Thermal insulation

[deegee.world]

Is there a standard way of comparing thermal insulation on caravans? How
can I check that floor insulation is adequate? What about heat escape
around the slideouts? I'd really like to be sure I'll be warm in winter
before buying.

 

[otherclive]

It's more than just the thermal thickness of the floor aspects such as number of windows, roof and wall vents, routing of air ducting if warm air, any insulation over wheel arches etc When Bailey bought out the first Alutech vans (Pegasus) they put effort into insulation and tested the vans in cold chambers, other makers took the hint. But probably the best approach is to have a good look at the various caravan specs, contact owners of vans you like and see how they get on in winter. Use forums too as they do provide heaps of advice.
For what its worth we have a 2005 Bailey pre Alutech and have never felt its heating to be less than excellent even in January. We don't use heat at nights as if its been on all evening our sleeping bags are warm and they see us through to morning. Very rarely does the heating have to be on full once its at temperature. One aspect that does require care is the water supply if you only have an Aquaroll it can freeze but some have in board tanks or we just keep some water in the van and if required use gel for hygiene hand wash at night.

 

[RogerL]

The insulation grade test part of EN1645 and Type Approval gives a basic idea of the heating/insulation system - grade 2 is required to maintain an internal temperature of 20o C with an external temperature of 0o C, grade 3 is required to hold 20o C internally with an external temperature of -15o C.
Modern UK caravans are grade 3, older UK ones were grade 2 - HOWEVER - the UK manufacturers only tested older caravans to grade 2 and few changes were made in switching from a tested grade 2 to a tested grade 3. I imagine that many European makes were always grade 3.
Our previous, grade 2 caravan, was ok at -12o C apart from the submersible pump hose - but many other owners around that time complained of poor heating performance, usually caused by long underfloor runs of the ducted air which had little or no insulation.

 

[HenryB1]

For Grade 3 the heating in the van must be capable of raising the temperature inside the van from -15c to 20c within 4 hours and all water systems must operate within one hour of this. You can see how Bailey tested their Alutech vans by following this link. http://www.baileyalu-tech.co.uk/millbrook-proving-ground.php

 

[bertieboy1]

What's a "slideout"

 

[ProfJohnL]

I suspect the OP is refering to a larger caravan such as an american style 5th wheeler, which do often have slide out section to increase the internal space.

 

[RogerL]

As does the Eterniti http://www.eterniti-caravans.com/

They use Styrofoam for the walls/roof/slideout as well as the floor - mainstream UK caravans use Styrofoam for the floor and the less-insulating polystyrene foam for the walls/roof.

 

[deegee.world]

Thanks for the responses. Very helpful.