Insulating a camper

[ConwyC]

Bought a LWB van and going to pay a neighbour who is a joiner to fit it out for me. I want to take it skiing and so need to insulate it properly but is it possible to over insulate?

Seen people on Youtube doing vans that are fully insulated ie floor, bulk head, roof, sides, doors, to much?

[samj2014]

No, get all the small gaps. Last time I insulated a van I didn't to the batons between panels and on cold mornings could see condensation forming there on the outside, Heat and ££ escaping. Do a proper job, you'll be thankful you did.

[anonymous-user]

We put a lot of effort into insulation for the fact we use our's year round in the mountains like you and my takeaway is that you can't insulate too much. It's a metal cube with wind and cold able to whip around every surface. We intended to use the thickest PIR on as many surfaces as we could and then use spray foam and wool on the surfaces the PIR wouldn't fit into. We definitely notice the difference when in our friend's factory built motorhomes.

Another big thing to consider, especially in cooler temperatures is a vapour barrier. Condensation levels will be really high and any that gets through the insulation will condense on the cold metal and cause issues. There's loads of information about insulation and vapour barriers on the net and it's a very controversial topic so not everyone agrees with the best way to do it or indeed that it should be done. Greg Virgoe on youtube has done a few very detailed videos about insulation and vapour barriers. He even did an R value test on his van I think.

[ConwyC]

Thanks!

Neighbour has done a few motorhomes now. Thanks for the Youtube page tip will go and see him.

I worry that if I insulate it to much living in it will produce condensation and then there are bodily smells, cooking smells and functioning smells that need to get out.

I am torn between having a insulated bulk head and leaving it open not only to let air circulate a little more but to let some light in too.

[samj2014]

ConwyC said:

Thanks!

Neighbour has done a few motorhomes now. Thanks for the Youtube page tip will go and see him.

I worry that if I insulate it to much living in it will produce condensation and then there are bodily smells, cooking smells and functioning smells that need to get out.

I am torn between having a insulated bulk head and leaving it open not only to let air circulate a little more but to let some light in too.

You are 100% going to have condensation either way. You need a roof vent to let that out and ideally a heat source to keep things warm and to keep the condensation away (ie through the roof vent as a gas).

Edited by samj2014 on Thursday 3rd November 17:47

[geeks]

Dont use rockwool, when it gets condensated (and it will) it slumps under its own weight which gives you two issues, one is that it is no longer being insulation and the other is it will rot your van from the inside out!

[ConwyC]

Thanks, no rockwool!

I have a tent that sewn-in groundsheet, it gets so stuffy and it gets condensation if it is damp outside, need to leave the fly sheet open.

[anonymous-user]

ConwyC said:

Thanks!

Neighbour has done a few motorhomes now. Thanks for the Youtube page tip will go and see him.

I worry that if I insulate it to much living in it will produce condensation and then there are bodily smells, cooking smells and functioning smells that need to get out.

I am torn between having a insulated bulk head and leaving it open not only to let air circulate a little more but to let some light in too.

In my experience it's the opposite. The more insulation you have behind a sealed vapour barrier the fewer cold surfaces the moisture in the air has to condense against. Either way if you're in there there will be lots of moisture in the air from breathing, cooking and burning propane, you need to get that moisture out of the van before it condenses against a cold wall. I still get surprised at how much is on the windows of my van of a morning. I'm away in the lakes this coming week, I'm certainly glad of the extra insulation in mine at the mo.

[troika]

If you are using over winter, install a diesel parking heater. Dries everything out as well as keeping you warm.

[AlBondigaz]

As a matter of interest this is how much insulation you get in the doors of a Hymer Grand Canyon S, which is a based on Mercedes Sprinter.

The rest of the van is same - I'm slowly taking it apart and insulating it properly.

Pretty shockingly poor as one of these new is around the £100k mark for a decent spec.

[anonymous-user]

That’s one of the reasons we self built. We use ours in all weathers and altitudes and insulation is a priority. Id still expect better from Hymer though.