Insulating a Works Van for occasional Camping?

[edessex]

I know there are loads of websites and Facebook groups directed at campers and making campers / stealth campers, BUT, I'm struggling to find opinions/ideas from people in the same position and/or mindset. Fair enough, many know their stuff, but I'm not making an all-year-round tour-alaska camper van!

I've bought a Bedford/Vauxhall Midi van, it is a daily driver and works van first and foremost.

If possible, I'd like to sleep in it at car shows and for weekends away (I don't like tents).

This use CANNOT effect it's primary use, so no built furniture, etc.


My main concern with insulation is condensation and therefore rust. I don't want to do anything that will speed up rust, it's a Vauxhall after all!

Costs have to stay down, and materials must be easy to obtain locally. So basically from somewhere like Wickes


My initial idea was to just use that foil bubble wrap stuff, glued on the upper sides and roof, and rock wool tyre insulation behind the standard plastic panels in the lower side.

I have been told this won't make it warm enough.

But in my eyes it can't be colder than a tent, can it?

I could put foam panels in what would be windows if it wasn't a panel Van. But the panels aren't flat, so there would be a gap.

I don't want it scorching, We never have the heat on in our bedroom, usually have a window open too!
Also, it will have petrol machinery thrown in there from time to time.


Any opinions or ideas from you guys and gals?

[nomad]

Good point about the condensation.
We used rigid foam sheets to line the inside of a fibreglass Coach/Camper but didn't have to worry about rust.
Search for "Celotex" insultaion, we got loads of 25mm thick from a local salvage yard for 50p a 2x4 sheet !
Maybe get some, cut to shape and clip them in place (bungees? gaffa tape? rachet straps?) when you're camping?
Not a perfect solution but a lot better than nothing   

[meaningreen]

Insulating a van well is harder to do than it seems. To avoid promoting corrosion you have to avoid air spaces between the insulation and the back of the panel - otherwise condensation may form and be potentially trapped. People do seem happy to use Rockwool etc. but I found the moisture rotted through a pair of rear doors in no time.

Using expanding foam to create a solid panel / insulation structure is one of the best methods - so long as it’s thick enough to fox the dew point (at least 75 / 100mm). The cavities may not have enough depth to do that. 

Honestly, I’d just fit a cheap night heater and forget about insulation for occasional use. Easy to swap one into subsequent vehicles, as much heat as you want, one fuel source (the vehicle's tank).

[edessex]

Mar 12, 2018 7:07:24 GMT meaningreen said:

Honestly, I’d just fit a cheap night heater and forget about insulation for occasional use.

This could be the direction I head in!


With expanding foam, will it stick on a vertical surface, or do I have to install ply and then inject it?

[meaningreen]

Spraying it on - loads of kit suppliers for two part products. A lot of trouble and expense for occasional nights out though, and it will never generate any heat.

[joem83]

What about a pop up tent in the back?

[slater]

Sounds like you need a sleeping bag..

[voodoo57]

Buy a large tent, then polish yer van, then park it inside, and buy a 22+ tog Duvet, no drilling, glueing banging, bashing, and if it rains, no raindrops dancing on your roof keeping you awake, in the morning, pull out, drive straight to the show and shine arena and take first prize!

[stuvy]

You can get thinner celotex insulation do the floor, sides and roof and don’t forget a vent or you could get Co2 poisoning

As for a heater the problem is they speed up rust due to the moisture they give off and the heat in the vehicle and the cold temperatures outside.

When I build my next camper I shall go for either a diesel night heater that pre heats the engine cooling and plumb up a radiator or heater matrix so it’s easier and safer to use with the added benefit of a warm cab in winter too

[edessex]

Mar 15, 2018 8:29:52 GMT voodoo57 said:

then polish yer van

Erm, yeah, this is how I wash my vehicles...


(Sorry about aircraft noise)

[edessex]

Pop up tent in the back somehow feels like it's missing the point of not sleeping in a tent outside, and sounds a bit of a faff.

Plan was to sleep in sleeping bags anyway, is that not the done thing then?

I won't be insulating the floor. It's a work van first.

[mk2cossie]

Mar 16, 2018 23:03:52 GMT edessex said:

Mar 15, 2018 8:29:52 GMT voodoo57 said:

then polish yer van

Erm, yeah, this is how I wash my vehicles...


(Sorry about aircraft noise)

Ah, rookie mistake there. You should use two wheel barrows

[edessex]

Think of the expense!!!

Even that wheelbarrow was borrowed...

[stuvy]

Mar 16, 2018 23:06:05 GMT edessex said:

Pop up tent in the back somehow feels like it's missing the point of not sleeping in a tent outside, and sounds a bit of a faff.

Plan was to sleep in sleeping bags anyway, is that not the done thing then?

I won't be insulating the floor. It's a work van first.

Place insulation down then thick plywood or ally sheet

[edessex]

I won't put anything other than paint on the floor.

My big van is ply lined, and on the few occasions I've lifted the ply floor it's damp and nasty under there!

Trying to avoid trapping damp anywhere.

[ruairi50]

stick a vent on the roof to keep the air flowing and to prevent condensation build up

[jollyroger]

For occasional stealth camping, sling a mattress in the back, get a decent sleeping bag or duvet and a wooly hat, crack a window and away you go. Have the heating on for your drive home to dry any condensation out.

[madmog]

Try just a sleeping bag and foam mat or two and see how you get on. You might not need anything more.