To Insulate or Not To Insulate?

[ChestnutBrown]

I have a Kombi with an Ovano, so there is a small chance that I may do the odd single overnighter but on my own at a van show on a very small number of occasions.

I have use Dodo Deadn and the 6mm Dodo Thermo Liner, but I have not yet applied any Insulation on top of that.

My question is whether there is any real gain, plus what those gains are, for just regular daily driving?

Just interested in the pros and cons of not doing this stage, given my work so far being to reduce noise and rattles more than temperature regulation. For example, is there further gains noise wise by insulating?

 

[Vinyl1210]

Hi. I’ve too done Deadn and Thermo liner on my T6.1. Not sure how far you’ve gone, but I did the cargo floor (deadn only), cab floor and quit far up the footwells (both), tailgate (both) cargo roof and cab roof (both), sides and slider, (both) and doors (deadn only). TBH for your needs I’d say that’s enough. (IMHO). I got as much coverage as I thought necessary on deadn and then liner pretty much all over. Sounds (or not if you get me) much better. I’ve only added the Dodo Thermo Wool stuff in the lower rear quarters, tailgate, slider and below the fixed O/S window as it was cheap and took minutes. I’m not bothered about anywhere else. With the carpet lining it’s much better temp wise (I use window coverings too). I don’t feel there’s much to be had sound wise from the wool. Others may have different view.
HTH?

 

[ChestnutBrown]

I have done Deadn and Thermo Liner everywhere in the rear, aside from the arches and floor, as van came with the Ovano system in place and not got the space to put it hen removed at the moment. Will do arches and floor at some point. I also want to do the cab and front doors when I get a chance too.

Cheers for the opinion on the noise aspect. I think I will leave the insulation for now, but might revisit at a later point perhaps, once I get a feel for how it is when out and about.

 

[Vinyl1210]

I’ve got a similar storage to you ( pull out coffin on one side and seating style bench storage on the other). I’ve NOT put any sound deadening on the interior wheel arch as any sound is baffled by the units. It’s just carpet lined. So again, not sure in our scenario it’s a huge win. I did however pull the rear arch liner out and put a couple of sheets on the back of the plastic liner. (Just cos I had some left).

 

[64 SPLIT]

For £20-30 for a roll of the recycled bottle insulation I'd say it's worth it - it'll have a slight noise cancelling effect but will help avoid cold spots where condensation would be able to form.

 

[ginkster]

but will help avoid cold spots where condensation would be able to form.

The insulation would have to be on the outside of the van to do that!!

The metal body will still be cold (as it’s outside the insulation) and water vapour from breathing etc will still get to it and condense. A vapour barrier is required to stop condensation by stopping the water vapour reaching the cold metal skin.

 

[Lubrown]

I’d insulate it personally. We have a gas heater in the van but, as the van is fully insulated, have never used it… even when camping in February in the UK.
Also, I find the van stays cooler for longer when parked up in full sun. Something that’s useful even if not camping - nobody likes a hot car.

There will be a slight advantage in terms of noise - lining panels will wobble and flex so filling the dead space behind will technically lessen the effect of air movement in the void. Whether it’s noticeable on top of what you have done, and over the engine and transmission noise, maybe not so much?

 

[ChestnutBrown]

My side panels are now 6.5mm hex plywood so there’s no movement like the standard thickness panels.

I take on board keeping the van cool though as that is a consideration with a dark painted van.

 

[Salty Spuds]

Definitely insulate & sound deaden, it’s a no brainer. You don’t know how your van usage will change in the future & retro fitting would be a nightmare.