a very
long way towards heading off disaster. Fire prevention is one part of the
cure. Fyr-Fyter type of on board foam or chemical extinguisher systems is
another. Both east and west Jims have excellent products that are very
effective.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC ROYALE 403

> Seems like there are way too many GMC fires.
>

>

> > > I would never use fiberglass in a gmc. Need to find something that
> > does not hold water.
> > >
> > > I would have suggested reflexctix, but now Ken is going to make me go
> do
> > his burn test on the stuff I lined my fridge with.
> >
> >
> > Sorry.... But if you ever have fought a fire (and won) in a GMC, You
> > would be very cautious about what you use inside of one. Almost anything
> > will
> > burn. It is just how fiercely it burn and how hard it is to put out. I
> > had a major gasoline fire in the engine area years ago and the hatch was
> > covered with Microfoil. It did burn but from the gasoline below and it
> > did not help spread the fire. I am still driving that coach today. I
> > heard
> > but have never seen in writing that Reflectix was banned for use in new
> > RV's being built.
> >
> > --
> > Ken Burton - N9KB
> > 76 Palm Beach
> > Hebron, Indiana
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
>
>
>
> --
>
> *John Phillips*
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
The big thing is to focus on prevention. The second thing to focus on is extinguishing a fire should one occur.

It appears that most RV fires are near the engine, generator, or refrigerator. On mine the carb flooded over and a blown gasket in the intake
manifold cross over choke heater tube provided the ignition source. Shorted wire from the fire kept the fuel pump running and supplying additional
fuel.

On the prevention side things like using non-combustables near possible fire sources, disconnect switches on battery banks, elbow and hose on top of
trans at vent with a runoff for fluid away from exhausts are a few things. Heat shield around Onan is another. Fix any gas tank leaks especially on
top where it can flow near exhaust. There are probably 10 more items.

On the extinguishing side, availability the correct type of fire extinguisher is a must. AR-AFFF (Foam) is my preferred extinguisher type. Optional
Automatic deployment installation is a plus. I have auto deployment Halon in refrigerator and Onan areas because they are confined areas where halon
will work. Unfortunately no vendor is offering an automatic deployment foam system for the open engine area that will not freeze. It could easily be
done. So I carry multiple hand held foam fire extinguishers to be used around the engine, trans, and fuel tanks.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
This is the email response that I got back from the Mfg.

Thanks for your interest and inquiry. We do not a have a dealer in the LA area, so we would have to sell you direct. The issue is freight...I could
sell you a sample roll, which would be approx. 4' x 16' for around $45.00 but the freight to UPS it out to you is $120.00. Let me know if you have
interest. You may be able to find something at your local Lowe's or Home Depot or online with them as well that would save you on the freight.
To answer your other question...yes the reflective will also radiate the heat back inwards in the colder month when your heat is on. I hope that
helps.

so ..... BUMMER !!!

IF ANY 1 HAS SOME LEFTOVER PIECES LAYING AROUND PLZ LET ME KNOW !!

Thanks Dutch Marc
--
1973 26' Canyon Land (Mello Yello) (TZE063v101302)
Los Angeles, CA ('98 NL 2 USA)
 
Hi Marc -

Sounds like a road trip !! And please bring some back for me. :)

Steve W
Southern California
1973 23'
 
The last time I went there, we had a Sunday lunch scheduled somewhere in Michigan. I took my coach to the plant in Wauseon and we filled it with
rolls of the stuff. Some double reflective and some double reflective with added white covering on top on one side . People wanted that for
windshield covers.

I believe that I got something like 13 rolls at the time. Then the next day at lunch we divided it up among the people that ordered it.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
Do they have a R rating ? Did not see it.

> The last time I went there, we had a Sunday lunch scheduled somewhere in
> Michigan. I took my coach to the plant in Wauseon and we filled it with
> rolls of the stuff. Some double reflective and some double reflective
> with added white covering on top on one side . People wanted that for
> windshield covers.
>
> I believe that I got something like 13 rolls at the time. Then the next
> day at lunch we divided it up among the people that ordered it.
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
> 76 Palm Beach
> Hebron, Indiana
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
LOL, Will do.. 8)

> Sounds like a road trip !! And please bring some back for me. :)

--
1973 26' Canyon Land (Mello Yello) (TZE063v101302)
Los Angeles, CA ('98 NL 2 USA)
 
Jim K.
I do not think this kind of insulation lends its self to an R rating.
It a radiant barrier.

> LOL, Will do.. 8)
>

> > Sounds like a road trip !! And please bring some back for me. :)
>
>
>
>
> --
> 1973 26' Canyon Land (Mello Yello) (TZE063v101302)
> Los Angeles, CA ('98 NL 2 USA)
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--

*John Phillips*
 
I would put in more than one layer. It will help with noise while driving.
--
George Castleberry
73 Painted Desert
Flagstaff, AZ