Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Hi, I'm in Tucson Arizona and looking for a place to get foam for my trailer build. So far, all I can find is 1" XPS (Foamular) at Home Depot (nothing at Lowes). I'd like to find 2" (and 1/2") foam as well. Is there anywhere else I should be looking? Also, is this (XPS) the right foam to be using as a wall (with PMF)? Are there any other options for foam boards that can be used successfully?

Thanks!

I'm just a lurker, so hopefully someone with actual foamie building experience will come along.

There is a sticky about types of foam (short by foamie standards). http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=48389

XPS is what you want. The lack of availability in some parts of the country has been discussed. I think someone suggested calling around to contractors to see if you could buy from them. Don't remember anyone reporting success with this method.

Others have mentioned that the big box stores might order for you, but often only if you buy an entire pallet and pay shipping. I found a few insulation recycling places (Craigslist - materials) that occasionally have the 2" XPS foam. But I'm in the mid-west and all of the big box stores stock multiple styles of XPS.

I think someone used 2 sheets of 1". But, iirc, that was to get a radius. And two 1" sheets will cost more that one 2" sheet.

That's all I can offer in the way of information. But keep asking questions. Foamies are usually friendly. And they love

My understanding is that XPS is a bit hard to find in the southern part of the nation. Just not used much since it does not get as cold there.

I do believe someone here did build a teardrop with 1" xps and had good results. Maybe someone here will support this.

Same problem up here in the valley too. I haven't found anything other than the 1" at Depot and my Lowes has 2"X8"X1". Look for contractor supply places that sell insulation/roofing or concrete supplies. Probably your best bet.

Todd

Check with the manufacturers and see who their dealers are … We found an Interior deorating supply place here that not only had the 2” XPS , but was CHEAPER than Home Despot or Loew’s … ( and we didn’t have to buy any quantity )

It may not get COLD in the South , but it sure gets HOT !!! Foam works for that too...

GPW wrote: It may not get COLD in the South , but it sure gets HOT !!! Foam works for that too...

True, but they usually use Polyisocyanurate foam in the hot regions.

Now that someone mentioned concrete layers it stirred a idea. XPS is used a lot in stucco construction. Stucco contractors can make all kinds of different shapes with XPS and then they tack chicken wire to it and then stucco. I know that it is a pretty common construction technique so there should be a contractor or two in the area. Might check with them to see if they would sell you some.

Foam is required under concrete slabs and flat membrane roofing, both commercial applications.
Try sign companies. foam is used with cnc machines to make large forms for advertising displays.

JMHO ...The Polyiso is the LAST thing we’d want to use on a trailer .. see health hazards and FIRE … https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyisocyanurate

Thank you for all of the useful replies. I will probably start with the 1" foam for some experiments. I will follow up with the results of attempts to locate other sizes locally.

I called a few more building supplies in PHX and didn't find anything. I hope you have better luck.

Todd

GPW wrote:JMHO ...The Polyiso is the LAST thing we’d want to use on a trailer .. see health hazards and FIRE … https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyisocyanurate

With all due respect, I'm not disagreeing about it being the last thing touse, but poly iso is much less flammable than XPS or EPS and is not nearly as certain to be a carcinogen as XPS and EPS, plus its manufacturing is less harmful to the environment than XPS and EPS. I have no problem with XPS and EPS and am planning on using them but not because of fire and health. Poly iso is the only foam that is allowed to be used for home insulation in some applications without covering it for fire protection. (I'm not saying it should be - only saying it is.)

I just don't feel it makes as good of stressed skin panel structurally as XPS or EPS does, but that may be because I haven't built with it or seen it used in panels. You might be able to get it without foil and find adhesives every bit as good as adhesives on XPS or EPS.