Insulate van

[jacky]

I have a mk7 260 swb and want to insulate the inside roof and sides. Would i need an air gap or anything. Whats the best insulator? Also need info on power and a heater. Will still be using the van for work so need to partition it off from where i will be kipping.

Its basically going to be my new home for a while due to personal circumstances.

Any info at all would be great as i need to make it as comfy as possible .

thanks

[ShaunT]

I am in the process now converting a MK7 Jumbo into a campervan and the guys over at http://www.carinsulation.co.uk/ are absolutely brilliant. My guy I spoke to is Paul the MD and he has a lot of working experience in automotive industry including developing insulation used in Bentley's. I have installed their PeaceMAT XS which is for noise dampening then GlassMAT for all voids on the walls for heat. All self adhesive and quick installation.

If you can have a small void between insulation and ply then it will help but not required. Most recommend some kind of moisture barrier just behind the ply.

Heating all depends if you will have hook up or not for power. If not then gas heating is the most efficient way. Power all depends on your usage, if just to charge your phone then can use your van batteries but if wanting any TV or laptop etc then either hookup or solar panel to keep batteries topped up if you use it during the day.

Don't forget to put some ventilation near the top so the hot air can carry out the moisture that will build up in the van very quickly.

[jacky]

Brilliant thanks for that. Will check that out.

cheers

[shaun23]

if your roof is ply lined you can fit 25mm kingspan into the gap between the roof panel and the ply. I simply used good spray glue with a layer of good bubble foil insulation then glued a layer of lining carpet to that. As I carry wet kayaks around it used to condensate bad but the insulation and carpet stopped 95% of it. Put a dehumidifier in for one night per month and it was fine. Or get a spinny roof vent.

[ShaunT]

Just bare in mind that Kingspan or Celotex isn't designed to be hydrophobic as lab results show with enough time and vapor pressure it will slowly absorb water. Also Celotex type stuff can slowly break apart from vibrations etc as it wasn't designed for mobile environment.

[bulls in transit]

Used "Low e" In my conversion,blurb says its damp,water,mould replant,stuffs used in NASCAR to keep engine heat out of cockpit,lag turbos etc,found it really works in both cold and heat,comes on roll,double sided foil with "magic foam"centre,bout 5 mm thick,glue on.
Lived in my van for a good few months,keeps heat in/out,would recommend.Had no problems with condensation etc etc...
Also sound deadens,it's its own moisture barrier,won't degrade or delaminate,iirc from LOW-E.co.uk,do camper kits etc.

[grandads_shed]

Used "Low e" In my conversion,blurb says its damp,water,mould replant,stuffs used in NASCAR to keep engine heat out of cockpit,lag turbos etc,found it really works in both cold and heat,comes on roll,double sided foil with "magic foam"centre,bout 5 mm thick,glue on.
Lived in my van for a good few months,keeps heat in/out,would recommend.Had no problems with condensation etc etc...
Also sound deadens,it's its own moisture barrier,won't degrade or delaminate,iirc from LOW-E.co.uk,do camper kits etc.

site with prices http://camperessentials.co.uk/shop/low-e-van-lining-insulation-high-performance-reflective-foil/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMc1vWmjUZo

[bigjohnthomas]

spunky old recycled plastic bottles from b q in my little van
works well cool and warm I don't really think any u values going to make much difference in a van you need plenty of air going in and going out or else it f*** stinks

hth
rev smallcock

[bigjohnthomas]

and another thing .......
as you all know I am a successful business man and live in a lavish underground castle
funded by washing dogs arses in transits
the insides are wet constantly and this doesn't promote corrosion same as the out side of your van when it rains
its only when you get road salt init that it goes wrong
and that only happens on the outside

kind regards
rev allcock
kk