This was going to be the toughest lining job – but it was that time…. Most people ply line and which gives a lovely straight edge, but due to wanting to maximise available space, we cant do that. So, as the pics show, the nearside rear has some tempting holes, but some real nasty 3d internal and external 3 way curves. Urgh.
As we don’t want to come in further than the pillar to maximise bed space, life gets tough! We insulated the voids, ran power cable for the USB/12v socket in the lower right hole (in trunking) and for the nearside reading light. Then built frames for the shelves (bonded) put n cut 7mm foam insulation and taped a vapour barrier, and then put fluffy insulation in the small gaps, so the entire thing is insulated and vapour proof.
Then we carpet lined the wall all the way to the cab, then carpet lined a ply front. Sounds easier than it was, maybe 4 days work (!!!!!). No wonder people ply line and keep it straight! (Made even more difficult as the ply front needs lining externally and a bit internally too (where you put your hands), with nasty curves, and (of course) me not wanting any visible screws or fixings…… Argh
Overall, looks really good, really neat, but again hides a huge multitude of sins. In places its a bit amaturish but should look good when the bed is made.
(The bottom isn’t finished, cant do this till we do the floor, so its temporary for now)
Love the shelves!
Thanks! Got one hidden in the NS door too
Excellent use of the otherwise wasted space. Got to be worth the effort as it looks great as well as being useful!
Thanks, appreciate the comment! Have emailed you directly.
Love it – been doing the same thing in my van too 🙂 which fluffy insulation are you using?
Mostly, its Kiravans 7mm foam/silver insulation, and then MegaVanMats Megastretch carpet over the top.
Hey this is all amazing! 🙂 i also have this van which i use for work and occasionally camping at work (childrens entertainer at events).
I have question though for rear insulation.. both sides is a small vent, mine are actually are quite dirty inside from dirt and moisture outside. Did you seal these parts off to make moisture barrier as well as carpeting over etc, or just kept open for more air flow? I also have a window so not sure if best to keep or just seal off?..
Thanks 🙂
Hi Bekki
Most definitely, left them open. Also the skylight is “always vented” as are the two side windows. You NEED air movement, otherwise you die 🙂 But also if you sleep in the van the condensation will be immense and it will condensate on metal and rust the van eventually from the inside. So airflow is essential.
Great thanks for that 🙂 I’m not normally a DIY’y kind of person but quite chuffed so far thanks to your blog! 🙂 So now wondering if you created some sort of barrier between the vent area and where the insulation under your wood boxes meet (and same of course for the other side)? Or just roughly filled around the vent with fluff up to the side? Just a little wary of my fluff getting damp from it as its quite mucky in the vents.
Nope. No barrier. The plastic cover over the vent was put back. No insulation or anything – totally clear for air flow.
Insulated above and left inside (but left wiring cabling clear). Used the white wool type insulation (but its the non water absorbing stuff, not loft stuff). Don;’t use the loft stuff – it gets/stays wet.
not seen any dirt there? But one side is behind the gas locker so out of site, and the other side under the bed is just there…. Not seen any muck there.
I do have mudguards. do you?
Hi, where can I find the fluffy insulation?
Is it this one http://www.diy.com/departments/diall-loft-insulation-l8m-w370mm-t100mm/197658_BQ.prd?ppc_type=shopping&ds_kids=92700018862572466&utm_source=google_cpc&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=PX_GSC_Building_Outdoor_Best_Sellers&gclid=Cj0KCQiA84rQBRDCARIsAPO8RFwPqmhupG8YoJvpW0fL8clMkzgn_qy0bqpOMP5NJNs23AZnSctd3DsaAi5WEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CJCKqu7ur9cCFfiE7QodlP8G9A ?
Hi
Not sure about the B&Q one – that may be a worth a try, but not sure. the normal loft stuff absorbs water. Took me a while to find it – but I bought this stuff from megavanmats http://www.megavanmats.com/apps/webstore/products/category/1231817?page=1
Loving the blog.
I am in process of converting my NV200 at the moment.
Question for you….
I notice that you seem to have fixed silver thermal insulation to all metal surfaces first around the windows and the top section of the sliding doors etc and then you fixed the carpet on top of that. Did you do this all over and if so what is the advantage over just fixing lining carpet to these areas?
Hi
Good question.
I only did it covering the “holes” in the removed panels on the doors. This was then sealed to create a moisture/vapour barrier. The doors have holes for handle that lets in water, and this is to allow the water “out”. The ply/carpet panel goes on top. On the rest of the doors, and around the windows is just carpet. Why? In a small van, when you breath you get condensation. Any bare metal will get wet. That’s a fact. Why don’t the pro’s do it? Because its a b****d of a job lol!
Some other panels were insulated with a cross between the 7mm foam & silver, or the 3mm silver thermawrap – just to maximise insulation really.
But the doors, its only the “openings” where the innards are I covered.
See the entire photo nbuild process for more pics
Hope this helps?
thanks for the explanation, many thanks.
Hi,
I’m hoping you still receive comments for this blog, it’s been a great help recently. I have 2 questions regarding insulating the cavities in the doors and above the wheel arches, where you’ve installed shelves.
1. How far ‘down’ and ‘up’ into these cavities are you managing to adhesive on the foilwrap insulation? I can see it’s going to be quite tricky to get into all awkward corners and cover with foilwrap before insulating. My guess it’s important though no matter how messy it turns out otherwise condensation will find a way in!?
2. Have you anymore info on exactly how you channeled the leaking water from the door handle hole down to the drainage holes? Did you just make a ‘tube’ with the foilwrap all the way down, and if so, did you foil-tape the metal behind first?
Thanks
Hi, sorry, my spam filter blocked loads of posts.
I have sold the NV200 on but will try and help
1 – just do your best. I covered all with thermoliner (7mm foam with high temp adhesive + silver back) – and did what I could. I stuffed dacron where I could and covered with thermoliner and ensured that was taped – so any condensation had to stay “on” the thermoliner and not behind. Seemed to work OK – never noticed any issues
2 – Yes, made a “tube” out of the bubble wraap and sealed that to the door. I left the door as bare metal as thats what it’d be normally, and ensured there was free flow to the bottom of the door.
Again, all I can say is in 200 nights we owned it, never had any signs of condensation or water ingress, and it would’ve shown on the carpet – so it worked well for me.
Hope that helps