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You are here: Home / Cold Weather RVing / How to Make Camper Skirting Out of Foam Board Insulation
How to Make Camper Skirting Out of Foam Board Insulation

How to Make Camper Skirting Out of Foam Board Insulation

October 30, 2020 by Ashley Mann 37 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links.

One of the winters we spent living in our fifth wheel (a four-season, 38-foot 2009 Keystone Everest) we stayed in a mobile home park that did not allow us to use the vinyl skirting we had previously made from billboard tarp material, so we made foam insulation board RV skirting instead.

The project was actually easier and cheaper than our DIY vinyl skirting, and we really liked how it ended up looking. 

If you're looking for the cheapest and easiest way to skirt your trailer or motorhome yourself, foam board insulation is the way to go.

Related: Looking for other skirting products? See 10 Trailer Skirting options here.

Table of Contents

  • Materials We Used for Skirting Our Fifth Wheel with Foam Board
  • Video of the Installation Process
  • Step 1. Measuring & Cutting
  • Step 2. Arranging the Pieces As You Cut
  • Optional: Put foam board on the bottom of your slides.
  • Step 3. Placing the Pieces of Foam Board
  • Step 4. Taping the Foam Board
  • Step 5. Securing the Skirting Along the Bottom
  • Step 6. Joining the Seams
  • Tip: How to Handle Tricky Spots
  • Step 7: Sealing the Skirting with Tape
  • The Finished Project
  • 8 Ways to Secure Foam Board Skirting Along the Bottom
  • Pros and Cons of Using Foam Board to Skirt an RV
  • An alternative type of skirting for RVers who move often

Materials We Used for Skirting Our Fifth Wheel with Foam Board

Here is a list of materials we used:

  • 1-inch thick foam board insulation.  The kind we used had silver reflective material on one side which goes inside to reflect heat back under your RV. You can use a thicker type of foam board, but 1-inch worked fine for us and is the cheapest. If you plan to leave it up for multiple years, I would choose a thicker foam for durability. You can paint it a different color if you like, as long as you use only latex-based or water-based paint. Oil-based paint (including spray paint) will react with the foam, causing it to “melt” or dissolve.
  • Foil HVAC tape.  This is the best type of tape to use for attaching the foam board to your camper because it will stay stuck during cold weather but will pull away cleanly without leaving behind any sticky residue when you need to remove it.
  • White duct tape.  We used duct tape to join pieces of foam board at the seams. We chose white duct tape so that it would match the foam board and be less visible.
  • Tent stakes.  We used tent stakes to hold the skirting in place along the bottom. This will only work if you have a dirt ground that you can pound stakes into. I'll provide ideas for holding the skirting in place on other types of ground at the end of this article.
  • A permanent marker for marking where to cut the foam board.
  • A tape measure for measuring your camper in order to determine how much foam to buy, and for measuring the foam board for cutting.
  • Something to cut the foam board with. We first tried a utility knife (the kind that uses razor blades) and found a regular knife worked better.

Video of the Installation Process

We recorded a video demonstrating the process as we made the skirting. Watch below or keep reading for a step-by-step tutorial.

Step 1. Measuring & Cutting

The first step is to measure your camper and determine how much foam insulation you'll need. 

This will depend not only on the length of your camper and on how high your camper sits off the ground. If you're parked on a slope, you'll probably have more space on one end of your camper and need more foam to cover the height.

I can't remember exactly how many pieces of foam board we bought, but it was around 6 or 7. A smaller camper would require a lot less. 

Our camper required 2′ of skirting height. Since the sheets of foam insulation were 4'x8′, we cut them in half lengthwise and covered 16 feet of our camper with a single piece. There were a few spots where the height was greater than 2′, like the gooseneck of our 5th wheel. We left our gooseneck exposed, but you could patch foam board together or buy a fifth wheel skirt.

Marking the foam board to show where to cut
Marking the foam board to show where to cut

Measuring and calculating how to cut the foam board is the hardest part of this whole project. I recommend drawing it out on a sheet of paper first to help you keep your dimensions straight.

Next, we scored the foam board with a knife, then folded the foam board along the cut and ran the knife down the crease on the back side to cut it all the way through.

Scoring the foam insulation before cutting all the way through
Scoring the foam insulation before cutting all the way through

Step 2. Arranging the Pieces As You Cut

After we had cut several pieces, we put them where they were going to be used so we could see what we still needed to cut.

Placing the pieces where they will go
Placing the pieces where they will go

Optional: Put foam board on the bottom of your slides.

General, you only skirt the open areas beneath your RV. However, I have found that attaching foam board to the bottom of each slide really helps to reduce heat loss through the floors of my slide-outs and makes the camper feel a lot less drafty. 

Foam board insulation taped to the bottom of an RV slide to reduce heat loss through the floor
Foam board insulation taped to the bottom of an RV slide to reduce heat loss through the floor

If nothing else, I would definitely do this to any slides that won't have skirting around them, like a bedroom slide that is so high up that the skirting won't reach it.

One note: Please learn from my mistakes and DON'T tape the foam board like I did in the above photo. That tape was very difficult to remove and left behind residue. I recommend using foil HVAC tape instead, which is what we used in subsequent years.

Step 3. Placing the Pieces of Foam Board

Once cut and arranged, it's time to place your foam.

If you're using a type of foam board that has a silver reflective material on one side, the silver side goes INSIDE, facing underneath your camper.  This is so that the heat will be reflected back under your camper. If you put the silver side facing outward, it will do nothing except reflect sunlight away from your camper, which is the opposite of what you want.

Silver reflective backing goes on the inside.
Silver reflective backing goes on the inside.

Step 4. Taping the Foam Board

After the skirting was placed where I wanted it, taped it to the camper using the foil HVAC tape.  I used only enough to hold the skirting in place because we planned to come back and seal it all later.

Note that this piece of skirting came up slightly higher than the bottom of our camper.  We felt that it was unnecessary to cut the foam board to the exact height. It was much easier to just cut each piece of foam board in half lengthwise since 2 feet of height was adequate for most of the camper.

Taping the foam insulation in place using foil HVAC tape
Taping the foam insulation in place using foil HVAC tape

In this spot, a 2-foot piece of foam board ended up being the perfect height, coming just under the edge of our camper.

This piece of foam board was the perfect height.
This piece of foam board was the perfect height.

Because measuring and cutting is the most involved part of this process, cutting all the pieces at the two-foot mark was an easy way for us to save on time and it didn't affect the efficacy of the skirting.

Step 5. Securing the Skirting Along the Bottom

This side of our camper was sitting in gravel, so following a tip from one of our neighbors, I dug out a trench (using the claw side of a hammer) for the skirting to sit in.

Digging a "trench" in the gravel to place the foam board in
Digging a “trench” in the gravel to place the foam board in

Then I packed the gravel up against the skirting on both sides (I packed it on the back first) to help hold it in place.

Unless you're in a location that gets very high winds, you may not need to do anything more than this to hold the skirting in place along the bottom, but if you are in a very windy area or if you don't have gravel, read on. I'll be sharing some other ideas for how to hold the skirting in place.

Packing gravel up against the foam board to help hold it in place
Packing gravel up against the foam board to help hold it in place

On one side of our camper, the ground was dirt instead of gravel, so to hold the foam board in place on this side we pounded tent stakes into the ground on each side of the foam.  This worked very well and also made it easy to remove a single panel if we needed to access the area underneath the RV for some reason.

Tent stakes used along the bottom to hold the foam board in place
Tent stakes used along the bottom to hold the foam board in place

Here's a photo of one of the tent stakes on the inside:

Tent stake placed on the inside
Tent stake placed on the inside

Step 6. Joining the Seams

Instead of HVAC tape, we used duct tape to join the pieces of foam board to each other and to cover the seams between pieces of foam board because it was sturdier and leaving behind residue was not a concern. 

We chose white duct tape to match the white foam board so that it would look nicer.

White duct tape used to join pieces of foam board together
White duct tape used to join pieces of foam board together

Tip: How to Handle Tricky Spots

Here's how we handled a few of the trickier parts of our RV, where a straight-edged piece of foam board would not work.

For the front of our RV beneath the cargo access door, we had to cut the foam at a curve.  This wasn't really too difficult; we just used a marker to mark it first before cutting.

Cutting the foam board to go under a curved part of the RV
Cutting the foam board to go under a curved part of the RV

Making a Hole for the Sewage Hose

Here we had to cut out a hole for our sewage hose. 

Sewage hose on a downhill track made from vinyl guttering
Sewage hose on a downhill track made from vinyl guttering

We used vinyl guttering to make a downhill track for our sewage hose so liquids drain quickly. This way we can leave our sewage hose exposed even in freezing weather. As long as outside temperatures aren't cold enough to freeze liquid while dumping, you don't need to cover the hose.

Going Around the Fenders

I cut the foam to fit around this fender and covered the gaps with HVAC tape to create a seal. 

Foam board cut to go around fender, with a patch piece at the top of the wheel well.
Foam board cut to go around fender, with a patch piece at the top of the wheel well.

The height at the top of the wheel well was more than 2 feet, so I cut an additional piece of foam to fit. I attached it with duct tape on the backside of the foam.

Back of patch piece
Back of patch piece

My husband had a different approach to skirting the fender area on the other side of the RV.  He simply removed the fender to make it easier to cover.  If you do this, you might want to cover the holes with some HVAC tape to prevent them from rusting. 

Fender area skirted after removing the fender trim piece
Fender area skirted after removing the fender trim piece

We just stashed the fender piece underneath the RV with the screws taped to it so they wouldn't get lost.

Fender stashed underneath the RV with screws taped to it so they wouldn't get lost
Fender stashed underneath the RV with screws taped to it so they wouldn't get lost

Areas with Different Heights

This part of the RV was kind of tricky because it involved different heights. Plus, we wanted to access our water connection (under the corner of the slide) if needed.

A tricky spot
A tricky spot

Here's what that area looked like after we got it done.

Tricky spot finished
Tricky spot finished

Skirting Around the Steps

The steps can also be challenging to figure out. After installing the foam, I covered the opening behind the steps with a shower curtain.

Skirting around the stairs
Skirting around the stairs

Step 7: Sealing the Skirting with Tape

After all of the skirting was in place, we taped along the top of all of it using HVAC tape. We did this to create a seal that would prevent heat from escaping and to create a neat, finished look.

The Finished Project

We were happy with how our skirting looked finished, and even happier knowing that we would stay warm without having to worry about our pipes freezing.

I liked this skirting better than our vinyl skirting because once it was finished, it stayed in place. The vinyl skirting sometimes fell down on windy days and had to be rehung.

We decided not to skirt around the front of the RV this time, partly due to the cost of so much foam, and partly due to the hassle of making skirting that would go around the tongue and tripod. 

That part of the RV is where our closet is located, and to help prevent heat loss there I lined our closet with faux wood planks made from foam that provided extra insulation.

In the past we tried making vinyl skirting to go around that part of the RV, but it was really difficult to get it to stay in place and the wind would frequently blow under it.  In the future, I would invest in a commercially made wind skirt like this one that was specifically designed for that purpose and also provided easy access to the storage underneath.

8 Ways to Secure Foam Board Skirting Along the Bottom

As promised, here are some suggestions for ways to secure your foam board skirting so that it stays in place even in high winds.

  • Gravel – If you're parked on gravel, dig a trench for your skirting to sit in, then pack the gravel up against the skirting on both sides. This is what we did and it's free!
  • Snow – If you are spending winter in a place where snow stays on the ground all winter long, you can pack snow up against the foam board to hold it in place, and this provides extra insulation as well.
  • Tent stakes – If you're parked on dirt or grass, you can use tent stakes on each side of the skirting to hold it in place.
  • Spray foam – You can run a line of expanding spray foam sealant along the bottom of your skirting on both sides to fill gaps and attach it to the ground. If your camper is sitting on pavement or concrete, you can put down plastic first (a commenter on my YouTube channel suggested Saran Wrap) so you don't end up with the difficult task of scraping up all of the foam later.
  • Bricks or rocks – If you don't mind hauling bricks (or buying them only to sell or give away later), you can put bricks on each side of the skirting to hold them in place.  Large rocks would work too—even better if you have a bunch of rocks laying around that you don't have to buy.
  • Lumber – Many RVers build a wood frame around the base of their RV to create a structure to attach the foam board to.  If you are handy with tools this might be a good option, especially if you have access to free wood.
  • Sandbags – One RVer who was parked on a concrete pad told me he held his vinyl skirting in place using sandbags that he purchased online and filled with play sand. He ended up dumping the sand at the end of winter.
  • Gallon jugs of water – One year we used plastic gallon jugs filled with water to weigh our vinyl skirting, and these could be used to help hold foam skirting in place as well.  An added bonus to this is that you'll have water you can melt and use in emergencies, and a second added bonus is that you can tell by whether the water under your camper is liquid or not how effective your skirting is at keeping the temperature above freezing.

Pros and Cons of Using Foam Board to Skirt an RV

Pros:

  • The cost.  We spent just $106 on all the materials required to skirt our 38-foot camper.
  • The durability.  It stayed in place and we could have used it the following winter if we hadn't sold that RV. We left it on through the summer and stayed nice and cool through the hot summer months.
  • Protection from cold. Our vinyl skirting worked just fine for us in temperatures below freezing down to about 0º F, but if I were planning to spend winter in a place where the temperature regularly dipped below zero, I would trust foam board skirting more than I would trust vinyl.

Cons:

  • Not environmentally friendly. A big downside for me is that it can't be easily re-used or transported. You may end up throwing it away and replacing it if you plan to move to a different spot each winter. I was hoping to recycle the foam when we removed it, but they wouldn't accept our skirting because it was too dirty.
  • It doesn't allow you to move. The main reason we chose vinyl skirting over foam board was that I wanted a type of skirting I could take down and put back up without too much trouble. Our billboard tarp skirting ended up being a bigger hassle to up and take down than I had hoped, especially when it got wet and muddy. It was possible to reuse and could be folded up for transport. Foam board skirting is really intended to be left in place all winter long and would be extremely difficult to transport once cut.

An alternative type of skirting for RVers who move often

If you will be moving a lot during the winter and need a type of skirting that you can quickly take down and put up, I recommend checking out AirSkirts.  This type of skirting didn't exist at the time we were living in our RV, but it's inflatable skirting made from heavy-duty, puncture-resistant vinyl that you inflate with an electric or battery-powered pump (kind of like inflating bounce house at a carnival).

The cool thing about AirSkirts compared to traditional vinyl skirting is that it doesn't actually attach to your RV, so you don't have to drill holes or put anything adhesive on your camper.  As it inflates, it takes shape around the various parts under your RV, and these hold it in place.

AirSkirts Advertisement
Photo source: AirSkirts.com

Do you have other ideas for securing foam board skirting, or any other tips for skirting an RV to share?  Leave a comment below!

Read Next: How to Prepare Your RV for Cold Weather

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Ashley Mann in front of window
Ashley Mann

Ashley Mann lives in a 38-foot, 5th-wheel RV with her husband and their cat, Professor Theodore. She enjoys the challenge of finding the perfect way to organize a space, and she loves seeing all the creative and clever ways people come up with to customize their RVs.

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Filed Under: Cold Weather RVing, RV Life

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. dalton says

    November 22, 2021 at 1:27 am

    easiest way to attach vinyl skirting to the body of the rv is using a rivet nut gun and install gromets in the vinyl skirting to keep it professional looking and too prevent vinyl from tearing then you can use bolts or screws or what ever you want to attach skirting to rv

    Reply
    • Ashley Mann says

      November 26, 2021 at 12:01 pm

      I agree that is a good option as long as people do a good job installing them. 🙂

      Reply
  2. MICHELE CAMERON says

    December 4, 2021 at 10:36 pm

    Best tool to cut rigid foam with is a jig saw… so easy that it is fun!

    Reply
    • Ashley Mann says

      December 6, 2021 at 11:52 am

      That’s a great idea!

      Reply
  3. Tom says

    January 16, 2022 at 12:54 pm

    Really good article. Any ideas on types / designs one could use to build a lumber frame to support the foam board insulation? Thanks

    Reply
    • Ashley Mann says

      January 17, 2022 at 9:54 am

      Hi Tom, I haven’t personally built a lumber frame so don’t have any go-to resources on that. I avoided lumber because I was looking for something quick and easy that wouldn’t leave me with a bunch of leftover pieces to transport, but I know a lumber frame is popular for more long-term setups. I would recommend using screws instead of nails to join the boards so that you could disassemble it if needed.

      Reply
  4. Leia Vermillion says

    January 16, 2022 at 8:39 pm

    I would highly suggest using an electric knife one uses for Thanksgiving. Its clean cutting, no pieces fray, and it cuts like hot knife through butter.
    Goodwill or other used stores have them for JUST A FEW DOLLARS ! I bought a new one there, for about $3.00.
    Please send a free download check list. Love your article, so I really wanted to share the electric knife trick.

    Reply
    • Ashley Mann says

      January 17, 2022 at 9:45 am

      That’s a great tip! Thank you!

      Reply
  5. Joe M says

    April 28, 2022 at 9:07 pm

    Thanks for your post. We’re about to go back into our camper for a couple of years and will want to use skirting this time. I think we;re gonna do what you did. We have a crazy southerly wind here. And I think the foam board will probably hold up well. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Ashley Mann says

      April 29, 2022 at 5:40 pm

      You’re welcome and good luck!

      Reply
  6. Deirdre says

    October 4, 2022 at 11:10 am

    Did it get wet when it rained or snow melted? How about from the wet ground after rain or snow?

    Reply
    • Ashley Mann says

      October 4, 2022 at 2:41 pm

      It did get wet, but the water had no impact on it whatsoever. It’s styrofoam – same material as a styrofoam cup or plate – so it doesn’t absorb water.

      Reply
    • Dalton says

      October 5, 2022 at 10:15 am

      Water does not absorb into styrafoam now there are different grades of styrofoam board you will notice when you check it out at building supply i recommend going with 2 inch thick and its nots not actually styrafoam its more commpressed and lot stronger

      Reply
      • Ashley Mann says

        October 11, 2022 at 9:30 pm

        We looked at that thicker foam you mentioned, but it was more expensive and also had lettering on both sides, so we decided to use the 1″ white styrofoam which was cheaper and the same R-value due to the reflective foil backing. I would use the thicker stuff if I was set up in a permanent location, though.

        Reply
  7. Dustin says

    October 6, 2022 at 10:39 pm

    I’m about to help my mom with a similar set up. How did the HVAC tape come off at the end of the winter season? Did it leave any residue behind?

    Thanks for the great tips!

    Reply
    • Ashley Mann says

      October 11, 2022 at 9:29 pm

      No residue was left behind, and for the most part it came off cleanly. There may have been a few places where it brought a speck of paint off with it, but I can’t say for sure because our RV was older and there were quite a few nicks to the paint.

      Reply
  8. Shaedae says

    October 15, 2022 at 3:05 pm

    I’m getting ready to insulate our 35 ft travel trailer. I am going to cut the pieces into 2 or 3 ft sections and tape them together to make my own folding insulation. As an avid crafter, I can cut a straight line using a T. Also, I will tape every other seam on the inside of the boards. This will make it so much easier to put on. I am 69 with 2 herniated discs in my back and 1 in my neck. We just moved here and I don’t know anyone to help. But I am not worried as I am very mechanically inclined. I grew up with 4 sisters and somebody had to help daddy! You should have seen my sister’s reactions when Dad gave me a toolbox with tools one Christmas! He is in Heaven now and I am very grateful for all the knowledge and skills he passed on!

    Reply
    • Ashley Mann says

      October 17, 2022 at 10:27 am

      It definitely comes in handy to have those DIY skills! Good luck with your project! 🙂

      Reply
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