I am beginning a project of converting a Ford Transit van into a Camper Van and starting at the flooring and wall panelling. My first thoughts are "should something be used as sound proofing and insulation". So I am looking for information on this.
As an experiment I have used some rubber carpet underlay under the flooring (5/8" plywood) and this seems to provide good elimination of road noise and I would suggest some thermal insulation. As far as wall panelling goes I was wondering if I should also use the carpet underlay packed inside the panelling or standard insulation bats.
Any comments appreciated.
Ken
Happywanderer said
08:03 PM Oct 16, 2010
Thats very interesting ken. I might have to go down this path myself. What are you using for the wall panelling?
So far all vans I have looked at seem to be in the 80s range and a lot don't have air conditioning. By buying a later model van and putting in what I want I will get a more reliable van (motor running wise) hopefully and put in just what I think I need.
keninperth said
08:27 PM Oct 16, 2010
Hi Happywanderer
I hunted and hunted and yes the problem was anything in the price range I wanted was old and high K's - I got somewhat lucky (I think) and managed to find a 2005 Transit Mid Roof LWB Turbo Diesel 50,000K for under $20,000 - price mainly due to location of the vehicle (I hope) - have not discovered any major problems yet to indicate a bad buy.
My grand plan is to build it myself and even perhaps eventually tow a small van as an "en suite".
Another thought I had for underlay on the floor is carpet of some type laid upside down. Not sure what the commercial builders would use??
As far as the walls and roof go I was again going to use maybe 3/8" or 5/8" plywood as per another DIY project I saw at http://www.campervanlife.com/self-builds/darrens-mercedes-sprinter - this can be used to mount cupboards, apply coverings of many types, or just stain / varnish it raw (if you use better grade ply that has a good finish).
Grand plan - might be dreaming - might be totally on the wrong track, but hey??
countryroad said
08:43 PM Oct 16, 2010
There's a UK site....www.Campervanlife.com
then scroll to bottom of the page and on R. side there's a Mercedes Sprinter Conversion...
click on this and you will see Darren's 2006 conversion, good pictures and everything he did is on
show. links to others as well.
Hope this is useful and good luck
oh well I tried and you'd already found it.
-- Edited by countryroad on Saturday 16th of October 2010 08:45:50 PM
Ma said
08:44 PM Oct 16, 2010
Nothing ventured nothing gained Ken. Give it a go anyway. Good luck to you although I feel you won't need any luck you seem to have the situation well in hand and doing your homework too. Just think how proud you will be when it's all done and dusted and you are on the road. Hope I meet up with you one day to see the end result.
blaze said
10:38 PM Oct 16, 2010
Hi You can buy a product used in the marine industry called closed sell foam. It comes in sheet form and is very easy to work with normal hand tools (cut with a knife, sandpaper will shape. Can be brought in diferent thickness. Would be possible to glue to sides and then glue a cover sheet of some sort onto that. cheers blaze
Brookie said
03:42 PM Oct 17, 2010
Although this link is a Kombi one there is some good information about floors, linings etc etc
Thanks to all those so far that have posted. The Closed Cell Foam is certainly an option and the Kombi link is good to have - thanks.
elliemike said
09:37 PM Oct 20, 2010
Try this site (the address is below). Self Build Motorhome and Campevan Club. UK.
http://sbmcc.co.uk/forum/
I found them usefull for all sorts of things "campervan" when we were altering things around in our Hiace a few years ago. I actually joined them as a member. Fee about $30 I think? You dont have to join. You can get a lot from just browsing the site. Although if you want to "search" joining is the only way.
Actually just sold the Hiace about 2 hours ago. Still in Shock.
Farewell "St. George"
Regards Mike and Ellie
Wombat 280 said
09:58 PM Oct 28, 2010
Mate built a slide on for his Land Rover ute and lined the walls and floor with marine carpet and besides the warmth out in the deserts nights the sound absorption was great did the carpet job himself and looks great.
He did consider the rubber carpet unlderay for the floor but thought the heat over time would just cause it to rot away so used 4mm construction ply, used on concrete formwork, and then the marine carpet over that.
then scroll to bottom of the page and on R. side there's a Mercedes Sprinter Conversion...
click on this and you will see Darren's 2006 conversion, good pictures and everything he did is on
show. links to others as well.
Hope this is useful and good luck
oh well I tried and you'd already found it.
-- Edited by countryroad on Saturday 16th of October 2010 08:45:50 PM
Hi
You can buy a product used in the marine industry called closed sell foam. It comes in sheet form and is very easy to work with normal hand tools (cut with a knife, sandpaper will shape. Can be brought in diferent thickness. Would be possible to glue to sides and then glue a cover sheet of some sort onto that.
cheers
blaze
Self Build Motorhome and Campevan Club. UK.
http://sbmcc.co.uk/forum/
I found them usefull for all sorts of things "campervan" when we were altering things around in our Hiace a few years ago.
I actually joined them as a member. Fee about $30 I think? You dont have to join. You can get a lot from just browsing the site. Although if you want to "search" joining is the only way.
Actually just sold the Hiace about 2 hours ago. Still in Shock.
Farewell "St. George"
Regards
Mike and Ellie