insulation not there at all??

[Steph3910]

I purchased a motorhome this year it was made from a VW transporter van. It was sold as a camper but i have found it has no insulation and cannot be slept in. The temperature inside is like an oven and it got up to 49 c. The dealers response is tough and try opening a window. I have had it 3 months I had a Maxx Air vent fitted to try to resolve the situation but this hasn't helped and the installer said there is no insulation in the van. What can i do?

 

[SpeedyDux]

Our Rapido PVC has never had any condensation problems except occasionally inside the windscreen, which is unavoidable unless we use the external Silver Screen. The PVC appears to have been well insulated and soundproofed by Rapido, with 25mm in the composite floor, and XHP insulation in the ceiling and walls. The build sheet records insulation added to the doors. Everywhere I have looked there is almost no exposed painted metal. Unlike some vans I looked at, where e.g. wheel arches are not insulated at all.

I also believe that the original VW California T4 that I used to own was well insulated by Westfalia. It was comfortable in hot and cold weather and hardly suffered from condensation at all. The Californias on the VW T5 and T6 were converted at the VW factory so might be very different from the T4 Westy California, when it comes to insulation (or its absence).

I do miss that one piece fibreglass elevating roof. Proper job, as we say round here.

 

[Sapper520]

Yes part of the Edwin Hymer Group..... Hymer launched a Merc based 4 x motor home some time ago. From memory MLT.... This is a £100k plus unit. Have seen a link showing a customer taking his to a convertor for fitment of sound deadening mat and full insulation in voids. Not forgetting sorting out cabinets opening while driving on roads not off road. The cost 3000 Euro. For the owner l can only imagine that Hymer were not interested in rectifying these faults. Not a good look for such a brand..... German build quality?

Looks like I can get what I want done for about £130 in materials, delivered.

 

[chaser]

Calling this a wind up and the suggestion it’s an Insulation company looking for business seems a bit paranoid in my opinion.
A bit of digging on the internet , and you can see this person has been into motorhomes and RVs for some time . They appear to have owned a travel trailer and a old American school bus .
Why are some funsters always so suspicious ?
No surprise newbies don’t join as full members when people accuse them of making things up!

How the hell can you find that out?

 

[Swifter]

How the hell can you find that out?

Well , what’s the chances of more than one person ( who is into motorhomes etc ) calling themselves Steph3910.
Many people use the same username on lots of different websites . In some cases this could be highly embarrassing

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Coolcats]

This is the finish couple who live full time in an Adria PVC

CONDENSATION IN A VAN - why we don't suffer from it?

 

[Coolcats]

And another they did a year or so later:

Preparing for WINTER RV LIVING | Insulating VAN with Armaflex

 

[ontheroadagain]

Some manufacturers appear to make an effort.
Adria for example -

Optimised insulation, moisture
control and reduced heat-loss in all
vans. Twin Sports, Twin Supreme
and Plus models with enhanced
insulation:
1 Reduced thermal bridges and new
thermal breaks.
2 Recycled Ecofiber 40 material,
heat-bonded for better insulation.
3 Improved insulation and air-loops
around doors and windows.
4 Vapour barriers to prevent
condensation.

 

[68c]

Interesting, what are 'air loops around windows'?

 

[Coolcats]

Some manufacturers appear to make an effort.
Adria for example -

Optimised insulation, moisture
control and reduced heat-loss in all
vans. Twin Sports, Twin Supreme
and Plus models with enhanced
insulation:
1 Reduced thermal bridges and new
thermal breaks.
2 Recycled Ecofiber 40 material,
heat-bonded for better insulation.
3 Improved insulation and air-loops
around doors and windows.
4 Vapour barriers to prevent
condensation.

Interesting the Finish couple who have an Adria Twin placed Armourflex in the doors, so here is a question is this something to do with winter-proof or winterised (yes they are two different things)

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Reallyretired]

It has given us something to think about. Most UK motorhomes do not have good insulation, when I was looking at them even to large suppliers have a winterised option. Is it because most users only go away in the warmer months? I know we have never been away when it's cold, even though we are warm inside if it's too cold to go out I don't see the point

It may not be cold where you are going. We have had snow and below zero temperatures in

It has given us something to think about. Most UK motorhomes do not have good insulation, when I was looking at them even to large suppliers have a winterised option. Is it because most users only go away in the warmer months? I know we have never been away when it's cold, even though we are warm inside if it's too cold to go out I don't see the point

My last reply was cut off in its prime. I was waiting for a Dr's appointment and got called part way through replying.
I was going to say that we have set off from the UK in freezing temperatures and snow, found similar in northern France but found sun and warmth in Spain.

 

[L' Hobo]

Our Rapido PVC has never had any condensation problems except occasionally inside the windscreen, which is unavoidable unless we use the external Silver Screen. The PVC appears to have been well insulated and soundproofed by Rapido, with 25mm in the composite floor, and XHP insulation in the ceiling and walls. The build sheet records insulation added to the doors. Everywhere I have looked there is almost no exposed painted metal. Unlike some vans I looked at, where e.g. wheel arches are not insulated at all.

I also believe that the original VW California T4 that I used to own was well insulated by Westfalia. It was comfortable in hot and cold weather and hardly suffered from condensation at all. The Californias on the VW T5 and T6 were converted at the VW factory so might be very different from the T4 Westy California, when it comes to insulation (or its absence).

I do miss that one piece fibreglass elevating roof. Proper job, as we say round here.

My German LHD 1989 T25 Westfalia California has full insulation which I added too some years back, the original was loose fibre, which I removed, and I updated it with insulation board. The diesel heater kept it warm, proper job!

 

[CazPaul]

This is our build document 2005.

 

[CazPaul]

Good thread this I would never buy a modern version VW California just on the strength of this thread.
What’s the point of adding diesel heating without any insulation?

 

[Billylou]

Good thread this I would never buy a modern version VW California just on the strength of this thread.
What’s the point of adding diesel heating without any insulation?

In a lot of circumstances you’d have the pop top up, in all weather, therefore insulation elsewhere wouldn‘t be much use. We had a cover for the pop top to help keep in the warmth and it was quite effective.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Coolcats]

Good thread this I would never buy a modern version VW California just on the strength of this thread.
What’s the point of adding diesel heating without any insulation?

What you don’t know is that the materials used in the finishing face may provide as much insulation as the old way of doing things I am not saying I am correct but unless you know what why and how we could be making wrong (or right) assumptions. An example being is that an air gap may be usefull to stop condensation and the inner panels do actually provide a level of insulation needed for a camper van.

 

[Coolcats]

In a lot of circumstances you’d have the pop top up, in all weather, therefore insulation elsewhere wouldn‘t be much use. We had a cover for the pop top to help keep in the warmth and it was quite effective.

Our pop top was the source of dampness.in the same way as If you kept a wet tent in a vehicle

 

[CazPaul]

What you don’t know is that the materials used in the finishing face may provide as much insulation as the old way of doing things I am not saying I am correct but unless you know what why and how we could be making wrong (or right) assumptions. An example being is that an air gap may be usefull to stop condensation and the inner panels do actually provide a level of insulation needed for a camper van.

Not when I’ve now read all the reports of VW California owners saying it’s either boiling hot or freezing with condensation inside.

 

[L' Hobo]

Our pop top was the source of dampness.in the same way as If you kept a wet tent in a vehicle

I just reproof mine every couple of years using canvas reproofing for tents. I also, such as last week, open it up when the sun shines during summer. Never had a problem so far?

You also have to make certain that ALL the canvas is under the fibreglass roof before applying the lockdown clips.

PS, those pop top insulated covers used to be sold by Brickwerks, probably still are?

 

[CazPaul]

I just reproof mine every couple of years using canvas reproofing for tents. I also, such as last week, open it up when the sun shines during summer. Never had a problem so far?

You also have to make certain that ALL the canvas is under the fibreglass roof before applying the lockdown clips.

PS, those pop top insulated covers used to be sold by Brickwerks, probably still are?

I thought you had a Murvi Morello?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[L' Hobo]

I thought you had a Murvi Morello?

I have both and until I sold it earlier this year, I had a 1984 model T25 too.

 

[Tonks]

Our pop top was the source of dampness.in the same way as If you kept a wet tent in a vehicle

That’s another good reason for a thermal wrap if you have a pop top. Mine is never lowered wet - thanks to the wrap, which is rolled and packed in a waterproof bag - and I’ve not had any damp issues in the eight years of ownership.

 

[Coolcats]

That’s another good reason for a thermal wrap if you have a pop top. Mine is never lowered wet - thanks to the wrap, which is rolled and packed in a waterproof bag - and I’ve not had any damp issues in the eight years of ownership.

Having toured in Europe then made my way via Holland to Scotland the weather was wet and cloudy. Even with proofing on canvas it still gets wet and damp after around 17 days the van was damp. I have camped all over the place including in the winter and deepish snow tents get damp and a pop top does the same unless it’s high days and sunny days. Maybe your wrap kept you dry but a standard pop top doesn’t which is one reason we purchased our HymerCar Tin top rather than a pop top.

 

[Sapper520]

Did the back doors today using Dodo Mat products. Ended up spending £162 (free next day delivery) but more than enough soundproofing and thermal lining.

Easy enough job, a bit fiddly at times, but doing it in the warm weather made the glue far more pliable and I didn’t need any source of heat to warm up the panels. I did soundproofing first then thermal, finishing with the fleece. Those doors swallowed a lot of the fleece roll!

Knocking on the doors now isn’t tinny at all, so hopefully a little less noise on the road, and warmer doors on the inside.

Sliding side door and cab doors tomorrow.

 

[Sapper520]

Did the back doors today using Dodo Mat products. Ended up spending £162 (free next day delivery) but more than enough soundproofing and thermal lining.

Easy enough job, a bit fiddly at times, but doing it in the warm weather made the glue far more pliable and I didn’t need any source of heat to warm up the panels. I did soundproofing first then thermal, finishing with the fleece. Those doors swallowed a lot of the fleece roll!

Knocking on the doors now isn’t tinny at all, so hopefully a little less noise on the road, and warmer doors on the inside.

Sliding side door and cab doors tomorrow.

Rain stops play.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Abgs]

Interesting the Finish couple who have an Adria Twin placed Armourflex in the doors, so here is a question is this something to do with winter-proof or winterised (yes they are two different things)

That is massively more than in my Hymer!

I looked closely at the Adria and I was also impressed with the Malibu when researching my PVC purchase but I just found any Fiat based vans too awkward to drive - I think I'm too tall for the cockpit. The driving experience of the Mercedes is very good with a roomy cab area.

 

[Sapper520]

That is massively more than in my Hymer!

I looked closely at the Adria and I was also impressed with the Malibu when researching my PVC purchase but I just found any Fiat based vans too awkward to drive - I think I'm too tall for the cockpit. The driving experience of the Mercedes is very good with a roomy cab area.

I can guarantee you, 100%, that my Burstner, Carado, Etrusco, Elddis, Hymer, Laika, LMC, Niesmann + Bischoff, Dethleffs, Eriba…..I mean Sunlight, isn’t insulated like that.

Budget Brand….I know.

 

[VANLOVER]

I can only suggest you need some thermal insulation/liner. It should keep your temperature down in summer and keep it warmer in winter. We have bought Glassmat XR from https://www.carinsulation.co.uk/ it is only 10mm but we stuck 2 layers together making it 20mm thick and it is working for us. We do not have a motorhome but a van, but I would think it works the same way?
Hope this helps.

 

[Otter Spotter]

Did the back doors today using Dodo Mat products. Ended up spending £162 (free next day delivery) but more than enough soundproofing and thermal lining.

Easy enough job, a bit fiddly at times, but doing it in the warm weather made the glue far more pliable and I didn’t need any source of heat to warm up the panels. I did soundproofing first then thermal, finishing with the fleece. Those doors swallowed a lot of the fleece roll!

Knocking on the doors now isn’t tinny at all, so hopefully a little less noise on the road, and warmer doors on the inside.

Sliding side door and cab doors tomorrow.

I hope you didn’t compress the fleece in the cavities, it will not work if you have, the fleece works on the principle of having plenty of air trapped

 

[Sapper520]

I hope you didn’t compress the fleece in the cavities, it will not work if you have, the fleece works on the principle of having plenty of air trapped

I didn’t. I filled the void spaces as best I could but didn’t pack it in. However, I sold the van nearly 12 months ago. It’s an old thread.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Otter Spotter]

I didn’t. I filled the void spaces as best I could but didn’t pack it in. However, I sold the van nearly 12 months ago. It’s an old thread.

Doh, I didn’t see the dates !