Swim Noodles...

For those who've been waiting for the season to arrive, I just got back from Walmart and they now have the swim noodles that can be effective at reducing heat loss on the TM beds (why are they a full season ahead on almost everything????).

I am living in my TM here in kentucky. I am an insurance adjuster working ice claims. For the past few weeks is has been cold, cold , cold.

I could not find the swimming noodles anywhere so I picked up some pipe insulation at Lowes. They work perfectly. There are two styles. One is split so it will slip over a pipe. The other is not completely split and is the one you want. There are different sizes for different size pipe and are 6ft long. The one for a 1" pipe is the best fit. The cost for a 6 ft piece is less than $ 2.00. I installed them on all three sides of the bed, and down both sides of the slide out. There are now no air leaks.

I used the same ones to insulate the water hose. Since it is not split, I slid it over the hose with an electric heat tape and taped the joints. Living full time in a TM without water was not good. Insulating the water hose with a heat tape stopped the hose from freezing. The temps have been down in the low teens many a night. I intend to leave the pipe insulation and electric heat tape attached to the hose and just pickup a second hose to use in non-winter times.

I am using two 1500 watt electric heaters instead of burning propane. The TM can not run both heaters, two computers, two printers, two desk lights, photo charges, coffee pots, microwave,toaster, etc. It blows a 30 amp breaker. I ran a extension cord to a second 30 amp service and divided the current load in half. Every thing is good.

To keep the bathroom warm enought to use and to stop the shower faucet from freezing, I picked up a 12 volt automotive clip on fan. By clipping it on to the top of the bathroom wall the heat from the main body of the trailer moves into the bathroom.

The TM was not designed to use in extremely low temps, but a few small changes have provided a very comfortable home away from home.

Originally Posted by photoadjuster

I am living in my TM here in kentucky. I am an insurance adjuster working ice claims. For the past few weeks is has been cold, cold , cold.

I have another tip that might help you out.

We used to have a draft blow in between the upper rear and bottom shells behind the closet. Stuffing towels in the gap behind the closet did not help.

I drilled a new hole in the small bar that pulls the upper shell in against the lower shell. I have it drilled in a location so that I must lean into the TM, pushing the upper shell in tightly against the lower shell before I can lock it in place.

Ok, I'm a newbie. What are the swimming noodles used for???
Tina

[mcgyver210]

Originally Posted by photoadjuster

I am living in my TM here in kentucky. I am an insurance adjuster working ice claims. For the past few weeks is has been cold, cold , cold.

I could not find the swimming noodles anywhere so I picked up some pipe insulation at Lowes. They work perfectly. There are two styles. One is split so it will slip over a pipe. The other is not completely split and is the one you want. There are different sizes for different size pipe and are 6ft long. The one for a 1" pipe is the best fit. The cost for a 6 ft piece is less than $ 2.00. I installed them on all three sides of the bed, and down both sides of the slide out. There are now no air leaks.

I used the same ones to insulate the water hose. Since it is not split, I slid it over the hose with an electric heat tape and taped the joints. Living full time in a TM without water was not good. Insulating the water hose with a heat tape stopped the hose from freezing. The temps have been down in the low teens many a night. I intend to leave the pipe insulation and electric heat tape attached to the hose and just pickup a second hose to use in non-winter times.

I am using two 1500 watt electric heaters instead of burning propane. The TM can not run both heaters, two computers, two printers, two desk lights, photo charges, coffee pots, microwave,toaster, etc. It blows a 30 amp breaker. I ran a extension cord to a second 30 amp service and divided the current load in half. Every thing is good.

To keep the bathroom warm enought to use and to stop the shower faucet from freezing, I picked up a 12 volt automotive clip on fan. By clipping it on to the top of the bathroom wall the heat from the main body of the trailer moves into the bathroom.

The TM was not designed to use in extremely low temps, but a few small changes have provided a very comfortable home away from home.

I may try the smaller pipe insulation next time since the swim noodles were actually a little too big I guess our newer TM has a little tighter fit because I had two different sizes.

Very informative post Thanks Mike.

Never thought I would say thanks to an Insurance Adjuster LOL ROFL

Originally Posted by MackAttack

Ok, I'm a newbie. What are the swimming noodles used for???
Tina

Swim Noodles are used for reducing the drafts especially in the cold between the upper & lower shells. we camped in Gatlinburg last year in November & the Swim noodles came in handy for reducing drafts.

Originally Posted by MackAttack

Ok, I'm a newbie. What are the swimming noodles used for???
Tina

They are to tuck in alongside the sliding beds (rear only on my 2720SL) to reduce heat loss/cut wind leaks.

I tend not to have much problem with draft. I have more problems with the shell being real cold. I have gotten to where I stuff extra blankets around the perimeter. The first few times we camped in cold weather, the person next to the shell got pretty cold, especially if you rub up against it.

Thanks for the information. We just setup the TM in the driveway today with it being 32 degrees outside. I was able to see that the noodles will definitely help with the drafts. But I also noticed that on the front and back beds had a little gap so my husband is going to trying to use a noodle so when you setup and slide the bed it will slide snuggly with the noodle for a tighter fit.

Thanks!
Tina

Larry, nice photo, and plane. How long you been flying. Email me at [email protected]. Matt

Ok, I'm a newbie. What are the swimming noodles used for???
Tina

Don't know exactly what info you are after Tina, but swim noodles are actually 6' or so in length, 2" or so in diameter, made of some sort of foam, available in many bright colors, and used for kids as floats/toys in swimming pools, etc. They have morphed into use by TM owners to lessen drafts around beds and other areas.