Campervan conversions use insulating carpet on walls, why not motorhomes

[FrankNicklin]

In our dining area there is a fabric panel that stops you touching the outer wall when using the bed, which tends to be cold in cold weather. On the opposite side where the bench seat is that converts to a single bed, when you remove the seat back the wall can be very cold and is just the plasticky wall covering which can get condensation. Just wondering why Motorhomes don't have a similar carpet type insulation on the walls like a camper van and can it be fitted or would it be detrimental.

 

[gpat]

I think it's because motorhomes have more space and use a full insulating layer. Camper vans have space used by the twin layers of steel - one continuous layer and one frame layer. If you added a sandwich construction inside that there would be little room left. So on camper vans they fill the voids with insulation the add a ply lining that is covered in carpet.

Motorhomes are usually, but not always better insulated as there are fewer thermal bridges. The carpet lining is not required.

 

[Lenny HB]

Some like Carthago where the internal wall are aluminium use a microfibre material on the walls, out Hymer has it on the roof again it has aluminium internal walls.

 

[Jo May]

You could add some wallpaper on the floor too, to complete the look.

 

[Mzracer]

Some like Carthago where the internal wall are aluminium use a microfibre material on the walls, out Hymer has it on the roof again it has aluminium internal walls.

Niesmann is very similar, seems like a fine carpet on the walls because of alu skins.

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[Dorset Diver]

Our Carthago has the soft breathable covering on walls and roof. Both the walls and roof are double skinned and insulated. No cold spots to attract condensation and the Alde heating under the floor keeps my tootsie's toasty.

 

[FrankNicklin]

Ours is an old Swift. It is warm inside but the walls can get cold so wondering if adding such a material would be an option or would it cause issues.

 

[scotjimland]

Ours is an old Swift. It is warm inside but the walls can get cold so wondering if adding such a material would be an option or would it cause issues.

Cant see a problem doing that .. and would certainly make the walls feel warmer..

I just recently re-covered my campervan walls and roof with a corded nylon rubber backed carpet.. lovely job and not difficult.. bought carpet from an end-of-roll carpet shop .

 

[marpool]

Our Rapido has the microfibre on all the internal walls and ceiling, preventing cold spots, making it warm to the touch.

 

[POH]

Was thinking of putting some of that on the inside of my garage doors to help stop the condensation ,do think it would work.

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[Burgo]

Can you still get flock wallpaper? A nice analglypta with some fuzzy flock in the pattern would work, wouldn't it?

 

[Minxy]

Some like Carthago where the internal wall are aluminium use a microfibre material on the walls, out Hymer has it on the roof again it has aluminium internal walls.

It's very useful too ... I've got a few things attached to the walls (temperature gauge etc) and by sticking the hooky part of Velcro on the back of them there was no need to put in screws etc.

Was thinking of putting some of that on the inside of my garage doors to help stop the condensation ,do think it would work.

Yes I think it would work - our Carthago has it in the garage and it certainly prevents condensation forming in there.

 

[Otter Spotter]

Ours is an old Swift. It is warm inside but the walls can get cold so wondering if adding such a material would be an option or would it cause issues.

The ‘carpet’ material would certainly feel warmer and doesn’t retain moisture so should not get damp. Take a look at this business who sell various materials for convertors at really good prices.

https://vandalised.co.uk/

 

[nicholsong]

On our recent trip going down to Greece through Italy at the end of August spending 8 weeks in Greece and coming back through Austria in November we were well insulated against heat and cold, thanks to N&B's foam-filled aluminium sandwich construction. Only had heating on briefly one day on way back.

 

[WallaceandGromit]

Our previous Van Master caravans had carpet on their roofs, and had to vacuum the blo*dy thing regularly doodles don't shed you think

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[cyberyacht]

Years ago when I built my yacht from a fibreglass shell, I lined parts of the hull with foam backed carpet. Not as good insulation-wise as where I had skinned panelling though.

 

[CAB96]

Campervans (of the VW and other varieties) use stretch carpet. It will cut down on the condensation, and add limited insulation, but warmer to the touch than metal.

Harrisons carpets seem to be one of the most popular choices.

 

[PhilandMena]

Our 2011 Autotrail has 40mm of wall insulation and 45 mm of floor insulation. This is standard for all Autotrail Excel motorhomes.

 

[funflair]

It's very useful too ... I've got a few things attached to the walls (temperature gauge etc) and by sticking the hooky part of Velcro on the back of them there was no need to put in screws etc.


Yes I think it would work - our Carthago has it in the garage and it certainly prevents condensation forming in there.

The best bit about having carpet on the garage walls is that you can put screws in for fixing/hanging things and if you change your mind and remove them the carpet just heals over and hides the hole

Just to add, most if not all manufacturers that use aluminium for the inside walls use carpet or some other form of insulation, Concorde, N+B, Phoenix and Morelo certainly do and Morelo offer the option of wipe clean foam backed faux leather on the walls and ceiling so cooking smels don't linger.

 

[herald_400rl]

You could add some wallpaper on the floor too, to complete the look.

Someone at work asked if he could lino his house walls to match the floor. Each to own but... eww.

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[TheCaller]

Harrisons carpets seem to be one of the most popular choices.

I've got one of their cab mats in our Ducato. It's already lasted twice as long as its predecessor & still looks almost new. It was cheaper too.

I was in Cleckheaton for a music festival & called in to see what they had. No fancy premises, but very friendly and helpful.

 

[Minxy]

Someone at work asked if he could lino his house walls to match the floor. Each to own but... eww.

Funnily enough many years ago when we were looking to move we viewed a 3 bed house and the bathroom walls had been covered in vinyl flooring, it actually looked really good and much better than tiles.

 

[Guigsy]

I suspect that the insulating R value of carpet is pretty poor compared to insulation used in coachbuild walls.

I suspect that smaller vans use carpet because it's convenient/practical rather than because it's the best material.

 

[FrankNicklin]

I suspect that the insulating R value of carpet is pretty poor compared to insulation used in coachbuild walls.

I suspect that smaller vans use carpet because it's convenient/practical rather than because it's the best material.

It is less about insulation but more about the comfort factor. A cold wall will feel cold and you sense the cold without touching the wall. Cold walls also cause condensation. With a fabric on the wall the condensation is reduced to zero and when using the bed you haven't got the coldness of the wall to deal with.

 

[scotjimland]

The best bit about having carpet on the garage walls is that you can put screws in for fixing/hanging things and if you change your mind and remove them the carpet just heals over and hides the hole

indeed, . same on the inside walls..

It is less about insulation but more about the comfort factor. A cold wall will feel cold and you sense the cold without touching the wall. Cold walls also cause condensation. With a fabric on the wall the condensation is reduced to zero and when using the bed you haven't got the coldness of the wall to deal with.

excellent reply